Behold, Our Masterpiece

Trials have been ongoing since October...

Progress has been logged and photographed by yours truly...

Last Saturday, our masterpiece came to fruition in a smooth and timely manner.

BEHOLD! The tower of cupcakes! The crowning glory, the WEDDING CAKE!

Jasmine and Joel tied the knot in a simple and elegant ceremony at the Stewart Creek Golf Course in Canmore. The weather was surprisingly fantastic for an April weekend, and it was sunny and warm.

If you find yourself wondering, "How long does it take to make 67 cupcakes and a wedding cake?" The answer is 8.5 hours. 6.5 hours to make the cake and cupcakes (with a lasagna making break), and another 2 hours to make and pipe icing. Jill, Mallary and I made the cupcakes the day before, and the icing the day of-- in Joel and Jasmine's hotel suite! I think the cleaning staff was a little unsure what to think when we rolled into their room with 12 bags of supplies, Tupperware, mixing bowls and a Kitchen Aid stand mixer.

The cupcakes were vanilla cake with a combination of vanilla bean and chocolate buttercream frosting. We used white chocolate and milk chocolate Bernard Callebaut shavings for garnish.

Mallary found the design for the cake decoration at I Heart Baking.com. I located the love bird wedding cake toppers in a posting on Etsy.com. I'm so happy with the results!

I think I can speak for all of us when I say I was honoured to have a role in Jasmine and Joel's wedding. 

Congratulation, you two!

Experiments and Experience

Friday was the 50th Annual Calgary Youth Science Fair. Weeks ago, Tom and I volunteered to be judges for the grade 5 and 6 students' projects. It was our first time judging, and we were not sure what to expect. I never went to the science fair when I was in elementary school, although Tom did!

I was blown away by my experience. I wasn't expecting the kids to be so eager and keen to share their work and knowledge. I judged five different projects on a wide range of subjects. Three were experimental projects on sleep, tennis ball performance and reaction time, and two were non-experimental research projects on tornadoes and the solar system. Each student or partner duo had a different style of presentation, and the time slipped away quickly as they rattled off facts and findings from their projects.

People milling around the Olympic Oval.

My favorite project was by a grade 6 student. His project tested how various products helped kids fall asleep. He tested the old wives tale of warm milk, sleep aid music and calming epsom salts. This little boy was overflowing with personality, when he declared, "I think the people who make this sleep aid music would go out of business if the results of my research was ever made public. Sleep music SUCKS! It keeps you awake." His hypothesis was that none of the sleep aids would help you fall asleep, but he was surprised to find that he, and all his test subjects fell asleep quickly when they consumed a warm glass of milk.

I was impressed by everything I saw, and how well the science fair was run. I'm sure I will be a return judge in the years to come.

Tom's mom dug up this old document from Tom's experience in 1995. I hope the kids we judged this year will hold on to their reviews for just as long.

Interestingly enough, all the things the judges had to say about Tom in 1995 are still applicable today! And he DID become a great scientist. Tom says he only vaguely remembers his science fair. He mostly remembers going to McDonald's after it was over...

The Fam

Two weeks ago, Tom's family and I braved the cold for a photo session with Heath O'Fee Photography. This was a birthday present for Tom's mom, who is always on the hunt for a good family portrait-- not an easy thing to come by!

Working with Heath was a lot of fun. He's a laid-back kind of guy, but gave us clear and concise directions. We spent only an hour with him, but got many, many shots. I'd highly recommend him! That's Heath O'Fee, everyone. HEATH O'FEE!

My only suggestion is to choose a warmer weekend! Brrr! It was chilly!

Here are some of my favourites from the session.

Full family.

Barb and Dave.

Tom and Andrew.

Parents and sons.

Can you see the goosebumps from there?

Tom tangoing me in the face with grass.

I love the drama in Andy's eyes...

Team Hikers.

Me and my man.

Red jacket -- Public Enemy #1.

We figured we'd use this for our CD cover when we become a travelling folk band.

If you like what you see, remember-- Heath O'Fee!