Can you smell my cake?

I am making a cake today. How about that. I also think, now that I have been up for say...5 hours...I need a nap. After all, I do have to chaperon the dance tonight.

The Young Americans are arriving this week for a four day workshop for the kids in the area. For those of you who don't know who they are, they are a vocal/dance music group based in California--made up of young adults ages 15-22 or so...they travel all over the world and teach music and dance to kids. Jim's uncle, Bill, is the director so there is a Niles connection, which makes it a big deal when they come to town. (Bill left Niles when he graduated, became a Young American, and then became the director) This is the first year my own two kids are not doing the workshop--for some reason interest wears off a bit at the high school age--but we still have over 200 kids doing the workshop. The shows are Tuesday and Wednesday night and are worth every penny.

Bill is an enigma in the Brawley lineage. He has to be one of the most creative people I have ever met, and unlike most (ok, all) of the other Brawleys, he doesn't care to hunt or fish or play sports, but really does love this whacky family too. Bill is John's (Jim's dad) youngest brother. It is so funny that they are related, but to look at them, you definitely know they are. Bill is so amazing though...you NEVER know what he is thinking as he watches his kids perform. That is my favorite part of the workshop -- watching him as he watches the kids. He is just brilliant. Then there is Robyn, his wife, who is a ballerina from Australia. Bill and Robyn are two peas in a pod, and they have a little girl, Lizzie, who is just beautiful. She has been in more countries than anyone I know, and has her own frequent flier miles! They are very giving people and live such a different life than we all do. Robyn says she loves to come visit because we are such a family. Come see the show if you can...

Um, yeh, the brat got a speeding ticket last night. That would be Andrew. Going 50 in a 45 on Niles Buchanan road. Unfortunately, he remembers the time I got a ticket on this road too, so I haven't yelled too much--yet. Since he is unemployed, I foresee lots of chores being done around here--lots of leaf raking. He was very scared tho', which makes me smile.

Andrew did just call to say that the cross country State race is over...he doesn't know what place Sam Brawley or Madie Rodts got, but it is over. Madie did come in ahead of Sam so what an amazing future she has! Congrats to both of them for representing Niles. We are very proud of them.

My butter cake smells amazing.

They were playing Christmas music at Wal-Mart today. Kinda got me in the mood. I plan to put up my Christmas tree before we head north for Thanksgiving. I am not being morbid, but I really want to enjoy the holidays more than ever before. I LOVE LOVE LOVE Thanksgiving in the U.P., it is my favorite time of year. Can't wait to have Ginger's potato soup when we arrive, tired from our 9 hour drive; Ginger's awesome turkey (she makes the most moist turkey--she bought a 24 pounder for this year); Ginger's really good turkey soup that we eat all day Saturday; Pam's special lasagna that is a new tradition; huge breakfasts, like biscuits and gravy; french toast; pancakes; eggs, ham, you name it--the guys eat when they get in from their hunt... So, in case you haven't guessed it, none of us are on diets when we are up there. Most of the time the girls just sit around and read, nap, watch the kids, do a little shopping in Wisconsin at some really quaint shops...ahhh....heaven.

Ok, I sound like one of those Amish ladies who write for the newspaper.

Oh my, my golden butter cake is done. Must go sniff and stick a toothpick in it.

Oh my gosh, did I even mention cancer once in this blog????

Amazing.

Molly