a99kitten's Musings

Went whitewater rafting today with husband and group of friends (12 of us so 2 full boats.) Super, duper fun! I have loved whitewater rafting for years. Been on several different American River trips, Yuba river trips and A Snake River trip in Colorado. Today, we did the middle fork of the American River starting outside Auburn.

We went with a tour group called raftWet.  They did a great job. Our tour guide, Chris, was awesome! He made sure we hit every rapid full on. He had us doing 360s in them, going in backwards, and actually paddling upstream to get us back into a waterfall/rapid. Although I do think he made it his mission to make sure I got wet in every single rapid!!! I think since I screamed the loudest, he thought this was funny! This is them:  http://www.raftwet.com

There were several different tour companies out on the river today. But ours was the *only* one with a kayaking photographer.  We always knew we were coming up on a crazy rapid when we saw him on a rock waiting for us!  The funniest thing is our guide was making us “paddle”, “dig”, “forward”, “back left”, etc…so our photos are likely of us grunting through the rapids. Or of us screaming as we got hit with the snow run-off freezing cold water!  Meanwhile, the other boat with our friends in it would just stop paddling and pose for the photographer!  And my friend Helen was in our boat and she wasn’t stopping to do “asian girl pose” for the camera as we were serious about our paddling!!

We were supposed to do the North Fork which is a shorter trip in time but “all rapids, all the time!” But they called yesterday and said the water level just wasn’t allowing this anymore this season…boo :( But something for next season for sure!!

I am pretty darn sure every single person in our party had a great time! I would love to plan another trip for this season ASAP. The weather was perfect. All week it was forecasted to rain but there weren’t even any clouds in the sky. And nice and warm.  We are getting the DVDs with all the photos mailed to us.  When I get them, I will post a few :)

I love cupcakes. I have always loved cupcakes. This is not a latching-on of the trendy cupcake fascination there is today (although I like it!) So today I decided to begin my cupcake taste test :) This will be a combination of making my own and trying them at various local places.

My mom used to make homemade cream cheese frosting and it was the only frosting I ever really liked.  One time,  one of my best friend’s got the recipe from my Mom and gave the recipe to the dessert chef at Stars in San Francisco to make my cake for my birthday. I will always remember that!

Since I am in Tahoe, I didn’t want to experiment with homemade cake recipes due to the high altitude.  So today I used Betty Crocker’s Super Moist Butter Recipe Chocolate mix. It’s good. Not the best chocolate cake mix I’ve tried but good. And very soon I AM going to try the red velvet cupcake recipe on www.pinchmysalt.com! I need to compare the red velvety-ness to Sprinkles… (my favorite one of bakeries/cupcakeries so far) :)

I DID make a homemade cream cheese frosting. It is DELICIOUS! Much creamcheesier than the pre-made store ones (which are quite yummy and easy!)  I found several recipes online and chose one from pinchmysalt.com to try as my first homemade experiment.  It is very simple:

Cream Cheese Frosting

16 oz. cream cheese (2 packages), softened
1/2 cup unsalted butter (one stick), softened
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 1/2 cups powdered sugar, sifted
pinch of salt

Ingredrients!

With an electric mixer, blend together cream cheese and butter until smooth.  Turn mixer to low speed and blend in powdered sugar, salt and vanilla extract.  Turn mixer on high and beat until light and fluffy. Use immediately or refrigerate, covered, until ready to use.  If refrigerated, the frosting will need to be brought to room temperature before using (after frosting softens up, beat with mixer until smooth).

Bowl o'frosting

I baked all of my cupcakes, let them all cool and then made the frosting. The frosting is quite simple and quick to make and super delicious. The cupcakes are very yummy :)

Cupcakes!

I’ve sent my husband with plates full over to our neighbors to get them OUT of my house. I packed a Tupperware container with some for the office and I know a couple friends who will probably try them for breakfast tomorrow before we go river rafting :) I will save 2 for me – one for tonight and 1 for tomorrow night.

a perfect dessert...

I love hiking. I really, really do.  And when I say that, I don’t mean I’m all “Dude! Let’s totally scale that vertical side of the mountain!!’  No..definitely not that way at all.

I mean I love getting outside and walking, breathing in fresh air, hopefully seeing as many critters as I can and clearing my head. Getting outside does that for me.

I take my 2 huskies out for long walks every morning. I have been doing this for 8 years.  Every day, rain or shine (or snow!), sick or healthy (that means me.)  Every once in a while my husband will take over for me so I can sleep in but I’ve given up on that being routine. Plus the buds simply like me better this way :)

But because they are in contention as the thickest-furred and fluffiest dogs in the world, I don’t take them on sunny or warm day hikes. They don’t really enjoy it (Storm says this is an under-statement) and then I stress about them. So once the Tahoe snow is gone, I go by myself after taking them on their walks.

I love getting out on a trail, far away from any cars, not crowded with people (unless they have dogs I can say hi too!)  or noise other than nature noises.  I am always scouting for critters. In Tahoe I see a lot of squirrels, chipmunks, blue jays, hawks, lizards, snakes, bunnies and deer. I’ve seen 1 bobcat, 5 coyotes and 1 bear (but this was in my driveway on a 5am doggie walk on garbage day!) I WILL see another bear!!! But I think I just need to leave peppermint patties on my driveway for this!

My forest - call me Snow White :)

At home, it’s mostly squirrels, crows, hawks, bunnies and deer. Although if I walk by the coast I also get seals, otters, all sorts of ocean birds, dolphins and whales.

I love spending 3 hours outside in the sun (clouds are nice too as long as warmish still), walking and just having peace and quiet. It really is good for the mind, body and soul.  Will always put me in a better mood.

And I want to be able to walk as long as I want. I do not want a set return time or someone asking if we are done yet.  I do NOT like to be rushed on my ME time.  I rush enough for work, homes, chores, dogs, husband, etc, etc.

And technology isn’t so bad either since I can sit here on a tree stump and blog on my iPhone about how much I love hiking and the great outdoors :)  But I better go as the thunder is clapping and the dark clouds are moving

Storm is a comin'!

\”I’m in Love with a Fictional Character\’\’ Twilight/Edward Cullen bracelet

From StarWars.com:

This is a short, old video starring Mark Hamill, Harrison Ford (swoon) and Carrie Fisher (in her Slave Leia bikini!) plus C-3P0, Chewbacca, Boba Fett and more!

I love watching old video like this.  All the promo stuff they did for the original trilogy is always fun to watch and makes me smile…:)

Click on link below:

Return of the Ewok

Did I just post this?

Naked Edward Cullen :)

Trying to catch up on this series tonight and really….I love this show. The writing, acting, characters, everything.

I have always loved Denis Leary. He is actually very, very much like an old friend of mine. Same hysterical inappropriateness.

But the writing on this show is incredible. You will laugh, you will cry. But you will never be bored or indifferent.

My favorite episode ever is from years ago. Dealt with HR and “politically correct-ness”. I laughed so hard that I cried.

If you haven’t caught it yet, give it a try. Unless you are sensitive…then not for you. :)

I finally finished reading the third book in the Twilight series “Eclipse”. I loved it!

I really liked the second book “New Moon” but I liked this one even more. I haven’t actually read Twilight yet as I was late to this series and only saw the movie. But that movie hooked me quickly! Once I am done with the 4th book, I will go back and read #1 :)

This one had a lot more of Edward than New Moon (which I am happy about) and the Edward/Bella angst. Bella did annoy me several times with her Jacob situation. But I think the author captured the likely angst and drama in a teenage girl’s heart and head. And she definitely continues to keep Edward the perfect boyfriend. I have always been a sucker for vampires. :)

Loved all the vampire and werewolf stuff. And the back story on the Quilettes.

I’ve read a lot of the Buffy and Angel books and thoroughly enjoyed those. The Twilight books are definitely written more from the love story angle but with plenty of lore and fight scenes mixed in. I’ve recommended this series to any friend who will listen and will continue to do so!

Bought 2 new pairs of shoes at the big Nordstrom sale! Best part is I had a gift certificate from my birthday last year so one of them was practically free!!

First pair is Marc by Marc Jacobs – dark chocolate brown. I have been looking for a pair of chocolate brown pumps forever! Now I just need the elusive chocolate brown bag!!

And then I found some SUPER soft black leather peep-toe pumps by Guess. The leather is ridiculously soft & comfy.

Both pairs cost me $100!! Successful shopping trip…bringing me to 3 new pairs of shoes on this trip (although the the latter 2 cannot compare to the first one!!) Sales are great! :)

After shopping we were starved so we showered & got dressed to go to our favorite Vegas restaurant – Del Frisco’s Double Eagle Steak house. I love this place!! The ribeye is sooooo good. And the 3 cheese macaroni & cheese is sinful.

Did not have room for dessert this time but did have 2 glasses of Moet White Star – this is a great bubbly. Served at our wedding reception. Moderately priced but very, very tasty.

Now time for bed like the Vegas party animal that I am :) Miss my doggies terribly and am excited to be going home tomorrow and see them!!!

I saw an ad for these shoes weeks ago. I am not normally a super pricey shoe person. Mostly because I pretty much end up taking my dogs with me everywhere (and outside) in every outfit I own (why I find cookies & poo bags in every pocket of every jacket, coat or pair of pants that I own!) Plus I feel I am going tospend a lot of money on a single item, it should be something I will wear a LOT (I really should have crazily expensive hiking shoes & dog-walking gear!)

But these shoes…I have to admit I have been wanting a pair of Louboutins more than any other brand. There are just so many cute ones! And I LOVE pink. I know – so stereotypically girlie – but I do love pink. Looks on my skintone in pretty much any shade.

I even told husband about these shoes earlier in the day (a sign!) because I was so in love with them. Of course, when I told him they were probably $800-$900 he was very happy that I added “but I wouldn’t spend so much on a pair of shoes.”

Husband & I were walking through the Palazzo Shops after dinner and we walked by Barney’s and their shoe section is right up front…and I saw them…and walked right in and picked them up and I loved them!

The price tag was on the bottom…I had been dead-on in my guess earlier. They were $865. There was simply no way I could justify that..ever. But I wanted to try them on anyway!! We were here and the salesman was more than happy to help us :)

As soon as I put them on I knew I was in trouble…helped that I was in a dress and had just spent the day in the sun so was tan. The pink just worked so well. Plus a fresh pedi! :)

Then the salesman said the magic words…”they are going on sale on Tuesday and I can give you that price now…”. Wha??????

Husband loves a deal. Husband loves when I wear high heels. Husband was in a strangely good mood (proof he might need to relax a bit more as we did today.) But again…husband loves a good deal and these were now 40% off!!

He asked me if I loved them. I said I did. Salesman agreed they were hot on me (hey – I’ll take the compliment even if it was in his best interests!) Husband gave up his American Express card – whoa!!!

I can definitely say they are the single most expensive item in my closet. But I absolutely love them!!! And now I need to buy a couple dresses to go with them!! (preferably on a really good sale!)

This pic was taken last night. The pink is a more vibrant pink IRL I think but you can see them in their awesomeness :)