Friday, November 19, 2010

The Kitchen Is Closed for Awhile: We're Moving to Lake Arrowhead!

I just finished packing most of the kitchen, so the cupboards are bare and the mixer is out of commission...for awhile.
We move next week, after the Thanksgiving holiday.  I cannot wait to settle into our home and begin baking in my new kitchen. This one doesn't have granite countertops, but...
 it does have a breathtaking view of the lake!
It won't be long before our home will be filled with the delicious smells of fresh baked bread and homemade cookies. 
Then Baking Daze in LA will continue, although with a minor name change: Baking Daze in L(ake) A(rrowhead)!  Sweet!


Monday, November 8, 2010

Happy Brrrrthday Bruce: Getting Ready for Snow in Lake Arrowhead!

In just a few short weeks, we will be moving into our new home in Lake Arrowhead--just in time for snow.  I haven't lived through a real winter since moving from upstate New York to Southern California in 1976.  I am not exactly looking forward to it for I still remember well all the "delights" that come with the experience, and I am not talking about sleigh rides and snow angels.  My husband, however, who has not lived in snow as an adult, is thrilled beyond belief.  He just can't wait for the first snow storm.  In fact, he is worried  that all this talk of la nina--a cool and dry winter--will bring little snow this year.  I am hearing otherwise though from long time residents of the mountain town. Not to worry Bruce, you'll probably get more snow than you bargained for.

Though his birthday is Wednesday, November 10th, we celebrated with family this past weekend.  For his birthday cake, the theme was easy...sort of, for I also wanted to include fishing on the lake come warmer weather.  So I decided to divide his cake in half.  One side snow and one side fishing:
I used half of a cardboard cake board to divide the two and and created snow using confectioners sugar.  I found winter figurines and plastic trees for the snow side...
And a perfect cake decoration for the fishing side at Kake Kreations.  (Also added a cut out picture of a guitar to put beside him, for I'm sure his guitar will be as important as the fishing pole out on that boat!)
And thus the lake side...

Of course all of the birthday gifts matched the snow theme, getting Bruce ready for his winter wonderland... including an auto emergency snow shovel to keep in the car along with his chains. Let's hope Santa brings a snowblower this Christmas!      
Happy Birthday Bruce, I love you!