Life is good

We were 5 hours into the big hump-de-dump to drop Cassie off at FSU when we stopped for the night in Latta, South Carolina. There we heard from Dylan—who's been diagnosed with the "worst case of mono" his doctor has ever seen—that he's still not doing well and could use some reinforcements. So Mom started making arrangements to head out to Seattle once we had Cass settled in, which prompted Mom to say that "This is a life-sucks moment."

It was hard to disagree at the time, but after reflecting on it during the drive I'm not so sure. As for Dylan, yeah, being sick sucks big time, no arguing that. But having an amazing Mom who'll jump on a cross-country flight less than 12 hours after getting home from a physically and emotionally taxing trip to leave her little girl in Florida is pretty special and cause for rejoicing.

As for Cass, this is what she wanted and chose after much deliberation. And from what I saw of FSU, she chose exceedingly well. The campus itself is gorgeous, with these majestic live oaks, many of them draped in Spanish moss, all over the place. Auntie Leener would love these trees.

The "Patriarch Tree," a live oak growing in that spot since FSU was founded in 1851

But more important is that Cassie is going to spend the next four years immersed in studying the two things she most loves doing—music and helping other people. And she can do so at a great music school like FSU only because of her brilliance and her fabulous bassoon playing, both of which were essential to getting the scholarships she needed to make it all work. I am in awe of the talent and determination it took for Cassie to get herself into this top-rated program. So yes, it is a little sad and quiet around our house right now without our Jolly Ollie cracking wise and keeping us on the straight and narrow re our personal hygiene failings. But it's definitely not a life-sucks moment.

Getting some free orange/grapefruit juice at the first rest area just over the FL border

Cassie in front of the dorm where she lives with other music majors

Cassie in her room before adding her personal touches

Only Cassie could think of such an original way to bring her family & friends to FSU with her

Brad and I tested some microwave cake recipes you can make in a dorm if you're so inclined, but it was a bust for the most part. None of them was as good as the recipe for Microwave Molten Chocolate Cakes that I've already posted. But that one is a little fussy for what's supposed to be a simple microwave cake, and Brad did pronounce one of the new recipes we tried "decent" and worth making again if you're really hankering for a personal brownie-like cake. We also tested a cake just for Mom. Can you tell which one it is?

Microwave Brownie Cake

Adapted from Kirbie's Cravings

¼ cup (42 grams) semisweet chocolate chips
2 tablespoons (28 grams) unsalted butter, cut into a few pieces
1 tablespoon (12 grams) granulated white sugar
1 tablespoon (8 grams) all-purpose flour or gluten-free flour (weighed, or measured by the spoon and level method)
1½ tablespoons (19 grams) whisked egg

    1. Place the chocolate chips in a microwave-safe mug, then place the butter on top of the chips. Cover the top of the mug with a folded paper towel. Microwave at full power until the butter is almost completely melted, 45 seconds to 1 minute depending on the power of your microwave. Whisk with a mini whisk until the chocolate is completely melted and smooth.
    2. Add the sugar, flour, and egg. Whisk vigorously until the batter is smooth.
    3. Microwave at full power for about 1 minute. The cake should be done, but may be slightly gooey around the edges. Cool for 10 to 15 minutes before eating. Serves 1.