New Look, New Year!

Well, as with every year- when the new year rolls around so do the changes! I've been really contemplating what to do with this site and a total revamp seemed in order so let me know what you think of the changes! Invite your friends to check it out and let me know what you'd like to see in the coming year!

My goals for this year are to focus on each holiday or event and practice by making cakes for each one in advance so by the time it rolls around, I'll be more prepared. Of course, with life in general, if that actually happens we'll see. For the new year, I've decided to do a New Years cake and a birthday cake for my husband's uncle whose birthday is a few days into 2013. I'm still working on design and would love ideas if anyone wants to share. I'd love to get more creative than what I can search for online and thought about combining the two into a stacked cake which I don't do often. I'm afraid if I make a cake that big, that none of it will get eaten, but at least I'll have made it and practiced my skills- that's all I really want for this year.

The instructor who I've taken all of my classes from so far, is done teaching as a Wilton instructor so I'll be doing more online classes I think, but also trying to practice more which means more pictures to share with you all and plenty of cake for my hubby's work. Who wouldn't mind that?

Here's a few design ideas that I'm thinking of for New Years. First off, the birthday cake- his uncle loves playing at the casino so I'm going for something like this.....



Thanks to cakecentral.com for all of the ideas. I love their site and have posted so many things on there, and even taken a part in one of their contests. They have a whole section of just casino type cakes so take a look if you want to see all the different ideas. 


For New Years, I'm thinking a combination of two- something with a clock face on top and then wired silver, gold and white stars coming out the top and around the sides. Normally I'd go for making my own fondant, but since I'm making 2 cakes and taking other things including a taco salad in my new trifle bowl (thanks to my in-laws) I'll keep it simple probably. Again, trying to come up with ideas on my own, but we'll see what happens. Come back in the new year and keep checking back each week for posts to see what I'm up to. I've re-dedicated myself to this and hope others will as well! Looking forward to a great year!

Christmas Has Come To My House!

 

Ok, So it's been awhile since I was on here, but I've had good reason! I've been busy in the kitchen preparing for all of the Christmas hub-bub of the holidays that will be here in 5 days! Yes, I'm 5 days away from Christmas and all of my baking is pretty much done!

 

Ok, I'll admit it- this year, I've used a few mixes to help out the cause because I wanted such a variety of cookies but had a limited budget. I don't think there is anything wrong with wanting to supplement my normal baking with some extra. The cookies that are special to me and the people I bake for I made from scratch though- snowball cookies for my mother-in-law, peanut butter blossoms for the hubby, and I tried a few different kinds like the cool whip cookies or jello cookies that just looked neat! Overall, I think they turned out really well- keep an eye out for those later! Boy do I love pinterest!

Along with all of this, I've been doing a few cakes but it's backed off a little for the holidays and I'm glad for it! Of course for 2013, it's starting back up again with 2 in less than the first week of the New Year- Happy Birthday Rick Eisenhour and Happy Scrapbooking to all of my buddies with a Scrappy cake. Who's Scrappy? That's for the scrappers at the winter retreat to know and you to find out! You'll have to wait....maybe we'll reveal it later!

Well, with all of that there- here's a little preview of what I'm taking to one of our Christmas gatherings for the year.....I'm pretty excited about this one! Wilton makes a cookie tree kit that is either offers premade gingerbread pieces (sorry Wilton, ewww!) or the cookie cutters but I haven't been able to find the cookie cutters set. So, I made my own! Using Wilton's 4 piece snowflake cookie cutter set, I cut each size snowflake out of sugar cookie dough 3 times and baked then stacked and decorated! I think it's so cute surrounded by cookies, decorated with candy and of course more cookies. I should have sold these to friends/family this year, but of course didn't think of it so it will go on the list of things I can sell for next year! Maybe I'll work on some Christmas cakes next week if I have a few days off from work.....I have so many ideas and no time!

Well, on that pretty note and until next time- Have a wonderful holiday!