Orange Cake

For as long as I can remember, I have requested orange cake on my birthday. Why? Well, I certainly have always loved the flavor of "orange". Its sweet in its own way, but also balances sugar well. I love to eat an orange. Its funny that I developed and allergy to orange juice though. Yes, I can eat an orage, but can't drink orange juice, whether its from concentrate, or freshly sqeezed. As we said in toxicology class, "It's the dose, not the poison." What complements organge cake best? Buttercream frosting of course. Maybe because my birthday is midwinter, I have always craved the sweet fresh flavor of orange cake. Don't get me wrong, I love the other kinds of cake, but for my birthday, its orange cake all the way. I'm not really that picky, but Better Crocker makes the orange cake mix that I usually get at birthday time. I remember one year Laura going to about five different grocery stores before she was able to find the mix. Apparently nobody in Ann Arbor appreciated orange cake like I do. So step right up and share a virtual piece of orange cake with me today on my birthday.

Desparately Seeking Snow

Desparately Seeking Sun 2007 was a letterboxing gathering in Brewerton, NY, just outside Syracuse. We went last year, and the hostess Lockwench knows how to host, so we couldn't wait to go back. In 2006 it was cold, but not that snowy. This year it was warmer, but a whole lot more snow. In many places you would be up to your knees. I would sink a foot in the snow even on snowshoes. But snow doesn't stop this crew of letterboxers.

We stayed in the lodge most of Saturday. And why not, this was a great lodge at Oneida Shores State Park. It had a huge wood fireplace, and lots of room. Folks brought great food, I loved the chicken soup since I was fighting off a cold. There were around 105 letterboxers in attendence and sadly I didn't make it all the way around the room. But I did get a ton of exhanges and personal travellers, and met some really nice people.

I did an ice fishing demonstration, and the kids and adults who came really asked great questions and had a good time. The Jiggs girls tagged along with me, and I'm glad they did, they were really nice and were really curious about the fishing. Alas, we couldn't put one up, but a stamp did reward those who came out.

On Sunday we did get back out to do some letterboxing. We found a bunch of the easier ones, since we didn't have a lot of time. We were able to help out the Phoenix family get their 4WD truck out of a snowslick road. Boy, it was hard work, but that is just what you have to do in times of need.

Anyway, can't wait to get back again next year.

Curling Fab 4

We looked good. We drank good. We didn't curl all that good, but we had a great time at our first Francis Dykes Curling Tournament. This tournament is for male curlers with five years or less experience. It was being held this year at our home club, so we couldn't miss it. Brian and I teamed up with Steve and Jeremy for a fun weekend of curling. Though our record was 2 wins and 3 losses, we enjoyed playing against clubs from Utica, Vermont, Masschusetts, and Maryland.

Dom Visits...Eats Tacos

What is the best way to eat tacos? Well, first have a good friend visit you for the weekend. Make sure the friend knows how to ice fish, and make sure he is good at filleting fish. Then make fish tacos, and you are in for a good weekend.

It was so great to get out on Cranberry Pond to do some ice fishing with Dom. We had a fun time, and the fishing was good. Our tip-ups kept us busy, and when it was warm we had good luck jigging. The the cold wind came up, and we understood better the meaning of Jack London's words in "To Build a Fire". We managed to keep ten perch, and threw back twice as many. Even my rustic "Tiki Tip-up" produced a few nice ones.

Locals were out on the ice, fishing, playing hockey, and running their snowmobiles. Not that I thought there was enough ice to snowmobile, but that's why I don't own one of those things.

We also kicked backed and watched some movies, and got to the UR basketball games. Tony and Cait had us over for some late night chatter, and we had brunch with Eric and Julie. It was a great weekend, and especially great to catch up with Dom.

So remember, if you want fish tacos, make sure you invite Dom first.