Firefly: Shepherd Book's Rosemary Biscuits

It's November. Grab a sickly sweet pumpkin-spiced latte. Wrap yourself up in your Batman snuggie. Warm up a buttery biscuit, schmear that shit with butter, and stuff it right in the ol' pie hole.

Wait, November already? What the hell happened to October?

Usually, I really get into the Halloween spirit and inundate you with a gaggle of spooky baked goods.This year, however, November snuck up on us way too quickly. One day, I'm trotting along through the grocery store, buying bagfuls of those little mellowcreme pumpkins and then BAM - CANDY CANES OUT OF NO WHERE.

But there is a flip side to this whole thing. There may not have been any orange and black goodies on the blog, but we did spend October doing what we do best: baking for a group of charities and special events that make Vancouver really fantastic. In fact, we dropped off more donations in the last month and a half than ever before. We'll get back to those warm buttery biscuits later (I promise you), but, for now, I want to share with you want we baked up last month:

X-Men: Jubilee's Funfetti Cookies

Summer is over in my books. Today was the first day that the blaring light of the sun didn't wake me from my long weekend slumber. Fog and rain clouds have now taken control. But that's okay. I have been growing tired of the heat and sunburns. I'm ready for fall to roll in.

That said, we did have a pretty fantastic summer. Mr. C and I went road tripping. We met new friends and baked for some awesome local groups and charities. The best part, though, was the new cosplay we cobbled together.

Paper. Resin. Fibreglass. Bondo. Lots of sanding. Some pretty nifty LED work. Vacuum forming. This cosplay had it all.

Portal Mini Cakes

I don't play a lot of video games. Because of this, I feel a little left out of geek culture sometimes. I gobble up comic books and board games and cosplay stuff, but I'm always in the dark when people around me start talking about what they got during the latest Steam sale.

Pokeball Cookies

Mr. C and I just got back from a very long vacation. We climbed to the top of a volcano in the middle of a larger volcano. We went hunting for translucent cave bacon. We geeked out at a Shakespeare festival. Or, I geeked out at the Shakespeare festival. Theatre's in my blood, yo. 

A lot of our vacations are pretty busy. For instance, at Disneyland, we opened and closed the park. In typhoon rains. For five days. It was epic. And tiring. And so very full of blisters. But that's just how we roll. This vacation was full of hiking and travelling, but we had a lot of downtime, which was nice for a change. We even slept in until 10am one morning, which is unheard of during C&C vacation time. It was really refreshing to roll out of the bed at the hotel, turn on the tube, grab some pre-packaged oatmeal, and zone out to some cartoons.

Now, I cancelled our TV a month ago. I don't miss it much, but I do feel a little empty without my Saturday morning cartoons. I think I became a little starved for bright moving colours, because I watched everything animated while on vacation. I watched really really good shows. And some not so good shows. I even came across some old friends - which I feel like I need to talk about.

Event: BC Superfriends' Pride Menu 2013

If you're stalking us on Twitter and/or Facebook, you know that we're very excited about a new group that just popped up in our neck of the woods. BC Superfriends is a LGBT and Allies group that aim to host super geeky inclusive events in and around Vancouver. Their goal is to create a safe space for everyone to be their nerdy selves, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity. Seriously, these peeps are amazing.

Their first event takes place on August 4th, where they'll be cosplaying in the Pride Parade. Afterwards, we'll all be meeting at Rainbow's End, a Queer Geek After-Pride Party that will seriously rock the house. The BC Superfriends have just begun to spread their super fantastic glittery wings, which means they need a little help to start up the fabulousness. That's why they've got an IndieGoGo on the go - check it out, donate what you can. We're baking up some special edition Pride cupcakes for anyone who pledges $30, so make sure you go and do that.

Speaking of Pride and baked goods, we've been busy developing a BC Superfriends menu. If you're going to Rainbow's End, you can order from the list below and all the treats will meet you there on August 4th. If you're not going to Rainbow's End, but you still want some amazing baked goods, you can still order from the menu and the treats will be delivered right to you (as long as, you know, you're in the Greater Vancouver area). All orders need to be in by July 31st!

Have a gander at the menu, and remember that all proceeds will be going straight to the BC Superfriends. If you'd like to order, or if you have a question, please email us at cccakery@gmail.com.

San Diego Comic Con Cake

I got my Con cherry popped not too long ago by Emerald City. It wasn't planned - I hadn't thought about going at all. One day, however, two of my best buds mentioned that they was taking their comic on the road to Seattle.

"Boy," said Mr. C, "it would be cool to go down and hang out with them."

"Yeah," I said, "and, like, cosplay and stuff."

We laughed. And then looked at each other with intensity. It dawned on us. This was our chance to finally see what all the fuss was about. I'm pretty sure I didn't sleep well for months after that - All I could do was think about finally going to my first convention. What would it be like? Would it really smell like BO and regret? Would I get to talk to someone famous? Would I spend all my money on Booster Gold figurines? Would my very first cosplay end up in pieces on the vendor floor? SO MANY QUESTIONS.

Game of Thrones: Dothraki Blood Pie

Do you remember playing Junior Monopoly? The one where you had to buy up rides to create the most badass amusement park ever? Or Guess Who? The one where you had stare at twenty of the ugliest faces ever illustrated by the gaming industry? Or Sorry? The one where you were allowed to be a total dick to your friends?

Man, tabletop gaming sure has changed.

Mario Starmen Cookies

We've been busy little bees lately.

Remember all those times in Mario - it doesn't matter which one, you can pick - when your tiny little plumber man is on his last legs, being chased by turtles or venus flytraps or ghosts, and you're desperately trying to bash some bricks apart to find something that can help you? Those little mushrooms are great, they'll make you grow bigger, but Mario starves for more. More power. After wading through those bricks for what feels like hours, the star appears. You grab it. The music starts. And you feel like you can destroy the world. Because, lets face it, you can. 

That's what the last few weeks have felt like to me. Holy moly.

Big Bang Theory: Sheldon Cooper's Red Velvet Cookies

What the hell is "Bazinga"?

I see it on t-shirts. Within memes. All over the internet. Yet, I still have no idea what it means.

Game of Thrones: Honeycakes

Do you . . . do you want to talk about what happened?

I mean, it might feel better to get it all out.

Arrested Development: Tobias's Blue Handprint Sandwich Cookies

I was really worried about this new season of Arrested Development.

When I heard Netflix was bringing it back, I was, like the rest of you probably were, thrilled. Finally, we'd be getting back the family we all loved to hate. Finally, I felt vindication for still having all my inner monologues sound like Ron Howard. But then I really thought about it. Did I want it back? Really? Arrested Development went out on, more or less, a high note. What if it came back, and sucked?

Wash's Cupcakes: "Curse Your Sudden But Inevitable Betrayal!"

"I am a leaf on the wind. Watch how I soar."

If that phrase makes you feel like you've been punched in the gut, you're a true Firefly Browncoat. Hoban Washburne was one of those special Whedon characters that the audience usually feels a direct attachment to. They're the Xanders or the Agent Coulsons. They make us smile, and they usually voice what the audience is thinking, only far wittier. No wonder we hate it when Joss maims and/or kills them.

Let's not talk about maiming or killing, though. Let's just talk about Wash. The happy-go-lucky Wash. The Wash that doesn't have a giant piece of metal sticking out of his chest.

Dr. "Bones" McCoy's Space Supplements (Gluten Free Vegan Fudge)

When I was growing up, there was only one Star Trek universe for me. Well, there was more than one, but Voyager didn't count. Deep Space Nine sometimes counted, but only when I was really desperate. No, Next Generation was the only version of Star Trek that I was interested in. And, now that I look back at it, it's amazing that teenaged-me would have liked a show like that. It was . . . intellectual. Seeing as I was also a fan of Saved By the Bell and Boy Meets World, it's weird that I would pick up a show like Next Gen. But I did. And I loved it.

Maybe it was my first foray into science fiction. I know my Dad would love watching it as well, so maybe it was our attempt at some daughter-father TV bonding time. Or maybe it was Wil Wheaton. Because, if you were a teenaged girl in the 90s, you had a crush on Crusher. End of story.

The Walking Dead Cupcakes

As pointed out in the latest episode of West Coast Geeks vs Nerds, everyone has a zombie apocalypse survival plan. Hell, there's even aps for this very purpose. Our household's plan is probably very similar to yours: grab a chainsaw, wing our way through London Drugs, then hold up in the closest Costco. Well, to be honest, that's Mr. C's plan. My plan goes a little bit differently: unsuccessfully escape from the horde, get bitten by zombie, have Mr. C shoot me in the face. Really, I'm just being honest with myself. I'm a lover, not a fighter. When the walkers take over, I'm not going to last very long. I'm loud. I cry a lot. I'm not a sprinter. I'm as good as dead.

Being a realist is an important part of the zombie apocalypse.

Nerdy Giveaway #1: WINNER!

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Jennifer W - you are the winner of our first Nerdy Giveaway! Your package full of Star Wars Sweets will be flown to you via TIE fighter. Unless there are some pesky rebels hanging around. In that case, we'll have to rely on the Jedi powers of the Canada Post. Lets hope nothing gets lost in the Dagobah system.

A big thanks to all of you who entered - make sure you hang around. You never know when we'll have our next Nerdy Giveaway!

Image from the amazing Mister Hipp

Blue Milk and Cookies Star Wars Cupcakes

May the Fourth be with you! And may many horrible Star Wars puns be with you as well!

Nerdy Giveaway #1: Star Wars Day 2013

This weekend is going to get pretty busy for us. It's the holiday weekend in Nerdville - there's not one, but two major events happening on Saturday, May 4th.  First off, make sure you visit your local graphic novel store to celebrate Free Comic Book Day. Pick up something from the awesome selection of free comics, including my personal favs, JLA and Adventure Time. Be sure to support your comic store too, and purchase something that you've had your eye on for a while. I know I will - I'm looking at you new Walking Dead comics and old Booster Gold editions.

May 4th is also Star Wars Day - as in, "May the Fourth be with you." (Yuk yuk). Even though I will go down as a Trekkie forever, our house is firm Star Wars territory. I'm sure if Mr C ever won the lottery, his first ridiculous purchase would be a custom built light saber. Or a ton-ton sleeping bag. Even our car has some Star Wars insignia.

We'll be presenting our official Star Wars Day treat this weekend, but to get your blasters charged, we're having our first Nerdy Giveaway. That's right - a package full of special geeky treats will be sent off right to you so you can enjoy C&C in real life. I promise, the real ones taste even better than the virtual ones. This time around, the secret snack will be something Star Wars themed. We'll give you a hint:

from wookieepedia

Want to enter? First off, make sure you live in the United States or Canada. I don't think any of our treats would make the long journey outside of North America. Then fill out the entry form below - there's lots of chances to win, so go nuts!

This contest ends next Wednesday, the 15th, so make sure you get all your entries in by then. Hurry, our X-wings are standing by!

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Captain Carrot's Dwarven Carrot Cake Scones

Sir Terry Pratchett is 65 today. I bet you he enjoyed a small party with friends and family, full of laughter, smiles, and cake. If you don't know Terry, you should. Maybe you've seen him hanging around your favourite Neil Gaiman novel.  Or maybe you've come across his surname taking up at least three shelves in the fantasy aisle of your favourite book store. The man has a goddamn ancient sea turtle named after him, for god's sake.

All I'm saying is, if you haven't read Pratchett, then you really really should.

Ghostbusters' Ectoplasm Tarts

My feet are covered with mud and Mr. C is busy wiping down the armor - all in all, we had a lovely time at Fan Expo. We'll have to talk more about that later. Right now, it's time for something spooky.

Simple Yoda Sugar Cookies

Last month, Mr. C and I enjoyed a little March Madness. No, not the one with the basketballs. The other one. The nerdier one.

This is Madness compiled 32 of Star Wars characters and pitted them together in a bracket system to find out which Jedi, Sith, or Droid would be declared the best of the bunch. This was serious business - no Jar Jars were even considered.

I enjoyed the game, but, like usual in any sort of playoff situtation, I got a little bitter towards the end. I mean, how on earth was Han beat out in the second round? By Obi Wan, no less? And pitting two female characters against each other in the first round? That just prolonged the epic Star Wars sausage fest. Come on now.

Settlers of Catan Cupcakes

I remember back when I was a bright eyed, bushy tailed nerdlinger in university. The world of geekdom had just opened up to me - I started reading comics, got pulled into MMORPGs, and discovered the world of D&D. Before, all these things were out of my reach. Being president of my high school drama club got me abused enough; I don't think I would have won any popularity contests if I admitted that I religiously watched Next Gen or Mystery Science Theatre.

In university, I found a set of people who loved what I loved. Discussed things that I was passionate about. Played and laughed at games that were so cool, yet so absolutely ridiculous. Finally, I felt like I could pin my nerd badge onto my coat and wear it proudly.

Nowadays, geek citizenship is becoming even more widespread. Thanks to movie reboots and social media, we've got new generations of Trek, Who, and X-men fans. Being a nerd is cool. And you can feel at home almost everywhere.

Game of Thrones Cookies: Khaleesi's Dragon Nests

It's great that the government gave us a long weekend to celebrate the new season of Game of Thrones. I guess that whole Easter thing plays a factor here too. But, really, I think I'll be too worried about who may or may not bite the big one in the first episode to think about chocolate bunnies. Seriously, if they kill [spoiler] and [spoiler] too early, I will have a melt down.

In case it hasn't come across to you, our household is pretty excited over this show. Mr. C is especially pumped. And by "especially pumped" I mean he's re-read the entire series (which, if you've seen the size of those things, is no small feat). I haven't touched the books, but I have picked up rumours of all the death and destruction that goes on in those things. I'm still hoping that John Snow sails over to the other side of the world, sweeps Daenerys off her feet, and rides into the sunset on a dragon. And then makes really pretty babies together.

Mr. C keeps trying to tell me that doesn't happen. Whatevs.

The Littlest She-Hulk Green Velvet Cupcakes

It's been six months since something sugary and floury has popped out of my oven. What have I been doing instead of cutting out cookies and frosting cupcakes, you ask?

1. Lifting heavy things and putting them back down. A lot
2. Adapting my eating habits to suit my exercise routine. Goodbye veganism, hello meat
3. Trying not to let my teaching career drive me absolutely nuts
4. Running in my first races. First 5ks then, just for the hell of it, a 10k 
5. Fully embracing the full extent of my nerdiness

Let's talk about that last point. But, I warn you. It's really nerdy. Like, embarrassingly so.