Last-Minute Preparations

Tess & I just got back from waiting in line outside for 3 hours for the H1N1 flu vaccine. That nasty flu has started to spread through our ward, and it sounds so miserable. None of the clinics have the vaccine around here, but I found a clinic in Fairfax that had a limited number of doses, so we headed over at 6:30 this morning.

They were only giving it to children under 5 and pregnant women, so you can imagine the impatient, fidgety 3-hour line. The wait finally gave way to a mass Sesame Street guessing game. Someone would describe a Sesame Street character: "He has a big eyebrow and likes pigeons," and whoever guessed the answer, "Bert!" would give the next clue. Kept both toddlers & adults entertained for a good hour or so. We gave all the pregnant ladies a taste of what they're in for.

Tess has made an executive decision that she wants to be a pumpkin for Halloween. Laura sent her this really cute ladybug costume, but sadly Tess is terrified of it. I've given up trying convince her to be a bug for Halloween. We found a fuzzy pumpkin costume that she wears happily, so fine with me.

OK, the Spiderweb Cupcakes are pretty easy to make. I would skip suggested cake modifications and just use a regular box mix. All that added syrup made them too sticky. But the glaze worked well: Just microwave store bought frosting until runny, dip the cupcakes upside down and let excess run off and then cool. It makes a glossy, flat surface for the webs.

The webs are melted white chocolate chips that you pipe onto parchment using a template. They cool and harden in the fridge, then you peel them off the parchment and place on top the cupcakes.