Pretty in Pink

Today, Annie and Warren got married... and although I've done this cake design a number of times (or variations of it), I just loved it today - I think it was the flowers! I am not a "girly-girl", but I just loved their pink themed wedding! GORGEOUS pink and white flowers filled the ballroom at Royal Oaks Country Club - pink peonies, tulips, roses, hydrangeas... beautiful centerpieces, just an abundance - feels be spring! Wildflower floral designs (http://thewildflower.com/) did a beautiful job. Congratulations Annie and Warren!

(Speaking of "pink", I just stopped at the store, and picked up some pomegranate martini mixer! ...sounds delicious! I'm off to mix up a batch and kick back and enjoy the sunset on this beautiful day!) Cheers!



Warren was a graduate of The Jesuit School in Dallas, and SMU - chocolate fudge cake with chocolate buttercream - all atop a bed of wheat grass!

Tori's Cake

Tori and Ryan (my web designer) are getting married in a couple weeks, and this is Tori's "dream cake" (we had a previous design in mind, but she tripped across this, and just loved it - who wouldn't!) However, I'm not familiar or sure about the technique used on the sides of this cake... so I'm seeking cake advise! To me - it appears to be a fondant impression, wrapped around the cake... but it almost looks like brush embroidery too... Any help from my cake friends out there would be appreciated - I'd love to do this cake for her!

New Firsts!

Had a couple weddings this weekend - and some new venues that I had not yet been too... both unique and unexpected!

First was Mary Jo and Austin's reception, which was being held downtown, at the Dallas World Aquarium. I had no idea the aquarium was set up to hold such events... I loved it! It was completely unexpected (I was thinking... humid, noisy)... quite the contrary - it was beautiful! Views of lush foliage, waterfalls, very tropical. They had a tropical destination wedding, so this suited them. The bride designed her cake, I hope she liked it! (Turtles on the grooms cake was requested by the groom!)

Then was Lindsay and Clarks reception, which was being held at the Performing Arts Center at the historic Collin County Courthouse in downtown McKinney. Again... I was not aware they held private events at the PAC! ...I loved it! It has that majestic historic feeling... old maple floors, exposed brick, lots of windows and cozy little rooms. Even with a large guest count, with all that space, it felt very intimate. (I unfortunately had to leave before the flowers arrived for the cake- I hope they came out pretty!)

Crazy About Cupcakes!

Cupcakes are all the rage! Specialty cupcake shops are popping up everywhere!

Who doesn't love a cupcake? They're little bites of delicious goodness, wrapped up and ready to go!

Cupcakes are also quickly becoming very popular in leau of wedding cakes these days.... They can be served alone, or combined with a small wedding cake, for a whimsicle and less-than-traditional reception.

If you love cupcakes - set your TiVos next week for The Martha Stewart Show.... beginning Monday, is "cupcake week"! Tune in for some tasty recipies and design ideas!

Martha's also on the hunt for the cutest cupcake idea! You can enter to win the "custest cupcake" contest! If you need some inspiration? ....check out these books or go to my favorite sites: http://www.thepinkcakebox.com/ or http://cupcakestakethecake.blogspot.com/ for some of the cutest cupcakes and delicious recipies!

A few new cakes to post...

Aubrey's wedding cake... all various square cakes iced in vanilla buttercream and green ribbon borders. Various lilies and roses decorated the tops.

Grooms cake designed after his favorite hobby! Chocolate fudge cake w/ chocolate buttercream icing. Cake was covered in chocolate fondant, and all details are fondant. (I wished I had a better picture, this came out a little fuzzy...) Big fat chocolate dipped berries added the final touch!

Bananas and berries!

Food TV - Challenge

Since I've been out of town for several days, I had my TiVo set for a couple Food TV Cake Challenges that were on... So I caught up with them last night (2 Challenges and an Ace of Cakes episode! "Whoo-hoo!") OK, so for those of you who frequent my blog, and are closet cake addicts! ...check out the new Challenges on Food TV! There's a "Dr. Suess" cake competition, which The Cake Girls (of Chicago) won - their cake was awesome! (I have a link to their website on my blog page) - I absolutely love their clean elegant style! Then there was a "baby shower" Challenge, and a young (guy) cake designer won - and for the life of me, can't remember his name. Beautiful cake though! Check out the Food TV schedule for the next showing to air - and see what goes into making these amazing, edible, and creative works of art!! http://www.foodnetwork.com/food/show_cc/

Thank you Angel Fire!

We had an awesome weekend up in the mountains! Angel Fire had a foot of new snow the evening before we arrived - ski conditions couldn't have been better and we beat the spring breakers, no one was there!


What a view! The snow capped mountain in the backround is Wheeler Peak, elevation 13K feet.

Matt spent the first half day, teaching Jake how to snowboard... not as easy as it looks, but he totally had it by lunch time! After spending most of the day falling on his butt (and his head), he opted to ski the remaining two days (which he's awesome at! ...I can't keep up with him!)

Looks impressive, hu?! Just after this shot of Matt, he totally bit it! Champ enjoyed the snow for short moments... wasn't a fan of the cold white stuff!
Gas: $260... Equipment rental: $175... Lift tickets: $618... Spending a ski weekend with my family... priceless!

Checkin' Out!

No posts for a few days... we're heading off to Angelfire, NM for a ski weekend! This is where I'll be... ridin' up the Chile Express! What a view!

Snow forcasted for today and tomorrow, sunny and in the 30s for the weekend - perfect spring skiing weather!

Peace out and checkin' out!

Where am I?

McKinney, Texas!
Woke up this morning to a beautiful blanket of snow - simply gorgeous! Jake was up and outside by 7:00am! School was delayed this morning by 2 hours, so he got some snowball playin' time in! Forecast today calls for a high of 58 - though beautiful - it's short lived!

My weekend...

Just a few photo's from cakes this weekend... a beautiful red and white cake, fo Sarah and Greg's wedding (Greg is a Carrollton firefighter). Missed two other wedding cake pictures this weekend, due to "camera issues"! (Margie, and Ashley - send photo's if you have 'em!)

Also a cute little birthday cake for Ebby Halliday (who turned 97!)

We got back from Austin last night, for Matt's award presentation at the capital. A quick trip, but had a great time (how can you not have a great time in Austin!) The awards ceremony was very nice, we were so proud of Matt and his accomplishment! (We just found out last week, another piece of his was selected to go to "state" in April!)

Way to go Matt!

So proud...

My son, Matt (17) is an amazing artist. Amazing! He continue's to "wow" us on a regular basis, each piece better than the last! He's truely gifted... it brings us such joy to see him excel in something he truly loves!

Last night Matt was honored by the MISD (McKinney Ind. School District) board of directors, recognizing his achievement as an award winner in the 2008 Texas Youth Art Month artwork competition. His artwork was chosen over 100 entries from the district and throughout the state of Texas. His piece (along 2 others from MISD) will displayed during the month of March, in the Capitol Rotunda, down in Austin. We're going down this weekend, for a reception and a "meet and greet" with the Governor! What an amazing opportunity - we couldn't be prouder!

His piece is an airbrushed self portrait (he's self taught with the airbrush, and I think this is his 2nd or 3rd piece that he's done!). Also - I'm posting his most recent pencil drawing, titled "girl on bike". Way to go Matt!!

Lions and cheetah's and flamingo's - oh my!

It was a animal themed weekend! Here's some of the cakes from the weekend, cow prints, cheetah prints, zebra prints, froggies and flamingo's!!

I'm published!!

I had a few people tell me that my cake from the OSSAS (Oklahoma State Sugar and Arts Show) was featured in the latest issue of American Cake Decorating magazine... well I hadn't received my copy yet - but I did yesterday... and it's in there! ACD is the largest circulating cake decorating magazine in the US. There were probably 80+ cakes in this competition - amazing cakes... so to have my little cake in here, is extremely flattering! Happy day!! (It's the cake at the top right corner, I know my image is a little fuzzy/crooked, but that's it!)

Rejuvinated!

Just got back from 4 days in SoCal - spent a couple days in Del Mar/La Jolla, did some shopping and ate at some fantastic places! Lovely town! I thought when I won the lottery - I wanted to live in Newport Beach, but I don't know, I'm really lovin' Del Mar! Also spent a day and night in Laguna - another top contender for the best place to live! Enjoyed a very swanky dinner at The Montage - WOW! It was tough packing my bags this morning, to catch our flight home... see why!

Views of Laguna Beach