I took on my first few jobs 2 weekends ago (I didn't want to post about it until I had pictures). I cannot tell you how good it felt to be working in the kitchen again. I have fallen slightly out of my groove, but I know I'll have it back soon enough. I have been collecting kitchen supplies and equipment for a while, and was so excited to put everything together in one room! I'll have to post later about my new kitchen/baking room.
Anyhow... I wasn't really planning on taking on jobs right now considering my arms are still broken and not healing very quickly, but a good friend asked me to do cupcakes for a baby shower she was hosting. I was a bit hesitant, but couldn't say no. A few days later a friend from church asked me to do a simple cake for a wedding shower she was hosting. Very soon after my mother announced that she was hosting a bridal shower as well, and needed me to do the desserts. Not only did I agree to take on all 3 jobs, but they all happened to be on the same weekend! Start slow, take it easy??? Not me!
I will confess that these 3 seemingly easy jobs were a lot harder to take on than I thought. Maybe they would have been easy 3 months ago, but with broken arms it was a bit of a challenge. I had to call Paige over a few times to help me lift things and scrape out the large (20qt.) mixing bowl. I felt bad pulling her away from what she was doing, so I had to get a little creative with moving things around and working with the heavy things. Let's just say I am glad I was working alone because anyone else there would have laughed at me trying to carry a mixing bowl with my legs or pushing the table with my hips. Who knew baking could be such a aerobic experience! By the time I was finished with all 3 projects my arms were pretty sore and swollen; I had to ice them for a few days afterward :( .
I am absolutely my toughest critic (although Nathan is pretty critical as well), but considering the circumstances I was pretty pleased with how everything turned out! Everyone was very complimentary. I can't wait to start taking on more work and getting back into a routine!
For the first bridal shower I made a yellow butter cake with vanilla bean custard filling and an American buttercream frosting. The bride's colors are yellow and silver, and she loves sunflowers, so I did a basic white frosting with fondant sunflowers cascading down the side set on top of a silver base.
The baby shower cupcakes were my favorite! My friends Missy and Lynsey are extremely creative, so I knew they would go all out for this shower, especially since it was for the "oh so creative" Holly Mathis! It was the cutest baby shower I have ever been to! Go check out their blogs to see more pics of the shower decor!! The theme was "Nesting" and the colors were baby blue and brown. I made lemon and blueberry marbled cupcakes with a blueberry ginger filling and a Swiss lemon buttercream. The cupcakes were decorated with blue and brown frosting with white chocolate birds, pearls, and little "H"s made from gum paste. Of course I had to play up the nesting theme, so I displayed several of the cupcakes in little nests and set the others on cake stands. If really turned out pretty cute! These pictures are compliments of the talented Lysney Kramer!
I really enjoyed doing the desserts for the bridal shower my mom hosted. Instead of the traditional cake, she opted for tangy lemon tartlettes and strawberry French macaroons...yum! I wasn't able to attend the shower, but my mom said everyone loved the desserts and were very impressed. Nice!
The only project I have coming up is a wedding and groom's cake for my friend Crystal on July 25th. I am a bridesmaid as well, so I will be posting updates on the progress soon since I will have to work on quite a bit of it ahead of time. Until then.....Happy Baking!
7.07.2009
What Doesn't Kill You Makes You Stronger.... Or At Least More Creative!
7.04.2009
Happy 4th of July Ya'll!!!
I usually don't do anything for the 4th (*gasp!*...so unpatriotic I know!). The past few years I think I had to work and was honestly too tired to do much afterward. The city of Brenham is pretty much dead on the 4th, but the surrounding little towns are bursting with activity! There were several parades to choose from, but we settled on going to the one in Round Top. I think this was the first parade I've actually ever enjoyed! Lots of crazy cars, floats, costumes, and tons of mardi gras beads! (no flashing required) It was quirky, odd, country, some slightly inappropriate.... I loved it! We will definitely be going back next year.... we may have started a new tradition!
Later tonight we are going to check out the fireworks at Washington on the Brazos. I haven't been since I was a kid, but I hear it is amazing! I can't wait!
7.02.2009
Etsy!!
I am slowly becoming more and more obsessed with Etsy. At first I just liked to poke around on the site, flip through various vendor listings, and become increasingly more envious of their amazing talent and creativity! Now, I find myself spending waaaaay too much time bookmarking and adding sellers to my favorites! I can't help myself, this stuff is just too cool!!
Here are a few of my favorite vendors:
6.22.2009
Summer Favorites!
There are certain things about summer that transport me back to childhood instantly: pina colada sno cones, popsicles, slip-n-slides, blueberries, watermelon, fire flies, sprinklers, the smell of sunscreen.... 
A few weekends ago we had some of my favorite little friends over. After an exhausting game of Cooties, we were left scrambling for ideas of how to entertain these two overzealous and quite ADD little monsters... I mean angels. After a quick trip to the store we came back armed with water guns, swim suits, popsicles, and a tarp ready to be turned into one slick slip-n-slide! After all, summer really hasn't begun until the slip-n-slide is up! 
There is nothing more entertaining than watching kids play outside. The boys had never played on a slip-n-slide before, so it was a lot of fun trying to teach them how to throw yourself down a slick, wet tarp. After a few tries they almost got the hang of it, but preferred to splash around in the hot tub/mini swimming pool, or chase the Thumper Rabbit around the cage shooting her with the water guns instead. I think they had a lot of fun, but one thing is for sure... kids wear the heck out of me! 
What are some of your favorite summer things??
6.13.2009
Engaged!!!
Now way, not me.... my little sister!!! I cannot express to you how excited I am for her! She snatched up one great guy, and I could not be more happy to have Nathan as my new brother-in-law. I love both of them so much, and pray that God will bless their marriage. 
They have decided to speed this whole engagement purgatory period up and set the wedding date for October. So, these next 4 months will be nothing but wedding, wedding, wedding!!
Congratulations Paige and Nathan!! I love you!!
6.04.2009
Perfect Attendance!!
My friend, Katy, gave the the cutest card for my birthday. This is what it said:
Wow! You're Still Present and accounted for... Congratulations!!
I must say, I was close to missing a day, but I'm proud to receive this award, haha! =)
I just want to say thank you to all of my family and friends for the birthday wishes. I definitely felt loved!!
The best part about birthdays is always the cake! Paige was supposed to make me a birthday cake, but I was aching to bake, so I took over. I'm still going to tell everyone that I had to make my own birthday cake....even though she was more than willing. This was a delicious devil's food cake, and the marshmallow cream icing was sooooo good!!! I got the recipe from Dorie Greenspan's "Baking," so if you want the recipe go check out her book.
6.02.2009
I'm Your New Best Friend....
So, I know I am a little behind the trend in making these little delights, but I've never been one to stay too much on top of those anyway (that is what I have Paige for). Anyhow, I decided to make these cheesecake truffles for the nurses at therapy (I win friends through sweets and I'm not ashamed). All I have to say is that these are A-mazing!! I am not much of a cheesecake fan (shocking I know), but I loved these!! They are so simple to make, and will last up to 2 months in the freezer...if you have the self-control to keep these around for 2 months I applaud you...no, no....I want to be your friend, so that I can come over and finish them off.
I made these with a simple New York style cheese cake recipe, but you could really use any favorite cheesecake recipe. I think peanut butter, raspberry, strawberry, or caramel cheesecakes would taste great!
I also found a new trick (or new to me trick): Instead of beating the cream cheese to death in the mixer, simply throw everything into the food processor and whiz away... Smooth and creamy every time.
(Makes about 30 truffles)
Line a square baking dish with foil then bake your desired cheesecake. Refrigerate until cooled through. Slice cake into equal squares or use a small ice cream scoop to make cheesecake balls. Place squares or balls on a parchment lined sheet pan and place in freezer for 2-3 hours. Meanwhile, melt your favorite chocolate (about 1lb.) over a double boiler. When melted removed the pot from the burner, but leave the bowl on top of the pot to keep the chocolate warm while you are dipping. Next, dip the cheesecake in the chocolate with a fork and set on parchment or wax paper to set up. Return to freezer for 2-3 minutes. To finish them off either drizzle with white chocolate or sprinkle with nuts (if using nuts sprinkle immediately; chocolate sets very quickly!). Enjoy!!
Posts
