Pineapple Upside Down Cake

I enjoy Thursdays because I have a great dynamic group of people I work with on Thursdays. The type of people that make the day fun and fast. Minor issues today; Ordered the wrong coffee (latte instead of a cappuccino, although there was no milk in the aforementioned "latte", so...). I only had to deal with ONE concerned guest. He was not mad at me at all. It was the online site that he ordered from that sent him something wrong. I enjoy calming others down as long as it is NOT nonsensical hysteria. is that a double negative? I'll normally walk away in those cases of nonsenses when i have exercised all of my options of patience. HA!

It's been a calm day overall. Tomorrow I am having a fun luau at work to celebrate summer and reward my team, because I am the boss and these are the things I get to do at work. ;) The upside to this luau is FOOD! My favorite thing that makes people happy and together. The downside is that it is not a potluck which in turn means a select few and I cook for the whole team. I suppose a positive spin, which I always have for every situation, is that means I don't have to do any real "work". Just team building activities and food safety! Again, I am the boss and what I say goes!

Of course after purchasing a butt load (a hell of a lot in my book) of food at the bulk food store, I decided to bake sweet treats which include an upside down cake, a bundt cake, and cup cakes with a hopeful ocean/beach theme frosted on top. I feel like I am on Ace of Cakes, but it's much messier in my kitchen. The bundt cake idea came to me when i found clearance cake mix. Being raised a shopper and a frugal shopper at that, has paid off...get it? I have this red silicone rose flower formed bundt cake thing and I have never used it. So the virgin rose bundt came out to play. With the red, white, and blue cake mix bursting throughout the rose formation, it turned out pretty darn great. No frosting for that beauty. No need to mask its true self. The pineapple upside down cake is only appropriate. It's a luau after all, tropical, sweet, summery, and decadent. Semi lopsided once I flipped it over onto a tray which just adds to its home made charm. Next up...which I am procrastinating about are the frosting of the cupcakes using brown sugar for sand, swirled blue frosting for waves, and a cute toothpick umbrella. I cannot take credit for the clever idea. Thank you H&G magazine!



The bowls and spoons of batter were only licked once most of the batter was in the baking forms. Casualties.

Today also marked a big purchase for me as well. MY CALIFORNIA AIRPLANE TICKET! With the help of my dad online, he gave me the push to book the flight and not wait. My fabulous cousin is having her first baby. A baby boy. A baby that I will call my nephew regardless. I am Auntie Anita. So excited to be a part of a pivotal moment in their lives and mine. I have always been the eldest of the maternal side of cousins. And my baby cousin is having a baby. Before me. It strikes a nerve, I will be honest. I have asked myself, "when is it my turn?". Everyone has their own path, their own timeline. I cannot compare mine to others but a BIG part of me, my heart, wants a new path that leads to what some may deem as normalcy. Marriage, baby, Happily Ever After. HA! but I am NOT normal. I am unique. I am ANITA. Possibly on a sugar high.

"do not follow where the path may lead - Go instead, where there is no path, and leave a trail-" Ralph Waldo Emerson

my time management has now led me to frosting cupcakes in my little kitchen, listening to my "tranquilo" (calm in Portuguese) playlist off of my iTunes. Jewel "Angel Standing By You" is playing this very second. The first song I put on was by Chantal Kreviazuk "Feels Liks Home" (from the Dawsons Creek soundtrack. HA!) because I want to feel like I am at home. Cooking and baking makes me feel normal, domestic, and comforted. I wish I had someone to share these meals and treats with everyday.

enough sap for now. Jewel does that to me.

good night. look out your window, we share the same moon and stars. Make a wish and until next time, beijos!