What to do

What do you do when you're stuck in the house all day because it's 100+ degrees outside, and smoky, and there is ash falling from the sky?
Make cake pops with little lifeguard teddy bears on them for E1's upcoming swimming banquet.


Once again, there are fires burning in SoCal. Thankfully, the winds are low so the firefighters have a chance to do what they do best.
It's been quite an airshow today with big fixed-wing water dropping planes flying overhead. We watched the helicopters take turns slurping water from the pond to drop onto the flames. It was a constant rotation of helicopters pausing only to refuel.


At this time, numerous homes are being evacuated.
Of course, Stuntman is out of town for a couple weeks. I'm staying awake as much as possible in case the wind does pick up. After last year's fires, I know how quickly fires can move. This one is MUCH closer than last year's... once again, the reason I am planning to stay awake as much as possible tonight.

Not Hideous, maybe.

I promised photos of the cake. It didn't turn out like I had pictured in my head, but it isn't all that hideous.
I know it will be tasty, and I know E3 will enjoy it.
It is a two-layer 9x13 cake, one layer is vanilla, one is chocolate. There in another half layer for the "hill". All of it is covered in chocolate frosting and crushed cookies. Cake ball (same method as link, different flavor) boulders and chocolate rocks are an attempt at a dry river bed, something that E3 is familiar with when we drive the sand rail in the high desert.
I hope it lasts until the party, because I have a feeling that there may be a few missing rocks and boulders by cake time.