Cubbies & Cupcakes

My  daughters are now to the age where weddings are almost a constant topic of conversation. Daughter Cecelia is engaged, and between her and her fiance Trae, they have friends "tying the knot" every month or two for the next year and a half! Trae's friend Jon and his beautiful wife, Lauren had a lovely winter themed wedding this last weekend and I was honored to make their snowflake cupcakes and a surprise Chicago Cubs(complete with scrolling marquee) cake for groom. Congratulations to a fellow Cubs fan and his bride!

Happy Halloween!

My daughter, Abby, asked me to make a cake for my granddaughter's school bake sale. Since it is October, a Halloween theme seemed like a good idea. I  started out with a plan to make a scary haunted house, but cuteness just won out. Modeling chocolate pumpkins, a fondant toad, and some blackeyed susans decorated a pound cake pumpkin house with a chocolate cake, chocolate frosting and chocolate crumb yard, because we all know Halloween without gobs of chocolate is just unthinkable!

Hair Today...Gone Tomorrow

My hair stylist and friend, Bev, closed her shop today after 30 years. There were lots of tears and stories from the loyal following that are now second and third generation customers. Her shop was an institution in our little town and she will be truly missed. Good Luck, Beverly Jo!

Send Alicia to Asia!

Alicia, my daughter Cecelia's best friend (and former roommate when she attended resided at Wayne State) had a breakfast burrito feed and bake sale to raise funds for her upcoming mission trip to Asia. There was lots of yummy cookies, cupcakes and other tempting treats made by some wonderfully supportive friends, family, and members of her church. My contibution, besides some cookies and dog treats(you can't neglect the pups), was a cake in the shape of a Chinese take out container. the spice cake, made with Chinese five spice, came complete with chopsticks and a fortune cookie, all made of gum paste. I hope she raised a lot of money and has a great year in Asia!

Baby Showers are as Much Fun as Barrel of Monkeys

Banana cupcakes, half with peanutbutter buttercream and the other half with cream cheese frosting on a palm tree cupcake stand! Little Baby Boy Nelson and his mama were showered with adorable monkey theme sleepers, blankets, hats and assorted other tiny stuff! It was a great party! Sorry about the pictures quality, my camera was not working.

Beautiful Brides, Blooms & Birdies!

The very (very) warm temperatures did not dampen the spirits of the wedding guests although it did dampen some clothing and require the cake & cupcakes to remain inside until cutting time. There were 175 sugar flowers and an equal amount of leaves on 4 flavor of cupcakes and a two tiered top cake. Made in Nebraska and carted to Minnesota for assembly, it was a cause for worry all last week. Thanks to the help of my daughter, Cecelia and the gracious couple that hosted the wedding, everything turned out fine. The barefoot bride and bridesmaids(including youngest daughter, Elizabeth) looked lovely despite the heat, and the grooms' awestruck expression when he first saw his bride was worth the 7 hour drive. Congratulations Tesla & Blaine!

These Cupcakes are Wien-derful!

Beanie the dachshund turns 11 this month and so she is included in Matt's family's "Summer Birthday" party. Beanie, Sadie ansd Grace all got baths and will be showing off their snazzy new collars at this evenings festivities.

Of course, this event called for wiener dog cupcakes, and what kind? Vanilla BEAN! The girls will each get one, and don't worry the decorations are brown fondant, not chocolate--perfectly doggie safe!