Easter (and Vintage Cake's Butterscotch Cream Roll-Up)

Here's a small sampling of the goodies the various Easter Bunnies delivered.

And here's a picture of the cake I made for dessert.  It's from Vintage Cakes. It's the Butterscotch Cream Roll-Up and it's my first rolled cake from this book.  The directions were quite good as to how to make this, but I added some notes which I will reproduce below.  The cake was delicious!  My notes have to do with making a prettier presentation.

My notes:

• Before you prep the pan, use a ruler and a pencil to mark on the pan's rim where you will cut after the cake is baked.
• When you pour the batter into the prepared pan and smooth the top, THIS is the time to make it perfectly level.  It will not magically do this in the oven.
• When you are whipping the frosting, go closer to stiff peaks than super floppy.  It will make frosting easier.
• You only need a thin layer on the face (which will be the inside) of the cake.  Don't go crazy and use too much icing there.

Oregon Children's Theater Dress Rehearsal of The Giver

Matt and I had the opportunity to attend the dress rehearsal for the play based on Lois Lowry's masterpiece.  The cast had not yet gone through the play from start to finish, so it added an extra level of tension to the performance.  The production went off with only a few flubbed lines.  Tristan Comella was great as Joanas, the boy tapped to become the receiver and Andres Alcala was a wizened and wise Giver.  Set design was very good too, managing to illustrate the transfer of information between the Giver and receiver.

How many computers does it take to do your taxes?

One of us should probably figure out how to set up a network. Or something.

Goodbye to Volvo

It's been a trusty car for a number of years now, (especially after the mechanic figured out why it kept suddenly losing power and stalling and then refusing to start again) but it's time for it to move on to another life.  Thanks Volvo. 

NWCTC: King Lear

Ted Roisum was our Lear, while company regulars Melissa Whitney, Brenan Dwyer & Clara-Liis Hillier held down the roles of the daughters.  It was a grand production, overall.

Tim's reading. Rules for Becoming a Legend

It's our first reading given by an author that we know!  Tim Lane is married to one of my coworkers, and we've been eagerly awaiting the publication of his first novel, which is now available to purchase.

The Powell's Podium, with Rules for Becoming a Legend on display.

The author, waiting to be introduced.

Some feet action.

After telling us about how he wrote the novel, Tim read an excerpt and then took questions.

Then there was a signing.

The reading was well attended. They had to put out more chairs, which is always a good sign.

A long time ago, we used to be friends.

It's Veronica Mars movie day!  Or night, as it were.  Various attempts to take our picture before the show without a flash.

Post-movie, with similar flash problems.

Matt with his backer shirt.

I with my Team Logan shirt.