Baking Diva

So, I'm quite the baker recently. Last weekend I took on broken glass jello, which I do admit is not really baking. The jello got me started on this baking extravaganza. Okay, not really an extravaganza but to someone who rarely bakes, it is to me and my family.



This is the broken glass jello.

Then Saturday, I tried my hand at the popular cake pop craze that is currently sweeping the nation. Even Starbucks has begun to sell them. But, I don't need no stinking Starbucks, I can make my own!

Voila! Cake Pops by Jeni

It was a little rough making the cake pops, I admit. I burnt the white chocolate and had to run to the store to buy more. The problem was that I don't have the proper chocolate melting equipment. I tried a tip that I saw online by using a ceramic mug set inside a pan of boiling water, but it didn't keep the chocolate at the right melted consistency. Then I put it in the microwave on defrost...that is when the chocolate burned. So then with my new bag of white chocolate I actually read the directions for melting chocolate in the microwave and it worked out better. Still the next time I attempt the cake pop is after I have purchased a proper chocolate melter.

Today I am attempting a bundt from scratch. A lemon bundt to be precise. It is in the oven right now and it smells delightful. As soon as it cools and the glaze is applied, I will post a photo.

Tsunami Warning

On the heels of one of the most powerful earthquakes in recorded history came a tsunami warning. The 8.8 magnitude quake in Japan generated a destructive tsunami that effectively destryed prefectures on the pacific coastline of Japan and sent waves out into the pacific toward us and points east. So we loaded up the cars, kids, and dog and set out for higher ground...the Wal*Mart parking lot in Kunia.

Now I must say that we have done this before. Almost exactly one year ago February 27th except that time we went to the Chilis/McDonalds lot in Kapolei.

Anyhow, we stayed from 1:00am to 5:00 am. The Wal*Mart was very nice to be parked near this time around. They're open 24 hours and they let us use the bathroom (that is something the McDonalds in Kapolei wouldn't let us do)...so, props to Wal*Mart!

Once we found that all was well and there was no high water, we went home and went to sleep!

Today when we were walking on the beach, we noticed that the tides were receeding and returning at an unusually fast rate. While we were out the tides receeded and returned about four times (we were only out there for an hour's time)!

2:52pm

2:54 pm

2:56 pm

2:59 pm

Weird, wild stuff eh? Amazing how the energy generated thousands of miles away affects us hours after the event has taken place. Thankfully no one here suffered damage. God bless those in Japan who were not as fortunate.

Power Outage Cancels School

Overnight Thursday there was a crazy windy storm that knocked down no less than 15 poles along Ft. Weaver, effectively killing the power to all of Ewa Beach. Friday morning I got up, got ready for school and got the kids ready as well. All along thinking, "How am I going to get out of the gate?". I didn't have to wonder for long because as I was browsing Facebook waiting for the kids to brush their teeth I found that all Campbell Complex schools were closed!

Back to bed!! Since that suggestion raised no objections from the kids, I crawled back in for a couple more hours of sleep.

About two hours later, Mike's alarm woke us up and we decided to venture out to Anna Miller's for breakfast. Not knowing the scope of the power outtage, we decided to go anyway to see if they were open for business. On our way out of Ewa we observed that indeed all of Ewa seemed to be powerless which left us wondering how much of the island had been affected. Our questions were soon answered when we passed Zippy's and saw the massive amount of poles and power lines laying in the makai bound lanes of Ft. Weaver. Then we knew that Anna Miller's was most likely not effected and we pressed on.

I ordered, get this, an avocado and bacon omelette. IDK it just sounded good at the time and it was pretty good except for the cheese. Next time I'll have to say no to the addition of cheese. Mason had grilled cheese and fries, Abbie pancakes, and Mike the farmer's breakfast. After eating we almost went to a movie but remembered that Abbie had a baseball game so we went to get ice, steak, and water from Sam's and returned home.

The kids handled the power outtage pretty good and decided to play the game of Life. Well since the game was not put away in an organized fashion the last time it was played, it took quite some time to the organize the money, cards, and so forth. By that time, of course, Abbie was not very interested in playing so now we have a game that is ready to play in the future. When it came time for Abbie's baseball game, it had started to rain so Mike went to check the field to see if the coach was there.

Game on!! I decided to stay home with Mason since he's not a big fan of watching his sister's games. While Mike and Abbie were gone, I decided to make some earrings and Mason made a bracelet with some alphabet beads. He's been into reading the periodic table of the elements, so he made a bracelet that reads AU Gold. So funny what he gets interested in! Anyway, I made a cute dangling pair of white and purple crystal earrings with sterling silver chain and wire.

After the game we began cooking dinner since the sun was setting and we'd soon be thrown back into darkness. Thank god we have a gas grill with a burner on the side! We made sirloin steak, hot dogs, and ramen noodles. It was dark by the time the food was done so we all ate by candlelight and listened for updates on a small transistor radio.

Mason and Abbie entertained us with shadow creatures made with their hands over the flashlight. Abbie is pretty good at it! They did that for awhile and then it was time for bed. Before bedtime I gave the kids a couple of glowsticks to have fun with in the dark. They had lots of fun with these! I experimented with the camera and got some interesting shots.

After they went to bed, Mike fell asleep and I turned in while listening to The Ricky Gervais show on my iPod. At 3:24 am, 24 hours after losing power the house came alive again.