Will There Be Cake?

My last two letters have been kinda heavy so it's time for one a little lighter. It's another letter where I choose who to write to. In this case, what to write to.

Dear Cake,

We've come a long way, baby! I don't remember the first time I fell in love with you, however, I was always that kid at the party who didn't care about the games or the gifts. I was the one who asked more than once, "Can we cut the cake now?".

Did you know there are people in this world that don't like cake? The humanity! I often coil at confessions such as, "I don't really like frosting" or "I'm more of a cookie/brownie/insert other inferior dessert here, kind of person". After the shock and amazement subside, I actually feel a little sad for those people…and for cake.

I have an unnecessary fear. So, in high school I knew this girl who got pregnant and one day she told me that she couldn't eat Miguel Jr.'s anymore because it made her sick. Don't even get me started on that. So then I started to fear that when the day came that I was pregnant the same type of fate would befallen me. Only my worst fear would be that for 40-ish weeks, I wouldn't be able to eat cake because the demon child inside of me would make me sick. Perish the thought!

I LOVE CAKE! I'm not talking about that emotion that one feels when they say, "I love puppies", or "I love the snow". No, when I say, I love cake, I mean I love cake the way I love oxygen or the way fire loves dry brush. I love cake MORE that Kanye West loves Kanye West.

You've never let me down. But, you know who has? Those people that invite me to their parties and then serve me tarts or parfait. I'm always up for a party, but you better believe that when I walk through the door I look for the guest of honor and I look to see that there is cake. If there isn't, I might as well have stayed home.

I have had my share of cakes I do not like. I'm looking at you Carrot Cake. But, I figure in order to really appreciate the good cake I have to experience some bad cake.

See ya at the next party!

Susan "I'll Have The Corner Piece" B.

2015: A Year In Review

I can't believe how quickly 2015 came and went! It was a good year for me, however, I went ahead and got the first mistake of 2016 out of the way on January 2nd. In an attempt to transfer photos from my phone to my laptop, I restored my phone, thus wiping all of 2015's photos from existence. Well, maybe not completely. I have an appointment with a technology genius to see if we can restore some/all of the photos I lost. Fingers crossed! I did some fancy footwork and got the following photos from Instagram and Facebook so that I would not have to delay this much anticipated (ha!) blog post.

 The year started off with a New Year's Day hike up Skyline with my good friend Jone and her daughter and work out buddies.

 I didn't realize how much time was spent with this sweet girl, my cousin, Shannon, in 2015 as proven by the following photos. Here we are after lunch and valuable catch up time.

 Sadly, this is the first and last photo taken of Tammy and I in 2015. She was so sweet and cooked me dinner and we exchanged our holiday gifts and then we both got so busy we were only able to communicate through text and social. I'm going to make it a goal to see this sweet friend of my more in 2016.

 Shannon and Hannah cooked me dinner and hung out with me! So much cousin love.

A super fun outing with one of my newest and cutest friends, Stephanie! We did one of those paint nights and I don't think we did too badly.

 On Valentine's Day, I took two people that I love most in the world to a Taylor Swift Exhibit at the Grammy Museum in Los Angeles! We started off at In N Out where Christa, Eric, Maddi, Lily and I ate before our trek out to L.A. The girls and I drove out and walked around the exhibit, reminiscing about the T-Swift concerts we had been to. We sang Taylor's songs in a recording booth and oohed and aahed at the tour and red carpet dresses on display. We saw the rest of the museum but my favorite, of course was the TS exhibit. After the exhibit, I took the girls to Sprinkles Cupcakes where we got cupcakes from the ATM! Then a quick trip to Starbucks before we headed home. All in all, one of my favorite Valentine Days.

 For as many times as I was at the beach in 2014, I think I only put my toes in the sand while inhaling salt air twice in 2015. Not my best. Something else to work on.

 In April, my sweet baby cousin married the love of his life and I was so honored to be a part of their special day. Here I am with my squad. I adore these girls.

 Quick cousin pic during all the wedding festivities.

The happy couple and Chris and I.

 The summer kicked off with a visit from my favorite Utah family! We did nothing but fun things for a whole weekend! 

 Angel game with the whole fam!

 Then we went to Aquarium of the Pacific! We also had a movie night and trips to the park.

 Chloe got baptized!

 The fourth of July is for sure my second favorite holiday. Kaylene and I went to my ward pancake breakfast.

I bbq for my parents and Eric and then that night, we all headed to St. Johns to watch the fireworks.

 Stephanie and I went to Top of the World in Laguna Beach and hiked until I felt like I had got a sufficient sunburn (not on purpose of course).

Always a wedding guest, never a bride. I was so happy to be at Makenna's wedding. She was stunning and I was so proud of her. 

 By far the highlight of 2015 was taking my girls to the Taylor Swift 1989 concert! We saw her in San Diego this time around. I convinced the girls that we needed matching t-shirts and they convince me that I needed to make them. So after weeks of sketching, planning, screen shots and designing, I not only made our t-shirts but I also made us hoodies! Super cute and the girls said they loved them.

 We ate at Burger King (their pick) when we got into San Diego and we made a quick stop at Starbucks before heading to Pet Co Stadium. Our seats were GREAT! We got bracelets that lit up to Taylor's songs and the girls and I danced and sang and had a good time. I love our T-Swift concert experiences. The girls get along and we always have a great time. The girls got a concert book like they do every tour and Lily got guitar picks. She started taking guitar lessons in 2015 so buying picks seemed appropriate.

 Just before we left for the concert.

My sweet nieces. 

 Labor day was still one of the hottest in the books! I invited a cute boy to hike Skyline with me. Sadly, nothing ever developed between us. After our hike, I had lunch with Kaylene at Miguel Senior.

 Kaylene said, "Let's go to a Centennial football game and wear our Letterman jackets." So I said, "Okay!" We met for dinner at Nordstrom and then headed to the game where the huskies mopped the field with the other team. I'm pretty sure they won because we were there cheering them on.

 My first favorite holiday, Halloween! I love dressing up every year. Two of my co-workers, David and Taylor showed up and the three of us were so excited to represent some of the Justice League. My boss, Doug, did a little photoshop magic!

 My favorite day of the year, MY BIRTHDAY! I don't mind getting older. I really don't. I just love my birthday SO MUCH. Mostly for the cake, but also for all the great friends and family that I get to hang out with. My sweet friends from church, Kerri, Stephanie, Jenny and Jone took me out for pie.

My goofy co-workers, Doug and David took me to lunch. These two guys are two of my good friends. I'm so lucky to work with two people that I get along with and have such a good time with. It makes going to work that much easier.

 Of course my family showered me with love and cake on my special day!

 OH MAN! Thanksgiving was so fun this year! Eric's family and I went up to Utah to spend Thanksgiving with Jason, Abby, Lizzie and Captain. Thanksgiving morning we played in our first Turkey Bowl! The blue flag team won! It was so much fun but also FREEZING!

 We played games, cooked dinner, took pictures and watched a Inside Out.

 By far, my most favorite Thanksgiving.

I was so lucky I got to play with Camille while I was in SLC! We did a little shopping, walked around Temple Square and took pictures, froze our little California hineys off and had dinner!

 On our back to California, we stayed in Vegas. Right on Fremont Street. What a great area! I've never been to Fremont Street and it did not disappoint! The kids and I zip lined through Fremont! We stood in line FOREVER, froze a little once we were at the top and zipped about 45 seconds! It was really fun. I'm actually scared of heights so this was kind of a big deal for me.

 Maybe I just love dressing up. I went to an Ugly Sweater Christmas party and maybe my sweater isn't "ugly" but it sure was itchy!

 December started off by saying good-bye to a great man. Steve, my dad's cousin passed away. He was one of the kindest people I know. He was such an example to me and I'm truly going to miss him. In life, he owned a gun safe company. It was told to me that he would often joke that when he dies, to just put him in a safe and bury him. Well, check out his casket. A few of the guys that had worked for him, designed and built the top of his casket to look like a safe. A very sweet tribute.

Not a bad looking casket. It may be weird, I really like the matte look.

These sweet girls and I had an ornament exchange. We did the 12 Days of Christmas, but with only 6 days being represented. We will do the other six next year. It was so fun to have dinner and give our ornaments to each other. I can't wait to do it again.

SO, that is 2015. 

Susan "that is so last year" B.

Cupcakes in Krakow

After visiting Warsaw, we headed to Krakow. After all the shopping I did, I had to find a suitcase big enough to fit everything into. This one sufficed.

All packed and ready to go at the train station!
Shortly after arriving, we found this charming little cupcake shop that we took advantage of everyday we were there. It's a good thing we did so much walking and only ate twice a day or my pants would not be able to fit!
Mmmmm. By far my favorite part of the trip.

First cupcake: Carmel Apple. Delicious!

Who's a happy camper with her cupcake?

We went on a city tour and this monument was out in front of a cathedral we went in. This lone ranger is actually from New York. I can't remember is name, and if I could, I wouldn't be able to spell it correctly.

Pope John Paul the II. He's very popular around Poland. Since WWII only a small percentage of Jews live in the country. It's mostly Catholics now.

This guy was at the University in Krakow. The story is, if you put your fingers in his mouth and tell a lie, he will bite them off! Also, he's suppose to bring some kind of luck around exam time, so instead of studying and putting forth an effort, students hang around this guy and he helps them pass their exams.

Art in the middle of the square. No, the heads name is not Art. It is Art.
Advertisement in Poland is interesting.

This sweet lady was hanging out in the square as well.

There is a Hard Rock Cafe that I didn't eat at in that brick building.
On far side is mostly restaurants and shops, out of view to the left is a market that we did ALOT of shopping at. Wait for the post on everything that I bought.
Mmmmm. Oreo Cookie Cupcake.
There is actually a fantastic video of me eating a cupcake that one of the girls recorded. If I can get it, I will post it.
Whilst out shopping, I came across these little gems. Krakow represent! No, I did not purchase any.
We went into a pub called Propaganda. This was hanging on the wall.
We went through an underground museum, where this picture was taken. The museum consisted of the building of Krakow and the things they found buried. Heather and I got in trouble after this picture because you are not suppose to use a flash inside.
Vanilla Sprinkle Cupcake. Not my favorite of the week.
But good enough to smile about.
We went to the Salt Mine and outside was a snack bar. I couldn't decide on vanilla or chocolate so I told the guy, 'Gimme the biggest of whatever you got'.
You have to pay to take pictures in the Salt Mine, so one girl from our group took all the shops and will give us copies later. That is why you wont see any on this post.
After the Salt Mine, we went to Schindler's Factory (museum). I really enjoyed it. They had a book store that I bought two books at.
Some of the floor through the Factory.
Best Cupcake of the Year goes to this beauty! Feast your eyes on a Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Cupcake! YUM!
I devoured that thing quick!
This sign represents every liquor store sign in Poland. I couldn't help but giggle when I saw it. Say it out loud, just like it's spelled. I thought it was funny.

Susan "you can't go wrong with cupcakes" B.