Long overdue

I just returned from a long weekend visiting my best friends from college. I still feel a little brain-dead. I am not entirely sure if it's because I got home very late Monday night or if I am still hungover, perhaps a combination of the two. I do know that it was a long overdue get together. Seven years overdue to be exact. Lots has occurred in those seven years -- babies, marriages, promotions, new homes, new lives.

These women (whom I met when we were eighteen years old . . . eighteen years old. Holy hell! Do you remember being eighteen? This weekend certainly brought back the memories). As I was saying, these women have always been spectacular people -- ambitious, witty, strikingly beautiful, intelligent -- have become more confident, even more capable and more beautiful. I am so proud of my friends and had so much fun reverting back to our ridiculously silly ways for the weekend. I miss them so. Tear. Sniffle.

Sorry for being absent. I would have told you where I was going, but my overly-fanatical mom has me paranoid about what I post -- ie: I am leaving town for the weekend come break into my apartment and take all of my things! Awesome, can't wait to come home to the shambles! However, I must have had a power outage while I was gone because my fridge was RANK when I returned home. The freezer had a layer of ice as if everything must have thawed and refrozen. Let's just say things are a bit funky.

I missed you invisible readers. I promise to cook something not out of my fridge tomorrow.

Here are a few censored photos from the weekend. As I said, we reverted to eighteen year old lunatics; honestly, mostly I did. Hey, my life oozes monotony. I had a goooood time.

The girls.

The Hodgi.

Lovely Melissa.

"I'm type D-."

See, babies have been born.

And these babies are now THREE!

Thanks to Amy's awesome husband, Brent,

we had the most amazing fondue feast.

Last time I saw this goddess she was fourteen.

Thirteen bottles of wine -- consumed.

Can we say bedazzled?

Yes, please.

I brought a box of photos from college.

Endless entertainment.

No shortage of smiles.

Uploading to facebook.

Lord help me.

That finger will kick your ass.

Cheeeeeese.

Bouillon.

Accoutrements.

Shrimp.

I wanted to post a photo of Erin and her knife skills,

but as I said, these photos are G-rated.

They haven't changed a bit.

What did I say about the smiling?

Horse teeth. Hee haw.

I am grateful for these women (and Brent).

Might be illegal in some states

The rainbow cake was a hit! It was well worth the effort and mess and blue-tinged fingertips. Be brave and bake someone you love (or yourself if you are me) that cake. I assure you they will never forget it!

This past Saturday I ventured to Salt Lake City with some girl friends for my friend Ellie's wedding dress fitting. It was a quick trip of gowns, eating, shopping and BLUE SKIES! After being water-logged in Southeastern Idaho for what seems like months now, it was fabulous to see blue skies.

How I miss Salt Lake. I acted as our tour guide -- returning to some of my favorite shops and dining haunts. We stopped by Liberty Heights (The Heist who know it) to pick up some food staples I have been fiending for, namely olive oil and balsamic vinegar.

While we were there I picked up a loaf of italian rustic bread from my boys at Crumb Brothers. If you have a chance to taste this bread, savor it! These guys make a ham and cheese croissant that is on my list of things to eat on my deathbed. Their bread is worth all of the praise.

In a past life, the following snack/appetizer/dinner was a staple. Cheese, fresh tomatoes, fresh herbs, salami/meat are all lovely accompaniments. I snuck in a few drops of truffle oil because I was feeling especially decadent. Hey, it's not every day this girl gets a loaf of Crumb Brother's italian rustic.

LOVE this bread.

My favorite brand of balsamic vinegar.

Great on salads, bread, fresh strawberries.

The closest to food-gasm one can get.

Truffle oil might be illegal in some states.

Don't be fooled, that is not all truffle oil.

Olive oil, balsamic and a few DROPS

of the good stuff is all it takes.

Happy birthday to me, happy birthday to me!

I did not die a premature death due to a sugar coma last night. I did wake up with this realization: I BAKED A SIX LAYER CAKE!!! I more than expected to find that it had collapsed, fallen to one side, color oozing all over my fridge. Not the case -- the cake was intact and looks relatively like the original.

Not exactly like Whisk Kid's, but it'll do.

I am sitting here now in my jammies wondering what to do with my day. I have been struck with a tragedy of gargantuan proportions -- I am out of coffee and on my birthday. Tear, sniffle. Coffee fairy, if you're listening, please bring me some grounds. Excellent. Thanks.

I suppose I should get dressed and go to work. Really, I would like to eat rainbow cake in bed and watch Glee. It's my birthday, right. Coffee fairy . . .

For those of you who can't join me for cake tonight, here are the photos. You can join me on the messy, color-rific, almond-flavored, blood-sugar spiking baking frenzy. xoH

This cake took over my kitchen.

Color is fun.

I don't have a fancy sifter -- this guy works swell.

Sifted.

Not shy in the butter department with this cake.

Cream the butter and sugar.

Bad photo of egg whites.

LOTS of egg whites were used, too.

Egg whites added to the sugar and butter.

Vanilla extract.

Alternating, add the sifted dry ingredients

and warmed milk.

Milk.

You're left with the yummiest cake batter on the planet,

and what looks like a little rump.

Separate batter into six bowls.

Add the gel food coloring -- a little goes a long way!

Parchment paper-lined baking pans.

Bake for 15 minutes.

Cool cakes in the fridge.

Layer the cakes with buttercream.

I couldn't be bothered taking photos

of the buttercream process, too.

A bit wonky.

A hot mess.

Better after another layer of buttercream

and a night in the fridge.

The white frosting is deceiving.

Behold the colors of the rainbow!

Recipe from Whisk Kid. Check her out -- she's a marvel.