"My hand grew last night!"

Little Miss firstborn had a monumental day on Saturday; birthday number five!

She ran into my room shortly after 6am to reveal what had happened during the preceding night.  "Dad, dad, my hand grew last night."  She no longer held up 4 fingers, she could now display all five of them in great glory.  

Since daylight had sprung, it was also time to jump into the car to pick up her friends for the party (which began at 2pm).  I couldn't justify a trip around the neighborhood at 6:30am to round up all the invited 4 & 5-year olds, so her consolation was to eat Cookie Crisp* cereal (right out of the bag) and watch an episode of Clifford, the Big Red Dog.  She wasn't aware that our fine PBS affiliate aired such programming just for her birthday, but I thank the good people at KUED for their cooperation.

She requested waffles to accompany the Cookie Crisp*, so I obliged.  Then it was onto the feline cupcake pièce de résistance.  I baked 23 cherry chip cupcakes the night before with the intent of forming a giant cat face for my audience of 14 children.  Unfortunately, every design ended up looking like a pig or bat.  Until Saturday morning, while in my time of need, inspiration hit and the cat's body was born.  Following the configuring of the cupcakes, an hour of frosting (this was my second time, ever), and endless tormenting from the birthday girl to lick the icing bowl, my kitty was complete.

Notice the flames on the ends of the candles?  No?  That's because no fire could withstand the birthday windstorm...ahhh, memories of Southern Alberta.

The party was a success, despite gale-strength winds in our backyard.  Children brought their favorite stuffed animals for a vet clinic, to bling them out with a new owner-designed collar, and take them for a ride on the inflated tire tube (a little ghetto, but it worked).  Aunt Jen even came through with some intense face painting and extra party games when we ran out with thirty minutes until parent pick-up time.  

Great party, but it's even greater that we don't do a "friend party" every year.  Although, my expertise in cake ingenuity goes through the roof with each finger added to the hand.

* Today's blog post is not brought to you by the makers of Cookie Crisp because it is truly one of life's biggest disappointments.  Add cookies to the ingredients of almost any other substance and it's culinary nirvana...add it to cereal and it tastes like waxy crap that sticks to the roof of your mouth for days.

And so it begins...

Ah, the inaugural Taste of Ted.  Originally I wanted to create a blog focused on my gastronomic plundering throughout the great state of Utah...particularly during the lunch hour.  Now, I will talk about food, possibly at great lengths, but my musings may dive into other realms as well.  Sadly, the biggest thing that kept me from blogging was coming up with a suitable name.  This week I thought of the name "The Musings of the Ubiquitous Ted Alma Holt," but my hopes were dashed when the domain 'mutah' was taken.  Immediately, "Taste of Ted" popped into my mind, and it was finished.


With that said, I must report where to find the best bear claw in the Beehive state.  Don't be put off by the store or location; this baker can fry and glaze to bring even the most pious health zealots to their knees, begging for more.  The location is in Duchesne, UT (yes, I had to Google the city to spell that blasted name) in the local grocery store called Al's Foodtown.


Everything I've tried is good, especially the fritters and glazed croissants, but the ultimate is their bear claw.  Flaky pastry, creamy filling, dripping with sweet sugary succulence.  My wife would go through a dozen of these if she could handle the subsequent sugar migraine.

Today's claw from Al's Foodtown (apparently my kitchen counter also acts as a 1980s photo backdrop)

I do recommend these doughnuts with some words of warning.  First, blood sugar levels will rise well above healthy dietary standards; employ self-restraint.  Second, don't expect any confections in the case if you arrive after lunch time.  Third, if you aren't a native to Duchesne, you will receive stares.  But if you're willing to purchase a trailer and tattoos, then parent a child who you will bring to the store wearing only a diaper, you'll fit right in.