Jennifer Lyon


Monday, October 4th, 2021
Weekend Roundup

Huh, that went by in a blur.

So Friday, I mentioned to Wizard that I might go to the hobby story that’s couple cities away, and he got right aboard the train. Since we only have the one car at the moment, we drove out there together, he dropped me off at my dealers, sorry, hobby store while he went to his hobby story across the street. We actually had a lot of fun–you know–like going to a bookstore :-)

I found a cake recipe that’s supposed to be good for carving cakes. Then I doubled it, and now I’m not too happy with the cake as far as I can tell without actually cutting into it. I’m going to carve it today so we’ll see. But next time, I’ll stick with my other recipes. It’s supposed to be chocoate, but it’s a very light chocolate which is a strike against it right there. And I think the texture if off. It’s entirely possible I did something wrong, but I was rather suspicious of the recipe to begin with. However, it came from a well respected cake artist, so I’m giving it a try.

What I WANTED to make was a salted caramel cake recipe that sounded delicious, but using homemade caramel as part of the filling would make it too “slippery” for cutting and manipulating into a shape. Today I plan to cut another fairly simple shape and cover it in homemade fondant for practice–if it comes out, then I’ll show you all. By the way I made the fondant late last week and forgot to mention that. I’m anxious to see how it works when I cover the cake with it.

We also looked at a new home models. Always fun, and it’s good to see more housing choices popping up for when we’re ready to make the decision.

Writing didn’t really happen, or at least not the way I wanted it to. Maybe if I make this book into a cake it’ll transform itself to a written book?

How was your weekend?

6 comments to “Weekend Roundup”

  1. Silver James
    October 4th, 2021 at 7:45 am · Link

    You need to make a book cake! Or cake that’s a book. You know what I mean. Sounds like you and Wiz had a wonderful time. Crossing fingers the cake is better than you anticipate.

    We had great weather over the weekend. Siren test and Mexican food on Saturday. Only ran the OKC Bombing Memorial 5K that morning, did the test, and lunch. Sadly, she didn’t get a nap until Sunday when LG went up to get Stormy for a playdate. They came back here and threw a football to teach him how to aim and throw better and how to move to catch the ball. This actually translates to baseball catching. Then they watched some catcher videos on YouTube before defaulting to Mythbusters. Stormy LOVES those guys.

    I, on the other hand, DID get a Saturday nap. I fell asleep during a college football game and woke up during an MLB baseball game. It was a bit disconcerting. :lol: All my college teams won, my Cards have a must-win game on Wednesday to move into the “real” play-offs, and Stormy has 3 games this week. Good thing I love sports, huh? ;)

    Didn’t do much else. I’ve got to get the book with the returned rights revised but I can’t decide whether to tie it into one of two other series I’m involved in (one my own, one an “anthology”) or just create some totally new characters to replace the copyrighted characters from the original world. Decisions, decisions. Yesterday, I thought I had it nailed until I started reading and rewriting and I stopped cold. Now I’m undecided. Still, that’s my goal this week.

    Here’s to a productive (and tasty, for some of us!) week ahead! 🥰



  2. B.E. Sanderson
    October 4th, 2021 at 1:40 pm · Link

    I’m with Silver… you totally need to do a book cake. Also, I can’t wait to hear how your fondant turned out. (Well, see… err, read how it turned out.) And the caramel cake sounds yummy even if you can’t sculpt it. Don’t worry, the writing will come. At least that’s what I’m telling myself right now. :hugs:

    I spent Friday and Saturday vegetating. Sunday I finally did some chores that I’d put off during the whole ‘friend project’ thing. My bathroom is clean! Yay! And I dusted, too. And then I took apart my container garden for the season – except for two tomato plants that still have possibilities. Then I repotted the little trees I’m trying to grow. I named my baby elm tree ‘Elmer’. He’s 18-20 inches now and in a bigger pot so he can grow more over the winter. Other than that, life is bland. Just the way we like it.



  3. Viki S.
    October 4th, 2021 at 2:22 pm · Link

    I’m glad that both you and Wizard got your “fix” at your respective hobby stores :). Did you pick up anything fun?

    A light chocolate cake doesn’t do it for me either but it was an experiment and you need those to prefect your talent. I agree, a book cake or a stack of books cake would be cool. Using different fondant thickness and coloring you could make some really nice book covers.

    I love looking at new houses and house plans. It’s nice to dream.

    It’s getting super humid here again and the temperature is headed to the 80’s. I’m bummed. I put the down on the bed yesterday so of course the temperature would head up.

    Have an excellent afternoon!



  4. Jenn
    October 5th, 2021 at 8:47 pm · Link

    Silver, apologies for the late response! The cake was a better than I feared but not what I would choose to make next time if that makes sense.

    Huge kudos to Only for running that memorial marathon! I didn’t know she did marathons, so that’s fun to learn. But it’s also important to remember and honor the victims and survivors who are the true heroes. So important.

    Yay for great weather, the siren test and good food. Time with Stormy is always a great thing! I love how invested LG is in helping Stormy develop his skills and talents in fun way!

    I hope you’re feeling better over all. I know you’ve been having various pains and issues. Living as long as we have is not for the weak :-) And I’m really glad you got a nap. Last I heard, your Cards are doing well. I may have missed the latest games (because life has been a blur for two days, LOL.)

    What did you decide of the book with the returned rights? You can share that on Friday if you want to tell me then. I’m just curious. Off the top of my head, I’d say you have so many good ideas and the ability to develop them quickly (I saw that with a smidge of good-natured jealousy), I’d so for for original characters. But that’s easy for me to say when you’re the one who has to do all the work! You probably shouldn’t listen to me.

    Hope your week is going well.



  5. Jenn
    October 5th, 2021 at 8:54 pm · Link

    B.E., the fondant turned out pretty good. I’m sure I will learn to make it better, but I was pretty happy with how it worked for the first batch. It was definitely better than the store bought stuff I was using. My friend’s daughter has been giving me tips to help me learn, and she’s been invaluable.

    Thank you, I hope the writing will come for all of us.

    So you said you mostly vegetated, then I read the list of things you did, and laughed. On the other hand, it feels good to get caught up with those chores too.

    I’m kind of sad it was time to mostly break down your container garden. It was impressive! But they weren’t going to like the cold, so it was the smart decision.

    “Elmer” sounds so cute and I love the name for a tree! May he grown big and strong!

    I’m okay with bland life too. I had fun for a few days but really ready for a couple bland days :-)



  6. Jenn
    October 5th, 2021 at 9:05 pm · Link

    Viki, I bought assorted little things like cake boards, color dust, modeling chocolate and other odds and ends. Cake tools and ingredients are taking over my cupboards–I have to figure out a better system. Or move, LOL!

    Yeah, I’m with you on the light chocolate. It carved pretty well, and was moist enough so that’s a plus. If I made it again, I’d add more coco powder and replace the water with coffee, or add espresso powder to deep the chocolate flavor. But honestly, I prefer the vegan chocolate cake recipe–it’s just a really good, dark, rich and moist cake. And it freezers well too.

    I’m thinking about a book cake!

    I love dreaming about a new house too. I was planning a special Wizarding Room in this house. Wizard loved my imaginary plans for him :-) As you said, it’s fun to dream.

    Sorry for the heat and humidity :-) We actually got a little lighting, thunder, wind and rain last night, and my whole family was texting back and forth with excitement, LOL! We’re just weird.



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