The Highest Pass

I met Anand Mehrotra, a guru from Rishikesh,  briefly when studying with Candace Silvers in Los Angeles.  There was definitely something about him-- a uniqueness, a peace, a playfulness, an ease, a loving seriousness, a light.  There was just something about him in person that transcended above what my mind sarcastically told me at the time was typical guru jargon. So, years later, when I heard he was a part of a documentary filmed called 'The Highest Pass,' I made it my highest priority.

The story of 'The Highest Pass' is that of a spiritual journey that takes Anand and seven other folks on a motorcycle ride across the highest and most dangerous travelable road located in the Himalayas. It's a story about a journey to Ladakh.  But more importantly, it's a story about being willing to live in your fear and make choices that say yes to life. 

I find that certain movies, books, conversations come into my life at different times for specific reasons.  I knew moving to the Cascade mountains of Washington, living just east of the Washington Pass and Rainy Pass, this story was one I needed to see.

What struck me the most, was that this movie wasn't necessarily inspirational or life-changing to me.  Instead, it was a mirror to my life right now.  Very cool!  I'm in the movie and on their journey; I'm just not in The Himalayas, I'm in The Cascades.  I've experienced wiping out on my bike and getting back on again, fatigue, elevation issues, physical exertion, saying yes when it doesn't make sense... constant FEAR. 

Adam Schomer had been studying with Anand for three years when he was invited to go.  "I've never wanted to ride a bike.  I think it's dangerous.  I have no desire.  And then I thought, 'Well, okay- I'm afraid of that.' I'll just say yes.  I'll just say yes now because I want to go to the Himalayas and I want to be with Anand."

I LOVE Adam's spirit!!!  He just knows to go.  I don't know how NOT to go anymore.  I've seen too many miracles being willing & open, choosing fearlessness that I've become a junkie!  I want that magic.  I want hard.  I want transformation.  I want the next challenge.  If it's going to grow me, align me with the stars for some magical moment, magical life,  sign me up!  I think folks that are on that search for truth are the ones that will take something from this film.

Something else that struck me was a simple moment from the sole woman on the trip.  She says... "conventional, mundane societies told me I should be married by now.  I should have children by now... That's a story that  needs to be let go."  I can absolutely relate to that.  As I approach 35, knowing I took a $30,000 pay cut to work as a baker in the middle of nowhere for a low hourly salary without benefits, I hear her words resonate.  And as a gal trying to 'figure out' whether I should stay in Mazama through the end of October as planned or if I should stay here through the winter, I hear those thoughts come up again.  "But staying here postpones my own business, finding love, moving forward, new magical opportunities..."  and "Going back to LA might mean missing out on beauty, unknown challenges, living on my own for the first time, learning bread," etc.  That's all fear talking.  (Not to mention my aunt & uncle found each other at a basecamp on top of a mountain aaaand only summited when they did the trip together.  Awww...  Point being-- you bring into your life what you're ready for).

I've learned it's comfortable and 'responsible' from the world's perspective to want to plan everything.  It always feels better because it's that instant gratification of 'knowing.'  Yet really, to 'figure it out' would just be controlling it... suffocating it... and forcing the magic from my life.  Blech.  :)  Like Anand says, "The highest pass is within us.  The journey is to realize that."  Knowing I fully capable of anything, I'd hate to minimize my life.

Thankfully, as the years have passed, I've learned to let go of the need to plan my future and to demand what's in it.  My life has been incredible thus far-- I've seen and done more in the past few years (and couple of months!) than I ever dreamed!  And then it's always funny how the mind works... Once you let go of your need to be at some societal status, your brain wants to find out what the 'plan' is for being an adventurer.  Ha!  I DON'T KNOW, BRAIN!  :) And then you let that go... let it go again a few seconds later... until you can sit in the fear.  The unknown can feel scary but if you are able to really marinate in it with only love and gratitude, recognizing that the universe isn't against you but brings these things up FOR you?  It's incredibly powerful and transforming. 

Reading reviews, it's clear to see that some folks think Anand is nuts. "Okay, I get the whole fearless thing but that's just STUPID, dude."  I may have even thought that myself for a moment!  But what I understood from the film is that he's not saying it's NOT intellectually or culturally 'stupid' to do what they're doing.  He's not saying you WON'T die.  He's not saying it's 'responsible.'  And he's definitely not saying that they're safe with him as long as they have faith.  Nope.  It's freaking dangerous.  You could very well die.  There's not a 'Get Out Of Death Free' Card because it's being filmed and you're with a guru and you're a dancing, magical unicorn of light!

The lesson I saw was that he gave each of these riders an opportunity to face fear head on.  If they weren't afraid, if there was no fear,  there would be no lesson.  There would be no transformation.  So he upped the ante, raised the stakes and every time we do that?  It's an opportunity to face fear, an opportunity to sit in it, the opportunity to let it go in love and the opportunity to grow.  Doing what scares you, can mean physical death.  But to stay where it is comfortable, is a guaranteed death anyway- both a physical & conscious death.  We're all going to die... It's just a matter of how we want to live!

And finally... there's a town named 'Mandi' in the film-- even spelled with an 'I!'  I paid close attention.  I think you can all gather by now I like to look for meaning in just about anything.  On the way to Mandi, they drive through the craziest streets of traffic where oncoming traffic is fast and dangerously unpredictable.  The riders talk about constantly being in a state of fear on their bikes, facing death literally at every turn, just exhausted.  It's exactly where I'm at in this moment.  I understand that kind of fatigue having said yes to everything since I've been here (long hikes & rockclimbing at over 200+ pounds, jumping in frigid waters so cold I can't formulate a sentence, letting go of fear when I hear cougars have shown up to my workplace, etc). While I wasn't on a motorcycle facing sporadic, oncoming traffic, doing what scares me on a daily basis has depleted my reserves for sure!

The next few weeks will be easier, a slower pace, more relaxing, MORE MEDITATION.  I have sooo many hikes to share with you and beautiful, amazing pictures. I promise to post them soon.  In the meantime, if you want to see some beautiful scenery & are feeling fearless about wrapping your brain around some snippets of wisdom from an enlightened man, take a look at 'The Highest Pass' and then challenge yourself to find the 'highest pass' within you.  Whatever that is for you... xoxo. 

I doubt very much 'my trip' is over and I can only imagine what is next.  FO REALZ. But for tonight? I'm looking forward to the most indulgent night's sleep!!!  Netflix the movie!  :)

Namaste!
Mandi

Heart Homework

I'm a firm believer in listening to your heart.  Your heart is only ever trying to help you and make you better.  Your head, on the other hand, is always looking to maintain the negative status quo through self doubt and rationalization. 

When things get stressful it's so easy, habitual and human to go straight back to those feelings of impossibility, worthlessness and thinking 'the world is against me' thoughts. As my Beautiful BF said today, "We wouldn't let anyone treat us as poorly as the way we treat ourselves." But!  When I make the conscious effort to be aware of my thoughts, I get the conscious opportunity to change them.  YAY!!!

I had no fun when I lived in a world of impossiblity so instead, I 'practice' listening to my heart--to God-- that inner voice inside me that is whole, complete and all knowing.  For today's lesson, boys and girls, we're going to take these lies and find the truth in them.  Let's call this 'Heart Homework,' shall we?  ;)
 
The thoughts I'm about to share are pretty brutal, be warned, but they're very real thoughts that cross my mind. They're also easier to share because I know I'm not alone. We're all human so I hope you'll join in this exercise with me.  I know a majority of you probably wouldn't post your innermost demonic thoughts on a blog for all the world to see but writing this blog helps affirm where I'm at and what I'm learning.  It helps me and I hope it might help you.  :)

Directions:  Write down all of your lies and worries that you tell yourself.  Place your hand on your heart, clear your mind and listen to the all-loving voice inside you. It's the truth.

MANDICROCKER LIE:  I'm never going to find a job. I'm scared.

HEART TRUTH:  Oh, Mand.  Don't be scared.  You are going to find exactly what you need.

MANDICROCKER LIE:  I'm going to be in financial ruin until I find something.

HEART TRUTH:  There is no need to worry.  Even in the worst of times, you've always been taken care of.  Continue to choose love and a million doors will open for you.

MANDICROCKER LIE:  I'm not smart enough to finish my business plan.

HEART TRUTH: You're brilliant.  You're a powerhouse. A business plan is nothing in comparison to what you're capable of and will accomplish.

MANDICROCKER LIE:  This isn't happening fast enough.  I sound like a broken record and everyone's watching.

HEART TRUTH:  You're exactly where you're supposed to be.  Everyone's watching because they're your fans.  You are loved.

MANDICROCKER LIE:  Why do I have to struggle so hard?  Everyone else's life just seems to fall into place.

HEART TRUTH:  You are learning a great many things.  Everyone has their own journey.

MANDICROCKER LIE:  I've gained eight pounds and I'm fat & disgusting.  

HEART TRUTH:  Be kind to yourself.  You are whole and complete right now. 

MANDICROCKER LIE:  I don't like who I am right now.

HEART TRUTH:  You are not your cirucmstances.  Your circumstances do not define you.  You sparkle and shine with love.

MANDICROCKER LIE: I'm scared I'm going to wake up tomorrow and go back to feeling hopeless.

HEART TRUTH:  All that matters is the choice that you make right now.  'Everything radically changes today.'  And right now.  And right now.  And right now.

MANDICROCKER LIE:  Dr. Beth is a horrible person that dragged me to Weber Bakery out in the burbs and forced me to eat delicious things.
HEART TRUTH:  Okay, now you're reeeeeally full of shit, my dear. 

Weber Bakery, you were DELICIOUS!!!  I got all of this for $4.29!!!   :) 

HIGHLY RECOMMEND.  :)

(Thanks Dr. Beth!!!)

Be kind to yourself, folks.

X's and O's,

MandiCrocker



Chicago Chi-Nanigans!

Last week I flew to Chee-cago to visit The Sweet Lovin' Man.  It was a jam PACKED week of fun & productivity.  Only a month & a half til I leave Los Angeles (*sniff, sniff*) and haul all 8,000 lbs (just kidding, honey!) of baking equipment to Chicago.

Because I'm Little Miss Productivity, I tried to make this trip as business-y as possible.  So I had two commercial kitchen meetings, we spent a day going to three different craft fairs to see how MandiCakes might do there and The SLM & I sat down to really discuss the best avenues to take from there, etc.

VERY EXCITING.  :)

But we did make room as best we could for some fun!  First things first:  'Million Dollar Quartet!'

Million Dollar Quartet is a musical based on the true story/recordings of the magical December 4th, 1956  evening when music's most famous rock and roll legends found themselves under the same roof at Sun Records:  Jerry Lee Lewis, Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash and Carl Perkins

It was AWESOME!  Tappin' my toes from the first chord!

I have no idea if the below link will work.  If it doesn't, go here!

Our family friend, Levi Kreis, plays Jerry Lee Lewis & he is phenomenal!!

(This picture of me, however, is NOT phenomenal).

Lance Guest, the actor/singer that played Johnny Cash was SO SPOT ON I felt like I was getting to hear the real Johnny sing years after his death.  SO COOL!!

Later in the week, the SLM took me to this place:

I've decided I am officially (if I wasn't before) a cupcake snob. 

You've really got to wow my socks off, folks.

And to be even MORE holier than thou-- I just don't like their 'signature flower' frosting design.  I don't know why but it just doesn't appeal to me.

Our favorite was the strawberry.  That was delicious!  It had decent chunks of berry in it and the cupcake was pretty moist.  The others were fairly lackluster.  The flavor choices weren't very exciting either.

 I didn't like how a Smores cupcake was chocolate cake, chocolate frosting and then a marshmallow & piece of graham cracker stuck on the top.  Like the little decoration is what made it a Smores. 

Ummm... Just because I pincurl my hair & wear red on my lips, doesn't mean I live in the 40's.  Pssh-shuh!!! 

That makes no sense.

I'm weird.

But who knows...  Maybe when I have my own place someday I, too, will have dry cupcakes. And I'll whine when MandiHines (see what I did there?) decides to write a blog about me!

On Saturday night we went to the Bulls-Sixers game. 

These are the most horrible photographs!

A)  We had AMAZING seats.  Truly. 

Section 101, Row 2.

Cry me a river!

B)  These pictures don't do it justice.

But here it goes!

The flying bull... looks more like a pig floating off into the middle distance to me but whatever.

"Some dude" (I imagine he's famous & he makes a ton of money) shooting a free throw:

The intense action shot of the game!

Oooh... or maybe this is it!

Nope.  We have a winner. Zzzzz....

I like Benny the Bull, Chicago's mascot.  He's kinda fun. 

Dude- er, I mean Bull can dance!

He's what the french would call a 'real crowd pleaser.'

This was one of those 'Race-As-A-Balloon-Bull' games ticket holders play to win a free donut or something.

And here we have #13.

  I imagine his name is Stefano Federique.

I'm pretty sure I'm wrong.

I'm pretty sure my boyfriend is calling me right now with the correct information.  Not just with his name of course, but with his height, shoe size, blood type and his favorite scent at Yankee Candle!

They look enthralled.

Truly.

+"How much do we make?"

-"A zillion dollars."

+"Oh. We should play hard-- zzzzzzzzz."

Stefano looks like he's text messaging!

Despite not knowing any of the players currently playing on the Chicago Bulls, it was a great time.  I love to go to basketball games! 

Wait... Michael Jordan doesn't play anymore, right? 

IT'S A JOKE, HONEY!!!  :)

And that's it.  We did a ton of other stuff, ate at some great restaurants but I can fill you in further when I'm LIVING in Chicago.  As for now, this yahoo needs to go to bed!!

Goodnight, y'all!  :)

MOVIE REVIEW: 'PRECIOUS'

I went to go see 'Precious' with my seester last night.  The performances were AMAZING.  Here is my movie review as written for a letter to Jesus:

Dear Jesus,

Thank you for my life.  Thank you for my life. Thank you for my life. Thank you for my life. Thank you for my life. Thank you for my life. Thank you for my life. Thank you for my life. Thank you for my life. Thank you for my life. Thank you for my life. Thank you for my life. Thank you for my life. Thank you for my life. Thank you for my life. Thank you for my life. Thank you for my life. Thank you for my life. Thank you for my life. Thank you for my life. Thank you for my life. Thank you for my life. Thank you for my life. Thank you for my life. Thank you for my life. Thank you for my life. Thank you for my life. Thank you for my life. Thank you for my life. Thank you for my life. Thank you for my life. Thank you for my life. Thank you for my life. Thank you for my life. Thank you for my life. Thank you for my life. Thank you for my life. Thank you for my life. Thank you for my life. Thank you for my life. Thank you for my life. Thank you for my life. Thank you for my life. Thank you for my life. Thank you for my life. Thank you for my life. Thank you for my life. Thank you for my life. Thank you for my life. Thank you for my life. Thank you for my life. Thank you for my life. Thank you for my life. Thank you for my life. Thank you for my life. Thank you for my life. Thank you for my life. Thank you for my life. Thank you for my life. Thank you for my life. Thank you for my life. Thank you for my life. Thank you for my life. Thank you for my life. Thank you for my life. Thank you for my life. Thank you for my life. Thank you for my life. Thank you for my life. Thank you for my life. Thank you for my life. Thank you for my life. Thank you for my life. Thank you for my life. Thank you for my life. Thank you for my life. Thank you for my life. Thank you for my life. Thank you for my life. Thank you for my life. Thank you for my life. Thank you for my life. Thank you for my life. Thank you for my life. Thank you for my life. Thank you for my life. Thank you for my life. Thank you for my life. Thank you for my life. Thank you for my life. Thank you for my life. Thank you for my life.

THANK YOU.

Love,
Mandi

'My Sweet & Saucy' Shop Review

'MY SWEET & SAUCY SHOP'
REVIEW

6400 Stearns Street

Long Beach, CA 90815

562-397-9190

When the lightbulb came on in my small brain that I wanted to do a wedding cake and use fondant for the first time, I began googling around for tutorials. I happened to stumble upon a very, VERY cool blog.

Melody was studying to be a teacher when she up and decided to go to cooking school (I love those kinds of stories). And PLEASE, take a look at her now: http://www.mysweetandsaucy.com/

Her wedding cakes and dessert spreads are absolutely gorgeous and from an hour & a half away, I've become a huge fan! Her stuff looks both beautiful AND delicious-- an amazing feat! When I learned that she was opening up her own shop I knew I'd have to drag the Ipod out on a Sunday (like I had to twist her arm- HA!) and make a day of it.

And thus began the Great Baked Goods Massacre of 2009...

So gather 'round, children, and let Ol' Mandi tell you of the cakes that were slaughtered and lost on a hot summer day... the day of August the 9th...

*Ahem*

Ipod & I visited The Sweet & Saucy Shop and I tried to act cool and collected like I don't stalk Melody. And while I do not stalk Melody, I DO stalk her blog. There I said. Stalk it yourself, people! Look at those pictures!! HOLY FREAKING DELICIOUS, BATMAN!

We walk in & the shop is incredibly lovely & simple and the girl behind the counter is very nice & helpful. She was trying to explain to me what everything was & I wanted to be like, 'Um, yeah. I'm one of Melody's blog readers? I already KNOW!' and continue to file my nails. BUT I played it cool. Whatever. ;)

She was really very nice.

Then I spotted Melody's mom. She is soooo absolutely adorable and sweet! What I almost said was, "Oh my gosh, it's so wonderful to meet you! I've heard so much about you! I read Melody's blog and I just love how supportive you both have been to her and what a beautiful family working together, now that your partners and you just make people feel so comfortable with your kindness and warm spirit--" and then I would start crying. Because that's what I do. Cry at the most weirdly inappropriate times, especially when I'm overly tired. So I didn't. I said, "Hi, I'm one of Melody's blog readers. It's so great to be here."

Then I spotted Melody. My roommate gave me a weird look like 'Uh, you came all this way. Aren't you gonna say hi?'

HELLOOOOO!!??? AND NOT PLAY IT COOL!!!??? Puh-shuh!!! Melody & I have a mental connection people. Bakers are like that. She knew I was there. And it had absolutely nothing to do with the couple who came in for a wedding consultation or the fact that I didn't want to bother her. Nothing at all.

Then Eric, her husband, came out & we chatted with him for a few minutes. Everyone was just so nice! They all just want her to succeed. It's really very, very endearing.

So! Long-winded story short... what did I get? And for the love of monkeys in Uganda, did it taste as good as I'd imagined...??? Inquiring minds want to know!!!

I bought a TON of stuff. Like... one of everything.

Then Ipod & I went to Fritto Misto on the way home cause Ipod hasn't stopped talking about it since she went months ago. Very cheap and VERY delicious.

The 'Pod had Gnocchi Garganzola. It was WONDERFUL. (And keep in mind, Ipod's four major food groups are: chicken nuggets, ketchup, coke and sweet tea).

WOW.

(She picked out the tomatoes so she could "decide when she wanted to eat them.")

I had Pasta Pancetta. When I took a bite, millions of fairies were born.

DELICIOUS.

But this was an appetizer for the main event.

And the main event was getting restless!!!

It's not right for a sugar cookie and a chocolate peanut butter cakeball to be left alone.

It's not right I tell you!

So we took them out & let them breathe a bit.

Here we have:

Vanilla Buttermilk Cupcake (YUM)

Candy Bar Cupcake (YUM)

Red Velvet Cupcake (YUM)

Chocolate Cupake with Peanut Butter Frosting (DOUBLE YUM).

(I dropped it on its' side- hee hee- whoops).

Sugar Cookie (YUM).




The chocolate peanut butter cakeball pop.



Herrow!




THEN WE GOT HOME & PARTOOK OF THE GOODNESS THAT IS 'MY SWEET & SAUCY'!!!



Cakeball Pop.

Do you see the moistness?

Do you see it?

DELICOUSNESS.

Sugar Cookie. Royal icing with lemon. I prefer almond in royal icing cause that's part of my childhood (and I'm nauseatingly sentimental) but this was delicious regardless. So many pretty sugar cookies are thin, crispy and taste like pooedly oodely. This was actually a real, live cookie!

CHOCOLATE PEANUT BUTTER CUPCAKE.

I LOVE YOU.

I LOVE YOU.

I LOVE YOU.

Vanilla Buttermilk Cupcake DOWN!!!

(It fell over when I continued to cut out little slivers 'just to taste.' Yeah right).

Candy Bar cupcake, chocolate ganache in the middle.

By the way, these cupcakes were WAAAAY better than 'More' in Chicago. They taste homemade-- not frou-frou homemade-- but REAL homemade in the BEST way. They are moist & creamy & beautiful. You don't need bells and whistles. Just a darned good cupcake.

All kidding and joking and weirdness (I can't help it) aside, Melody has a great shop here and her stuff is really fantastic. If you're looking for moist cake and flavor, it's definitely worth a trip to Long Beach.

So Miss Melody & Family, congratulations and good luck on such a wonderful place! You should all be incredibly proud. Everything was delicious. I hope to be back again real soon! :)

'More': Cupcake Review

'MORE?' OR LESS?

Another trip to Chicago and cupcake review starring:

more

1 East Delaware Place

Chicago, IL 60611

The Sweet Lovin' Man sent me an article a while back about a place that had recently opened in his 'hood. I get excited when he sends me articles about things I love. Those "things" always being cupcakes or brownies or, you know, FOOD in general. And he agreed to take me next time I came to town. Keep in mind, this is ONLY a-cuz he heard about there being a bacon maple cupcake. (He nasty).

And here's what we ordered:


Left from top to bottom: Salted Caramel, Red Velvet, Acai Berry, Black & White. (Missing from picture: Bacon Maple- Hmmm, very curious).

They were... interesting.

The Black & White was my favorite. It was the moistest 'cake outta the bunch. And really, that says something right there. Maybe I crazy snort the lines but whenever I've tried chocolate 'cakes from other stores, they always tend to be the most dry. That fact that this one ended up being the moistiest (hee hee, I love making up new words) only made me say, "EEKS."

It was good. A good cupcake. I've tasted better cupcakes for sure. But good. Solid with a side of "egh." But good. And the curls are pretty. Word.

Salted Caramel. This cake was vurrrry dense which I suppose it needed to be to hold up such an attenuate (if you will) salted caramel sauce. The salted caramel inside was lovely and delicious. But the cupcake itself was just so drrrrrrrrrrrry.

Now granted, this could be a personal choice matter. I, personally, would rather have a moist cupcake falling apart in my hands and its remnants drizzling down my face like a T-Rex chomping on a just-a-step-behind Brachiosaurus whose last words happened to be, "Hey guys, where's the fire?"

BUT I can understand how other people live.

"Other people" definition: People that have manners and jobs to get back to on their lunch hour. People whose bosses may potentially frown upon having splotches of caramel all over their cashmere sweaters. HA! I live no such life. And I was in a t-shirt.

I'm sorry, Salted Caramel... I wanted you to be sooo much more...

Red Velvet. I'm not a huge fan of red velvet. It's not my cake of choice like it seems to be with so many other people. But I always order it because everyone has it and therefore I can weigh the reds against all the other reds I've tried at various shops. Sadly, this was a very lackluster cupcake. They were all very dense & dry. The frosting was the best part and even that was "just good." They're comparable to 'Fox and Obel' or 'Fox and Overpriced' as the Sweet Lovin' Man likes to call that store.

"WOW, MANDI, YOU'RE A SELF-RIGHTEOUS SNOB!!! YOU DON'T LIKE ANYTHING!! YOU THINK YOU'RE THE ONLY ONE WHO CAN BAKE, DO YOU? I BET YOUR CUPCAKES SUCK!! YOU'RE ONE OF 'THOSE' PEOPLE, AREN'T YOU!!??" writes Linda from Memphis.

Well, Linda- thank you so much for joining us, by the way... My answer is this: maybe I am. But I really don't think so. I LOVE giving credit where credit is due. Case in point:

Once upon a time I heard the hype about Sprinkles and my ears grew red and I gritted my teeth. I stomped in & said, "I hate hype! I hate all these people vomiting the word 'yummy' all over themselves! Let me try your crappy Beverly Hills-only-the-rich-can-afford-them-red-velvet-cupcakes!!!" And a shaky handed employee slid one over to me with a meep and I consumed on the spot.

That's all a lie. This next part isn't.

It was the most amazing cupcake I've ever had. And D************MN IT (*does an angry dance*) I wanted to hate it. Maybe if I went back it'd be dry or it wouldn't be what I remembered. But I believe the word that came out of my stuffed mouth at that moment was a four letter F-bomber.

Sidenote: Sometimes eating really good food gives me the mouth of a drunken truck driver sailor. God knows this and I imagine he looks deep into my wide-eyed blue eyes, scruffy hair and cupcake-smacked face. He gives me a loving pat on the head and then says, "Someone really needs to stopping feeding you."

But THAT, ladies and germs, is how you do a red velvet cupcake. I was wrong. I bowed. I was gracious. I handed over my "I'm an authority on all things" membership badge. It was a sad, and weirdly blessed, day.

The rest of the flavors at Sprinkles I tried and they were all 'pretty good.' But that red velvet... I KNOW I can't do. So I give props where it's due. And for all I know, based on my taste and preferences, this cupcake at 'More' was less. Much, much less. Very sad. And very sad I probably have not been the first person to use that tagline.

Acai. Hmmm... I only tried a tiny bit of this one and I honestly remember thinking, "Huh." The cupcake itself wasn't memorable because I seriously don't even remember the flavor of the cupcake. But I do remember thinking the frosting had a different, lighter texture. Like a cross between whipped cream and buttercream. I didn't really like it.

I'm sorry, you guys!!! I'm a no-fun grouchy-puss!!!! I know!!! Maybe my next blog will be cupcakes that I'VE made and then I can have other people critique THEM. And they can be all, "The constitution of your mediocre cupcake is too airy & moist for a 'cake with a caramel filling. And your red velvet was wildly uneventful and could have been taken out of a freezer at Dominick's."

And that's fine. Truly. I LOATHE false praise, believe it or not. And I'm pretty sure all of my friends are full of poodely-oodely and just tell me what I want to hear.

That why I LOVE when I have those 'Sprinkles' moments where something just blows you away. Or where you blow yourself away. It restores your faith in a $4.25 cupcake. When it's art, beautiful and delicious, it's sooo worth it. When it's a knock off and mediocre, it's just hype.

You still hate me.

Anyway, the bacon maple was... what the french would call "bacon-y." IT HAD BACON BITS IN THE CUPCAKE, PEOPLE!!! AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!! I thought it was ridiculously nasty. And that is 80,000% personal choice because The Sweet Lovin' Man (who devoured it immediately) thought it was the greatest thing on the planet. And I haven't kissed him since.

In all fairness, the above article that he sent me DOES say, the savory 'cakes are what they're known for... so... there ya go. Maybe I'm just more a sweet girl than a savory one.

So hopefully next time I visit, the SLM will humor me some more & take me to another exciting destination! From thousands of miles away, I hear him say, "The gym."

*sigh*

TRIP TO CHICAGO:

REUBENS & TAPAS!

Please forgive me, ladies & germs. I have been exceptionally MIA! I'm sorry. :(

I've been super duper busy working at the bakery lots and then this weekend I went to Chicago to spend 4th of July with the Sweet Lovin' Man. It was wonderful and soooo good to wrap my arms around him. Errrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr! (That's a big, big, big, big, big hug noise).

*swoooon*

Saturday after our spin class (our hour & a half spin class!!!) he dragged my passed out body by my ponytail & took me to a place around the corner called 'Eppy's.'

It was the very first place he took me to the very first time I came to visit him in Chicago. When he came to visit me for the first time, I took him to 'In N Out.' What can I say? It's how we do it. We think it'd be how Rick Astley does it as well!

And Miley Cyrus.

To go back to Eppy's was sweetly sentimental. I didn't tell him that because my lungs weren't working-- and after a spin class you can forget even thinking about cohesive sentences! But it was nice to go back. We like our quiet little holes in the wall.

So here's the scoop on Eppy's. Think Soup Nazi from Seinfeld. Subtract the soup a

nd add a reuben. There you have the owner of Eppy's. It's magical! He has a neighboring feud with Subway who happen to have a shop right next door to him. He has a chalkboard outside & he writes things on it about how eating Subway sandwiches will give you venereal disease. He yells at the Subway patrons that sit at his outside tables & throws bagels against the wall when you ask if they're fresh. It's really quite charming. I loved it!!!

AND...

I had a reuben. The reuben to end all reubens. The melt in your mouth corned beef reuben that was so deliciously melt in your mouthable I still can't put a sentence together.

SO. FREAKIN. GOOD.

Seriously. It tasted so fresh & flavorful I wanted to cry. Okay, that may have been the spasm-ing muscles but still. I'd do an hour & a half spin class twelve times a day if it meant I could eat that sandwich all day long. Just delicious. I freakin' love sauerkraut. And holy corned beef, Batman. Holy corned beef.

Give me a moment. I'm drinking in the memory...

*hours pass*

We also went to another restaurant called 'Emilio's' for Spanish tapas.

It was WONDERFUL!!! :)

Now keep in mind, I'm from upstate New York. The height of sophistication at the Smith household were meals like meatloaf or tuna muffinlettes. Tuna muffinlettes were made with tuna & rice and pressed into muffin tins. I kid you not. So it is such a treat when the SLM takes me places to eat where I get to experience new things.

We drank delightful mango sangrias (the SLM loves him some mango) and we tried so many delicious things. Some kind of cold chicken curry something, cooked sweet dates wrapped with bacon, a goat cheese something or other and a couple of other things we couldn't remember. We pointed quite a bit & said things like, "That is GOOOOOD. Try this. It's soooo GOOD. Oh my gosh, that over there.. is GOOD. What's in this again? Yeah, I don't remember either. But it's GOOD." :)

I didn't get a picture because I was just so happy to be there with my man, enjoying his company... I wasn't really thinking food blog. And good for me? Why, yes. Good for me. That is right. Thank you for understanding. :)

But I AM doing this serious injustice. Please do me a favor, will you? Check out their website: http://www.emiliostapas.com/ Turn up the volume and let yourself marinate in the glory that is their background music!!! Only THEN can you even begin to understand the greatness that is Emilio's. Makes me wanna shake my shoulders & make my "sexy eyes" at the computer screen. Makes me wanna... and so I'm going to!!!

*shimmy, shimmy, sexy, sexy*

I can't help it!!!

*shimmy, shimmy, sexy, sexy*

I feel so alive!!!!

*shimmy, shimmy, sexy, sexy*

I am soooo sexy right now! I don't look goofy at all!

I'm Salma Hayek, baby!!!

*shimmy, shimmy, sexy, sexy*

Whoo! Okay... THAT was nice. What a rush! If only the SLM was here. He couldn't possibly handle the sexiness that just occurred in the past two & a half minutes.

*shimmy, shimmy*

Anyway, we had a blast. If you live in the Chicago area, please check these places out! You won't be sorry. We weren't! Okay, maybe we hurt a little but boy, oh, boy those sangrias were worth it. NUM. :)

Eppy's

224 East Ontario Street

Chicago, IL 60611

Emilio's

215 East Ohio Street

Chicago, IL 60611

And go see 'Up!' It's soooo beautiful! We both cried!!! ...SQUIRREL!