Monday, December 10, 2007

Bowling, Birthdays, and Baking... oh my!

So every couple of weeks we get together with some friends (mostly Chris’ co-workers) for Game Night. This week we decided to go bowling and it became a larger than normal affair with some extra people invited. It also was semi-close to various people’s birthdays, so we took the opportunity to celebrate. And of course we had to try to embarrass them with party hats and balloons.

Given the number of people I picked up two cakes. And we combined the ages and put the number “81” on the cake (York and Kristin were both turning 24 and Esch is 33).

The timing actually worked out rather well since we got there towards the end of the league so we went into the lounge for drinks and cake before the lanes opened up.

And then it was cosmic bowling. Any ideas on what light setting to use when taking photos under a black light? All of my pictures are blue and blurry. The blurry I understand, but I’d like to know how to avoid the blue if at all possible.

Our next Game Night will be on Sunday afternoon and we’re doing a Yankee Swap. We’ve bought one of our gifts but still need to get one more.

Saturday I had my second skating lesson and realized that I’m the worst skater in my class. I think I’m ok with that, but it’s frustrating at the same time. One problem I have is that I feel the teacher goes over too many techniques in one class so there is no opportunity to actually master any of them. Finally, rather than trying something I didn’t feel comfortable with; I just started doing my own thing. And as a result, I actually got better at skating backwards- one of my goals. Now if only I could master stopping.

After skating I came home and finished prepping for the annual Cookie Baking day. Maybe other years are just as bad, but this year I felt it was exceptionally stressful- mostly because of my dad.

So first of all, my dad has a recipe that calls to be baked "in a moderate oven, 350-400 degrees". Sometimes they come out hard as a rock, this year they all fell apart. Find a temperature and stick to it! You can't bake something in a 50 degree range.

Then he had another recipe and after he's added most of the ingredients he realizes he used baking soda instead of baking powder. He thinks he can just add the other one and it will be fine. We tell him no- throw it out and start over. He says, what, we're not going to bake these as is? No, throw it out! In the end, he did throw it out and they came out fine, but I can just imagine the disaster otherwise.

And as to the timing- since I had skating in the morning we decided we would start at 11. But then they were late. And then we had to have lunch. So it was easily 12:30 before we started. And then they had to leave (not sure of the time, 4-5 maybe) because Hanna had to go get a tree with her dad. What? Why couldn't they do that a different day? Aaaargh!

We did manage to get most of the recipes made before they left- just one other that had to go into the oven. As a result, we got all of those cookies for ourselves.

8 comments:

~Mel said...

Just think... all those cookies. YUMM!!
Interesting about the blue pics from bowling, but they can be kind of fun to. At least you know what to expect.
Did the teacher give you a hard time about doing things on your own?

Chris said...

No, she was ok with me doing my own thing. As it is, the group is divided into 2 ability levels. And she was instructing the lower level on something I tried it, and told her I wasn't ready so she suggested I work on something different.

Michelle said...

Our cookie baking is this Sunday with my sister. Should be fun! I'm glad skating is going well, I love that picture of you in the snow :)

The Hallman Tribe said...

WOW.....what a lot of baking. LOVE IT! I would love to see a video of you skating. I think it is awesome that you are learning to do this!!!!!! Sorry about the blue photos....i have no clue what you should set it at!!! i think the one you have posted looks cool! sounds like everyone had a great time at the bowling alley!!! have a great week

ChristyR said...

kuddos to you on skating! i would have two left feet!

ChristyR said...

is it you or Mel who does the XMas card count??

I'm at 9 when you start it!

Leah's Crafty Life said...

Hmm I haven't tried under a black light before. Could you up the ISO and switch the dial to night time? I think the photos look cute in the blue! Happy belated birthdays to all!

Vanessa B. said...

Hey there! Sorry I've been MIA. I started working again and have had zero time. Just caught up on your blog. You've been busy! And looks like you're having fun. Loved the Halloween decorations!