Happy 4th - from Huntington Beach!

We spent the weekend of the 4th up at Huntington Beach (a.k.a. Surf City USA)  It's about an hour North of us and Mark has a good friend there (Dave) who invited us up to to his condo (on the beach!) for the weekend.  Huntington goes ALL out for the 4th.  They start out the morning w/ a huge parade, they even shut down PCH for the event!  Houses are all decorated out, people lining the streets early with their chairs - very Americana - with a SoCal twist! 

I loved this pony picture, her "nails" are coordinating - and she's smiling!

When the parade is over, the hundreds - thousands! - hit the streets, the pier and the beach!  Bikes are the ONLY way to get around!

If you watch Entourage (awesome show!) you'll appreciate this car!  Super clean '63 Lincoln Continental convertible, with suicide doors!  

It was a gorgeous day at the beach - a view from Huntington Pier (you can see Dave's condo!)

BBQs and parties going on all day...   that night, we were treated to a most amazing fireworks show off the pier.   What a great way to celebrate the 4th!   

Saturday morning, we had breakfast at Rudy's...   when your in HB for breakfast, they serve up the BEST cinnamon bun french toast!   Yeah, it's that good!

Had a great weekend! - Thanks Dave and Rose for the hospitality!   I think today, we'll relax at home by the pool (i.e., take nap!) and recover from the "fun" and the "sun"!    Happy 4th everyone!!

Pacific Beach

Well, Sunday's are turning out to be our "beach day"...  we've been checking out different beaches in the area, and today we went to Pacific Beach (or as the local's refer to as "PB"), just South of La Jolla.   It's a huge beach, lots of places to eat, shop and lots of nightlife (so we're told), a popular area for SD college students!  There's a long boardwalk that stretches all the way down to Mission Beach, and Mission Bay (just N. of San Diego), you can rent bikes, surfboards, pretty much anything you need - we'll definately bring our bikes back w/ us next time, that's the way to to get around (parking is definately a challenge!).   

Next weekend we're heading up to Huntington Beach (Surf City USA!) for the 4th of July.  A friend of ours who lives there, has invited us up for the festivities - apparently they shut down PCH (Pacific Coast Hwy) for a huge parade and a pier festival.  We love Huntington, great beach, excellent surfing, and great people watching!   Should be fun!

Love the smells...!

I know I'm in California, when I get here, and smell the smells! OK, not it's not exhaust, or smog! ...it's the fresh rosemary and sage, the honeysuckle and lavender, and the ocean... it's what I love most about it here. Here's a sample of what's in my yard!

The view from my bedroom... this is the best! On a clear day, you can see the ocean... and in 20 minutes I can be there!

California or Bust!!

Well we made it! It wasn't easy... but we made it! What a crazy month it's been it's been! We (yes, "we", not a moving company!) packed up our house, and moved everything with PODS!... Stayed at "granny and grampa's for 10 days! (4 adults, 2 kids, and a 120# dog, in a 2 bedroom house!)... Matt's graduation ceremony ("YEAH Matt!!"), drove 1/2 way across the country in two cars... Matt's Jeep breaks down just outside Midland (see "Monahan's" pictures!)... but WE MADE IT!! It's been awhile since I've had a chance to update my blog, we just got internet access, and phone lines, etc., etc., and am almost done getting the house in some type of order - I HATE MOVING!! Here's a few pictures from recent weeks....

We're so proud of you Matt!! (You look like "Mr. T"!) Congratulations - you did it!

Cooper, Zoe, Jake and Taylor, chillin' out at Granny's house! (Taylor, is that a smile?!?!)

Jake was a trooper, riding on the roof...! Gas... $3.97 a gallon (you don't want to know what we're paying here!)

Matt's Jeep broke down in Monahan's Texas... about 50 miles West of Odessa! Not much here but the sand dunes and a Jeep dealership! I swear they were an oassis in the dessert!

(That's Matt out there!)

They're pretty... but I prefer my sand with some water! No water here!

Hangin' up the apron....

A bittersweet cake weekend...  I did my last two weddings this weekend, for the summer!   Not a planned break, or vacation, or just bein' lazy...  My family is up for big changes!   My husband took a new job very recently, and it's relocating us to San Diego, California!   Being from Southern California, I was jumping with enthusiasm on this inside when we found out!    (...not jumping so much, when we started pricing homes!)   Thanks to Cake Carousel

 (www.cakecarousel.com) for helping me out with pending orders!  If you guys are wanting a referral, this is the place!   They do wonderful work, and their staff is great! 

So it is with great sadness that I leave all my loyal clients and friends!  This past year has been awesome!  I will most definately be starting up my business again, in the San Diego county area this fall, so please stay tuned to my blog this summer!!  I'll continue to post interesting cake tid-bits and new designs that I'll be practicing for my entry piece for the upcoming Oklahoma cake show - and taking some new classes as well!   Can't wait!   ...so keep checkin' back!

For my final cakes this weekend, I ended with the following beauties...

This 4 tiered cake, was designed for Kayna - she  wanted a brown cake w/ lilac colors, to match her wedding colors - I thought it came out beautiful - nice contrast!  (Love pastels w/ dark 

brown!)  Lemon and white cake, w/ raspberry filling, all iced in vanilla buttercream and

 covered w/ chocolate fondant.  (Fondant was definately for color and effect on this cake!)

...and Kristen's cake, alternating ribbons and scrolls, w/ a fresh floral topper.  (All squares this weekend!)  White almond sour cream cake w/ strawberry filling and chocolate fudge cake, w/ chocolate buttercream...  we did the grooms cake in carrot cake, so we snuck some chocolate in there for her!

 

So, that's it for now - I've packed up the mixers, pans, spatula's, tips and tools...  off to sunny California!  Just in time...  just saw the forcast for Dallas this week:  95,  96,  96, 96 !!   UGH!

..that, I won't miss!!   

Peace!

Count 'em - FIVE !

Five weddings this weekend - my record! ...and I don't intend on breakin' it any time soon! I don't know how I talked myself into this, my limit is usually 2, maybe 3 but 5?! They're all done, all delivered and all were beauties! ...no repeat designs - all new and different, and lots of color!

Ashley's three tiered butter yellow cake, w/ white scroll work and white gumpaste bow. Fresh flowers topped off this white almond cake with buttercream frosting.

Johanna's cake was a simple design (she was going for "flavor"!) wanting the cake to match her wedding invitations. White almond sour cream cake, and fresh strawberry cake, all iced in cream cheese icing. Love the cake topper! (...I think bride should be on top!) Cicelyanne wanted to incorporate her peacock feathers into her wedding cake, and we came up with this design. We opted w/ a fake base for her feather trim, so the feathers weren't actually on the cake itself. The feather topper was a cake topper she found on line - and

matched perfectly! Denise brought me a photo of a cake she had found, and absolutely loved (original designer unknown). We changed the bows to red, to match her colors. Amaretto cake with buttercream icing. Red roses were added to the top.

Lastly, my favorite (maybe because it's so big!) - Leian's cake was all fresh strawberry cake w/ cream cheese filling, and iced in buttercream. Sage green fondant ribbon wrapped each tier, and decorated w/ white scroll work. Fresh flowers added the finishing touch!

Congratulations to all the happy couples!

Happy Memorial Day everyone!

Go green!

We're hearing a lot of that these days - "go green"! Get echo friendly, environmentally conscious, help our earth by using and wasting less and recycling more - I'm all about it!

I think it's our duty and responsibility to help ensure the wellness of our planet for our future, and our childrens future! Do your part and visit: http://www.worldwatch.org/ for 10 easy ways, to go green!

Speaking of going "green", here's my contribution this weekend, with a green cake for Courtney!

Her colors were pink and green - very popular and very spring-like! I love it! I unfortuntaely forgot to take a photo of the grooms cake, that I was dying to dig into! A large two tiered chocolate fudge cake, w/ raspberry filling and chocolate buttercream icing, chocolate ganache drizzles, and fresh raspberries mounded on the top! YUM! Courtney's cake, was a white almond sour cream cake, with cream cheese filling, and vanilla buttercream icing... grab a fork and a tall glass of cold milk! (champagne goes quite nicely too!)

Congratulations to Rosebud and Brent - and their princess castle wedding cake! Rosebud's cake (don't you love that name!) was a 4 tiered white almond sour cream cake, w/ vanilla buttercream. Fondant swags and staircase lead up to her castle cake topper!

...and congrat's to Adrienne and Hans tonight, they were married at Landon Winery here in downtown McKinney (very fun place!) I don't have a photo, but Adrienne wanted a simple cake for her reception. 3 tieres, 2 chocolate fudge, and one French vanilla - all w/ raspberry filling and iced in vanilla buttercream. Decorations were a simple black ribbon and bow around each of her tiers. (Unfortunately Allison didn't charge her camera last night, and no picture!)

Have a great week everybody!!

Jenna's Cake

Unless your living under a rock - you've heard Jenna Bush and her fiance were married this past Saturday, at "the ranch" in Crawford, Texas...    Of course, I was axiously awaiting to see the cake!! Though I've seen a picture of the cake - I can't find who did it...  (details are closely guarded!) Rumor is, it was the pastry chef from The White House.    Pretty cake, simple and elegant for their country wedding, decorated with white roses, and blue and yellow flowers.   Is it me, or is the top of the cake...   crooked?

...or if it's supposed to look this way?!    

What do you think??!

Congrat's to the happy couple!

Wedding Week on FoodTV

Set your digital recorders - it's wedding week on FoodTV - which means... wedding cakes!! There's a new surprise engagement cake challenge, a Bobby Flay wedding cake "throw down", history of wedding cakes, new Ace of Cakes, all kinds of great stuff! I know what I'll be watching! http://www.foodnetwork.com/food/tv/

You can also check out some really great cakes posted to the Ace of Cakes Cake Community: http://www.foodnetwork.com/food/show_db/text/0,,FOOD_26996_67255,00.html

Here piggy, piggy!

OK, this was definately a first! ...maybe a last?! Thought the cake came out cute (?) but not sure about the concept - cutting into this "wild boar" cake, (red velvet by the way) seems a little gross for a wedding... but that's just me! This grooms cake was selected by the bride, for her man -a hunter of wild game! I'm sure he'll love it! This cake was carved from sheet cakes, covered in fondant and color was airbrushed. Tusks and ears were formed out of gumpaste.

This 5 tiered cake, was for a special 50th anniversary. Combination of white almond sour cream cake, and chocolate fudge cake, iced in vanilla buttercream. We were going for a "latte" colored icing w/ ivory scroll work, and little gold fondant pearls. Chocolate brown fondant ribbon, was used as a border for each cake. We added a large floral cake topper, but my battery had died (of course!) Congratulations Jim and Peggy!

Tori's Cake (My version)!

Tori and Ryan celebrated their wedding this weekend, with a reception at the beautiful Melrose Hotel. I posted a picture last week or so, with a cake photo that Tori sent me, that she absolutely loved. Who wouldn't - it was a gorgeous cake! ...although I had no idea how the design on the sides was achieved! So with a little creativity, this is my version. We did the cake, in a pale pink - iced in buttercream, then fondant panels were wrapped around the cake. I used a lace impression mat for the texture, and details were overpiped w/ royal icing. Chocolate fondant ribbons and bows decorated the cake, with rhinestone broaches to give it some bling - I thought it turned out beautiful! Each tier was a different flavor too! I hope you loved it Tori!

Can't leave out Ryan's cake! His cake was lovely too! Chocolate fudge w/ chocolate buttercream, and chocolate curls and dipped berries... YUM!

Congratulations Tori and Ryan!

Something old, something new...

...I think I've used this title before, but it fit! Two weddings this weekend to celebrate - one new cake design (kind of) and one old! (I hate saying old - lets just call it a repeat!)

Charity's cake was white almond cake, with cream cheese filling, iced in vanilla buttercream. Bottom tier w/ diamond imprint pattern, and fondant pearls, second tier w/ fondant striping (pearlized) and the top, scrolls. I can't tell you how many times I've done this cake or variations of this cake!!

Wai Shan's cake was a three tiered fresh strawberry cake, with cream cheese filling and buttercream icing. Sage green fondant swags, with gumpaste calla lilies. Very simplistic, but very beautiful! Tall calla lily arrangements decorated all the tables, very pretty!

Off to make a froggy birthday cake for Victoria! I'll post a finished picture tomorrow!

The Knot - Best of Weddings 2008

For the bride-to-be, who expects nothing but the best on her wedding day (who wouldn't?!)... this is your insiders guide to the top-rated wedding professionals across the country! The new issue of Best of Weddings (2008), published by The Knot, is out and available! This beautiful magazine is chock-ful of ideas and advise - from bridal salons, to cake bakers, to photographers. A great reference guide, if you're planning your wedding or helping someone who is! Of course if you're looking for "local" references here in the Dallas area - I'll be happy to point you in the right direction!

Martha Stewart - Spring 2008

The new issue of Martha Stewart Weddings (Spring 08) is out! http://www.marthastewart.com/weddings A must have for brides this season! The beautiful cover features diamonds! Articles include, selecting the perfect diamond ring, gorgeous cakes designed by Wendy Kromer, new trends in flowers and boquets and glamorous receptions! If your needing some inspiration or ideas for your wedding and reception - you know Martha's got it covered!