The Cake World

It’s so odd that just two years ago I was just starting out in this cake world. Two whole years—and hundreds of cakes later…I no longer need to find a job! Do you want to see the cake I made last week? It was amazing and so fun!

It was 6 tiers of topsy turvy presents…and it was decorated with 10 cows that I modeled out of fondant. Yeah, who knew that was possible!

My next cake is for my best friend for her birthday this coming Tuesday. I was going make a pretty cake with sugar “Stargazer Lillies” because they are her favorite—or if I should do this one as a tribute to the fact that she hate’s the snow!

I’ll have to let you know which one I choose!

Stressless Winter!

This past week I have to say I’m so thankful for roadside assistance! I had two cakes to deliver and icy roads to contend with. We made it through relatively unscathed…and the cakes were on time, but there were some rough patches on the way. It’s only about $5.00 extra on my insurance and worth every penny! Even if you just need a quick tow down the street to the garage–saves me not only the money, but the stress of organizing the situation. With the assistance…it’s one phone call–and everything falls into place!

Rate Comparison Rocks!

I have to get my act together and find me some insurance online! I mostly need to find a better home owners policy. Our current policy is fine, but I’m thinking we could get something a little cheaper monthly. I’m hoping to find something that lets me compare rates online. That sounds so nice! I’m used to making about 600 phone calls before finding the cheapest and moving along.

The kids are out of school for another week—so I won’t find too much spare time for that now, but come Monday morning, after that school bus takes off—I’m so there!

My Husband…The Kid

Surprise, Surprise!! My husband has officially asked for a playstation 3! What is this??? It’s bad enough that my 12 year old son thinks he’s worthy of a $300 game machine—but the man??

Sadly–I can’t turn him down! He works hard for this family. He earns every penny that we have–and if that boy wants a PS3 then that boy gets a PS3! Of course, I haven’t told him, but the 4th installment of my favorite game of all time is only available on a PS3. Yeah…we’ll just let him think this gift is all his! That is, unless he finds Sly4 hiding in my closet for me to break out and play on Christmas night!

January Here I Come

Any one know of some really good fat burners? I’m game for anything! We have had a week of non stop parties and cake orders—and I’m going crazy on these calorie killing feasts!

I give myself until New Years–you know, get New Year’s Eve over with—and I will officially be giving up sugar for 1 month! I’ll go even longer if I can make it that long. But running a cake business–that will be the hard part! Luckily enough–after the holidays, things slow down a bit until Valentine’s Day—so I should be able to make it the whole month of January! Wish me luck!

Mr. Bojangles The Puppy

We are puppy sitting! That’s right…the first week of January we get to bring Mr. Bojangles home with us for the whole week. My sister’s family is heading out to one of those fancy panama city beach condo rentals—and we get to puppy sit! Let me just say, that I would rather be basking in the Florida sun with them…but if we aren’t invited–than snuggling with this sweet little mass of puppy-lovin’ is second best!

He is a little white furball—and I just love to bury my face in his furry little body and just smell him. He usually gets the “Gingerbread” shampoo at the groomer—and it’s TO DIE FOR!

The Go To Gal

I am in need of some heavy duty toggle switches! I know, it’s an odd thing to need–but it is an assignment from my husband. He needs them for work. Why is it that I’m the one tracking down odds and ends for his job? It’s nearly constant! And now with Christmas coming, who do you think will be in charge of getting the gifts and favors together for the partners and the office staff? Yep—me! It’s actually not to bad. It helps me feel like I’m helping out a bit more visibly than my behind the scenes “homemaking” stuff!

Now….however, I have to brainstorm up some really clever gift ideas for the guys!!!

Family

I have been caking up a storm these past few weeks. I have a huge one coming up this weekend, another carved cake the weekend after that, and a topsy turvy “cow” cake a few days later. Don’t you just love the holidays! Actually I can’t really complain about this weeks cake. It’s a combined cake for my son and daughter’s birthdays. I have no idea how to combine a boy cake and a girl cake. There is also a big family dinner for this event. Ham, funeral potatoes, homemade stuffing and hot rolls…I’m thinking an appetite suppressant is definitely needed for this event!

Actually, I’m most excited because my parents will be here for it. They haven’t been to Chicago since October or ‘08, so this is the real treat for me!

Changes

Have you seen the wacky weather we’ve been getting lately? I don’t know whether we need rain barrels to store up the water or to float in when the flooding hits! Most of my family is suffering through snow, so I can’t complain to much–and even the last few days have been drier—with just that chill to let you know that it’s nearly Winter!

It really is hard to push yourself to get the outside of the house, decked out in it’s holiday finest, when there is no snow–and really–the grass could use a good mowing one final time before the snows come. The leaves have all been raked and taken away by the city clean up crews…so it’s just that moment of time between fall and snow—and I really should learn to enjoy it a bit more than I do!

They’re Coming

I mentioned a post or two back that my parents are coming to town this week. This is a happy and yet stressful thing in my world. I adore my parents. I miss them when they aren’t here. But with them comes that feeling that everything must be spotless and perfect before they arrive. But with four kids and 2 big dogs…perfect won’t last nearly long enough for them to get here.

Tomorrow I will be purchasing huge amounts of industrial supplies to get my house knocked into shape. I need the grout cleaned on every floor and in every bathroom. I need a fabulous carpet shampoo as well as a good germicide! It shouldn’t take too long to whip it in to shape—I just wonder how many whippings I’ll have to do to keep it perfect before they get here!