John’s Birthday is in a week and I was secretly planning to make him a cake for this special day. Well – he beat me to the punch! Chef Beazley got creative in the kitchen this week and made a sponge cake with lemon rinds!

He cut the cake in 2 pieces and then left to work for a couple days. Before he departed, he informed me that he “left the cook book open to the page with the lemon cream cheese icing”.

So here I am – looking for the domestic goddess angels to surprise me with their presence! I’m going to rock this cake – I keep telling myself.

I picked up a package of fresh raspberries to use between the 2 cake layers and garnish. If I’m going to do this – I’m going to do it amazing. Always striving to Surprise & Delight! Wish me luck…

Enjoy the summer heat,

One of our favorite TV shows lately has been Chef Ramsey’s MasterChef. Last week the competitors had to make a 6 layer sponge cake!

John’s Birthday is in a week and I was secretly planning to make him a cake for this special day. Well – he beat me to the punch! Chef Beazley got creative in the kitchen this week and made a sponge cake with lemon rinds!

He cut the cake in 2 pieces and then left to work for a couple days. Before he departed, he informed me that he “left the cook book open to the page with the lemon cream cheese icing”.

So here I am – looking for the domestic goddess angels to surprise me with their presence! I’m going to rock this cake – I keep telling myself.

I picked up a package of fresh raspberries to use between the 2 cake layers and garnish. If I’m going to do this – I’m going to do it amazing. Always striving to Surprise & Delight! Wish me luck…

Enjoy the summer heat,

Trust your July is kicking off with a bang! Hope you enjoy the audio blog.

Live Inspired,

Hey amazing friends,

Trust your July is kicking off with a bang! Hope you enjoy the audio blog.

Live Inspired,

I’ve got better about using bags to carry around everything, instead of balancing individual prized possessions in my arms. I’m well known in my family for randomly tossing multiple pairs of shoes in my car – just in case OR hauling around a pile of papers loosely OR I may even be caught throwing a bunch of things into plastic bags (I’ve dramatically reduced how many I use nowadays). Last year I got some fantastic tips from my followers about being “greener” after posting my entry -

Nowadays, I carry more reusable bags around. This morning I laughed out loud at what I looked like. I was carrying 4 bags to my car!

They all had very important roles in upcoming day.

My purse – my first designer bag that my husband gave me for Valentines Day!

In January, I told my frugal hubby that I needed to get a new purse, as my current one was on its last thread. He informed me that I needed an upgrade when getting my next handbag! The exact words out of his mouth were “like Coach or something”. I was SO excited to get this gorgeous new Guess handbag from John!

My favorite – everyday bag that carries anything and everything!!

My Tante (French for Aunt!) Louise & Uncle Marlin gave it to me when I graduated from University. It’s an ESPE (espe.ca) bag and I love it. I also love their wallets and have wore through a couple of them.

My staple – this amazing bag was our swag bag at an Arbonne conference – it is seen stuffed full (as usual).

This particular day it was carrying clothes to the seamstress (note – I’m a domestic goddess in training & delegate jobs I don’t prefer), however it often carries my laptop. I’ve been looking for a beautiful RED laptop bag (for my 17inch laptop) for awhile…if you see one…please let me know. Thanks!

My lunch bag!

This is a BRAND new bag that I got from my Mother-in-love & Father-in-love for my Birthday. It is even personalized with my name!

It’s an insulated lunch bag, that was mailed to me full of treats! Robin Eggs & cookies – so much fun.

Are you a bag lady/man? Do you have a favorite? Do you trade purses often OR use the same one for months/years? I’d love to hear about your collection.

Live Inspired,
Robyn

UPDATE – check out these Facebook commments/discussion that started as a result of my Facebook status about bags!! LOVE IT ;)

I tend to tote around a LOT of stuff – my sweet better half calls all of my prized belongings doodads and my Mom calls it loot.

I’ve got better about using bags to carry around everything, instead of balancing individual prized possessions in my arms. I’m well known in my family for randomly tossing multiple pairs of shoes in my car – just in case OR hauling around a pile of papers loosely OR I may even be caught throwing a bunch of things into plastic bags (I’ve dramatically reduced how many I use nowadays). Last year I got some fantastic tips from my followers about being “greener” after posting my entry -

Nowadays, I carry more reusable bags around. This morning I laughed out loud at what I looked like. I was carrying 4 bags to my car!

They all had very important roles in upcoming day.

My purse – my first designer bag that my husband gave me for Valentines Day!

In January, I told my frugal hubby that I needed to get a new purse, as my current one was on its last thread. He informed me that I needed an upgrade when getting my next handbag! The exact words out of his mouth were “like Coach or something”. I was SO excited to get this gorgeous new Guess handbag from John!

My favorite – everyday bag that carries anything and everything!!

My Tante (French for Aunt!) Louise & Uncle Marlin gave it to me when I graduated from University. It’s an ESPE (espe.ca) bag and I love it. I also love their wallets and have wore through a couple of them.

My staple – this amazing bag was our swag bag at an Arbonne conference – it is seen stuffed full (as usual).

This particular day it was carrying clothes to the seamstress (note – I’m a domestic goddess in training & delegate jobs I don’t prefer), however it often carries my laptop. I’ve been looking for a beautiful RED laptop bag (for my 17inch laptop) for awhile…if you see one…please let me know. Thanks!

My lunch bag!

This is a BRAND new bag that I got from my Mother-in-love & Father-in-love for my Birthday. It is even personalized with my name!

It’s an insulated lunch bag, that was mailed to me full of treats! Robin Eggs & cookies – so much fun.

Are you a bag lady/man? Do you have a favorite? Do you trade purses often OR use the same one for months/years? I’d love to hear about your collection.

Live Inspired,
Robyn

UPDATE – check out these Facebook commments/discussion that started as a result of my Facebook status about bags!! LOVE IT ;)

I’m SOOOOOOO blessed to have the most AMAZING friends. Thanks for making my day absolutely phenomenal – I’m so lucky to have the most fabulous network.

A few of you are really curious to know the “secret” I’ve been keeping from you, about the surprise John left me for my Birthday – after my post Shhh… last week! Here it is:

Recall I discovered the secret downstairs in our basement!!

It was hiding in the freezer!

AHHHH!!! I LOOOOOVVVVVEEEE DQ Ice Cream Cake!! Hidden with a card with John’s signature monogram address.

I devoured a piece of my Birthday DQ Chocolate Extreme Blizzard Ice Cream cake last night!

One of my favorite parts of DQ Ice Cream Cake is the chocolate crunch/fudge surprise that’s in the middle. I guessed that this “Blizzard” edition cake wouldn’t have this part – BUT it did!! It was SOOOOOO amazing.

Mmm…I’ll “try” and save you a piece John! AND…local friends if you’re in the area this week (don’t wait too long…) – give me a shout and we can have a cake date!

Live Inspired,
Robyn

Thank you for all of your AMAZING Birthday wishes today. I’m completely OVERWHELMED. The flowery, kind comments on my Facebook wall, private messages, text messages, emails, and the number of phone calls I’ve received in a short few hours are SO appreciated.

I’m SOOOOOOO blessed to have the most AMAZING friends. Thanks for making my day absolutely phenomenal – I’m so lucky to have the most fabulous network.

A few of you are really curious to know the “secret” I’ve been keeping from you, about the surprise John left me for my Birthday – after my post Shhh… last week! Here it is:

Recall I discovered the secret downstairs in our basement!!

It was hiding in the freezer!

AHHHH!!! I LOOOOOVVVVVEEEE DQ Ice Cream Cake!! Hidden with a card with John’s signature monogram address.

I devoured a piece of my Birthday DQ Chocolate Extreme Blizzard Ice Cream cake last night!

One of my favorite parts of DQ Ice Cream Cake is the chocolate crunch/fudge surprise that’s in the middle. I guessed that this “Blizzard” edition cake wouldn’t have this part – BUT it did!! It was SOOOOOO amazing.

Mmm…I’ll “try” and save you a piece John! AND…local friends if you’re in the area this week (don’t wait too long…) – give me a shout and we can have a cake date!

Live Inspired,
Robyn

On Good Friday, my man took me on a date to a local Greek restaurant for supper, that we’ve been wanting to try. I “may” have said something like,

“You should sing Happy Birthday to me today, since you’re going to be gone!”

My sneaky hubby informed me that he had everything planned. I questioned him because how was he going to execute it – when he’s gone?

I LOVE surprises, so I was VERY excited to discover something this morning…by complete surprise!

I went to the basement in our house to look for something and discovered…

…you’ll have to wait for it. I just needed to tell someone that I have a secret – so we need to keep it a secret until next week! Shhh…John doesn’t know, that I know. He’s away, so I highly doubt he’ll be checking up on me here!!

Live Inspired,
Robyn

P.S. It was a good place to hide it John. You knew that since I’ve been a gimp with my whacked knee the past 4 weeks, I haven’t ventured down the stairs much! Well, I showed you ;) It was a fantastic surprise – now…to stay away from it for a few more days…good thing I’m going to the ranch this weekend.

P.P.S. Here is what the SURPRISE was!!

SO…I have a “special” day next week and John is away working. I’m ok with that, absolutely fine; I have spent it the past few years as an independent woman. I always find something to do with someone! (Last year was my Double Star Birthday).

On Good Friday, my man took me on a date to a local Greek restaurant for supper, that we’ve been wanting to try. I “may” have said something like,

“You should sing Happy Birthday to me today, since you’re going to be gone!”

My sneaky hubby informed me that he had everything planned. I questioned him because how was he going to execute it – when he’s gone?

I LOVE surprises, so I was VERY excited to discover something this morning…by complete surprise!

I went to the basement in our house to look for something and discovered…

…you’ll have to wait for it. I just needed to tell someone that I have a secret – so we need to keep it a secret until next week! Shhh…John doesn’t know, that I know. He’s away, so I highly doubt he’ll be checking up on me here!!

Live Inspired,
Robyn

P.S. It was a good place to hide it John. You knew that since I’ve been a gimp with my whacked knee the past 4 weeks, I haven’t ventured down the stairs much! Well, I showed you ;) It was a fantastic surprise – now…to stay away from it for a few more days…good thing I’m going to the ranch this weekend.

P.P.S. Here is what the SURPRISE was!!