We’re having dinner tonight at the Kings on a nice relaxing Saturday. The bakery did well this morning and I bought a new vacuum to replace one that died.
Category Archives: Random Life
Dinner at the Kings
Two dogs I like.
Saying I’m not a “dog person” is a bit of an understatement. It isn’t that I don’t like dogs, I’m just irrationally afraid that they are going to bite my face (or hand or leg) off. I am not afraid of puppies, but then they grow up into, well, dogs. It’s the way I’ve always been. I always kind of wished I could be allergic to them, so I’d have some sort of good excuse. But I’ve tried hard hard hard to overcome this fear. It’s pretty embarrassing to be afraid of dogs. I was actually doing alright there for a few years. And then I went to Peru – where the wild dogs (that are everywhere) very likely will bite your face (or hand or leg) off if you’re not careful. And then I had a run-in with a doberman pincher last summer. Both experiences have landed me firmly in the “will always be afraid of dogs” category. So it goes.
But there are exceptions to every rule.
Yep - I'm as close to Dory as it actually looks!
Dory is one of the King’s dogs. Dory is named after the fish in Finding Nemo who forgets everything because, well, Dory doesn’t have the best memory in the world. The thing that endears Dory to me is that she is just as afraid of every human being as I am of every dog being. So we get along pretty well.
Sweet, camera-shy Dottie
And Dottie. Dottie is just about the sweetest dog on the planet, and she belongs to my dad and stepmom. She doesn’t bark or jump, just kind of leans against your legs in a friendly welcome. I like to say that Dottie has the soul of a much smaller dog – if you sit on the couch, she would just as soon try to curl right up on your lap. She is an incredibly submissive, calm dog.
Both Dory and Dottie were rescued from abusive homes. They were both treated horrendously and lived in fear before they were found and adopted by the King’s and my parents. It makes me shiver to know how terrible people can be, but also so glad they are in homes where people love them so thoroughly. I think the fear they have of people and the fear I have of dogs has bonded us in a way. There’s an unspoken connection – “I’m safe with you.”
Last weekend
This past weekend, we were in charge of Maureen on Saturday and Sunday while her parents were in Illinois. We went up to Wausau to look at the chalkfest artwork and then head over to the airport for the balloon rally and “ribfest”. It’s a weird combination of stuff to do, but it totally worked and we had a blast.
The chalkfest art was amazing to look at. A lot of people were covered in dark chalk and looked to have sore knees from bending over to the ground all day.
Our friend Erin was doing Bambi
This "Up" drawing turned up pretty amazing
Adventure Time!
After chalkfest, we drove over the downtown Wausau airport for ribs, balloons, and fireworks. We parked at Julie’s aunt and uncle’s house (Ruth and Greg) and walked on over to the airfield. We were presented with 5 giant rib booths. Each had signs that were easily 20 feet high, advertising their awards and what they offered. We got some cheese curds and then waited in line for a sampler platter with brisket, pulled pork, ribs, chicken, and then another 1/2 rack of ribs, just in case. We polished all of the food off pretty easily. While we were waiting in line, I saw they were offering bi-plane rides, so I grabbed Maureen and we went up in a plane over Wausau, which was a pretty amazing view of where I grew up.
Rib booth signs
Greatest grill *ever*
In the plane
After the plane ride, we waited until it got dark to watch the fireworks. Unlike “safe”, normal fireworks, these are large fireworks shot off only a couple of hundred feet from the audience. The wind was blowing back to us, so a lot of the fireworks were going off directly above us, which was *awesome*. Julie’s cousin Laura actually got hit by shrapnel and there was lot of ash and still-smoldering pieces of paper falling around us the whole time.
It was a bit too windy for the balloons to take off, but a few of them inflated for a few minutes
What a Jolly, Happy Soul!
As Jenn and I were out and about today, she casually mentioned “the snowman.” ”You haven’t seen The Snowman?!” Inconceivable. She immediately steered the car in the direction of Brawley Street, but didn’t really give any details.
This is the best snowman I’ve ever seen in my life. Apparently the residents of the house set up scaffolding to build it.
Justin got home from a meeting this afternoon, and the first thing I said was, “You have to see The Snowman.” He was impressed too.
For Jessie.
Our friend Jessie is in some warm, sunny location at the moment, and posted a lovely picture of beach and palm trees on Facebook today. And as I look out our windows, this is what I see:
Pretty, yes. But Jessie wins, hands down!
A New Post
It’s November. I am a little bit in shock over this. It shouldn’t be November. September, maybe, but certainly not November. I feel like every day of the last two months only lasted about 42 seconds. I know the last few weeks were pretty packed. Go to Las Vegas, go to Minneapolis 76 times, open the bake shop, bake birthday cakes, baby shower cookies, and dozens upon dozens of cupcakes and cake pops, vote, and then grimace at the results, and start baking again. And with a new business, busy is good. And we’re doing very well. Which I’m over the moon about. I am certainly not complaining about being busy. I am by far NOT the busiest person I know. But I am much busier than I have been in quite awhile, being busy at something I love. I think I’m pretty spoiled, in fact. Well, let’s go with “blessed,” that sounds so much better. 
And in the midst of the busy, I’m feeling really humbled and thankful. I absolutely 100% could NOT be where I am today without the oodles of support and love and help given by Justin, and by our amazing family and friends. I can hardly describe what it feels like to have the kitchen completed and the bake shop open to customers. Pretty remarkable. We were interviewed by a reporter for the local newspaper last week and they asked for pictures of the renovation process. And so I spent about an hour going back through blog posts and sending them the links, reading and jogging my memory about each step. I do not miss the Drywalling Step. I can’t believe we survived the Drywalling Step. I didn’t have a kitchen sink for Three Months! I barely remember that. I definitely remember the trips to IKEA, biting my nails on the drive home, praying the tires on my in-laws’ minivan wouldn’t explode from the weight of our purchases. In a couple of weeks, when we go back to Minneapolis (because it’s been about 17 hours since we were there last and we’re feeling antsy) in a couple of weeks, we are going to IKEA and may only buy TWO or THREE things. For FUN! Certainly, a new day has dawned for us. In the midst of this new busy, I feel such a sense of peace, and of rest, as silly as that sounds. I get to bake now.
Busy. Which I think is a good thing.
These last few weeks have been hectic. Really hectic. The weather has been fluctuating between gorgeous and Mother-Nature-Hates-Wisconsin. The oven has been busy as all get out, and almost burned Justin’s face off yesterday. And the week ahead is going to be just as busy, with orders for Ginger Cookies and Cake Pops. Wedding season, it certainly is! Plus, visitors! Travis and Emily flew up from Houston for a friend’s wedding in Milwaukee, and then have spent the rest of the week visiting friends and fam. We drove up to Crystal Lake on Wednesday to celebrate Trav’s baptism, have a picnic lunch, and enjoy the water and sun.
The Gasper brains must have been feeling in sync that morning, as the guys found themselves quite coordinated! We could only stay for a couple of hours as we both had work calling us home, but it was nice to have some additional time with them.
Hey! Do we still have a blog, or what?!
Goodness gracious. I apologize. I don’t feel like I’ve had 4 minutes available in the last two weeks! Even as I write this, I’ve already jumped up twice – once to get laundry out of the dryer and once to rotate the chicken roasting in the oven. Oh yeah, and I should pack for this weekend. I suppose a toothbrush and socks would come in handy…
I have made numerous batches of cake pops, cookies, cupcakes and cakes for numerous different events since our last post. Friends over for dinner to enjoy lots of laughs and plenty of delicious food. Fried Chicken with Sweet Potato Chips! Habanero Monterey Jack Biscuits! Banana Pudding! Fried eggs on leftover Habanero Monterey Jack Biscuits! Oh, my stomach smiles in remembrance. I promise the recipe for those crazy HMJ Biscuits will be coming shortly. After I get back from the weekend away (hopefully with my socks and toothbrush).
I am headed down to the Chicago area with Sarah, Justin’s mom, to Cousin Sally’s bridal shower. We’re staying with Aunt Maggie and Cousin Beth (Holla!). I promise to blog about it. Truly.
To tide you over, here is a picture of a Boston Cream Pie I made for friend Jenn’s Dad’s birthday. It was pretty fantastical. I’ll blog about it soon. Really. Well… hopefully by the end of the month!
Spring Walk Sights
Have we mentioned that we love living downtown before? Maybe once or twice? We could not be more pleased with the twists and turns (and major blessings) that have brought us to our current station in life. In addition to being within 3 blocks of about eight terrific restaurants and walking distance to the library, bank, and post office, we are just a hop, skip, and a jump from the riverfront. We have been taking daily walks down by the river for over a month now (are we sure this is still Wisconsin?!) and have loved seeing the spring transition.
More green grass and buds, more people out walking and riding bikes, and plenty of ducks to be amused with. Except that I ALWAYS forget the camera. Never fails. Gorgeous sunset over the water? Nope, no camera. A gazillion ducks surrounding a kid with a piece of crumbly bread? Just have to etch it in our memory because the camera was sitting on the table at home. So yesterday we got lucky. Not because I remembered the camera for the walk, but because I had it for a completely different reason earlier in the day and it still happened to be in my bag. But really. How often do you come across 4 giant people puppets representing Earth, Wind, Fire and Water?! Seriously?!
Just some happy, though possibly embarrassed, nature-lovers in the park, practicing for a performance later in the week.
Spring in Stevens Point. Gotta love it!
