I definitely need more practice, but here is my first rose and rosebud cake, which I did this evening. We are going to a 2-kid birthday party in early June and I have offered to do both cakes. Have to figure out how to make farm animals. Sheep seem like they should be relatively easy to make but I think I’ll need more than that.

For the first time, we took a week of vacation and did not travel anywhere. It was pretty good, although you know you’re getting old when the week’s highlights involved getting a new vacuum cleaner (and being excited about getting a deal on one), looking at bathroom fixtures, and installing shelving.  The house breaks first, the residents are next. So far so good.

Elysia is usually the one who tackles the home repair projects without hesitation. The Navy sends her to Norfolk when she’s 7 months pregnant and the next thing you know she’s standing on top of a cat condo with a drill. Today, however, I did a little drywall repair.  If you ever want to live inside a gingerbread house, cake decorating tip #19 works well with joint compound.