True Crime Cake & California

 

I visited my dad in California for 2 weeks and the moment I came back I started making this cake. My aunt loves true crime novels and I needed to top her previous birthday cakes. I designed the "cover" and had it printed on an edible sheet. Only $8! This was my first time working with rolled fondant, and although it was messy and scary it went pretty easy. My aunt loved the cake and is freezing the top part.

 These are two of her past birthday cakes. The scrabble tiles were was made with gum paste. The cake on the right is 10 layers of ice cream flavours. I was so scared it was going to fall over!

 I was at my dad's for 2 weeks and only managed to take pictures of his cats. Not even one of him on Father's day. Minnie on the left is a devil with a porcelain doll's face. She was glued to my side and sat at my feet every night. Midget in the middle is not all there and scared of every visitor ever, save me. Mikey on the right is wearing a toupee of Midget's hair!

On another note, my friends Willie and Alex, who have been separated by years worth of government bureaucracy were finally both together in Canada for the first time! They've been married for 4 years and have done everything by the book, but Alex could not cross the border. I'm so happy for them!

Trip to California

Eating at Sal's in Fresno- Pile of birthday presents waiting for me!

Car show in Mariposa - German tourists swarming my dad's Cobra in Oakhurst

 Mikey sleeping in my clothes - Sweet Pea & Minnie posing

Powell's Candy in Paso Robles

California was awesome! It was sunny and perfect the entire time, whilst it was raining and windy back home. I bought tons of fun things - shoes, pants, fakelite bracelets, beads, a 40's suit, fabric and most importantly, See's chocolate! There was a kitty or two to sleep with me every night and even an 4.3 earthquake to remind me of old times.

A Visit To the Mariposa Cemetery

 If you are in Northern California, perhaps on a visit to Yosemite, I urge you to visit the Mariposa Cemetery. Its right off of the main drag, behind the Catholic church. They have a little pamphlet for 50¢ that gives you a wonderful tour of the tombstones.

Left - Augustus L. Castor Occupation Tin Shop owner on Main St., Mariposa 1860s.
Right - Bridget McGreer - Bridget married Robert McGreer on March 27th, 1864 when she was only 16. Seven and a half months after the wedding she died of typhoid fever on November 13th, 1864 along with her unborn baby. Note the tiny tombstone in front of hers.

Left - Etta Grosjean - Miss DeMoss married Davis Grosjean on March 10, 1900. On October 20th, 1900 she died in child birth at the untimely age of 17. Reminds me of the poem:

16 years a maiden,

One short year a wife,

6 hours a mother

And now I've lost my life.

Right - Bernard Hillen, a native of Ireland. Has my favourite dedication - Requiescat in pace.