Storm Clouds Gathering

Not the metaphorical sort, though. Nature has decided that this week would be the perfect time to make up for all the rain we didn't get this spring. And Nature, as we all know, doesn't really care about things like weddings and visitors from out of town. And lawns badly in need of mowing before said visitors arrive.

I suppose it's just as well that there's plenty to be done indoors, too. I spent today rearranging and cleaning the kitchen and feel like I made a really big dent in it, though there's still a fair bit that needs to be done. Of course, there's also a fair bit to be done in the living room, the bathroom, the guest room,... I think you get the point.

I also have cake layers to bake - lots of them. That's right. I'm baking the cake(s). It's a minor modification of a family favorite recipe that I do very well. So now I have 5 pounds of butter, 5 pints of heavy cream, 10 pounds of cake flour, 10 pounds of sugar, and 5 dozen eggs in my kitchen waiting for a couple marathon days of baking. While I'm also working on getting everything else cleaned up.

The decorating part, though, is a bit beyond me. Fortunately, my mother (who does have experience in this regard) volunteered for this duty while we were hunting for someone to hire, which will save us a bit on an already stretched budget. We planned for 60 guests and are getting 90, so the reception expenses have gone up just a wee bit, though likely not as much as they could have.

And the kilt hose moves along, but it's going to be close. The calf decreases are done now, though, and I think I can get it done. If not, I'll just cast off a little early and wear a thin sock under it to cover my toes. And the weather predictions are now calling for the possibility of a little clearing by the weekend. So maybe, just maybe, we can pull all of this off.