Good things

So yes I have been very quiet lately, but that just means I've been busy creating. I have been collaborating with a friend for a lovely spring inspired baby shower. I can't wait to share pictures very soon, but until then here is a little taste.

My First baking class 101

Recently I had the pleasure of hosting a baking class in my home.  I have had several friends ask how I do some of the baking and decorating I do.  I figured gathering them all together would be a good way to answer everyone's questions all at once and have a good time too.  We did have a good time, but I'm pretty sure I didn't answer everyone's questions or even come close to teaching them everything I wanted to.  I learned very quickly that four hours is not long enough to teach baking and decorating basics to one person let alone 8 people all crammed into my kitchen.  I still feel like it was a success though and I would do it again in a heartbeat.  Here are some pictures of our shenanigans.  

Amaretto Cupcakes with Espresso Buttercream

This is not one of my long drawn out walk through tutorials about how to bake something.  It is however a recipe that I whipped up (literally) for cupcakes with two of my favorite ingredients, amaretto and espresso.  I won't bore you with the how or why of it, just get down to the nitty gritty and deliciousness of it.  Here's the recipe...

Hello Kitty Ears tutorial

A long long time ago, well it seems like a long time ago, I made these Hello Kitty ears for my sweet Mara's 4th birthday party.  I wanted to post the tutorial then but things happened and time went by and now here I am three months later.  These are very easy to make and require very few materials.  In my book that makes them a wonderful party accessory.  The party was in January and Mara still to this day wears her ears on occasion when we go out.  Sometimes I forget that she is even wearing them and wonder why so many strangers are smiling and staring.  But who wouldn't smile at that adorable face?  Yes her older sister Marina wears them around the house still too.  I just love my girls.

Star Wars Lego Cake (My first cake order)

I never started out trying to make cakes for people,  I started out trying to make cakes for myself so I wouldn't have to pay someone else to do it.  I've always loved baking so making my children's Birthday cakes has always been something I enjoy and look forward to, four times every year.  I still don't think I want to have my own cake making business.  I have too many interests to narrow it down to making cakes, but if someone is kind enough to ask then I'm happy to do it. 

Happy Easter!

We are super busy here with Easter activities. I hope that you're weekend is filled with family, friends and lots of yummy goodies

~Sunny~

Light it up Blue

I am lighting it up blue today for my not so little brother, my two wonderfully sweet boys and every other person out there living with autism.  I love both of my boys dearly and every time I think I have them figured out they surprise me with something new.  I vow to never limit my expectations of them because they have autism, but to encourage them to grow and become the amazing people that they will be. 

Happy Autism Awareness Day!

Easter Egg Time!

Every Easter since my kids were itty bitty I have always dyed Easter Eggs.  I've also carved Pumpkins at Halloween too but that is a different story.  Even before they could hold  a spoon I was letting them sit with me and watch or touch as I happily dyed Easter eggs.  I really think I do it more for me than them.  I constantly have to remind myself that their eggs do not have to look perfect and to keep my hands off.  Then I always leave a couple for myself so I can release my own creativity and be done with it.  This year I did things a little differently.  It all started with the Martha Stewart Egg Dying 101 app.

Thing 1 and Thing 2 themed baby shower

I recently had the pleasure of helping some friends with a Thing one and Thing two baby shower for twins.  I've always loved Dr. Seuss so I jumped at the chance. 

The challenge of this shower was that it had to take place within a week, since the Mother was leaving soon to be in the states due to complications with her pregnancy.  Thankfully I had lots of help from my friend Laura the mastermind behind this whole thing and I'm pretty happy with what we accomplished in such a short time.  

Mint Oreo Truffles "Oh my!"

With St. Patrick's Day coming up I had to give these a try.  I love mint and chocolate anything so the idea of putting them into truffle form was genius.  If you don't like mint then these are not for you, but you might like my original Oreo truffle recipe. However if you do like mint then please indulge a little with me. 

My Mother my inspiration

I was cleaning out my storage room yesterday and tucked away in a box with many other papers from my past I found this paper doll.  When I was a little girl my mother drew me this beautiful paper elf doll along with an entire wardrobe and a pet wolf.  Why would a little girl want a paper elf doll with a pet wolf you ask?  I was obsessed with a book called "ElfQuest" by Wendy and Richard Pini.  I guess now you would call it a graphic novel but to me it was just a gigantic comic book with absolutely beautiful illustrations. 

Pinkalicious inspired Birthday party

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Pinkalicious cake

I just had the pleasure of making pink cupcakes and a pink cupcake cake for my friends daughter's Pinkalicious party. For those that don't know Pinkalicious is an adorable book about a girl who eats too many pink cupcakes (sounds like me) and turns pink.

Crepes, crepes, crepes

I will never forget the first time I had a crepe on the streets of Paris.  I'd had crepes before  but none could ever come close to that experience.  It was ham and cheese oozing with warm gooey goodness.  I will never forget how delicious it was and how wonderful it was to be actually in "Paris" while I ate it.  Ever since then I have had an infatuation with this wonderful confection.  It can be savory or sweet.  Served for dessert or breakfast or as a snack.  It's so versatile and simple, yet elegant and delicate. 

Happy Valentines Day!!!

I think what I like about Valentines day is that it's all about love.  Well for my kids it's all about candy and treats and sweets, but for me it's all about love.  I show it by baking for my family and making valentines.  There is nothing better than a homemade Valentine.  Then there is the crafter in me that jumps at a chance to help decorate my children's Valentines box.  The best part is watching the kids dump out that box and read every card and thank every child who gave them a card. It's so sweet.

Here is what we did this Valentines day.