Sweets for Christmas

For the record I'm not a lover of cupcakes but when a cupcake is splendifurous I am in love.

The formula for a Perfect Cupcake =not too sugary butter cream frosting (no shortening-esque icing, bleck)+moist crumb+the right cake to frosting ratio+flavors that taste like the advertised flavor

With all locations being at least 2 states away Sprinkles is a day dream (do you hear that Sprinkles, just bring one to Denver already!) BUT, next week I will be in close proximity to my second love: Sweet Tooth Fairy

The Wild West

First stop Maddox Ranch House in Brigham City, Utah where the beef is raised outback and served in large portions, the parking lot is full and the log cabin interior screams down home cookin'. My mom and I shared a 12 oz New York Strip Steak served with squishy fresh rolls and corn pones (and raspberry butter!), soup or salad or seafood cocktail, your choice of potato (baked please!) and steamed vegetables. I don't like cooked carrots but I could eat bowl after bowl of these. And then a homemade rootbeer. Oh how I could take another one of those RIGHT NOW.

Then rolling rolling rolling, with our extra full tummies, through northern Utah to Idaho

We stopped for the night in Pocatello, Idaho. Oh darn, we missed the entertainment on July 14th: Midget Wrestling, seriously?!

Next Stop: Idaho Falls, Idaho. As my mom and I were getting out of the car a senior citizen dressed in red plaid sporting a gun holster was waving his handgun outside his truck. I threw my arm across my mom and said, "wait, do you see that guy with the gun".

My mom replied, "yes, I think I just heard him ask his wife 'do you think it's ok to take this in the store with me or should I leave it in the car?'" Well, he left it in his car, just laying on the front seat. After reluctantly following him into the store he turned to me with the broadest grandpa grin and a twinkle in his eye saying "did you see that crazy guy out there waving around the gun". Yep folks we're in Idaho. But not even a gun can over shadow the ice cream at Reed's Dairy. Again the cow's are outback. I had a softball sized small of a scoop of chocolate, oreo, marshmallow and peanut butter cup heaven called Mom's something or other. Sorry I can't remember. I would take another scoop right now, right along with the aforementioned root beer!

Then on to Rexburg, Idaho for a trip down memory lane. I spent my first 2 years of college here. So much has changed (see left) and so much has stayed the same.

Last Stop: Twin Falls, Idaho. I've been looking for a potato ricer with zero success, because I refused to pay $40 for the only option available at a certain store. Well at Rudy's they had 3 options--bonus. And my favorite was the most economical $14 option--double bonus.

Twin Falls has a wee bit of shopping and some spectacular scenery. Even in the middle of summer when the water level is low the views of Shoshone falls are breathtaking.

Miscellaneous land

It's all random stuff today because I leave in TWO DAYS! Welcome to my brain as I work through the chaos.

I'm not a fan of a certain store starting with "w" but I was very excited to find a last minute duffle bag  at "w" for $7. You know, to pack those emergency souvenirs.

I received all my phone/camera goodies: case is cute, strap fits and matches, but...the interchangeable lenses don't fit with the case on (and the case has a pretty sizable lense opening). So I will be making the most of the iPhone camera as is.

Yesterday an ATM machine ate my Visa card. That's right. 3 days before leaving. And when the owner of vicious ATM machine said they wouldn't be able to pry the card from the ATM claws until Tuesday--I leave Monday by the way--I almost took a hatchet to the thing myself. Fortunately, after expressing my panicked concern, I should be able to pick up my card today. This is supposed to be fun right.

Did I mention I leave in 2 days. You would think after 46 days without a job I would be meticulously organized and have at least basic phrases memorized for each country I'm planning to visit. Not the case. Instead I've become a Tinkerbell expert. Did you know fairies are born when a baby first laughs and that Tinkerbell has a sister?

Just heard a little knock at my door and a voice saying "licola licola". Sounds like I'm about to get another dose of fairy dust. Not such a bad way to spend my last Saturday morning in the states.

Pinky Finger Excercises

our finger sandwiches at The Grand America Hotel-photos by Christy

I enjoy a lovely Tea and when a trip to England just isn't possible to satisfy a longing for scones and clotted cream I go here

The Grand America Hotel 
Salt Lake City, Utah 
The Afternoon Tea includes: 
a blossoming tea flower and a tower of
finger sandwiches,
scones, jam, clotted cream,
pastries and pate fruit 

Two a Tea 
Glendora, California 
The Royal High Tea and The Queen's Tea are served course by course including a spoon sized sphere of sorbet as a palate cleanser. The strawberry herbal tea is still one of my favorites.

Tea flower at The Grand America Hotel

The Rose Garden Team Room at the Huntingon Library
San Marino, California
Here everything is served buffet style so if your favorite tea sandwich is salmon and dill you can have 1 or 4 more.



Reservations are required for all three of these tea services. And they are all worth the wait.