Utah Hogle Zoo July 4th 2014

The new edition to the Zoo opened just over a month ago....
On July 4th 2014 it was also open  to all veterans and active military and family for free admission.
But to this wise photographer, it was a day at the zoo with a smaller crowd. While everyone was out to the parades and fairs for the fourth, we went to the zoo for a reduced crowd.
A ride on the train through the African Savanna. While they say it's longer, it actually felt shorter. They ran the train a little faster than they used to around the area.
The photo below is the Giraffe Statues that have been added to the Zoo in front of the African Savanna section with the Giraffes. (A new place to demand pictures for the kids I brought with me.)

We once again have Zebras back at out beloved Zoo.

Now while we love our animals, the Zoo has added a Water Play area that is a fast hit in the hot temperature that we have. Already hitting 100 degrees more than once. The kids, and  adults, take time out to play in the area provided.

Firs thing they did was lay down in the water and roll to cool off.

This random shooting Geyser (aka "The Water Volcano" to the kids) is a fast favorite with this little girl.

Waiting for the Geyser (AKA "The Water Volcano")

The new Lion Statues

This is the entrance to the 'Water Play Area". Barrels shoot streams of water at random across the entrance.

Now there might be a few more photos... except this photographer actually forgot her extra battery in the charger. Yes, it happens to the best of us.

African Savannah To completely open the weekend of May 30th 2014

Barring any further delays, African Savannah is due to completely open the weekend of May 30th 2014. They have already opened the Lions portion of it. We're now awaiting the Zebra, Giraffes and ostriches section Along with the 50% longer train ride.

The 2 male Lions are 3 years old and the 2 females are about a year and half. They are waiting for the females to get a little older before the male lions can be out with them at the same time.

As with all their new areas they now new Lion Statues for the kids to pose on.

But lets not forget some other areas of the Zoo as well...

And here was the new addition to the Polar Bear Exhibit!

 LOL! Just kidding. This is part of the great lengths they go to to keep the Animals habitats clean a livable for each one.

Ever wonder how they clean the windows in the polar bear exhibit?

 the new Water Play area is also a riot for kids especially in the hot sun!
The Water Volcano!

 As always folks, be courteous to other patrons, the animal and be aware they go to great pains to give these animals a comfortable life! Be be kind to the animals and their handlers. Be respectful of the ground and keep them clean. Put your children and the others with you on their best behaviors.

Cakes

So we've all watched Ace of Cake, Cake Boss, and all those other  shows. Have you ever acted upon it?
Well, I've always thought it would be cool if I could do that. I kept telling myself, it can't be as hard as everyone says it is that has tried that I know.... I've seen quite a few catastrophes people have made. Don't get me wrong, they tried so hard, for the amount of time they were willing to put into it.
But in order to make a really good fondant decorated cake, you have to be willing to put in the time. And I do mean TIME. The more you do it the faster you get. But you still need to take your time. Allow yourself extra time on something you've never done before. If you're on a short deadline, and you've never done it, you're not going to have the results you want.
Alright, no more prattling, shall we look at those cakes?

Tashee cakes now has it's own page Tashee Cakes : Click Here

   This would be the latest addition to my cake conquest (8-11-2013). For a Friend, The Tardis!

The Tardis!

Cake for my Sister in Law July 2013

Rub A Dub Dub!
This gorgeous beauty was made 6-7-2013. It's for a baby shower for my niece. I had loads of advanced warning on this. And I actually worked on the flowers and little figures for 3 weeks (Basically had time to experiment and change what I didn't like), and just took time on all the little details for the cake.

Rub A Dub Dub!
Top View

Remember Me
This cake was made 6-7-2013. The day of days for me to be making cakes. June 7th is my younger brothers birthday. My Father died last September, so I felt he needed to be remembered. Kinda a lonely when no ones around to remember your birthday. Yellow Roses are for Remembrance, the Blue Rose is about mystery or attaining the impossible. My Brother is writing novels and is a struggling to get popular with his books

It's A Boy!
This cake I made for my other niece who wanted it for her baby shower. It would have cost 200$-300$ to have made.
I had a friend of mine come help me on this because of time constraints (She went to school for this and is surprised at my natural abilities). 

Monster Cake
My son saw a picture of a cake that looked about like this. A wiggly jello looking monster cake. This is what he wanted for his birthday in March 2013

Spongebob Cake
This was the ultimate cake for my son for years! This is the reason I wished to learn how to make Fondant Cakes. This is where I suffered from the reality of making gumpaste (The only thing about these cake that took a minute). A sitting up Spongebob isn't a easy task. This was the second cake like this I ever made.

Spongebob cake in different stages.

Ballerina Princess Cake
This was my actual first attempt at a Fondant Cake.
I made this for my neices birthday so I could take a trial run at it. Plus I knew her mom would give me REAL feedback on it. This Cake was difficult due to the fact that my son decided to sneak on up to the cooling cakes and start eating them. Ran out of cake and had to fill in the gaps with fondant. That was the feedback I got, too much fondant! LOL!
But, this cake was made such an impression, her dad had one made in Arizona when he took her out there to meet her Grandma.  I wouldn't want to pay for a cake like this. OUCH!

So now what?
Now, everyone else who sees them start saying "You know, my birthday (anniversary etc) is this month...." Your big hint from them.
My favorite thing in all this is when people feel they need to pose with your cake and think it's too pretty to cut. You know you did a good job at this point!

Baby Shower Cakes & Mother to Be

So my niece is going to be a mother for the first time... So she asked for a special cake from me for her baby shower. THis is my niece, her sister and the cake.
 I complied happily.
 New moms need to feel special especially if the dads are deadbeats.

Baby Shower cake.

Baby showers cake travel damaged to the giraffe.