Shine, Think, Laugh, Love

I'm in the UK, love!

2012-02-14T04:34:00.000-08:00

Moving to the United Kingdom has been just one more step in this long adventure of mine. It seemed far less daunting than going to the Netherlands. I think that the American in me is happy and relieved to be in a place that has little hints of home. The first night I was here I walked to a supermarket that had a gigantic parking lot. For a second there, I thought that I was back home in my neighborhood Smiths parking lot. I'm excited for a new semester of adventure!

It was a Piece of Cake . . . or would it be Cheese?

2009-06-23T23:41:00.000-07:00

May- the Best Asparagus Month

2009-06-23T23:36:00.002-07:00

The Ideal Spring Cake

2009-06-23T23:27:00.000-07:00

I made this cake in exchange for an awesome haircut! I just thought that this would be the ideal spring cake. It was chocolate cake with mango butter cream frosting.

Three Cups of Coffee

2009-06-23T23:24:00.000-07:00

To celebrate my favorite sister’s I made her a cake with three cups of coffee.

They are on a base of devil’s food cake covered in dark chocolate ganache. The three cups coffee are devil’s food cake frosted with almond butter cream frosting. The middles were hollowed out and filled with mocha mousse.

Believe it or Not, Cartmen is Raspberry Flavored

2009-05-06T00:37:00.000-07:00

Happy Birthday Dom!

2009-05-06T00:25:00.000-07:00

This cake is:

A Layer of Dark Chocolate Cake, one thin layer of Milk Chocolate, one layer of Mango Butter Cream Frosting, and then one more thin layer of Milk Chocolate. Repeat four times.

Then add a bright, vibrant color of Mango Butter Cream Frosting.

Top With Chocolate Details.

Z is Zeta

2009-05-06T00:23:00.000-07:00

Challenge

2009-05-06T00:15:00.000-07:00

This year I was challenged to make Mount Rushmore cake. The back is composed of white cake, the front is a rice crispy façade covered in fondant. This was definitely a challenge. Beau and Julia made their won mini cakes with me.

The Abominable Snowman

2009-05-06T00:09:00.000-07:00

I love thinking of things that I would use on this cake to make it look realistic. I made it for a friend who means the world to me. I will make any cake that she asks for.

Unusual Obsession with Cakes?

2009-05-05T23:49:00.000-07:00

This blog is partly a reflection of me, and cakes seem to be a common occurrence in it. Why this unusual obsession with cakes? One may ask.

I am a selfish giver, or in other words I find a great amount of joy by giving people things. I love to give them things that I have put thought into. I love even more to give people things that I have used my talents to make. Be it a homemade purse or hand beaded necklace I find such enjoyment in watching people’s faces when they open my gifts.

I guess that cakes are an extension of this need to give selfishly. I love to see the look on peoples’ face when they see the interesting, tasty, or bazaar (in some cases) cake that I have made from them. The expression of astonishment and happiness gets me every time.

Cakes are a way for me to show people that they are important, and that they matter (how very ideological of me). Behind every picture of a cake that I post on this blog is a person that I care about, as a relationship full of stories.

Eat Up!

Wisdom from the Woods

2009-05-05T23:29:00.001-07:00

This January I found the musical Into the Woods, and immediately fell in love with it. There are little phrases of wisdom throughout the play. I thought that I would share some of it:

"Some times the things that you wish for are not to be touched"- Page 40 Lapine

By the ripe old age of twenty-four, I have learned that the things that I most wish for are not really what I always need. By never touching them, I have avoided disaster.

"The mouth of a wolf's not the end of the world" -Page 41 Lapine

I have learned that experiencing the things that you fear the most, is not the end of the world. People amaze me because of their resilience. This sounds really cheesy but, I believe that most of life's important lessons are learned in the wolf's mouth (such as the significance of dental hygiene).

"So then which do you pick where you are safe, out of sight, and yourself, but where everything is wrong? Or where everything is right and you know you will never belong?" - Page 63 Lapine

We make choices every day. Some are more difficult then others. That's the beauty of life.

References:
Lapine, S.S. (1987). In to the Woods. New York: Theater Communications Group.

Under the Sea

2009-01-26T21:55:00.000-08:00

My
brother's nineteen year old coworker tragically died. At times life seems so unfair, its difficult to even think the pain and loss his family will have to live with. In response to this tragedy, my bother and his coworker arranged a bake sale to raise money for this boy's family. Knowing my obsession with making cakes, my brother asked me to contribute a cake. After many different ideas I finally decided to make an "Under the Sea" cake. I thought that I would post some photos. Enjoy!