Austin Bakes for Bastrop

As I'm sure many of you have heard, central Texas has been devastated by wildfires.  The continuing drought, low humidity, and extreme heat have made the area incredibly susceptible to fire.  As ridiculous as it seems to people who don't live here, cigarettes and charcoal grilling have been banned from Austin city parks and as a resident I'm grateful that these measures are being taken in order to reduce the risks we face. Recently, Bastrop county suffered much in the way of fire damage.  In all, 34,000 acres of land burned, as well as 1600 homes.  To aid in their recovery, the same fine people who put on Austin Bakes for Japan have pooled their talents together for another event, Austin Bakes for Bastrop.  I highly encourage everyone in the Austin area to come out to one of the seven locations around Austin this Saturday between 10AM - 2PM and support the people who have been devastated by these fires.  I'm planning on bringing pumpkin bread and apple pasties to the Whole Foods at Gateway.  This is a great opportunity to give back to the community, as well as eat lots of tasty treats.

That Ain't No Etch-a-Sketch

*ahem* is this thing on?

I admit it's been quiet around here lately, but with good reason.  Though it's been too hot to turn on the oven All. Damn. Summer., I've been cooking something for the past few months.  See Figure 1 for details.

Figure 1. 12 gestational-week fetus