Smash Cake For Seeley

This cake is for a little guy who goes to church with me, and he is having is 1 year pictures with Cindy Stansberry today! I can't wait to see how they turn out.

What a difference a YEAR makes!!

It was a year ago today that I made my first post on this blog. I am so excited that I finally kept a New Years Resolution! When I started I wasn't really sure what would happen. I was hoping to work in different mediums each week, but I got so many requests for baked goods that it just kind of took on a life of its own! Granted, I didn't post every week like I said I was going to because this past fall I got very busy while teaching in the morning and at night. But, after I totalled everything up, I had more than enough projects to have one for each week. All together, I had 77 unique projects for the year. There were others, but I didn't take pictures of things I didn't decorate. I really appreciate all of the support that I got from all of you this year, and I am looking forward to a great 2011! As a little thank you, I am giving 25% off any orders placed through the end of the week. Just call or send me an email and I will get it on the calendar, even if you won't want it for months, you can still get the discount!

 This week, I did branch out a little bit, and I made something I had never even eaten before. There seems to be quite a bit of buzz surrounding macaroons right now, so I decided I should try making some. The one's above are French macaroons, I filled these with chocolate ganache. I was drawn to the French style because they make such pretty little sandwiches, and I love the fact that you can make them in so many color and flavor combinations.

Car Cake

Here is a car cake that I did for a family that I have done several cakes for recently. I made the road, and they added the cars.

Trip to Texas

This past weekend, we went to Texas for my friend Megan's wedding. It was absolutely beautiful! We also got to visit Waco, and Brian got to see Baylor for the first time. Here are a few pics from that visit. I realized that I have almost no pictures of campus, so I was happy to snap a few on this visit. This was my first time back since I got my master's in 2006, and many things have changed (new residence halls) and many things were still the same, and I was excited to see it all!

Our mascot, is the bear. Here are Lady and Joy sleeping in their habitat in the middle of campus.

These few are of the Armstrong-Browning Library. This is probably one of my favorite places on campus, it is just an amazing building. It is home to the largest collection of poet Elizabeth Barret Browning "stuff." It is also a popular place for brides to have their portraits taken.  I so wish I could have had mine done there.

Another favorite place- Common Grounds. I was so happy they had pumpkin pie coffee the day we were there!

This was my little house in grad school, I couldn't believe it was still there!

Brian enjoying his first George's experience. (Please note the big o margarita in the bottom right hand corner, I couldn't go without having one)

Happy New Year!

 I hope everyone had a great new years! We had so much fun celebrating with some great friends. Everyone brought a dish to enjoy for dinner. I am lucky to know so many good chefs because dinner was beyond good.

 I got to use my wiggle woggle again. Shannon had these super cool candle holders that we filled with some small garland. They are from Crate and Barrel, and I think I might need to get my own.

 Here are the desserts I did. They were strawberry champagne parfaits with handmade chocolate garnishes.

Vacation and the Idea House

We just got back from a ski vacation in Steamboat Springs. We got a great deal because we went right before high season. It was so nice to get away and not have any worries for a few days. Steamboat was beautiful, and I got to see my friend Hannah on the way there.

One night we went to a restaurant where we got to cook our own steaks. It was a lot of fun. Brian did a great job cooking our NY strips.

The picture above is terrible, and somewhere in the blur is a bear. We were standing by an outdoor fireplace, and this baby bear came walking down the steps. It was kind of sad though, because since the bears are all supposed to be hibernating, this guy might not have much of a chance to make it to spring. We were talking to one of the guys who works at the resort, and he said that the natural resources people might be able to trap it and find a den to place him with.

and here we are on the slopes. THe weather was beautiful.

I also got to go tour the Southern Living Idea home with the Elizabeths. This was my second time to go, but it was neat to see the Christmas decorations this time around. I need to find my pictures form the first time I went, because naturally, there were some great ideas!

Merry Christmas!!!

 I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas. I am enjoying my first white Christmas, and it has been a great day to be with family and friends! We started out the day watching Christmas Vacation. Then, it was on to the church to help serve meals. I have helped coordinate the Christmas day dinner for the last 3 years, and this was the biggest year yet, we served over 1300 meals to residents of Griffin today. I am so thankful for all my wonderful volunteers! Above is a cake I made for a co-worker to take to a family party, it was red velvet with chocolate ganache filling, and I made my first icing poinsettias.

Above is my table set up from Christmas Eve. Both sides of our families came over for chili after the service . I recently inherited a wiggle woggle from Brian's side of the family. His great- aunt had this made back in the 60s, and along with the piece I have the magazine article that describes how to use it (which I thought was pretty cool). A wiggle woggle is two curved pieces of wood with holes for the candles. I decorated mine with greenery, hydrangeas, fuji mums, button mums, carnations, and roses. I can't wait to use it at other times of the year! I also used the table cloth and napkins that my great-grandmother made to go with her dining room set (which I also inherited).