cake: baked, decorated, devoured

The cake is finished! This was a red velvet cake filled with ganache and cream cheese icing. This was probably the least stressful cake I've done. All made in one spot, and only needed to be walked out the door, what an easy delivery!
One more wedding to go, 4 more days!

Feeling Sentimental

Cakes are baking, the lodge is mostly clean. I'm just admiring the flowers here. I will truly miss all the flowers and picking fresh herbs from the garden. I've just taken the buds off of the lavender I dried. It's surprisingly easy and rewarding. This is the first time I've done any gardening. It's been so fun seeing what pops out of the earth. It's such a joy when you take over a garden because everything is a surprise (at the same time challenging to figure out what everything is!). I am just amazed how each week something new is blooming. This area is so lush and I am thankful for the climate I'm in because I'm definitely a beginner here and it doesn't take much work to make it look gorgeous. I will miss sitting on the front porch staring at the mountains. I will miss gazing at the stars on a clear night from the hot tub. I will miss the peacefulness, hearing the birds chirp in the morning and our secluded view- nothing but trees and mountains all around. For all the complaining I've done, it is truly gorgeous here in July, just as I was told. The sun shines bright, a bit of a breeze makes it bearable, not too many bugs and the temperature drops in the evening. I love sitting rocking, reading on the front porch and wrapping up in a blanket as the sun goes down.

Weddings in Full Swing

I thought I'd share with you the fun events taking place here at the lodge. We have wedding after wedding and I love seeing all the different types that go on here. This wedding had a live mariachi band. This was a simple set up, but it made the place look like a million bucks.

The last wedding (not the one pictured) had all homegrown flowers and they were amazing! Lilies, calla lilies, roses, hydrangeas and more, all from the mother of the brides garden! And the table centerpieces were made by the mother of the groom. A set of three homemade soy candles were placed on each table. They were all made using a variety of different clear glasses. Wine glasses, egg cups, dessert cups, all different sizes and shapes all made for a unified fun look. That was my kind of wedding, friends and family pitching in to make it unique. They had amazing thai food! I even got to keep a trio of candles, some potted petunias, and a gorgeous bouquet (some of the perks!)

Last night we enjoyed listening to a band that came out to entertain the group of friends that are at the lodge this week. My mom would have been in heaven hearing Cat Stevens, James Taylor, and Simon and Garfunkel tunes. It was a clear night with the moon shining bright, very beautiful and fun listening to music on the porch (sorry, no pictures) as the sun set over the cascades.

Fun Facts About Moving

Yup, actual obituary photo from Seattle Times, just made me chuckle. This is a classic example of one of those perfect pointless blogger picture moments I just couldn't resist. Hilda will keep my glasses protected and safe!

* I get caught up on current events. I just can't help reading articles while wrapping

*My blog posting frequency rises
(hmm, with 14 days to go, without a single day of vacancy at the lodge this is really not smart, it's called procrastination, or something along the lines of when you have more to do more gets done, no I won't flatter myself, it's just procrastination)

*6th time in 3 years

*Wedding cake to make
(I think every move has been accompanied with a wedding cake)

*You would think it would be easier-it sorta is, but sorta isn't. Poor Sam, my junk addiction isn't exactly helping our nomadic lifestyle

*Yet again we are going to be cramming way too much stuff into much too small a place, but as always Sam will get the job done.

Give that Van a Name

Isn't she cute?

Ok, the look of this blog may change, (not that it's ever really been All Things Artsy.) Sam and I will be embarking on a new adventure at the end of this month. I was going through the full round of emotions, but I'm over it now and just plain excited. One thing I'm really anticipated is a reunion with our beloved VW van. But I've realized somehow, we forgot to name her. I know it's neglectful and abusive and just stupid on our part. How we could have gone through all the adventures with her, and fail to give her a proper name, I do not know. But I plan on rectifying this situation asap. Any suggestions? She is definitely a she, and she needs a sassy, tough name. Any ideas?

Sam is doing a job for his dad in Rockford. I'll be visiting my family. And then we will reunite in Eau Claire to give her a new clutch so she'll be ready to take us back out west with the last few remains I have at my parents house. That's all I'm sayin for now. I have so many other little ideas to share with you. We have been looking at many interesting books from the library!

3 Day Backpack Trip

Here they are! You can click on them to see them larger. Lots of pictures, had to share a bunch.

The view back toward Leavenworth

Going through some rocks

At Nada Lake, the first one

Nada

Looking back at Nada after we go up a bit
This was cool. There is a little bridge where water from upper Snow lake goes to the lower part and we had to cross it. There was quite a bit of water flowing over it!

Gorgeous reflection at Snow Lake from camp in morning

Another Snow Lake, you can see how clear the water is

One more, I couldn't resist

Starting out on our day hike to the lower enchantments

Trail starts to get tough, seems to disappear, only a few kairns here and there, fun hiking on the rocks

Starting to get steep

We stop for some lunch

It was a great view from all sides

Almost to the top, going over the granite
Look who surprised us! A group of another 2 goats frightened me on our way down, running right in front of me.

Saved the best for last. Lake Vivianne

Definitely worth it

Look at the little boyscout, I think he just earned his hiking merit badge!
We loved watching the fish in the lake. And it was so refreshing to filter some of that cold water!

Sam and I just got back from an amazing backpacking trip to the icicle creek area.
Day 1: Hike to Snow Lake, set up camp
Day 2: Daytrip to lower enchantments, back to camp at snow lake
Day 3: Hike back
It was a scorcher hiking in and out, but once we were at a higher elevation it was good. The mosquitoes were crazy! It was so gorgeous! I really can't describe how amazing the alpine lakes are. It was our first hike of the year with heavy packs on, what a difference that makes! I definitely want to go back, next time with an ice pick and crampons! And my feet did take a beating, so maybe I'll actually wear hiking boots instead of my worn out Chaco's!

Happy 4th of July!

Here's the whole gang!
(Dennis, Linda, Sam, Katie, Rusty, and me)
You can click on any of the pics for a larger image

I made a few flags from some vintage goodies I had.

I made a meringue dessert. This provided the perfect opportunity to use my new trifle bowl I had been dying to use! I found it when antiquing with Ames. (It came filled with wooden spools of thread, but I'm planning on using it exclusively for desserts)

We had a fabulous Independence day! Sam's family all came to the lodge to celebrate. We had a great time. We played croquet and badminton. Unfortunately we didn't have any fireworks, but we still had a blast, ha! We played games, relaxed, laughed, and even managed to fit a little antiquing in! We ate way too much food, it's in my blood, I can't help it. We stuffed our bellies with watermelon, corn on the cob, potato wedges with chipotle dip, chicken and portobello sandwiches and a meringue dessert.

We also just returned from a great 3 day backpack trip and I'll be posting about that soon!