Flame on

*Image & card by ShedLetterpress

If I were to share a cake with my mom today it would have 93 candles.  In four years, we'll have to make a go of sharing a cake to light up 100 candles together.  I wish I could be celebrating with more friends and family, but my good wishes and love can span the distance.  I'm looking forward to a fabulous cake baked by my husband and a fun dinner with a few of my favorite local people.  Happy birthday mom!  Have a wonderful day.

Marshmallow

*Image & cards by blackbird letterpress

I've been thinking cake all along and then out of left field today I got a hankering for rice krispie treats. For a while last month we went on a soft carmel corn kick and that gooey sweet goodness really hit the spot.  Are rice krispie treats too simple for a birthday dessert, or should I combine my sweets and add cake to the mix?

Martini

*Image & card by ColorHug

Cheers to Sandra, who I imagine celebrates by slipping into her fanciest heels and sipping a martini from her favorite glass.  A Cosmo counts as dessert right?  Happy birthday Sandra!

Requests

*Image & card by Fine Day Press

My husband the baker makes some delicious confections.  He is the best when it comes to birthday cakes, in my opinion.  One year he surprised me with chocolate lava cakes.  I could probably have any cake I could dream of, but I'm feeling stuck this year.  I just can't decide.  I feel like cupcakes could be delicious, but so could a pie.  Last year we did an ice cream theme party, but this year I'm keeping it small.  I have all week to make my request, but I need some help.  What should I have for dessert?

Birthday week

*Image & card by papillion press

It's birthday week all week, which will end with a lovely celebration of my very own birthday on Saturday (my mom's birthday too!).  I love celebrating birthdays, especially my own and have a few extras this week to make the celebration last.  Right now I'm thinking of cake.  What is your favorite birthday dessert?

Shower

*Image by karsayk

So, I've been helping out on deck with my school's water polo team.  It has been pretty fun getting to know the girls on the team and to have them look up to me because I'm an athlete.  My polo team was actually invited to play in the local high school tournament in order to help fill spots and to mentor other teams in the water.  It's really a fun experience to get in with girls who are learning and to help teach them the game.  Today I got in the water with my high school girls, which was great - until I learned that there was no shower at the pool.  They are practicing at a local community pool because one of our huge district swim complexes is getting a new deck and is closed for a few months.  No shower?  To top it all off I had a meeting before school today.  I planned for a laid-back ponytail, but not the accompanying chlorine scent.  I managed to wash my hair in the tiny sink to make due, but will reconsider getting in the pool again on Thursday.  Waking up at 5 a.m. surely deserves a wake-up shower.  Don't you think?

Neon vs. Orange

I'm not quite sure how I feel about neon, but I do have a friend who is willing to push fashionable trends with simple neon accessories.  I think that is as far as a grown woman should go,or at least one who has already seen this trend come and go.  I'm all for day-glo in workout gear, but am unsure if I could do more than a strip about the waist or perhaps an earring, or even more daringly a shoe.  How would you wear this shade?

Source list:
sherbet
neon
tomato
pants

Outside

*Image & print by 1canoe2

I wish it were that easy.  I would love to go outside and enjoy it - but that is usually only about 7 o'clock in the morning, or while I'm pool-side.  This is my last free week before I'm back to the good old grindstone and working full time again.  I really want to play outside, but that will have to wait for fall.  I guess I have good things to look forward to.  Where have you been playing?

Flash

*Images & flash cards by Knock Knock

I currently have the first version of slang flashcards laminated and ready to put up in my classroom.  I find it perfect that this new set of big words has concrete literary references.  With pregnant friends popping up all over someone is bound to be gifted something awesome like this.  Can you tell I have school on the brain?

Versus Series

I've been considering a weekly series and came up with the perfect word play.  Versus = vs = my initials.  Could the stars be more aligned? This week, obviously I'm getting ready to head back into the classroom.  Next week is my final week of summer and then it's back to the grind stone.  I have a purple pencil skirt in my wardrobe and I thought that I could dress it up or down.  My normal outfit would be the cardigan all the way.  It is my standard wardrobe element for sure.  The same goes for flats.  I'm on my feet all day, so that usually leaves any type of a heel out of the question.  I think I could pull of a petite wedge, not a heel.  I'm still hunting for the perfect blazer.  How would you wear this outfit?  What would you choose?

Source list:
1. schoolboy blazer
2. striped shirt
3. gumdrop earrings
4. belt
5. cork flats
6. pencil skirt
7. python wedges
8. cardigan

Tie-Dye

*Image & article via deadspin

Tomorrow the Lithuanian basketball team plays USA.  I'm having a game-watching party at my house, but the live game is too early to host a group of friends.  We'll be watching the re-play in the afternoon, so I'll be avoiding the internet just as to not spoil the results for myself.  I even have some tie-dye gear that my husband will be sporting because we're rooting for the under dog in this house.  Lithuania already has a gold medal from the London games thanks to Rūta Meilutytė winning the 100m breaststroke. Who are you cheering for these games?

Red Raspberry

*Image & print by A Two Pipe Problem Letterpress

I have another home brewer to add to my list of friends, or would it be a friend to add to my list of home brewers?  Either way, last Saturday we all toasted and enjoyed his summer red raspberry beer.  The beer was a lovely pink color, almost that of ripe grapefruit flesh.  The beer was refreshing, slightly tart and perfect for summer.  Rather than using raspberry flavor or syrup as many are wont to do, he used a pound of fresh macerated raspberries in muslin and immersed them in his beer (I'm not exactly sure at what stage in the process, but if you really want to know I'll get you the recipe).  This was by far the best tasting raspberry beer that I have ever had, and it is also the perfect beer for summer. The flavor of the fresh berries was a compliment to the beer and the absence of artificial sweetness let the flavors of the beer and berries mingle to create a tart, but not bitter end note.  Lifting the glass to my nose, I could even smell the raspberries. I'm glad that I know such talented people, and that I can drink to their success.  What is your perfect summer beer?

Winner

*Image by me

Last night we explored another San Antonio hidden gem.  We drove out to the Boardwalk on Bulverde where a host of food trucks gather Thursday through Saturday night. The night was perfect and the food was excellent.  We'll go back for sure.  I had the Mimi Melt from Winner Winner Chicken Dinner and didn't think that I could finish this enormous sandwich, but after passing it around my group for bites (they were salivating) I managed to finish the entire thing with no regrets.  Chicken, avocado, spice, bacon and cheese with a tasty slaw on Texas toast made for a lovely dinner.  The sweet, creamy and spicy all married well together and I couldn't put it down.  I've already planned my next dinner because the selections from the Spice Runner truck were so good I don't want to settle for bites next time.  The owner of the truck is from South Africa and makes some delicious, well-balanced flavors and his own complex hot sauces.  Because the food trucks don't have a liquor license, it's either BYOB or a taste of the free beer they offer on site.  Free beer, you ask?  Yep, they can't sell it, but they can give it away.  Have you been swept up by the food truck movement?

Strawberry Pie

*Image & recipe by Cook's Illustrated

Yesterday, to celebrate the 4th, my husband made a fresh strawberry pie.  I wanted to take a picture of it, but we devoured it too quickly.  Seriously, there is no pie left today and I am sad about that.  The whole, fresh berries are pulled together with a cooked jam and fill a flaky pie crust.  There is nothing better than chilled fresh strawberries on a hot day, and this pie was just the ticket.  I think that it will be a repeat in this house.  We spent our day outside playing by the water, grilling, and then devouring this tasty pie.  How did you spend the 4th?

Gators

*Image by richseow

This weekend I'm playing in the Masters National Water Polo tournament with my team the Gator Gals.  We're finally playing in the 30+ bracket and have less competition overall, but will definitely play hard this weekend.  Our first game is us vs. the Olympic Club and needless to say, I won't feel bad  if we don't win that game.  The thing I'm most excited about is seeing my little brother again, because Nationals is in Irvine and that is just close enough to have a fan in the stands.  I'm not looking forward to another weekend away from home, but that should be it for my summer.  At least this little jaunt will be another temporary escape from the heat, for now.

Pool & popsicle

*Image & card by Hartland Brooklyn Card Co.

Yesterday I spend a glorious day poolside and in the refreshing waters of my friend's pool.  It was a perfect way to beat the TX heat and enjoy the summer.  I even got to practice passing for my upcoming trip to Masters Nationals for water polo this weekend, which I'm really looking forward to.  Today I will beat the heat by completing my indoor household chores, eating a popsicle and possibly heading to Sea World to pick up my educator's pass.  I can't think of a better way to beat the heat than by getting splashed at Sea World.  How do you stay cool in the summer?

Starfish

*Image by my Mom

The first fish my mom caught of of the Gaviota pier was a starfish.  After poking it a bit and letting it slime up my hand we released it back to the ocean.  Our aim that evening had been to bait and catch a shark, but a sea lion decided to show up and spoil our fun.  We did catch some rock fish, some mackerels, some decorator crabs and plenty of sea weed.   All of the time spent outdoors in California made me yet again long for a more reasonable summer climate.  Maybe it's nicer down on the gulf coast?  Maybe we'll have to get down there this summer and see if there is any good fishing.

Crayon decor

*Image via greylikesweddings

If you're going to encourage people to color place mats you've got to provide them with art supplies right?  I'm not sure that there are enough crayons for the entire table, but what a fun way to display them.  I'm in a coloring mood lately, can you tell?

Place mats

*Image & place mats by Cake Vintage Table & Home

When I saw these place mats with color-in, punch-out disguises I felt like a little kid.  I love restaurants that provide paper, crayons and a blank canvas.  I also thought of my friend & cousin who decorated their rehearsal dinner with action figures and whimsy.  They will be celebrating their union again in October and these place mats also reminded me of them.  Disguises and pearls and crayons would be enough to liven up any celebration and would make for memorable photos. Are you a fan of coloring?

Sun & Surf

*Image & print by Myan Soffia

I can't wait for a sunset beach hike with my mom and my brother.  California summer is so much better than the awful heat of Hades we experience during these same months in TX.  I'm not looking forward to the humidity & the terrible heat.  I am relishing all of this time with my family.  How are you spending your summer?