Second Ride of the Year - Sunday Snapshot 3.16.14

On Tuesday 3/11 the weather in Columbus was amazing.  High 60's and full of sunshine.

I had gone on my first bike ride of the year the previous Sunday.  It was about 45 degrees, which wasn't bad on the way out, but we had the wind in our face coming back and it was pretty miserable.

Tuesday was perfect.  I completely forgot to grab my headphones and it was a really good thing.  I was only going on a short ride, less than 10 miles, so I really didn't need the motivation/distraction.  It gave me the chance to enjoy the wind, and the other people out and enjoying the nice day.  There were a lot of couples out walking their dogs, jogging and biking.  

But the show stopper was the sky.  Totally gorgeous.It was so nice getting out into the sun and the air and getting the chance to really move.

What I Bought at Dollar Tree

I mentioned back in my Christmas wishlist that I had the random urge to bake cake and put cake pans and cake baking accessories on my wish list.  I did not get any of them for Christmas.  This in no way stopped my urge for cake baking.  The end game still being that I am good enough at it by March 2 so I can make my niece her usual request of a chocolate cake with chocolate icing.  The freak.

Cake supply less, I've been scheming about when I will have enough money to buy myself cake pans, carriers and cooling racks.  Then today, I remembered what happened when I got the urge to bake bread.  I went to the Dollar Tree for foil bread pans and ended up finding real bread pans for a dollar.  Off to the Dollar Tree I went, and what do you know.  Cake pans, carriers, and cooling racks.  Nothing that will last a lifetime, but a great way to see if I actually like this and will do it often enough to warrant spending real money on it.

$4 in equipment later, we have lemon cake!

Well, two actually but the second one looked like this.

And then this....

And I was thinking, well, once I stack them, frosting will hide a multitude of sins.

But then I remembered that I live at my house, and we do not keep milk on hand.  Did I mention I decided to start this project at 9 pm?  I decided to wait to make the frosting  after a grocery store trip.  At this point, I still had hopes for a pretty stacked cake tomorrow.  Then my husband wanted some, so I cut the bottom off.  Then I decided to try to flip them and the mangled one fell apart.
 Along with my dream.
The cake and a 1/2 are now in my dollar store carrier ( totally not trusting that handle btw) and I will attempt to make frosting tomorrow.

Now, I wanted to end this post with " and here is a picture of my little baking buddy" and show a current picture of my little dog.  My little, lovable dog.....who hates cameras.  Hilarity ensued.

Caption: If I just keep moving they will never catch me.

Caption: Noooooo I don't like pictures!

Caption: Must escape clutches......

Caption: Why don't they love me anymore?

Caption:  Maybe if I ignore them they will go away.

Thanks to Stefanie for hosting Sunday Snapshot!

Rosco

At Christmas, my husband and I took in a dog to foster.  His name is Rosco, and he is adorable.

We were planning on keeping him as long as our current dog, Bella,  was able to handle it.  She was not.  

We had to keep them separated and Rosco wasn't really able to be part of the family.  We were going to give Bella a week to adjust and then we were going to try to find him another home.  Christmas was on Wednesday.  Thursday morning a co-worker called me.  She had been trying to help us find a home for Rosco and she succeeded.  I was really torn about sending him to live with her.  I really liked him, and really wanted it to work out.  

We took him to visit her anyway.  She had made the vet appointment before she even met him.  She told us that she had filled out the paperwork to adopt a dog who looked just like him that Monday, but had never submitted the paperwork.  She is a widow and had been wanting to find a dog for a long time.

It was easier to give him to someone who needed him more than we did.  We decided that sending him to live with her was the best option.  My niece's family had been one of Rosco's many stops before finding his forever home, so I made sure that she had a chance to say goodbye before we took him over.

The lady who adopted him works on the same floor as I do and has been giving me daily updates.  She is in love with him and always thanks for me for bringing him into her life. 

I know he is at the right home, and I know he is going to be very happy there.

But I still miss the little guy.

Thank you to Stefanie for hosting Sunday Snapshot! 

Lunch In The Park

We love our local parks.  We use the trails for dog walks, geo caching and bike rides.  We go there occasionally for breakfast lunch and dinner.  We really enjoy being out by the water, the trees and fresh air.  Bella likes it because she gets new smells and can claim new fiefdoms. Here is last Sunday's trip.

Thanks to Ni Hao Yall for hosting Sunday Snapshot!

Sunday Snapshot 5.26.13

Saturday night Snapshot today.

My husband is working at a different building a few days a week now.  That means a new parking garage and getting to see another part of the city.  The fun thing about the new parking garage is it over looks a little park, and has a great city view all around it.  My parking garage view isn't half as interesting.  I did not take photos of the other two sides, but it's definitely on my to do list.  The other fun thing ( for me at least) about this view of the city is I can't see my building from it.  I work in a very tall building, and being downtown usually means work is looming over me.  I also want to go back when the carousel is open.  Because whats not fun about a carousel?

Thanks to Nihaoyall for hosting Sunday snapshot! I am having a lot of fun exploring other blogs.

Bike Rides, Uncut Grass, and Flip Flops

Sunday summer time fun!  My little dog lost in the precut grass.  Can you spot the Bella?

Three of my new favorite summer time things.  Aeropostale flip flops( that match every summery dress I own), sundresses, and my new super awesome chair.  The super awesome chair is sure to make an appearance of its own in  a favorite things post.

There is a part of my bike trail where the paved trail just randomly stops.  If you look closely, there is a  beaten down man made trail that continues it on.  Eventually it opens up to this spot.  Under a train bridge, beside a creek, and the start of the paved trail again.  I don't go this way often, so I took the opportunity today to stop some pictures of the scenery.  It really is quite striking. 

19 miles on my bike today!  Super slow, 1.  You can't really be speedy on this part of the trail. 2.  I was with my friend who was on a hybrid, not a road bike, 3.  I haven't been out much.  Still. 19 miles and next week ( as long as the weather cooperates) I am going to get my butt out there and burn some calories.

Thanks to Nihao Yall for hosting Sunday Snapshot!  This was my first time but it was a lot of fun to stop and appreciate my surroundings with a few pictures.