Getting started on the next, Under the Sea cake........

My next cake undertaking is the largest project to date. The "Under the Sea" cake is going to be 36w x 24d x about 30-32 inches tall. Complete with fish, seaweed, a coral reef and other assorted sea creatures. Also in this project a shipwreck and a working lighthouse. The plan is to have the reef lite up so it steadily glows. I'm using six "water lights" to light the reef. The lighthouse is going to have a blinking beacon. The hardest part of it so far........sharks. I've made three so far and none have turned out to my satisfaction. I've used fondant ( you know, the store bought stuff) and I've used marshmallow fondant which I made myself. Not giving up though this cake has to be just plain BAD ASS. I'm hoping to get it all made and put together next week and I'm hoping it actually stays together. The lighthouse will be the most challenging to keep upright but somehow I'll get er done. No I don't have any formal training in cakes so most of my custom stuff is just trial and error, probably would be easier if I knew some of those "tricks of the trade". So far this is pretty much what I have. The "cake" part of the project is easy so I'll have to spend most of my time on the hand made and hand painted (with food coloring) pieces. Let me know if you have any suggestions, comments welcome too.

Steeple getting a "face lift"

Well the Steeple Jacks have been at it for about a week now, scraping and painting the historic Baptist church's steeple here in Lebanon NH.. It was quite interesting to see them hang all their gear from the top and then start the work on the project. The Steeple Jacks came down from Maine and are making short work of the job. Takes a little more moxie to do that job than I have, I hate heights. I did however learn, by watching, how they secure themselves and move up and down and around the steeple with the use of their seats and safety gear. Good job guys.

just got great news..........

We get to do the setup for the "Legends of Rock" tour coming up in Vermont in a few weeks. So psyched . Look for lots of photos from the show!!!!!

Audio Adrenaline, Disciple, SK, Ryan Stevenson and .........

sorry I can't remember the name of the fifth band. I'll have to ask my son, and ask him for copies of his pics.
So it was yet another long day, the venue was about three hours from us so a fairly early start at eight am. It was a beautiful drive to Pittsfield Mass. and we arrived about eleven am. Met with the producer and then the rest of the crew and started unloading and doing the setup. I am not an experienced Roadie! My son is he has set up a lot of shows. Seriously setup is just the beginning, there is lots to do in between the band changes, security, all kinds of stuff. Audio Adrenaline was great but I enjoyed the music of Disciple the best (they rock it) Ryan Stevenson (my  homeboy from Boise) was fantastic and SK they all are very good performers.
Even after the stage is set up there is still all the merchandise to do, although they do a lot of their own. Caterers (yea for them) always lots to do so I didn't get very many photos or very good ones.
So after the event ended, the tear down, loading, good byes, and the drive home......4am. Yup twenty two hours but it was good to get to spend time with my son and meet new cool people.
Enjoy the pics......BTW the other band...Kardia

New Hampshire...Fall Day Trip

Today we decided to take a day trip to view the foliage in northern New Hampshire. Apparently everyone had the same idea. There wasn't a whole lot of traffic but the parking areas were over full. If you had anything bigger than a regular vehicle you were out of luck for parking. We took a nice leisurely drive and had quite an enjoyable day. Our dogs took the trip with us so we had to stop and let them have their fun and run. Anyways hope you enjoy the pictures. We figured since we live here and people come from all over the USA and the world to come see the foliage we had better take it all in while we are still here.