Having a little fun in the kitchen on an icey day

I am at home today, the weather outside has prevented my kids from going to school and mama from going to work so I thought I would work on the cakes that I am making for a birthday party this weekend.  Here is a little sneak peek.  Can you guess what kind of cakes they are going to be?

Who loves ice cream???

I love ice cream, especially the homemade kind.  I became acquainted with The Hungry Housewife when I was doing a little contest for The Real Women of Philadelphia and I have been following her ever since.  She is hosting a giveaway for a cuisinart ice cream maker so if you are interested in winning one then please go HERE

Stay tuned......

I am getting ready to start working  on an adorable cake for a 1 yr old.  The theme is Winter ONEderland.  You won't want to miss this, especially if you love the color pink!

How would you like to win over $2000 in prizes???

Laura Winslow Photography is having an awesome giveaway right now!  Over $2k in prizes from over 59 shops!!!  You won't want to miss this!!  Go HERE!!!

You won't want to miss this!

I know you have heard me talk many times about the Silouette crafting machine.  I absolutely love all the things you can do with this machine and so will you.  Head on over to The TomKat Studio for your chance to win one!

My exciting night with The Food Network and Robert Irvine

I was completely filled with excitement when I was approached by a good friend of mine at work to attend a taping for  a Food Network show.  It was a taping of a new show with Robert Irvine as the host and is called Restaurant Impossible.  I have seen Robert Irvine on Dinner Impossible several times so I was elated to be able to attend.  I could bring someone along and I immediately thought of my sister who is in love with The Food Network as much as I am.

We arrived at Meglio's an Italian restaurant in St. Louis, MO and had to stand outside until they were ready for us to come in and eat dinner while being taped.  Was this really happening?  I could feel the excitement getting to me.  A guy with a headset on came out to give us a briefing of what we should and shouldn't do.  All I can really remember out of the whole thing was that we were NOT to look directly into the camera.  This was repeated several times.

When we walked in the place was fantastic.  It was filled with neutral tones and reds and the lights were beautiful.  We were sat at a corner booth, very cozy.  We were approached by Robert Irvine before we ever really got a chance to look at the menu.  He sat down at our table and  I think my jaw hit the floor and I became one of those people who couldn't say or do anything so I just decided nodding my head up and down would be best for now.   He was asking if we had ever been there before and about how The menu I must admit, took  me by surprise.  They had appetizers like fresh toasted ravioli and calamari.   There were a variety of entree's like steak, chicken, fish and of course pizza.  My sister and I agreed to order the calamari and our other friends at the table ordered the fresh toasted ravioli and Ahi tuna.  We all decided to try each other's appetizers and this worked very well as we got a taste for everything  The calamari melted in your mouth and was in a sage butter cream sauce or at least that was my guess on what I thought it was.  The toasted ravioli was the best I have ever had.   Next came my entree, I ordered the Sea Bass and I was defiinitely in heaven when I tasted the first bite.  It was so juicy and seasoned very well.  It  was rested on top of a potato hash that had a fresh tomato marinara sauce.  I was very pleased with the whole dinner.  This is when the fun began.  The crew came over to record us eating and saying what we most like best about the meal.  If we didn't say what they  wanted to hear we would have to repeat ourselves and then do it again if necessary.  This was such a fun experience as I had never been involved in anything like this.  When we done taping, I didn't believe that I had just experienced everything I had.  The moment was definitely surreal.

My daughter's Candyland themed birthday party, it's great turning ONE

I am back!!!  Sorry for being gone so long but I have had so much going on which is why I needed a little break.  I hosted a 1st birthday party for my daughter Hayden and then I had my significant other's son turn 8 the very next weekend so I had a lot to pull off.  I am so excited to share with you the party I had for Hayden Olivia.  I have been planning this party for months and knew when I saw the party printables at The TomKat Studio that I had to have a candy themed birthday party.  Hayden is my last little one and the youngest of 3 girls so I had to go all out for this party.  I used many blogs that I follow as inspiration but Kim from The TomKat Studio has definitely been one of the greatest inspirations of all.  I saw her pictures and blog about her daughter Kate's lollipop birthday and that's where it all started.  I decided on a color palette first and the bright colors just made it so much fun.  Here are some of the pictures from the party, hope you enjoy and find inspiration for your next party.

Everything from this dessert table was made by me and my sister Brittani and we had so much fun doing it.

The adorable outfit Hayden Olivia is wearing was made by my wonderful friend Bonnie Godat and her sister Robin Godat.  They are from TuTu Chic Bebe and you can find them on Facebook.  Check them out for some wonderful outfits and accessories for your girl or boy.

You won't want to miss this

Have you heard of the Silouhette?  I have blogged about it a few times before but Twig & Thistle is giving one away.  Go HERE for your chance to win one yourself!  Good Luck!

When things get a little crazy

Unfortunately things have gotten a little crazy for me lately so I am going to be taking a break for the month of October.

Hope to be back at it soon!!

another Silouette giveaway

I couldn't be more excited, I will have enter to win this wherever I can.  I am just in love. 

For your chance go here!!!

A Silouette Giveaway

I came across a Silouette giveaway and I had to share my excitement.  This machine does so many things and I want one so bad.  It would be great for making many crafty things.  If you want your chance jump on over here

Tropical Wedding Cake

When Kimberly came to me about doing a wedding cake I was a little nervous but really excited.  It would be my first but I knew I would be up for the challenge.  She came to me with a computer drawing of what she wanted and I fell in love when I saw it.  It was truly fun and had a tropical feel.  The colors of her wedding were so bright and vibrant.  Take a look at the pics from this cake, the colors will make you smile.

My First Wedding Cake

Well today is the day!  I have been hard at work all week on a wedding cake.  It hasn't been easy since I have had a sick little girl at home but I managed to cram everything in yesterday and finally it is done.  I am thrilled with the results and I can't wait to post pics later of the finished cake.

I will give you a sneak peek of what my kitchen looked like in the process of making 4 tiers of cakes which in my kitchen is a total of 8 cakes as well as 4 fillings, icing and enough fondant to feed a small country.

I loved the experience of making my first wedding cake, come back tomorrow for the completed cake pics!

Big weekend and an exciting next week

I have really big plans this weekend.  I am making a 2 tiered cake for a 12 yr old's birthday and then next week I have my first wedding cake.  I am excited and nervous all at the same time.  I also have to find time this weekend to put up my first post on my new site Sass in the Kitchen.  I have lots to do but I will be posting pics of the birthday cake tomorrow and next week follow me along as I show the step by steps of making my first wedding cake.  Have fun and be safe this weekend and enjoy your family and friends!

Cremacor cookware giveaway!!!

I am in love with this new cookware, I wish I could buy everything they have but good news is The Jackson Five blog is giving away one 10" skillet.  Check out their blog and enter for your chance to win!!!

Do you love to be crafty???

If you love anything crafty head over to Project Nursery to check out their amazing giveaway for the Silouhette machine.  I want one soooo bad!!!

One more for the day, another giveaway

If you love hanging out in sweats you need to check out the cutest sweats on earth!  The Jackson Five family blog is giving away a whole sweat suit and it's just adorable!

http://thejacksonfivefamily.blogspot.com/2010/05/lolly38-review-give-way.html

A giveaway happening

I am a fan of Whish, it's a company specializing in moisturizers.  The Jackson Five blog I follow is having a giveaway!!!  I suggest you go check it out!!

http://thejacksonfivefamily.blogspot.com/2010/05/whish-review-give-way.html

A new chocolate love......

I love chocolate, doesn't every girl?  My sister was visiting over the weekend and if anyone knows us they would know the thing we love to do most is cook and bake together.  She is a very good cook and baker so when she told me her favorite kind of chocolate to just sit and eat was chocolate with a touch of sea salt it sounded like something I had to have right away.  I love all things sweet and salty.  So, I just so happen to go the store the very next day and what was staring straight at me in the candy isle?  A Lindt dark chocolate bar with a touch of sea salt.  I grabbed it right away and couldn't wait to get home and try some but first I had to make dinner for the family.  I was so anxious by the time I got to the chocolate I was about to explode.  Let me tell ya, taking the first bite was magical.  You got the wonderful chocolate flavor with hints of salt.  It was a flavor explosion in my mouth.  Thanks to my sister for sharing this wonderful idea.  I now have a new found love.

Cardinals baseball cake

I had so much fun putting together my latest cake.  I never thought I would be able to tackle a sports themed cake.  I have 3 princesses so I haven't had a lot of experience in this dept.  However, I loved taking on the challenge of this cake and think it turned out not so bad.  Take a look at the pics and let me know what you think?!

the makeup divas giveaway

The makeup divas are having a curling iron give away.  I am hairstylist and this new tool is going to be a great tool for getting the waves that are so in style right now. Go check it out!!!


www.themakeupdivas.com

Gotta love Facebook

It's amazing what starting a fan page on Facebook can do for  a business.  I started it a little while ago and the orders have been coming in like crazy.

Recently I did a baby shower cake and another catfish cake.  I guess here in the good ol' midwest catfish are a popular item.  You would not believe how crazy a man can get about seeing a cake like this.   Here are some updated pics, enjoy!!!

I need a name

 I have been thinking for a while now that I need a name for doing my cakes as a side job.  I am having a problem finding the right one though.  I have searched the ones I have thought of and there are already a lot out there with the names I have chosen.  I need help finding the perfect name.  If you can think of anything please leave me a comment and let me know your thoughts!!!!

Is this for real?

I got a call from my brother not too long ago and it was an unusual request.  He told me he was having a fish fry and that he wanted a cake representing that theme.  I searched high and low for different fish and fishing themes however I felt since the fish fry was using catfish it was only appropriate that I use that as my cake.  I looked at a bunch of pictures online and this is the cake I came up with.  I thought it didn't turn out too bad, actually from the looks of it I didn't know if I could even eat it.  The inside of the cake was red velvet so you can only imagine what it looked like when my brother decided to pull back the fondant and act as if he were skinning it and then cutting into it reminded me of the armadillo cake from Steel Magnolias.  It was quite the sight to see but everyone enjoyed it and got a good laugh about it too!


Does this look real?

It's been a while.........

Okay, so I know it's been a while since I posted. I think sometimes my life gets away from me with three kids ranging in age from 13 years to 5 months and a full time day job. I recently have had more requests for cakes and I love doing them so I thought I would put some pictures up of the cakes I have done. If anyone ever needs a cake done I will be more than happy to help if I am able. Just let meknow!!

The Provident Woman at www.theprovidentwoman.com is giving away a gorgeous knife set. Go to her website and leave a comment for your chance to win these wonderful knives!!!
http://www.theprovidentwoman.com/?p=1958&cpage=1#comment-2634

Tonight was not just an ordinary Monday night, it was the night I witnessed my man baking in the kitchen. With some help and instructing from me he made the cookies from start to finish and from scratch none the less. Should I say that maybe I am starting to rub off on him?

We got the recipe online at Words to Eat By Click Here!

They turned out super delicious but it made so many we were eating cookies forever............

B and B versus home made marshamllow fondant

It's January 17th and today was the B and B versus home made marshmallow fondant. Now I know that all you busy ladies out there are thinking... why in the you know what would we attempt fondant when we could have just as easily bought that 6 pound slab of sugar from the store and saved ourselves the sticky mess. The truth is that fondant isn't cheap. Well, neither are the rest of the baking supplies that us fanatics have to have. Ok, more like want, but still. So instead of spending way too much money on fondant, we ventured into the kitchen like the troops we are. To be completely honest, it was a breeze. The fondant recipe we used was super simple and a snap to make. there were a few mishaps with the powdered sugar but the mixer eventually surrendered. We weren't going down without a fight. We are two sisters who love to bake and love to spend time together. Each masterpiece we create has an experience to match it. And as always, one of us manages to make the other laugh so hard that "tinkling" one's pants could be a possible outcome. We thought we would start off simple. Fondant is to cake what plastic surgery is to Dolly Parton. It will cover anything. But if handled wrong it can be messy and a big pain in the rear end. Here's our experience and the recipe. Hope all you sweets lovers out there are enjoying a piece of chocolate (or some other favorite sweet) as you read this.

Brandy and Brittani

Materials:

16 oz of mini marshmallows
2 tbsp of water
1 tsp of vanilla (or any flavoring you choose)
2 lb powdered sugar
Crisco

First and foremost, crisco everything!! Put Crisco on the paddle attachment, bowl, spatula. We melted the marshmallows and 2tbsp water in a microwave safe bowl for about a min and if it's not enough do it again in 20 second intervals.
Add the melted marshmallows and your flavoring to the mixing bowl and add in the powdered sugar a cup at a time. (This will be messy!!! so you can always wrap some plastic wrap around the mixer before turning it on)
It is done when the dough isn't sticking to your fingers, but it shouldn't be too dry either.
Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and let rest for at least an hour.