It's beginning to look a lot like Catmas...

This was taken approximately .05 seconds before the cat head-butted the camera and ruined all chances of getting a good shot.

You can practically see his little pupils dilating in preparation...

What did we learn on the show tonight, Craig?

Aaaand... NaBloPoMo is finished for another year.

I feel there should be some sort of formal closing ceremonies or something. Maybe I'll make medals out of paper clips and yogurt lids later. (Probably not.)


--

We now resume our regularly scheduled blogging.

Caramel (Apple) Cake

My first Daring Bakers challenge. This one is Shuna Fish Lydon's Carmel Cake, chosen by our hosts, Doloras, Alex, Jenny and Natalie.

I think as far as first times go, this wasn't bad. Especially considering that, as one of the many alternative bakers, the challenge becomes a bit more challenging when you have to make changes to the recipe from the start. I didn't get too crazy... just soy margarine, soy milk and Ener-G egg replacer. (Plus apple cider vinegar and a little extra baking powder, as suggested by Catherine.)


Also, as promised... the October Cake of the Month. (Which is really just the same cake as above, topped with apple pie filling.)

Originally yellow cake with vanilla frosting, apple pie filling, and a caramel drizzle... it was called a Michigan Apple Cake. I thought the yellow cake/vanilla frosting combo sounded a little dull, and was a bit intimidated by veganizing a caramel sauce. Quite honestly, I wasn't planning on actually making it. And this was just the second round of my Cake of the Month series...

Of course, when I saw the Daring Bakers challenge for this month, I figured it was somehow Extremely Important to the universe that I make caramel.
Universe: 1 - Cody: 0

Vermont, Take Two

I think the plans are set. Now all there is to do is start making reservations and putting down deposits. Which is actually a little terrifying, to tell you the truth.


STONE HILL INN
We're sure about the bed and breakfast, just not sure on the room. All rooms have the fireplace and Jacuzzi combo... which was actually a huge selling point as I was looking at places to stay. The only difference is the decor and the view from the patio, which are as follows;

Sterling
water gardens and water fall

West Branch
woods, moss-covered rock outcropping

Sugar Maple
perennial gardens

There are six more rooms, which can be found here, if you are interested. These are just our top picks. (Sleigh beds and four-posters, OH MY!) The Sterling is by far my favorite, but it's probably best to have a back-up choice or two.

SPA AT STOWEFLAKE
One of Brad's few complaints about a B&B sort of setting is that he wants an indoor pool. (I prefer outdoor, but I don't know if May will provide ideal outdoor pool weather.) We've decided to satisfy this desire by spending a day at the Spa at Stoweflake.

There is an indoor and outdoor pool in the fitness center, as well as a hydrotherapy waterfall and mineral pool in the spa itself. I've been looking into spa treatments, as I've never actually been to a spa... and I can't think of a better time to go all out. (Maple sugar scrub and body butter massage, anyone?)

PICS, OR IT DIDN'T HAPPEN
I've already contacted a photographer about getting photos done at some point during our trip, but not for the actual ceremony. I just want a record of where we were and what we looked like around the time we got married.

I'd also love to get another set done back home, in the city... with much more casual clothes and an urban sort of feel. But, honestly, I can't justify the expense. Brad says we could consider doing it for an anniversary somewhere down the road... which, considering most folks get family pictures done every so often, doesn't seem like a terrible idea.

kthnxgivingbai

Happy Thanksgiving to those who celebrate, Happy Thursday to those who do not.

We planned to inform the family of our intentions today... but as I still don't have my engagement ring, and the only members of Brad's family we saw were his brother and sister-in-law, we've decided to wait. Again.

I smell like smoke and there is leftover turkey (for the cat) in our fridge.

Holidays are weird.