Owl-o-ween

Back to baking...

Yes, these owl cupcakes are supercute - and easy! I found the idea from my Google reader list yerterday, which includes Foodgawker, a gallery of enticing food photography submitted by talented food bloggers, which link to their original posts. So I must declare upfront: this idea was not mine, though I wish it was.

Today was the boss's bday - so close to Halloween. I made a dozen of these and they were a hit. So fun!

Sleep deprivation week

No, I'm not talking about myself. In fact, I feel bad for even changing my FB status to a comment about my lack of sleep.

That's because this week, from Monday to Friday, Wayne's platoon is enduring "Sleep Deprivation Week" in the field. That means not only is it a cumulative, hands-on test of everything they've learned up to this point in IAP (Initial Assessment Period), and not only are they stuck outside for five days in Quebec, where it's already dipping to -4C at night, but they have FOUR HOURS OF SLEEP allotted over the ENTIRE five days. (!) I suppose it's an hour per night - or smaller segments broken up.

Yes, it's as disgusting as it sounds and if there are two things in this world Wayne despises, it's being tired and being cold. harumph.

Speaking to him last night for the last time (until this coming Saturday) was the first experience we've encountered where we were both scared for him and neither of us could do or saying anything to make it better. They call it Hell Week. I can't imagine why...

It gets so bad that they can't go anywhere without a buddy and they can't even use live ammo in their weapons in case of accident; they are using blanks instead. I don't know how the human body can survive this experience, especially in the cold and wet. Today and tomorrow, it is raining and hovering around 5C, while Wednesday will be snow mixed wth rain and around 1C. Thursday will be -3C and Friday, their final day where there are also forced to do a 13km rucksack march, will be 10C.

The only positive thing I could think to say to Wayne was, "Better to learn how to survivie this here where you're safe than in the Afghan mountains." I didn't feel too supportive.

Please pray for Wayne and his platoon this week. He's already dropped 25 lbs. and really doesn't want to lose any more. They are eating Army rations this week, too, which will be a shock to the system.

Lulu

LOVE

Not loving the price, though ($198).

Wayne has invested in Lulu ginch - who knew marching caused so much chaffing? Poor guys. Now that he is a paying customer, I'm inching my way closer and closer to becoming a regular Lulu consumer myself. I MUST have the apres yoga jacket.

PS - Sorry about the lack of posts. I've not vacuumed in three weeks and my dog is filthy. Once these chores are completed, I'll feel better posting a real blurb. I have yet to write about women's retreat and Montreal, among other things. It's just one of those seasons...

Love carrots

See these carrots?

I have dubbed them the "love carrots." My boss brought them in from her garden for me - they grew together this way! She gave them to me and told me they have grown together and fit each other perfectly. It's obvious that they are meant to be together, even when they are apart.

Like Wayne and me.

She made me cry. And now I have love carrots in my fridge.

Love you, Wayne.

Rockridge '08

The Pinnacle Trail

Rockridge Canyon

Princeton

Ladies' Retreat 2008

Cedar Grove Church See that peak on the mountain above? I was there yesterday. No, really. I was.

It started out like any other trail: a sign, an arrow, colourful leaves beckoning us to explore the unknown territory beyond.

"What a beautiful setting," we ambitiously say to one another as we set off on a tw0-hour hike, which our guide, Amber, says, "Isn't too hard, but it's steep and narrow."

Pffff, we think to ourselves...

...until we hit the inclines. Until our lungs begin to ache. Until sweat begins to drip from our heads and backs.

45 minutes later, we reach the magnificent peak and the tumultuous skies that have rumbled all day open up and release the rain. What a feeling. No cars, no sirens, no dogs barking. Just us and the Lord, face to face, with the sky moving a million miles an hour and the valley below reminding us of how far we've come.

This, my friends, is accomplishment.

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More on the message of the weekend to come.