Mexico

I finally started bloging about the Mexico Cruise on the travel blog – check it out.

Cake Flyer/order sheet

I put together a new flyer/order sheet for my cakes. I have it as a .pdf file, so if you would like me to send it to you, I am happy to. Feel free to pass it out to all your friends and family.

Hannah Montana Cake

My niece is having a birthday party/ sleep over this year to celebrate her 9th birthday. She wanted a Hannah Montana cake, so here is the result – a Hannah Montana guitar cake.
I think it turned out pretty cute and she loved it.

I really enjoy coming up with ideas for a cake and planning out how to do it. If there is a cake you want me to try, just let me know.

Back to baking

Now that I have finally, finally, finally finished documenting my Alaska trip I need to up date everyone on my baking. Over the past several months I have had the opportunity to make lots of fun cakes, which seams to be one segment that is taking off. Of course you can order anything anytime, I am always happy to do special orders.

Here are the cakes…

In February I made this cake for a darling 3 year old. It is sleeping beauty. Then I just played around with this one for my Mom. Next was a birthday cake for “Grandma Bunny” And then a cake introducing my cousins twins to the family – they live on the west coast and this was their first time home since the boys have been born. Then was my sister’s flower cake – this was one I threw together while her kids were decorating cupcakes, so not my best work. Here is an Elmo cake for the cutest 1 year old! And some cupcakes for a Mother’s Day luncheon. My Tiger’s baseball cake for my Brother in law. This is the cake I made for my birthday – to bring into the office. It gave me the chance to experiment some more. Here is a Tinkerbell cake for an adorable 3 year old. And last a Disney cake for my niece. Like the little Mickey’s on the side?

Saturday, September 20 - The End

I woke up Saturday morning so sad, this was our last day on the ship and I did not want this amazing week to end. We slept in a bit, but got up in time to make to the last TV Trivia challenge. I got there early and found a seat. JJ walked in and said – Hey I am surprised to see you up so early. We chatted a bit about the night before and then he went up to set up for the game. Shannon came in and we joined another couple to form a team. Again we did not know many of them, but it was fun. Afterward we chatted with JJ and then decided to stay for the regular trivia game.

We did much better on the trivia game then the TV tunes one – we actually knew some of the questions. One thing that happened during the trivia game was that Zoe, the crew member who was running the game all of a sudden looked really ill and quickly walked out of the room – Meg another crew member in the room picked up where Zoe left off and finished the game.

There are also the big Princess product sale that they do everyone week. Normally these sales have a few good deals and then the rest is just them trying to push products. Well since this was the last Alaskan cruise of the season, and the last one before dry dock, they were really trying to get rid of everything. I got the cutest black polo shirt for $5 – which I totally love! I also got a cute blue purse. It was lots of fun.

After shopping, Shan and I went to get lunch and then back to the room for a nap. I was so tired by this point, it had been a long week and I had not gotten much sleep the night before. I felt much better after a rest and then it was time to start packing – it was so sad, I could not believe our week was almost over and that we soon had to go home. As we were packing we took some pictures of the room.

Here is the number of our room and our names Here is the closet and shelves, Shannon is already packed at this point and I am working on it.This is the power cord – there is only one plug in the whole cabin so we were advised to bring a power cord – as you can see, it got a lot of use! This is the bathroom – it was pretty small – the shower was really small – I flooded the floor almost every time I shaved my legs. This is the desk/vanity/tv area. And here are the beds – the room is small, but it was fine for the small amount of time we spent in there. Over the course of the week Shannon and I had gotten our pictures taken a ton by the ships photographers. In fact, one of the times I pretty much, in avertedly flashed the whole atrium when the photographer had me lay on the floor in my blue dress. You could see right down my dress. While it was pretty funny at the time, I did not find it very funny that every time I walked by the walls where the pictures were displayed that picture was out front –it was so embarrassing. I would put it in the back or middle of the pile of pictures, but someone would always put it back on top…. Anyway, Shannon and I had a stack, a really big stack of pictures that we had taken over the week and we needed to decide which one or ones we were going to buy. We decided to take the whole stack of pictures into the wheelhouse bar and to start eliminating which one we did not want to buy. Not long after we sat down, this cute old couple sat down with us, one on each side of us to help us with the process. They were not at interfering or overbearing, but would make sweet little comments like, that is not your best picture, or we agree with this one. In the end they were really helpful in our decision on what pictures to buy and it ended up being one of the most endearing moments of the cruise.

Shannon and I each purchased two pictures, one the same and one different, this is the one just I bought – this was taken on Tuesday night – And this is the one we both bought – from the second formal night. Around 6 pm the ship docked in Victoria, CA and Shannon and I went up on deck to watch.

Here is the welcome building. There were all these people there to welcome us, dressed up in Victorian clothes – ringing a bell – it was kind of strange. Too bad we did not get any pictures of them. Victoria was the one port we did not plan an excursion for; we just planned on wondering around the city.

We got off the ship and had to take our pictures in front of the welcome to Canada sign.
Here is Shannon And me. I have to admit I was a bit nervous about going through Canadian customs, the last time I had entered Canada was in August with one of the cyclists who had some issues at the boarder, while I did not have any issues, I was with this cyclist and flagged while we dealt with the issue. Not knowing if they had put anything in my record, I was slightly apprehensive about crossing for the first time. Thankfully they just waved us through and there were no issues.

We then jumped on a bus to take us downtown. After about 10 minutes the bus dropped us off downtown by the Empress Hotel. The Empress Hotel is a famous hotel in Vancouver – we could have had Tea or taken a tour of it, but decided not to, we just took some pictures. This is the legislator building – very pretty. I found this sculpture in town. I have to admit I was not overly impressed with Victoria, I know we were there on a Saturday evening, from 6:00 – 11:00 but there was really not much open. A few souvenir ships and some restaurants, but that was it. I wanted to find a Tim Horton’s and take a picture in honor of all the bike tour folks from Canada, since I was only in CA with them for a short time, but I could not find one. I saw several Starbucks, which makes sense since they started on the west coast and Tim Horton’s on the east, but at the time I was surprised and disappointed.

There were some funny things that happened in Victoria.

Most notably - there were many pedicabs around trying to solicit everyone’s business. Shan and I were not interested in taking a ride and passed up the many offers. At one point Shannon really had to go to the bathroom. We were standing out on the sidewalk trying to figure out where the closest bathroom was located, since so many of the stores were closed. There was a visitor’s center a couple blocks away, and we thought that might be the closest one. Well, while we were talking a pedicab driver saw us looking around and asked us what we were looking for – we said we were looking for a bathroom and he was like I know where one is, let me take you there. We declined and said we would just head over to the visitor center. The driver was very insistent and told us he knew of a place much closer and to jump in. We reluctantly got in, but since Shannon really had to go, we thought if it was quicker we would do it. So the driver starts going down the main street, then turns down this side street and keeps going and going. Shan and I keep looking at each other, like where are going? We could have been to the visitor’s center by now. The driver finally pulls up in front of a restaurant and says, my friend works here I will clear it so you can use the bathroom. So Shannon and I nervously went in and used the bathroom. We were a little concerned the pedicab driver was going to be waiting for us outside, so we hung around in the restaurant for a while before going back out, thankfully he was gone and we walked back to the main street.

We did find this map painted on a wall. And then there was this street performer – Darth Vader playing the violin – hmm…. not sure about that, but thought my nephew would like it. After wondering around for a bit we were ready to go back to the ship. We took the shuttle bus back and when we got back on the ship it was like we walked into a totally different place. Evidently the workers started getting the ship ready for dry dock a day early. We kind of felt like we were walking into a construction zone – the railings were all covered in paper, the floors covered in plastic, all the boutiques were completely empty or in the process of being emptied, even the cousins of the lounge chairs were being thrown away over the side of the ship (into a dumpster). Excuse us for wanting to finish our cruise. We did not talk any pictures of it, but we should have since I do not think it is something I will see again.

Shan and I went up to the food court and grabbed some dinner and then decided to go watch the finals of the Princess Pop Star. It was okay, I think at this point we were both just so tired and sad, our absolutely amazing week was coming to an end and there was nothing we could do about it. The ship was very quiet that night, so we went to bed at a decent time.

For those of you who have never been on a cruise before, you have to put your luggage out the night before so that it can be taken off the ship for you, so there is always some creative packing that last night and planning ahead. So the when we got up the next morning, we had our limited supplies and got ready. Because my flight was at 11:20 am we had a pretty early disembarkation. We were to go to the wheelhouse bar and wait until we were told to go. When we got there, all the furniture had been push into a corner and all piled up, again getting ready for dry dock. We did not have to wait too long and then we got off the ship for the last time. It was so sad walking off the Star Princess- this ship that had been our home for a week, but felt like a life time, this place that had been this oasis and fairy tail and fantasy for our time on it. I still cannot verbalize how at home, at peace, how I was completely me on that ship. I just loved it.

From the ship we had to go through customs and then get our luggage. I had to do some quick rearranging of some of my luggage so I could fly, and then we got on the shuttle bus. As we drove to the airport the women sitting behind us was reading Harry Potter to her kids. Shannon and I talked about the week and about her plans for the day. Due the hurricane her plans had to be all changed and she had an extra day in Seattle. Her plan was to go to Mt. St. Helen. I wanted to stay with her and be there for another day, but I knew it was not feasible.

Shannon came into the airport with me, she had to go get her rental car, and we both weighed our luggage. As we were standing there I started to cry. I did not want to go home. I wanted to stay, even though I knew the ship was being torn apart and would not sail for another 3 weeks, that the crew we got to know were leaving, that all the friends we made over the week were going home, I did not care, I wanted to go back to the Star and continue the dream of the week I had just had. I did not want to return to reality. But I had to. With a big hug and many tears Shannon and I said goodbye and I went to check in for my flight.

My trip home was not ideal, but since I was using frequent flyer miles I could not be too picky. I flew from Seattle to Portland, Portland to Chicago and then Chicago to Grand Rapids. It was going to be a long day of traveling. My flight to Portland was on this little puddle jumper – here are some pictures of it. The quick flight to Portland was fine, but the airport was really busy. I was hungry, and went to this little sports bar in the airport to eat. It was packed, there were no tables open and a line of people. I ended up sitting with some random guy who was next in line so that I would not take up a whole table by myself. I tried to be friendly, but he just went on and on about how crappy his day was going with how busy the airport was. It ended up being fine since I was too sad to be too friendly. I then got on the plane to Chicago and spent that leg sleeping, reading and crying. Then we landed at O’hare – I am one of these people who actually likes the O’hare airport, in fact it is one of my favorite airports. Yes it is big, but so are many other airports. I know my way around it, have had very few problems with it and it is clean and things are open. At O’hare I made some phone calls, talk to Shannon about her day and then hopped on the quick flight home. My Mom was recovering from surgery and could not drive so Jessica my intern came and picked me up. Poor Jess, she got a non-stop earful the whole way home. I went on and on and on about what an amazing week I had. Next stop was my mom’s which is where my car was and I again I told my Mom about the amazing trip. By this point it was after midnight and I needed to be at work in the morning. So I finished my journey with the drive home and walked into my house. I was home.

Leaving for this trip I had no expectations, I was warn out, tired and ready to be done with the bike tour that had occupied the previous 18 months of my life. Physically, mentally and emotionally I was just done. The only thing I had cared about when leaving for the trip was that I could go some place where no one could find me. This trip ended up being a once in a life time journey that has changed my life forever.

Friday September 19, 2008

Friday was our second full day at sea and after 3 really busy days in port Shannon and I were really looking forward to a quieter day. The only thing we were had scheduled for the day was the Cruise Critic meeting at 11:00 am in the Wheelhouse bar. At 10:00 in the Wheelhouse was TV tunes trivia, which we thought might be fun. We had not made it to any of the trivia games yet, and I had wanted to go. So we slept in a bit, ate breakfast, took our time to get ready and then wandered down to trivia.

As we walked into the bar I hear over the speakers, coming from the front, “You guys are way too young to know any of these. Find a team to join.” I looked up and it was JJ talking to us from the stage. I smiled and we saw Mike and Chris from the Cruise Critic group and we joined them. We did okay, but most of the shows were from way before our time. There were a couple of ones that we knew and JJ would make a comment like – even you guys will know that one. After the trivia ended, we had a little time before the get together, so I went to the bathroom. As I walked back in JJ was talking to Shannon. When he saw me he started walking towards me and we chatted. He asked if we were getting dressed up for formal night and if we were going to go to the show – he said the one that night was his favorite of the production shows. He said we needed to come to the Champagne waterfall at 11:30 pm- which he referred to it as the obligatory dance party. JJ also mentioned that after the Champagne waterfall he and the crew go up to Skywalkers and that we should go. We said we probably would go.

After JJ left we helped move some chairs around to set up for the Cruise Critic group. We had another great turn out and it was so fun to see everyone again after several days on the cruise to hear what they had done. Mike and Chris had put together a trivia game based on the posts on the roll call thread on Cruise Critic. They put so much work into it – I was blown away. Again we could work in teams and we joined Bob and Candace. We were all actually answers in the game – one question was who worked on a cross continental bike tour. Shan was the person from the furthest away. Bob was mentioned about his screen name. Over all we did really well – just one less then the winning team. We had a great time with the group and stayed there for a couple hours.

Lunch was next on our plan. We went up to the 14th deck where the food court was located. There was also a pizza place and a grill where you could get hot dogs, hamburgers, grilled chicken sandwiches. That is where we ate lunch every day. Pretty much every day I had a salad and a piece of pizza. After lunch Shannon decided she wanted to go check out the big Champagne art auction. I had no desire to go, so I went back to the room to read, relax, maybe take a nap – since it had been such a taxing day so far. :) Shannon only planned on staying at the auction for a little while, so I was surprised when she came back over an hour later. Well it turned out the DJ saw Shannon at the art auction and started talking to her.

Shan decided to relax for a while before starting to get ready for dinner. 13 going on 30 was on the TV, so we watched that for a while. Every afternoon in the food court they serve free ice cream and I decided I wanted to get some. I could not remember if it started at 3:00 or 3:30, so I went up just before 3:00. Unfortunately it did not start until 3:30. So I sat down at a table and waited. Of course the staff was so on top of things a server kept asking me if I needed something. Finally I admitted I was waiting for the ice cream. During my wait I read a little, but I was more fascinated by the family sitting across the isle from me. This family consumed more food then I have every seen four people eat before in my life. It was like a train wreak I just could not turn away. The waiter was so great, he kept coming back and giving me updates on the status of the ice cream. When it was ready he let me know and also told me the caramel ice cream was his favorite, so I tried that and it was great. After my snack I headed back to the room to start getting ready for dinner.

Now I enjoy getting dressed up, there have even been times in my life getting ready is more fun then actually going out. Shan and I were going to wear our fancy dresses for this, the second formal night. A couple months before we left Shannon sent me a picture of the dress she bought for this night and I was in a total panic, I did not have any that fancy to bring along. So in between traveling back and forth across the country I needed to find a dress. It was quite stressful. Finally a couple weeks before we left I found one I loved. The problem was that it needed to be altered a bit and I had not had time to do this before I left. So I tried to make due with safety pins and it just did not work very well. I was so uncomfortable and fidgety all night. It was the only negative thing of the night, other then that we both got all gussied up and got ready for our fancy night.

Once we were ready we went down to dinner. This night we were seating more the in middle of the room then the other nights, and we ended up at the greatest table. Dinner was a riot!! The other people at our table were a couple from Boston, a missionary couple from Ravenna, MI – not too far from me, and a couple from Oklahoma. The whole group just talked and laughed and told stories, it was great! My favorite story happened when we were in a hockey discussion. The woman from Oklahoma was a very petite Asian woman and she was talking about how hockey was way too violent for her all that fighting. Her husband piped up something about how it was so much less violent then wrestling. It turns out she was a huge WWE fan. Then he went on to comment about her getting thrown out of a wrestling match. We all just looked at each other wondering what that was all about – she went on to tell us that her grandsons wrestle and she would get so worked up she would start yelling at the officials or the other kids that she was asked to leave. I so wish I had a picture of this lady, looking at her she would be the last person you would expect to be asked to leave any where or to be a fan of the WWE. The food at dinner was good as well and I ordered the Love Boat Dream dessert. When it came it was so cute I decided to take a picture of it. After dinner Shannon and I decided to get some more professional pictures taken. We then went to go watch the Newlywed not so Newlywed game show – another one of those cruise favorite activities. We could only stay for a little while since we wanted to make sure we got seat for the show. We got to the theater and found seats in our regular section. The show was destination anywhere and it was based on a around the world theme. It was really good and we both enjoyed it. I did think it was a little funny when they did a segment on Africa and they sang In the Jungle from the Lion King. After the show we headed back over to the atrium to get ready for the Champagne waterfall. At one point we asked this gentleman to take a picture of us together. He was quite particular about placing us in the right light, almost to the point of it being creepy, but it ended up being my favorite picture of us. Don’t we look nice. We then went into the art gallery and had a little photo shoot.

Here I am

Here is Shannon More me More Shannon Fun times! Then it was time for the big party!! Here is Shannon getting ready for the fun! I would compare the Champagne Waterfall to a New Years Eve countdown type party. People line up on all three levels of the atrium to watch as the maitre d stacks hundreds of champagne glasses on top of each other. Once all but one of the glasses is in place the Cruise Director and Maitre D do a little program and then the champagne is poured. Here is a picture of the glasses.
Before they start pouring the champagne there is a count down and people have streamers to throw. This is just after the streamers came down.

Then everyone has an opportunity to pour the champagne if they want – we chose not to, but here is someone doing it. Here are some people dancing. Shannon and I walked around and watched people. I was laughing at these two boys – I would say about twelve years old who went around picking up as many streamers as possible and they were covering each other with them – you could not even see their clothes – it was all streamers.

At one point JJ came up to me to give me a hard time about not joining in the dancing. It was so funny – he was in total cruise director mode – big grin on his face, moving to the beat of the music – Mr. Social Director. I made some comment about the music being kind of old and if they played something a decade or two newer it would be more my speed – he said they needed to cater to the crowd and to come up to Skywalkers later for newer music.

We stayed around for most of the party and then we ran up to the room to freshen up and then we made our way up to sky walkers. We walked in and found a place to sit over in the area where the crew was hanging out. The DJ saw Shannon and pulled her into the DJ booth with him to chat. After a few minutes I was not sure if she wanted to hang out there or not, so I went to rescue her – she was okay that I came over.

The music in Skywalkers was better and I danced to a few good songs. At one point Staying Alive was on and I pulled out all my disco moves. Suddenly I was surrounded by 60 – 70 year old men who were emulating every move I made – it was both hilarious and frightening. I decided to stop dancing for a while.

After we had been for a while Shannon got up to go somewhere, and I looked over and saw that JJ was standing alone, so I got up to go talk to him. We started chatting and had a really great time. Shan got sick of sitting alone so after a while she came over and we all chatted. Since the ship was going into dry dock in two days and most of the crew was leaving there were huge crew parties going on. Shan and I so wanted to go to one of them, just to get into the crew area and see what it was like, but that did not happen. JJ kept getting paged to come to the crew party and finally he decided to go. It was getting pretty late at this point, close to 2:00 am. After JJ left Shannon and I stayed at Skywalkers for another 10 minutes or so and then we decided to leave. Shannon wanted to say good bye to the DJ since he was getting off the ship the next day in Victoria. When we got up to leave we saw that he had gone down a level to go to the bathroom so we started headed down that way. As we were walking down Shan went one way to say goodbye and I went the other way to go to the elevator and much to my surprise JJ was standing there….

It was another great day!

New Blog Update

Since the travel website has not gone live yet with the section that my blog is going to be in, I decided to spruce up the post that is going to be featured – the one on the Seattle Underground Tour. I added some history on the area and even found pictures online to fill in some of the holes I had. Here is the link to the new post http://erinnsediblestravels.blogspot.com/2008/10/history-lesson_14.html