I was looking at pictures of different cakes online and decided to see if there were any really cute and amazing animal cakes out there. There are some very talented artists out there who can do wonderful things with cake, frosting, and other baking elements. These cakes are so amazing looking I do not think I could eat them:
Sea Turtle
Polar Bear
Walrus
Penguin
Deer
Owl
Dragon
Lion
Giraffe
Rhino
Rabbit
Guinea Pig
Otter
Dog
Horse
The whole Conan and Jay Leno fiasco has been ridiculous and all over the news. For the record, I stand by Conan. I simply do not find Leno funny and he willing gave up the 11:30 Tonight Show to Conan. I also do not think it was fair for the network to want to leave Conan with the Tonight Show, but have it after Leno’s show. That would have left Conan in the same position he was in before Leno ever gave him the Tonight Show, and that is unfair. Plus, how could a show be called the “Tonight Show” if it is on after midnight?
Anyways, now that Conan is leaving the Tonight Show, he has decided to “waste” NBC’s money in his last few shows by introducing new comedy bits that are not really funny but simply extremely expensive. He probably did not spend all the money he claims on the items, but to think he did is funny.
The first night he introduced a new character he featured one of the world’s most expensive cars, the Bugatti Veyron, dressed as a mouse while playing expensively licensed music. Total cost: $1.5 million:
The second bit he did featured the race horse Mine that Bird, dressed in a mink Snuggie, and watching restricted NFL footage. Total price tag: $4.8 million:
The horse on the show was probably not the real race horse. Mine That Bird is a Canadian race horse, 15 hands tall, and is one of only 8 geldings to win the Kentucky Derby.
Here are some pictures of Mine That Bird:
I finally got the new banner up! I think it is a huge improvement over the first banner that I made. I am still learning how to make stuff in photoshop, but I do like the new look and I hope that you guys do too.
So, Valentine’s Day is coming up and so I thought I would post some cute gift ideas:
1. Amazon.com has diamond jewelry on sale for Valentine’s Day. Not all of it is extremely expensive. Here are some cute animal necklaces:
Sterling Silver Black and White Diamond Penguin Pendant: $39.99
Sterling Silver Black and White Diamond Dog Pendant: $39.99
Sterling Silver Black and White Diamond Turtle Pendant: $39.99
Sterling Silver 1/3 CTTW Black and White Diamond Whale Pendant: $75.00
More ideas from Amazon:
A Big Kiss for you! Valentine’s Puppy Love Care Package Gift Box: $39.99
Precious Moments 9-Inch Plush Love Bird: $12.50
2. The Oriental Trading Company has a large selection of small toys and stuffed animals, at reasonable prices, if you want to buy things in lots to use for parties or to give to your kids or friends.
3. Build-a-Bear Workshop is featuring the Hearts Fur You Be Mine Dalmatian as a cute idea to make for someone or to take someone their to make themselves. The prices range from $26.50 to $33.00 online based on the accessories that come with the dog. The picture below is for the $33.00 one which comes with the leash and bed:
They also have an assortment of other stuffed animals with cute clothes like a red dress with hearts and a little tux to add a valentines touch to your gift.
4. Findgift.com has a large selection of Valentine’s gifts. Here are a couple of the cute ones:
You and Me Personalized Bear by Ty: $19.60
Deluxe Lucky in Love Bamboo: $39.98 — comes with stuffed panda, fortune cookies, and heart-shaped bamboo.
Just Sweethearts Book by Willow Creek Press: $15.95
So apparently today, January 20th, is penguin awareness day and world penguin awareness day is April 25th. However, the actual dates for this day are different on different websites. So I am not sure if today really is a penguin day, but they did have penguins on Good Morning America…and since I love these birds we should celebrate them! Yay penguins!
I am still working on the new banner. I wanted it done a long time ago, but sometimes things just do not work out.
In the mean time, take a look at 13o animal pictures on nydailynews.com titled Cutest in the animal kingdom.
Here are some samples of the gallery:
Baby snow leopard
Very young red panda cub
older red panda cub
Baby Otters
wolf pup
To see the rest of these pictures go to Cutest in the Animal Kingdom.
Did you watch the Shiba Inu Puppy Cam back in 2008?
It was a phenomenon in which over a million people watched a live webcam feed of little shiba inu puppies as they grew up from new borns until they were adopted out. The webcam was originally set up so that the owners could watch the pups while at work, but it quickly became an internet sensation that was featured on news programs like NBC nightly news and the Today Show.
If you missed the original sensation, or would like to experience it again, the original mom from the puppy cam has had another litter and they are online to watch at ShibaInuPuppyCam on Ustream.com.
Here are some pictures from the original puppy cam:
I know that I will be watching over the coming weeks to see these adorable little puppies grow up!
This current group of 5 pups (called team B) consists of two females and three males – two cream and three red. The Shiba Inu is an ancient breed of dog from Japan, and are the smallest of Japan’s native breeds. These dogs have an independent nature, but are loyal companions. They require early socialization and obedience training, and must be exercised and brushed on a regular basis.
Last night I went and saw Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakquel. I would suggest seeing it if you enjoyed the first movie.
I did not have a clue what this sequel would entail, except the Chipettes. But I liked it. The plot is decent, funny, it has enjoyable music, and the addition of the Chipettes is awesome. Plus, I think the chipmunks are adorable. My favorite is Theodore because of his personality and chubby cheeks.
My Favorite:
Today I discovered the blog Our Best Bites, which has an article with all the steps required to make cupcakes topped with candy penguins. These little guys will be the hit of the party!
The receipe includes only easy to find ingredients and does not require that you be the best chief. This is a great cooking project that can be done all in one sitting or put together in steps, or is a good project you can work on with your kids.
Candy Penguin Cupcakes
By Our Best Bites
Ingredients:
Unfrosted cupcakes, any flavor (I use the recipe from this tutorial, but you could easily use unfrosted cupcakes purchased from a bakery)
White frosting (I use this recipe)
Coconut
1 bag of large marshmallows
Sanding sugar, white sparkly sugar, or white sprinkles
1 bag of semi-sweet chocolate chips
2 Tbsp. shortening
Candy corn
Trolli Gummi Strawberry Puffs (I just found these in the candy section at Wal-Mart)
1 cube almond bark
Yellow and orange Starbursts
Supplies:
–1 pair kitchen shears
–Some kind of foam, preferably floral foam
–Bamboo skewers
–1 large Ziploc bag
–2 small Ziploc bags (snack size is perfect)
The process to make these little guys is quite involved, but not overly difficult. The total time to make 24 of these guys, if you do everything in one go, will take around 3 to 4 hours.
Below is an excerpt from the site of how to make these guys, for more complete directions (including helpful pictures) please see Our Best Bites: Tutorial: Candy Penguin Cupcakes.
Brief how to:
1. Combine chocolate chips and shortening. Heat in the microwave, stirring about every 30 seconds, until the chocolate is completely melted.
2. While chocolate is melting, insert a bamboo skewer about halfway into a flat end of each marshmallow. You can stick these into the craft foam while you wait for the chocolate to continue melting.
Note: It is best to work at making 6 penguins at a time so that the chocolate does not harden before you are done.
3. Work quickly to dip each skewered marshmallow into the chocolate, tap the skewer onto the side of the bowl a few times to remove excess chocolate. Place the skewer holding the dipped marshmallow into the craft foam so the chocolate can dry without touching anything.
4. When you’ve dipped about 6 marshmallows, wash your hands thoroughly to remove any chocolate. Pour a small amount of sanding sugar/sparkly sugar/sprinkles onto a plate.
5. To Make the Penguin’s White Tummy: Using your kitchen shears, carefully cut a thin slice (about 1/8″) of marshmallow. Then, dip the sticky side (or just one side if both sides are sticky) into the sanding sugar and then carefully place the non-sugared side onto the dipped marshmallow (The melted chocolate will hold the marshmallow slice in place and the sanding sugar will keep anything from sticking to his tummy). Repeat with remaining dipped marshmallows.
6. To Make Penguin Feet: Take two candy corns per penguin and place them directly above the penguin’s tummy, on the round bottom of the marshmall. Have the fat, yellow end poking out over the edge of the marshmall and the small white ends forming a “V” together. The feet will stick out at an angle with only the yellow of the candy being visible.
7. Let the half-penguins dry.
Note: This is a good place to stop and continue at another time if desired.
8. Ice your cupcakes. Fill a large Ziploc bag with icing and then cut about 1/2″ off the corner, squeeze the icing onto the cupcakes. Then spread the icing out with a knife.
9. Place a penguin body on each iced cupcake.
10. For Snow: Gently press some coconut around each penguin body. If you’re allergic to or don’t like coconut, you could also use some more sanding sugar instead of the coconut.
11. You’ll probably need to reheat your chocolate at this point. Heat it until it’s liquid and then give it a good stir.
12. To make the penguin heads: Dip each Trolli Strawberry candy into the chocolate and then twirl it a little to remove excess chocolate. Carefully place the dipped candy onto the penguin’s body, the oblong side directly above the penguin’s tummy (this will be his face).
13. Wash your hands really well again to remove chocolate.
14. To Make Beaks: Carefully cut off a small piece of the Starburst (maybe a 1/8″ corner) and then form it into a beak between your fingers. Carefully place it in the middle of the penguin’s face (the chocolate on the head will still have to be warm for this to work).
15. To Make the Whites of the Eyes: Heat the cube of almond bark in a ziplock bag in the microwave for 1 minute, checking it every 20-30 seconds (and mashing it around with your hands a little each time), until the bark has melted. Then cute a small hole in the bag, and squeeze two eye blobs above the penguin’s beak.
16. To Make Pupils: Place dipping chocolate in ziplock bag, reheat a bit if necessary, cut a small hole in the bag, and place a small dot onto the whites of each eye.
17. Allow all the penguins to dry and then enjoy!
As I said above, please see Our Best Bites: Tutorial: Candy Penguin Cupcakes for full directions, complete with pictures and additional helpful tips.
The Los Angeles Times published an article titled “Do Americans Like Dogs or Cats Best?”
The answer is the dog. Many people have strong opinions one way or the other, while others love both. The survey conducted showed that “74 percent of people like dogs a lot, and only 41 percent like cats a lot,” and that more households have a dog than have a cat.
How do I feel?
I have had both animals as pets and I prefer dogs. Dogs are simply the more satisfying pet to me. They are trainable, loving, protective, and they are a great way to get exercise. They are a bit more work than a cat in the sense that you have to let them outside and exercise them. But many more people are allergic to cats, you cannot train a cat, and I do not like the destructive aspect of cats left outside to go about killing small creatures (other than mice or disease carrying pests). While I know that sometimes cats are a better pet option for certain people and families, dogs are by far my favorite of the two.
Bento, according to Wikipedia, is “a single-portion takeout or home-packed meal common in Japanese cuisine. A traditional bento consists of rice, fish or meat, and one or more pickled or cooked vegetables, usually in a box-shaped container.”
This food can be quite an art form. Today I found some wonderful pictures of different bento meals that I do not think I could eat because they are so cute!
And for Nintendo fans:
To see a few more different examples of bento, see Random Good Stuff (warning, not all the bento pictures in that article are cute or appropriate).
