Going4Gold GANG
Here at the Going4Gold Gang it's all about sharing what your doing as an individual then sharing with the rest of the gang.
Everyone is Welcome
Forks... Answers to your questions. I can't recall the cost of the orange extract. It was in the spice aisle, with vanilla etc. I suspect it was near the same cost. A teaspoon and a half gave the cake a subtle but noticable orange flavor.
The ganache wound up being about the consistency of a mousse. I put in between layers in place of the buttercream. The first step there is to build a dam around the outside with buttercream which is very stiff. This keeps the filling in. I used just the coupler of my icing tips so about twice the diameter of a pencil. Then filled with ganache up to level with the buttercream.
As for leveling, I have a neat gadget sold by Wilton that makes all the cake stuff. It is a wire on a frame. You set it to the proper height (adjustable) then move it through the cake. It cuts to uneven top right off (hubs eats that).
The light layer is called a crumb coat. Some people use it, some don't. I think it's good, because you don't have to worry about being perfect. Then you let it set an hour or so (this icing I use forms a "crust") then apply the final layer. The theory is, then you won't be fighting crumbs in the top coat.
All in all, I think the cake turned out ok. I did not get to decorate as the icing didn't go as far as I expected. I think even the second coat was a little thin. It was a new recipe, so I wasn't sure how far it would go. Learned and will make a double batch next time. Also tried a new technique for something the icing. This icing crusts, which allows you so "smooth" it. I needed Viva paper towels, but couldn't find any. Used a couple of napkins with no pattern, the frosting ended up as smooth as fondant... VERY COOL! Will try it all again in a few weeks with the potential for decorations as well.
On other news, I beat hubs on the golf course yesterday. Don't know what came over me, but I dropped my score 20 strokes since last week!! Perhaps I'm getting it?
dwf
* yawn! *
Good night, Gang!!! Been busy today... 
I say.... LET THEM EAT CAKE!!! Honestly, how much could one piece of cake hurt? I've always been a chocolate fan myself, but I have some many things I want to try with different flavors now. My next will be white, lightly flavored with almond maybe... with a blackberry mousse filling. I am anxious to hear if hubs office liked this one first though.
Zip-pe-dee-doo-dah...
Zip-pe-dee-day...!!!!
My, oh, my... What a Wonderful Day!!!! 
Anybody awake, yet???
Good Morning/Evening, Lurkers!!!!!
Gotta' shop and can soup today, here in South Mississippi... "Kitchen Sink Soup," at last!!! 
Dances: I've been low on energy too, and have skipped some workouts. Today I'm easing myself back into it and swam laps at lunch, feels good, not worn out, hopefully my energy is back.
Yestderday we had our annual cemetery picnic, it is held the Sunday after Labor day weekend each year. We sit under the century old oak trees, a visiting pastor says grace, we lunch and then hold our meeting. Many of our family are buried there including my grandparents and my dad. It was nice to see our extended family again. This is a tradition I hold dear, it feels good to slow down the pace and honor those who have gone before us while keeping in contact with those of us that are still here.
Today I'm back to my check list...I'm keeping it in my journal.
Di
Today a repairman is coming to look at my elliptical machine.... FINALLY!! I did actually get the parts from the company... after weeks and weeks... which included them not returning my calls.
I know at some point I will just have to be willing to spend more money on a different machine. I'm going to stop looking at home machines and look more at the sturdy ones built for gyms. I know that this will be the only exercise I will ever do, so I need to be prepared to pay the price. Probably not any time soon, but eventually.
Hubby tests for promotion tomorrow. Please remember us in your prayers. This promotion would mean getting off of Guam, and honestly I want nothing more! We won't know until November, but this is the first step in the process.
We are considering buying hubby a new motorcycle. The one he wanted has just come out with the 2009 models and lo and behold there is one the EXACT color of mine!! We could be matching!!
dwf
Forks... In this case... it's the CLUNKY wheel!! I love Doris Day movies. Calamity Jane is one of my favorites. I am very hopeful as well. It is hard on us living here. I never thought I'd say that, as I am normally a pretty adaptable person.
Dances, Yep I'm definitely feeling that song...yesterday....today, I'm feeling better.
Vsatar: Saying prayers for you.
Worked out yesterday, lap swim and after my evening class went directly to the gym and did the elliptical on hill level 9 out of 10 mode for 20 minutes, then 1/2 hour circuit training. This week the university offers free exercise classes, so tonight before my 7:45 pm Blogs to Wiki's class I'm going to drop in on the PiYo class and follow with the kickboxing class. Feeling much stronger this week, and that dark cloud is just about gone.
BB: What are you canning today?
Well...the elliptical machine continues to clunk. The company sent a part, which the nice man tried to put on, however, he discovered that the bad part, which is attached to the replaced one, wasn't sent. SOOOOOOOOOOOO.... again I call them. Fortunately, we were able to put everything back together so I can continue to use it, clunk and all. But this is all getting quite frustrating. I am looking at anywhere from $3000 to $4000 to get a commercial model, so I guess I'll continue to clunk along for a while.
Fortunately, yesterday was my off day, since the machine was in pieces. Today, starting on day 1 again. Hubs is testing for promotion as we speak. Prayers please!!
Just wanted to check in.! I just got back from spending an hour swimming, feel great! My eating plan is 100% on track..feeling good. Hope you ladies are doing good, I'll be lurking
Hey Boots. Glad it's going good. :)
Forks is your elliptical machine quiet????
Ok I tried that link and it failed. SOOO
Forks.... Thank you for the information! I'm going to look. I have some specific criteria that need to be met in my machine so I'll take all the info I can.
dwf
