The cake project is approaching week 7 or 8, I forget.

The snafu this week was that someone, alright that some was me, didn't go to the grocery storet last weekend. When it got to be Sunday evening, and I was already in fuzzy slippers and lounge lizard-wear, I looked into the fridge only to see I had no eggs, no butter, no milk, you know, main ingredients for cake. I was in no mood to drive to the store and I feel funny about showing up at the neighbors at 9 p.m. asking for eggs, milk and butter. But that's just me.

What was I going to do?

The cake project is proceeding nicely.

This Monday, I brought in the Chocolate Velvet Fudge Cake, baked in a bundt pan, and dusted with powdered sugar. The aroma was a rich, dense chocolate, thanks to Giradelli cocoa powder and superfine sugar.

Rose recommended using a silicone tube pan, but I'm not sure I like those squishy pans. I just don't trust them. Have any of you readers used them? Maybe I'm being small-minded.

Lisa Patrin is a local resident whose claim to fame was being a finalist in a chocolate dessert  contest sponsored by famous TV chef Emeril Lagasse and a finalist in a food contest that flew her to Napa Valley. When Lisa isn't cooking and baking up a storm, she's keeping an eye on a storm of a different sort.

Lisa works at Chanhassen High School as a student supervisor, helping create a friendly presence at the school and being on hand to lend assistance.

Did you know that you can download Waterbrooke Fellowship Church, Victoria, sermons? Click here to go to the site.

Went out to the annual Victoria Firefighters Relief Association Fishing Contest yesterday and had a nice time. It's one of the first years I've attended where the wind chill wasn't deadly. Overcast and then big flakes of snow started drifting down. Very pretty. I took some shots where the snowflakes are visible and they look lovely.

Headed to airport tomorrow to pick up The Husband; he and his company attend the Shot Show in Las Vegas every year. I've been told the Shot Show is the biggest, baddest gun show in the Milky Way--apparently, even the Israeli army comes to the show to check out the latest in guns and such. Yikes.

Anyway, he's a frequent traveler and I can't wait for him to see this this video...ha ha. Very funny, and our future, I'm afraid! Click here to see it!

The rumor mill has been buzzing wildly.

Are Dan and John Lee and cousin Bobby Goral looking to open a third location at the former Pauly's in Chaska?

Last Friday night, in between greeting and seating guests at Cuzzy's Victoria House, downtown Victoria, John Lee confirmed that they applied for a liquor license a week ago Monday.

The Red Velvet Cake is a success.

My credo has been "I have a kitchen because it came with the house."

It's not that I can't cook or that I'm a bad cook. I just don't like it. But baking is a different thing.

I was on vacation over the holidays and finally saw the movie "Julie and Julia." Liked much of the movie, especially Meryl Streep's take on Ms. Child and her vivacious spirit. And, am I the only one who disliked the character of "Julie?"