Randomness — Page 5

Fortunate Friday

July 1, 2011 by Jenn

I’m WAY behind on my Fortunate Friday’s! It’s not that I haven’t been fortunate, it’s just that life has gotten in the way.

Excuses, excuses, I know. I’m really good at excuses. It’s my forte.

“It’s too cold out.”

“It’s too hot out.”

“I’m too tired” (no, not THAT kind of too tired!)

“I don’t have time right now.”

“I’m too busy.”

And I could go on, and on. If you don’t believe me, just ask Paul.

Now that I have thought all about the many reasons why I don’t have time to do this post, the most important thing that I am missing, is I LOVE MY BLOG! And no matter what time it is, where I am, or what the weather is doing, I LOVE to write.

I am fortunate that I love to write, and that it keeps me coming back for more 🙂 I have always loved to write, and often found it a source of comfort, especially in those dreadful teenage years. I went back and tried to read some of the journals that I wrote way back when, but they were so embarrassing! Filled with teenage angst, and drama, hopes and dreams. Um, not much different from now, but replace “teenage” with “thirty’s”.

I am fortunate that I discovered the Hunger Games trilogy! I’m onto audiobook #2, Catching Fire, and love it! I turn it up really loud so I can hear it being read over the hum of my KitchenAid, and it sounds like I’m with someone and that we’re arguing! Have you read anything really good lately?

I am fortunate to officially be on summer holidays! Whoop! As a teacher (by day), we work hard for 10 months of the year, and recuperate for the other two (without pay, I might add). Some say that we have an easy, cushy job, summers off, and long breaks, but I invite you into my classroom, to spend 10 minutes there, and see YOU do it! It’s way harder than it looks. Teaching take endless patience, adaptability, confidence, kindness, empathy, and most of all, a love and respect for the kids. I had a fabulous group of kids this year (including the one who peed in the middle of the school field), and I am truly going to miss them. I’ve only said that twice in my career- my very first class of Grade Ones (who are now going into Grade SEVEN!) and to the kids this year. I must mean it or something!

We have really had some good things happen this week with the Cakery. I am fortunate and thankful for all of those events. More info will come later…but now, it will bore you.

I am fortunate for these people’s genes . . .

Are they not the most beautiful people? Inside and out. By the way . . . I’m calling Mom, Steve, you stole the good looking genes in the family! xoxo

I can’t leave a Canada day post without sending out a Happy Canada Day! There are many things that I don’t agree with in this country, but we live freely (mostly…it would be really nice if we didn’t have to charge tax on cupcakes!), we are free to speak our minds (and write it in a blog) and we are free to associate in ways that fit ourselves (especially in Vancouver . . . riot much?).

Happy LONG weekend everyone . . . do you have plans? What are YOU fortunate for?

Filed Under: Fortunate Fridays

Cranbrook Farmers Market

June 29, 2011 by Jenn

This weekend marked the opening day of the Cranbrook Farmer’s Market 2011 season! This year marks the third year that the market has been running, and it is getting bigger and better every year! There are tons of talented people that have come out of the woodwork to show off their creations, produce and general community spirit!

I have to say . . . IT’S ABOUT TIME CRANBROOK GOT SOME CULTURE and spirit! And uniqueness. (Cranbrook rant done.)

I have been going to this market for the last couple of years as a customer, but this year, Paul and I decided that we wanted to be a part of it! We brought JJ’s to the market! We did a couple of indoor markets in Windermere in the spring, but that paled in comparison to the number of people that came down 10th Ave this weekend! It was great people watching, and a great chance to get to catch up with people you haven’t seen in a while!

It was VERY different from the “other side”. I decided to do a pros/cons list for this (because I’m a dork)! When’s the last time you made a pros/cons list? Grade 4?

Pro: I didn’t spend any money. Con: I didn’t have time to leave my booth!

Pro: I didn’t have time to leave my booth! Con: I didn’t get to see all of the beautiful jewellery I kept hearing about.

Con: Our cupcake balloon flew away! Pro: A man CLIMBED a tree to get it out! I gave him free cupcakes. Thank you monkey-ability man, whoever, and wherever you are.

*Note, when putting a helium filled balloon away in a truck, make sure the windows are shut (not just the doors). Yep, that was me that did that, but I did try pretty hard to blame Paul for leaving the windows open. (That’s the balloon in the pic below….try to take your eyes of the two cuties selling cupcakes).

Pro: We are working out all the kinks in our booth set up. Con: We still have a lot of kinks. And scrapes. And scratches. On us, and the &#%^ gazebo. Poor Paul. I’m not my finest early in the morning.

Pro: My mom came to refill our change drawer when we ran out. Con: She brought like $20 in nickels.

Pro: I made a lot of cupcakes. See my cake fridge? Con: I didn’t get to eat any of them.

Pro: I have the greatest FREE labourer in the world! She is my cupcake expert equal. Con: We don’t get to talk because we’re too busy!

Pro: The market allowed me to FINALLY meet my first blog friend! Karen from Toronto Girl West! Con: I acted like a dork . . . and forgot how to talk. It was like meeting a celebrity! I can’t imagine what I would do if I met (uhhhh, insert current favourite star here…I can’t think of any as I have been in the kitchen too long!).

Despite my large dose of dork, I LOVED meeting Karen! Go and check out her blog, because she is an amazing. And what a photographer she is! I love her pictures, she’s always travelling, and she is so real! I love reading her blog because I totally relate to things that she is saying. Besides, we both like to workout, eat, and have small dogs!! How could be NOT love each other?

The market overall was a great success, for us at JJ’s and I hear from all the other booths as well. The organizers were great, right from the start, I loved their organization (it’s the teacher in me), and stickiness with rules (being the anal control freak that I am, of course I would love to follow the rules).

If you’re around Cranbrook this summer, please come and stop by our booth. We are alternating between the Cranbrook Market, and the Baynes Lake market throughout the summer. If you want to know specific dates as to where we are, shoot me an email and I will let you know! jenn@jjscustomcakery.com

Filed Under: Randomness Tagged With: Cranbrook, cranbrook farmers market, cupcakes, farmers market, market

Fortunate Friday

June 17, 2011 by Jenn

This weekend we are making our official public debut in Cranbrook! So fortunate, fortunate, fortunate!

We will be at the Taste of Cranbrook all day Saturday, June 18. Every third weekend in June, our little city of Cranbrook celebrates Sam Steele Days! It’s like a small version of the Calgary Stampede. But, without the chuck wagon races, bull riding, calf roping, horse races, fair rides, and millions of people. Basically, it’s nothing like the Calgary Stampede.

But, Cranbrook’s ole Sam Steele Days, DOES have World Gym’s Strongman competition (shout out to the fellow employees at WG!), fair FOOD (come to our booth!), a PARADE that still throws out candy, a KIDS parade where kids get to dress up themselves and their bikes, a Wiener Dog race (WTF?), and the adult favourite of the events . . . beer gardens!! Many good times have been had at those beer gardens back in the day by this girl . . . can’t recall much of it, but I know it was FUN!

I can’t wait to see the people and see the other vendors on Saturday! Next weekend (June 25 . . . Happy Birthday Bestest) we will be at the first Cranbrook Farmers Market of the 2011 Season! Whoot!

And in other news . . .

I am fortunate to live near to a bird sanctuary called Elizabeth Lake. These are some of the shots that Paul and I took when we were out one evening this week for a walk along the water. I felt like singing “Oh Canada” while we were handing out with these stunning Canadian Geese. Don’t you think the look very regal? I even saw a muskrat! I had no idea what one was . . . it looks like a cross between a wet rat and a beaver.

What are YOU looking at?

Any bird lovers know which kind of bird this one is?

I think I might be slowly starting to enjoy birds . . . they are not off my hated list just yet though. It will take MANY more walks through the sanctuary in order to erase the damage of the chicken coop as a child.

Amanda, Kristy (aka Bestest), Christy, Kristen, Me, Jill

I am also so very fortunate for my girls . . . we missed you Kimmie. Mwah! This was taken at my friend Kristen’s bridal shower last weekend.

Filed Under: Fortunate Fridays Tagged With: Cranbrook, sam steele days

Random-Jenn-ness

June 1, 2011 by Jenn

Here are four things that you must do, that I have done lately . . . not related to baking . . . or cardio. What’s this blog about again?

1. Go and see the musical Wicked. It is incredibly fabulous, surprisingly deep and an overwhelmingly great production. It’s Wicked. Sorry, I couldn’t resist.

2. Watch The Social Network. Tonight, I had the pleasure of finally watching a movie!! Yes, I know that I should have already watched it (like the other 99% of the world’s population) but I haven’t had time . . . or two consecutive hours in a row where I am not covered in flour, icing sugar, butter or cocoa. Having learned so much computer-speak in the last couple of years (that’s what happens when you’re dating a genius) I had a new vested interest in hearing about “codes” and “servers” and “hosts”. It’s really a good movie. I have to research how accurate it actually is, but if it is, man is Zuckerberg a true business man. Whether you like Facebook or not, it’s an interesting story in friendship, business, and entrepreneurialism. If I haven’t coerced you yet, Justin Timberlake is in it. Does hearing the word “Facebook” make you want to check your page? Perhaps I have a problem.

3. Read The Hunger Games. Young adult, science fiction, fantasy story . . . I’ve turned myself off with that description . . . but it is seriously worth it! I listened to it as an audio book this weekend on my twelve hour drive to and from Sylvan Lake for my cousin’s graduation. It made the drive(s) fly by . . . and helped me blank out the ugliness of the prairies, as I drove by fence post after fence post.

4. Go to The Donut Mill in Red Deer, Alberta!

How can you go wrong with Oreo, and Rolo flavoured donuts! I had to try them. For the sake of the blog. I HAD to. And boy, were they good. The Donut Mill donuts are filled with a whipping cream filling instead of a heavier creme middle. It was different (from ole Tim Horton’s) and absolutely worth every calorie. The Rolo was the best hand’s down. It had caramel flavoured whipping cream in the middle, and a chocolate caramel ganache topping. Thank god it’s six hours away.

Filed Under: Randomness, What I'm Reading

Fortunate Friday

May 21, 2011 by Jenn

Hellooo! TGIF!

My fortunes are grand this week . . . so here I go!

I’m fortunate for a four day weekend! Whoop! Bring on the sun baybee!

I’m fortunate to be leaving for a road trip with my number one lady, my mom, and my good friend Lisa, and her daughter . . . on a mother/daughter trip to Spokane. We’ve had this weekend planned for quite some time and its so exciting that it’s finally here! Target! Costco! TJ Maxx! And the real reason we’re going? To enjoy the musical Wicked! Ever since I went to NYC way back when (’06) and saw the flashy green billboard, I’ve wanted to see it! T-1 day.

I’m fortunate for the amazing cakes that Paul and I made this week. We had four due today, and they were all beautiful and I’m so proud to say I was part of all of them. We did a lighthouse (Peggy’s Cove replicate), a Sex and the City 30th birthday for my friend Patti, an edible image cake, and a hippo/ballet cake for a special six year old. I will post pics soon!

I’m fortunate to have gotten to be a part of Patti’s SURPRISE 30th birthday party! We gotcha! It was a lot of fun, and there were lots of laughs . . . and punch . . . and eats . . . and CAKE!

Have a great weekend readers . . . and if you’re lucky enough to be a British Columbian, Happy May Long Weekend!!

Filed Under: Fortunate Fridays

Fortunate Friday

May 13, 2011 by Jenn

I am fortunate for the sun that has been out this week . . . though it’s hiding right now! Come back! Come back! The flowers and vegetables in the garden want to grow!

I am fortunate for movers who KNOW what they’re doing. I decided that I needed a second fridge downstairs, so we paid the extra $50 for delivery, and two very handy, experienced fridge movers, had that thing down the stairs, on it’s side, plugged in and ready to refrigerate in about 4.5 minutes! I think Paul was fortunate for that too! I can’t wait to see him and my Dad have to move it out. Perhaps another $50 will be needed when it needs to come back UP the stairs.

I am fortunate to be feeling better! The incisions are holding up . . . my guts aren’t hanging out through them (yes, I seriously worried about that!). One incision is fighting an infection from the stitch that was tied and knotted . . . or something like that . . . it was doctor speak in the hospital yesterday. I had to go and get it looked at because it has been causing me so much pain! It’s right where my pants sit, so I basically have to pull the waist band up under my boobs so that it doesn’t rub the incision. No fun . . . but I guess a little extra support doesn’t hurt the “ladies”! I am hoping to be back to work on Monday (yay!) and to ease back in. It might be a little bit difficult teaching Kindergarten without being able to bend properly . . . my guts might pop out of my holes.

I hope that you all had a good week, and have a great weekend!

Filed Under: Fortunate Fridays

Urban Sprawl?

May 10, 2011 by Jenn

Living here in the East Kootenay’s . . . nestled in the neck of the Rockies, we often have an excess of animals at our doors.

Skunks. Sick.

Bears. Scary.

Elk. Large.

Eagles, hawks and other flying things. AAHHHHH! (I hate things that fly.)

I love when city mice, come to visit the country mice and see all of the deers running around. I like the word “deers“, by the way. Yes, I know it’s not a real word. Said visitors always want to stop and take pictures of the deer . . . it can be like a bus full of Japanese tourists in Banff!

As common as deers are in my backyard, driveway, garden (grrrr!) and everywhere else, it completely creeps me out when they walk down the sidewalk! It is so WEIRD!

What are YOU looking at?

How to they know to do that!?!?!?! And what could be worse than a deer on the sidewalk?

"Well, should we get going?" "I guess so."

A deer in a CROSSWALK! Yes, I have seen that too! Seriously, it was crossing the road in the crosswalk.

"Stay on the sidewalk kids."

Paul managed to capture this yesterday and I had to post about it. BECAUSE IT’S SO WEIRD!

"Mom! Wait up!"

Now, the question is . . . are we invading them, or are they invading us?

Filed Under: Randomness

Fortunate Friday

April 30, 2011 by Jenn

Today, I am very fortunate that my surgery to remove my gallbladder went successfully! Obviously, the need to blog is still kicking . . . they didn’t cut that out, but I am still a little groggy! I asked the Doc to see my stone, but apparently it is considered a “biohazard” . . . ewe! Everyone that helped me today was incredibly kind, and caring . . . and patient with my multitude of questions! I am very impressed with all of the Doctors and Nurses in the Cranbrook Hospital . . . if you happen to be reading this, I sincerely mean it!

Here is a funny story from the morning . . . well, possibly not funny to you, but it was to me and Paul! When I got into the hospital, they sent me to Day Surgery, where I was given my robes, booties, hat and told to get undressed. Like, completely! I had to go commando! Ewe! Anyway, just as I was about to get nekkid, the first nurse I dealt with, told me that I had to go to the lab to get a PREGNANCY TEST! “WHAT!?!” was basically my response. Apparently, being terrified in the hospital, waiting to get my gut cut open wasn’t enough excitement for one day, that the ante had to be upped with the ole “P” word. So, I waddled down to the lab, peed in the cup (which the next nurse grabbed with her bare hands . . . thank god I washed the outside off!), and spent the next couple of minutes worrying about the worse case scenario (which you know I do very well!). If I’m pregnant, I can’t have my surgery. I’ve been waiting since last summer for this surgery, and a baby will mess it up! If I’m pregnant, I’ll have a baby. Oh dear. To lighten my worry, I texted my dad “In hospital, waiting for pregnancy test results”. I knew that would shock him, and it made me laugh. I was a little disturbed when he wrote back “hee hee”. Anyway, the results came back negative, so the surgery was a go.

They called me in an hour early, which was great to get it over with, but I didn’t get my trashy present magazines read! I needed to read about Will and Kate! I missed those mags . . . People, US Weekly, Hello! Canada, Marie Claire, Martha Stewart Living. It was my New Years Resolution to stop reading and buying magazines, but come on, a surgery is a fairly decent excuse to break the resolution.

The thing that I am most fortunate for today is Paul who faithfully waited by my side the entire day, and is still here now, working away on his laptop. Thank you Paul, I can’t thank you enough. My family and friends have also been great, and I appreciate all of the well wishes and sending of thoughts. It takes a great person to take 3 seconds out of their day to remember what is going on in someone else’s life. Seriously! Sometimes we get caught up in all of our own stuff, that we forget about others. I have been very humbled by the number of people who sent me good thoughts . . . thank you friends!

Filed Under: Randomness

Fortunate Friday

Cranbrook Farmers Market

Fortunate Friday

Random-Jenn-ness

Fortunate Friday

Fortunate Friday

Urban Sprawl?

Fortunate Friday

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