Road to the World Series

As I sit here watching Game 5 of the World Series, hoping the Rangers win to continue the series, I find myself thinking of the games I have been to since moving here. I never thought I would jump on the bandwagon of a professional sports team as I have with the Rangers, I just couldn't help it. They are a fun team to watch and each player has a unique story. We went to game 1 of the Yankees series in September. The game was dragging along and in the 8th inning (which was something like 4 hours after the first pitch) with the Rangers behind we decided to leave. As we were walking in the concourse, Cruz hit a game-tying homerun. (I should point out that David was not too pleased by leaving early). We continued home 30 minutes later to find the game still going and in the 11th inning. Finally in the 13th inning and 5 hours later, the Rangers hit a game-winning homerun. It was only the beginning of the Rangers sweep of the Yankees. The next game we went to see was the last game of the regular season which was also the fan appreciation game. Even-though they ended up losing the game, the fans were treated to tons of freebies with a lucky few getting game used jerseys from the players. Now that I have bored you to death with these two games and telling you nothing that you don't already know or could look up on the internet, we are on to the postseason. We went to see the first home game of the ALDS series against Tampa Bay. It was the first postseason game I had ever been to and the first time I had seen the Ballpark at near capacity.

 The Rangers lost this game and we were beginning to think we might be bad luck, but they went on to win the ALDS and next up were the Yankees. We didn't let the thought of us being bad luck to stop us, we got tickets for Game 2 of the ALCS and were treated with a win.

First time the ALCS logo has been at the Ballpark.

Next up...The World Series!!! The metroplex is all abuzz with the Rangers playing in late October and with the Cowboys floundering, the Rangers were giving sports fans something to cheer about. After game 2 of the ALCS, tickets for the world series went on sale the following day, Sunday, at 9:00. We had our phones and computers ready for the chance to get tickets through the Rangers. At 8:45 we were placed in the virtual waiting room and by 9:00 we were on three phones trying to get in. Every time we called we kept getting a busy signal, no one could get through.  By 9:45, we found out that only single tickets were available for games 3 & 4. We gave up and decided we would try Stubhub once the Rangers were in.  On a whim, about 30 minutes later, David's sister decided to call just to see if she could get through. Sure enough she did and we were able to get 8 standing room only tickets! We were going to the World Series! The only thing the Rangers had to do was beat the Yankees!

 The only World Series game won by the Rangers...

A few signs fans brought to the game that I couldn't resist sharing!

 

One last picture with the Championship banner....

Being able to go to the World Series was an unbelievable experience! The atmosphere in the ballpark was electric and the Rangers ended up with a win. I hope it's not another 50 years before the Rangers are back in the World Series but more like 50 weeks! The Rangers gave their fans a memorable season that they won't soon forget. Can't wait too see what next season brings!

In closing I would just like to say....

Way To GO Rangers!!!!  

Clap...Clap...Clap, Clap, Clap!!!!

Bakerella in Dallas

Wow! I don't even know where to begin! We have been having a blast since moving to Ft. Worth exploring what the metroplex has to offer and looking for a house as well. I know it has been a LONG time since my last post, and I will not make any excuses for my procrastination, unless having way too much fun exploring can be used! :)

I went to NorthPark Mall in Dallas recently for a book signing at the Williams-Sonoma store. Angie Dudley, aka Bakerella, was there to sign her Cake Pops book and indulge us with her knowledge of making cake pops. If you have no idea what cake pops are, please visit her site listed under Blogs I'm Following, I promise you will not be disappointed! Anyway, the book signing was a lot of fun! I have never attended an actual book signing, so I really didn't know what to expect. I arrived to the mall a little after 10:00 and the signing didn't start until noon. Luck would have it that I parked on the complete opposite side of the mall from where Williams-Sonoma was. So, I meandered through the mall stopping at various stores along the way. I finally made to the store where I still had to purchase the book (even though I already had it, they make you show proof-of-purchase from the store where the signing is, which for me is good. I can have a clean copy and one that gets dirty from baking in the kitchen). They informed me that the line was outside and a number would be given for my spot in line. So, I proceeded outside to stand in line. I was given 31, at first I thought that was bad but, as it turned it wasn't because 140 people showed up! The line started at the front door and wound around the outside of the building.

After waiting the hour and half, it was finally noon and time to go inside for Q&A with Bakerella. It was great hearing her story of how she started blogging and coming up with the cake pop idea. After the Q&A, we went back outside and lined up by number for the start of the book signing.

When it was my turn to to get my book signed, I was actually star struck! Crazy I know, but this was all new to me! She asked me if I made cake pops and I said yes, lots of them. She then asked which ones I had made. I wasn't expecting the question and drew a complete blank! I told her I had made the pumpkin pops, and then I couldn't think of the others I had made! I felt like a complete dumb dumb! I guess she could sense my blank, because she the said you must be a professional, which my response NO! Not even close!

Me drawing a complete blank!

Still struggling with the blank as Bakerella is signing away.

Me and Angie Dudley, aka Bakerella

It was great talking with her and getting to know how friendly and funny she is.

 My signed copy of Cake Pops....

New City, New Fun!

Whew! What a crazy past couple of weeks it is has been for us! I have a lot of catching up to do on the blog! When I started blogging, we were in the process of packing and moving from McAllen to Ft. Worth. After two days of packing (by movers), 560 miles and 9 hours of driving, we finally got moved to our apartment in Ft. Worth. We absolutely love the metroplex and the area of Ft. Worth we are in, but even more, we are glad to be in north Texas! As soon as we moved in, we have started looking for a house. We haven't found "the one" just yet, but hopefully soon it will happen.

From the time we got the transfer to Ft. Worth/Hurst, we have been without Our Girls for nearly a month. We have missed them tremendously, but they seem to be enjoying themselves while staying at my parents house. We keep receiving reports that Sissy and Polar Bear are always lying under the air conditioner out in the kennel all day long with the three other labs my parents have, while Hershey and Kady are becoming best of buddies inside. I wish I had video or at least pictures of Hershey. My parents never seemed to have either one handy when they water their new live oak trees they have planted. Every time they would fill the well at the base of the tree (the mound of dirt surrounding the trunk of the tree), Hershey will jump in and attempt to swim and act like they are doing this just for her! Like I said, a video would have been great, but I guess the mental picture will have to do for now. Maybe one day when we are back to visit we can catch her in the act.

 This past week, my cousin celebrated her 13th Birthday! The family was having a get-together for her and I offered to make the cake. I was very excited to make it since it had been a while from the last birthday cake I had made. I surprised her with a two tier cake decorated with a few of her favorite colors. She and her siblings loved it!

 Now that our apartment is close to where they live, I hope we can continue getting together for birthdays. My inspiration for this cake came from a blog I follow called, The Pink Cake Box, which has wonderfully decorated cakes. I absolutely love following this blog and look forward to seeing the cakes they design each week.

Since moving to the Big City, we are starting to find all the neat things the big city has to offer. One of the first things we found near our apartment is the new Petsmart PetsHotel. It's an enlarged Petsmart that includes a Pet Hotel, Vet Clinic, and large grooming area. The PetsHotel offers a Doggie Day Camp where you can drop your pet off for the day to play under the supervision of Petsmart staff.  The camp allows your pet to play all day long and interact with other campers. If at any time you want to check on your pet, you can call the "Bone Booth", and one of the staff members will put your pet on the phone so you can talk to them (we laughed at first when we read that, but quickly admitted we'd probably be one of the parents that would call!). Since my parents were coming to visit for the weekend and look at homes with us, we decided to take Hershey and Kady( my parents lab) to Petsmart for the Doggie Day Camp. We all were a little hesitant to take them at first, but we knew they couldn't be cooped up in our apartment all day. 

So, we took them in and after registration and a little resistance from the girls at first, the Petsmart staff took them back so they could start camp. We left hoping that we wouldn't receive a phone call that the girls were not socializing well. We looked at houses all day long and didn't check on them one time (surprising I know!). When we were done for the day, we were ready to pick them up. At checkout, we received their report cards and we were relieved to hear they both received praise! (thankgoodness!). Since we had such a great experience with the Doggie Day Camp, I feel good about taking Hershey back there if we need to. After a long day at camp, the girls were ready to come home and crash.

Sweet dreams about their day at Doggie Day Camp!

  I think the pictures show what a great time the girls had.

Wow! Two blog posts in a day, I'm on a roll!!! I think I'm getting the hang of this or maybe addicted! :)

I tried to upload a couple of videos in my first post, but due to the technical difficulties I mentioned before, I was unable to do it. I think I have figured it out though, thanks to my dear friend Natalie, who by the way has inspired me to start blogging and guided me through the do's and dont's.

I finally figured out how to add videos by Googling it, and you would be amazed what comes up when you start typing 'how to....' Needless to say it was very interesting!  Anyway the first video is of Hershey, our sneaky, mischievous, ornery brown dog. We have placed a treat on a turn table that is spinning and she's attempting to get it off.

 
The next video is of Polar Bear at the Beach. After a long afternoon of swimming in the water, running up the sand dunes and chasing her sisters, she was ready for a nap. In the process of getting her spot ready, Sissy is getting buried. Make sure to listen at the end of the video. :)




While we are in the process of moving to Ft. Worth, we decided the girls needed to go to my parents house so we could get more packing done. We did not realize how quiet and lonesome it would get without them. From the reports we are getting though, they seem to be having a great time without us.

Getting my feet wet!

Howdy!

After many months of debating and procrastinating, I have finally decided to start a blog. I'm not sure how well I will keep it up, but I will do my best.  I have a feeling I will be good at first and then I will have weeks or months with no posts, just like most everyone else who starts this. 

I named the blog Cakes and Canines because I love to bake and decorate cakes along with cupcakes, cookies and cake pops. Also, to share the funny things our three Labradors, Hershey, Sissy and Polar Bear, do throughout the day to keep us entertained. Hershey is our 7 year old chocolate lab, Sissy is our 7 year old black lab and Polar Bear is our 5 year old yellow lab.  Our girls are our kiddos and they know it!

We are currently in the process of relocating from McAllen to Ft. Worth. I find it hard to believe that I am actually starting this process right in the middle of a major move, but it will be fun anyway. We have been in McAllen, or "the valley," for two years and have been wanting to leave the valley for, um....oh that's right, two years! We chose to wait until we were offered an area closer the Abilene area and Hurst finally was it. So, in couple of weeks we will be in the metroplex and we can't wait! Throughout this blog I will share some of the highs and lows of living in the valley, but not too many, I would hate to be so negative! :)

Here are few pictures to start off with.....

South Padre Island (a plus to living in the valley!)

 Now the Cakes....

The first cake...The State of Texas, which you probably could guess that if you're from Texas!

The second cake I made for a 1st Birthday.

I hope to add a few videos of the girls, but right now I'm having a few technical difficulties and will have to get David to figure it out for me. Hope you enjoyed my first post, check back often as I hope to add more soon! 

PS...If you are in the need of a good laugh, I highly recommend the blog Cake Wrecks.