kayaks and cakes

 

 

we usually go out kayaking in the afternoon and come in about dark

that way we start out in the heat but come back in the cool

ok it's Florida - not cool but cooler

 

 but Friday we got to the park near our house at dawn

can you see the sliver of the moon

 

 

it seemed like we were putting in

in the dark

 

 

the sunrise was worth it though

 

and so were the manatees

 

we paddled across to the barrier island

where there is a shallow peaceful lagoon

 

 

where we often see manatees

 

 

 and there they were

 

 

I could not get a photo of them when they were out of the water breathing

only like this just going under after a breath

 

 

this is NOT my photo but shows how big they are

they are also vegetarians and called cows of the sea

or sea cows

they can stay underwater for almost 20 minutes

they make a loud almost snorting sound when they breath

 

 

 

it was a little cloudy and thankfully did not get too hot as the sun came up

the sun can be intense here and there is no shade crossing back over Lemon Bay

 

later the tide and wind had picked up

and it was a hard paddle back across looking into the sun

 

next night - sleep over at grandma and grandpa's house

 

 

 it was all about the cake

she has seen every episode of Cake Boss

 

 

and wanted to try some fancy moves of her own

 

 

first she put a layer of fresh raspberries between the layers

 

 

decoration ready or not

 

 

oh yeah, she did "drop lines"

 

 

then she filled the raspberries

 

 

with frosting

 

 

next time we need to make more frosting so we can do the sides.....

my fault - we made two batches and still not enough

that is 1/2 pound of butter right there

 

the Cake Boss has garbage cans full of frosting....

 

 

we are learning here

 

AND it tasted really good

 

really good

 

 

then she moved on to play dough

 

 

and made another "cake"

 

 

this one was decorated with dinosaurs and a tree on top

the play dough resembles something called fondant

(French of course)

 

I had never heard of it - she knew all about it

 

it is a frosting like stuff that comes in a roll and you lay it over the cake

like the play dough

 

 

it makes a hard surface and smooth and so a good canvas

for sculpture and other decorations

 

 

 like this wedding cake

you can buy it already rolled out and colored

 

I think I saw a recipe to make it yourself

one with marshmallows and powered sugar we can try next

 

 

 it comes in lots of colors

and you can use it for cut outs to put on top

 

 

 or sculpt it

 

wow

some people are so creative

 

I am seeing lots of cake in our future

we need the practice