The Journey Of The Wedding Cake

3 batches of Royal Icing were made.
Approximately 350 cornflower blue flowers were made.
About 350 wild rose flowers were made.
8 batches of buttercream frosting were made.
2 batches of lemon buttercream frosting were made.
2 batches of chocolate hazelnut buttercream frosting were made.
1 Large oval dark chocolate fudge cake was made.
1 Medium oval French Vanilla cake was made.
1 Small buttery yellow cake was made.
Small layer was sliced, filled with chocolate hazelnut filling and crumb coated with buttercream frosting.
Medium layer was sliced, filled with blueberry lemon buttercream frosting and crumb coated with buttercream frosting.
Bottom layer was sliced, filled with raspberry buttercream filling and crumb coated with buttercream frosting.
Cake, frosting, flowers, decorating tips, bags, coloring, etc... was packed up and taken to Maine.
Large cake went on board and was frosted and smoothed.  Dowels were put in.
Medium cake went on top and was frosted and smoothed.  Dowels were put in.
Top layer went on and was frosted and smoothed.
Cup cakes were frosted, put on top and flowers were applied.
Mini cup cakes were frosted, put cascading down the side and flowers were applied.
Royal Icing vines were pipped on.
Royal Icing leaves were put on.
I collapsed!

Eggs used ~ 18
Shortening used ~ 12 Cups
Confectioner's Sugar used ~ 15 Pounds

*For those who do not know, I made my first multi-stacked wedding cake for my niece's wedding.

The New Mr & Mrs

This past weekend we had the joy of celebrating the wedding of my niece with family and friends.  It was a perfect, allbeit HOT day and the bride was exquisit!!  The whole wedding party looked beautiful and not only did the groom look handsome, but also cool-calm and collected.

Many happy tears were shed as we listened to them exchange vows, have their first dance, mother/son & father/daughter dances and so on.  It was an absolutely delightful day and I couldn't be happier for my niece nor more pleased to welcome a new nephew into the family!  We will even have the pleasure of having them over for a special dinner on their return from their honeymoon.  Can't wait!

Still, my mind can't help but wander back to the days of the little girl who loved to come with me to plays, sleep overs and on shopping excursions.  Every weekend she and my younger niece would head out on the same  route - Dunkin Donuts, Christmas Tree Shop, Herritage House Christian Book Store and Dempsey's Village Barn.  It really doesn't seem like that could be so many years ago.. but alas, it was.

Now as I hear my own boys having a light saber duel in the backgrounds as I type, I am reminded that this time with my guys is short.  Before I know it they'll be heading out with friends and have no time for mum.  Then it will be off to games and later to college.  Then... there will be a girl.  I pray even now that the Lord would be preparing just the right young ladies for each of them.  Ones that would love the Lord, be kind hearted, faithful and true.  Be good natured and funny.  And I pray that I would have a wonderful relationship with them as my mum had with her sons and daughter-in-laws and as my sister-in-law, who is more like a sister, does with her new son-in-law and his family.

This post has taken on a different tone than I had originally intended.  I guess I can't keep from getting a little sentimental.  Another post will be required to address my original intent.

For now, I'll just say - Love and Best Wishes to the new couple.  I pray the Lord will bring them as few trials as He sees fit, the grace and strength to stand together under them and remind them to whom they need to give thanks for the many many blessings they will enjoy!

I love you both!!

You've Got Mail

I love the movie 'You've Got Mail'. It is hands down one of my very favorite movies!! (I must stress 'one' as I have about 10 movies that I could watcher over and over again.)


It's on tv as I type this. I began watching this movie that's like an old friend to me and at this 189th viewing it has occurred to me that one of the reasons I adore it so is that I can relate to Kathleen Kelly (the Meg Ryan character) on many levels.

To begin with, there's the obvious. Years ago I used to work for a school supply company first as a proof reader on their catalog, then as an assistant to the Project Manager of Teaching Materials and finally as the administrative assistant to two of the directors. In my second role I fell in love with children’s books - absolutely IN LOVE with them!!! I thoroughly enjoy a well written kids book and I'm complete transported by the beautiful illustrations. I remember the day I opened a box from Scholastic with their latest books to preview and reading 'Lilly's Purple Plastic Purse' for the first time! I'll never forget when I first saw the beautifully illustrated 'Rainbow Fish'. I have dreamed for years of becoming a children’s book author! I have many story lines written out... but that's as far as I've gotten.

So loving children's books as I do it is no surprise that I would love this movie about a small children’s book store that's trying to stay solvent. When Meg Ryan first opens the store at the beginning of the movie (after getting her pumpkin and tall, skim caramel Macchiato) and turns on the lights I fall in love every time!! How I would love to own a store like that! I would even adore being the 'story time lady' complete with pointy princess hat!!  I watch it on tv and find that I just want to go into "The Shop Around The Corner" and sit in a chair with children all around and read a favorite story complete with "voices". (my boys love for me to give the characters in the books unique voices)

I can also relate in that when faced with a difficult situation/person she cannot call on the right words for the occasion. I am exactly the same! But then on the rare occasion that the words do flow freely, I am completely consumed with guilt and get no enjoyment from my sudden gift.

Kathleen has great trouble in feeling secure in her decisions and thoughts. Throughout the movie you find her pondering numerous things such as should she meet "NY152", does she love Frank?, why didn't he show?, should she fight to keep her store open, etc... I too have a hard time making a decision and then feeling secure about it. I also just find myself questioning my thoughts and feelings to the point of nausea... Is this just me or a woman thing?

There are so many terrific quotes from this movie that really hit home for me. While writing to her secret email/pen pal she says, "... I feel like a part of me has died, and my mother has died all over again." Having lost my mum to cancer two years ago I understand this statement. Recently I found myself forgetting one of her recipes (yes, I can look it up - but the idea of forgetting something about her is so hard).

Once Kathleen learns that a super store is coming 'around the corner' she begins contemplating what she does. She types this, 'Sometimes I wonder about my life. I lead a small life. Well, not small, but valuable. And sometimes I wonder, do I do it because I like it, or because I haven't been brave? So much of what I see reminds me of something I read in a book, when shouldn't it be the other way around? ....' Wow - this was totally lifted right from my own mind! I do feel that I'm held back by fear/lack of bravery. Oddly enough I was just discussing this with a girlfriend at church this morning. I want so badly to be all that God has planned for me but I allow fear to tie me down.

So as a result of all of these thoughts ricocheting through my mind like 5 year olds in a bouncy house, I come to you with some prayer requests.
1. Lord, please help my hearts desires to be what you will for me.

2. Please help me to not allow fear to have a hold on me but to embrace my freedom in you.

3. Give me the boldness to move forward with what you'd have me do. And if it should involve writing books (children’s or otherwise) please help the creative juices to flow and make it happen.

In all things - your will be done Lord. Amen.

By the way, may I also just throw in that I too love daisies.  I must agree Kathleen, daisies are the friendliest flower!

As Kathleen Kelly would say ~ Goodnight great void...

Adventures of a Would-Be Gardener cont...

First, here's a recent picture from my garden so you can see the progress.  And, may I point out that all of my plants are living!  Huge improvement from last year right there!!

Next, I have come to find gardening as a refuge.  I love to be out in my garden!!  Bending over weeding my little rectangle of the yard I feel quite peaceful.  I often find myself praying, singing, etc... relaxed.

I started to wonder what exactly about this tiny patch is so relaxing to me.  Rather than try to explain it, look at some of the pictures I took yesterday of the views that I see while working in my garden.

BEAUTIFUL!!!

The Adventures of a Would-Be Gardener II

Wow - it's been a long time since my 1st installment!!

Nothing much new to report other than, they're still alive!!  Well, most of the plants any how.  I've pretty much given up on the potatoes.  I'm still giving one of them another week or so....

Here's a picture I took a few weeks back.  Looking pretty good.  They've grown like weeds good little veggies since then.  My, they grow up so fast!

Today I had to do something that I've been dreading.  I had to move two of my tomato plants due to crowding.  The tomato plants were all doing so well, but they were too crowded and I knew that it was going to become a problem.  So today I moved two plants 'open' areas of the garden. (ie. I tossed one of the potatoes that didn't have any sprouts coming out of it and then I moved a sickly looking bean).

I dug generous holes and then put some good potting soil in.  I then carefully dug up to tomato plants - still afraid that I could have damaged them in some way.  Next I planted them in their new spots and gave them some water.  Now I'm just praying that they'll take to their new neighborhoods!!  I'll be so sad if they don't, but I had to do something.

I'm now a little disappointed that my garden is no longer symetrical and pretty.  It's a little mish-moshed looking.  who cares as long as I get some veggies, right?

Well that's it for this installment.  I hope to report soon about some happy tomato plants that entered the relocation program!

Happy gardening!!!

Adventures of a Would-Be Gardener ~ Part I

For years I have wanted to be a gardener.


Today I began my adventure of trying to plant a garden. I weeded, and weeded and weeded using just my flower gloved hands. I tried to retrieve some gardening tools. You may have heard that in fact. Around 12:45 today, did you perchance hear a loud shriek? You did?! Well that was me. You see I unlocked the shed and opened the doors to get my gardening tools when there to my surprise was a dead mouse set right before me. It's skinny little legs standing straight up in the air and its petrified tail pointing straight out as if it were the needle of a compass.

Upon setting eyes on the deceased creature I let out a blood curdling scream which scared "the whole life out of us". (Per my 7 year old son). "Why did you scream mummy? Why would you be so freaked out?" - "Because I'm a girl." I responded. "That's all the excuse I need." - "Well that sure explains it all right." (Sometimes my son sounds like he just stepped out of an episode of The Little Rascals.)
I decided as you might imagine that I really didn't need the tools. I could manage just fine using my hands!

Here's a picture of my little garden patch once the weeding was mostly complete.
Off to the store I will go tomorrow to buy some compost and soil laced with Miracle Grow as for this garden to succeed I will surely be needing a generous dose of heavenly intervention.

I have several things stacked against me in my quest for horticultural greatness.

1. I have no blessed idea what I am doing! I keep pestering my two gifted gardener friends for help and advice. They are quite patient and gracious with me as I ask them the same questions over and over again. Gardening is just not a natural gift for me. My mind is like a bucket with a giant whole in the bottom when it comes to retaining this information. I'm trying though - I'm trying!! At least, this is what my husband always tells me.

2. Hot sunny weather and I do not mix! I so wish I could be one of those 'outdoorsy' types. But alas, my fair English skin and my mother's constitution mean that I burn easily and can go from fine to debilitating heat-provoked migraine in 60 seconds flat! I can never be in direct sunlight, nor in heat about 82 degrees or higher for too long. This you can see is not conducive to gardening. Not to mention, in general, I have to live with people always making little comments about me 'not liking to be outside'. I get a little sensitive about it to be completely truthful. I always think those that make those comments are really thinking it has to do with me being fat - it doesn't! Even in my thinner days I could not deal with heat. Just how I'm made.

3. I never have enough time. Ugg... I hate saying that. Isn't that the lament of every American? None of us have enough time. We're all busy, straight-out, over-committed, spread-too-thin and whatever other phrase you'd prefer. But the fact is, gardening takes a time investment. But here's the thing. If I am willing to take the time to weed the garden, buy the seeds and plant the little suckers then I need to make the commitment to see it through, come what may. Have I commented yet on my past attempts? Not pretty!!

That's enough reasons for now - I'm sure further posts will bring my other gardening deficiencies to light.

Stay tuned for future posts about the Adventures of a Would-Be Gardener!

Sundays Revisited

While growing up, Sundays always meant one thing, the big mid-day dinner.

Regardless of just how strapped for cash mum and dad were we always had a great noon time dinner on Sundays.  By the time the clock hit 11 am great smells would be wafting from the kitchen.  Despite all of the stereotyping of the rotten food from Great Britan, my English born mum was a great cook!!!

My particular favorite was her roast beef with Yorkshire pudding.  Mum made THE BEST gravy ever!!!!  I would drown the succulent meat, boiled potatoes, fresh green beans, corn and the Yorkshire in a brown sea of steaming rich gravy.  I can almost smell it!

Last Sunday I made a mid-day meal of roast beef and Yorkshire pudding.  Although it was good and the Yorkshire came out great, it wasn't mum's.  Especially not the gravy!!

Still, it brought back wonderful memories of mum in her kitchen.  Here's a picture of the meal below.

I can never make gravy like you mum, but you did pass on the Yorkshire gene.  I love you!!

Roast Beef, small Roasted Potatoes Brussel Sprouts, Corn, Mashed Potatoes and

Yorkshire Pudding in the middle.