August 22, 2009

90 Years & Counting

Grandma Perkins Celebrated 90 years last week & her loving children threw a fabulous party. I was asked to make the cake. Grandma LOVES Chocolate, so of course I had to make Grandma's Favorite...I made the ultimate chocolate cake. Happy Birthday Grandma!!! We LOVE you!

Love of a Sister + Love of Baking = Cake Decorating Classes

To explain why I've been making all these fantastic treats, I need to start with my 23rd Birthday last December...

My very thoughtful sister, Elyce...

gave me...

Cake Decorating Classes at Michael's!
I only took the first class (there's 4) and really enjoyed it. It was a lot of work and I plan to take the other 4 classes some day. This was my first cake.So I've gotten more creative how I do things and for last Easter, Mom asked if I would help her decorate sugar cookies. They turned out really cute (& they tasted great - mom). And so I tell you all this because probably most of my posts will be pictures of goodies & sweets (since there are no cute kiddos to take pictures of or talk about) and baking these treats is a new hobby of mine. Thanks Elyce for the awesome Gift & the extra Boost I needed to take the classes that I always wanted to and never would have signed up for myself.

Sweet Treats

So for BIG Daddy's Birthday I asked him what kind of cake he would like...

"Chocolate Cake with Chocolate Frosting and Nuts."

Wow! Go Daddy Go!
A Huge bunch gathers every other Sunday at Mom & Dad's, and I usually am in charge of Dessert! My desserts have evolved a little since the cake decorating class.
Recently I made these Beauties... Meet the Chocolate Cupcake with Peanut Butter Icing. YuM!

These are usually made during the Holidays, but I had a craving for them in July, so I mixed it up a little bit. Jordan had never had them and he instantly fell in LOVE

Raspberry Jam Thumbprint Cookies.
And YES they taste as good as they look.

August 2, 2009

Who Knew Roses Took So Long To Grow?

Years ago when my brother, Tim was just a newlywed, my mom enlisted him to design and put together this stained glass window. She told him she would pay for the supplies and a college course to fine tune what he'd already learned in high school. Well, Tim now has 4 children and not a whole bunch of extra time, as you can imagine so I offered to help. I also took a (one) class in high school and know that I, myself, am not very artistic, but I do enjoy busy work. So I put in the hours and got all the tedious work done while Tim designed it, did the skillful cutting, and soltered it together. Now it just needs to be installed, by my very talented Dad. It turned out very beautiful and I am thrilled to have been a part of such a marvelous piece of art. I am also very glad it's finished.

August 1, 2009

I Left My Heart In San Francisco

Welcome to San Francisco!!! You are now crossing the
Golden Gate Bridge...

Use caution and be careful on the windy & steep streets. Especially the most windy of them all,


Lombard Street.
Please, hop on one of the famous Cable Cars. After all it was one of my favorite highlights of the trip.
Even though it could be very cold up at the front, it was the best view; so way worth the frozen appendedges. (Note the red nose.) BRRRR!!!
So we welcome all who would like to join us and take a peek at some of our adventures at the City by the Bay. So STOP by Ghiardelli Square and grab yourself a cup of Hot Chocolate and let's GO!Our first stop was at Fisherman's Wharf where we enjoyed some yummie fish & chips and just had a good time seeing the sights.Boudin Sourdough on Pier 39...scrumptious! Next STOP...Alcatraz
The boat ride was very windy up at the top, but we wanted to "EXPERIENCE" everything and we did.They told us there is a 50:50:50 rule. If the water is 50 degrees and you're in it for 50 minutes, you have a 50% chance of living. Don't fall in the odds are against you. Families of the guards, officers, and warden actually lived on the island with the prisoners. The kids would take a ferry to mainland each morning to attend school. This is what is left of the warden's house. It's a bit weathered.The cells were extremely small.
Another highlight on our trip was when I found a hole in the wall clothing store in China Town with the most adorable shirts & cardigans. Jordan was just pleased we made it out of there without spending all of our $$$.
Muir Woods smelled like a can of Pledge. It smelt incredible. The Redwoods made for a very beautiful walk. The scenery reminded Jordan of "Watcher In the Woods" and he was a little spooked.

We drove across the Oakland Bay Bridge to visit the Oakland Temple. We had a very nice time and even got to see Wicked at the Orpheum Theatre downtown. It was such a fun experience. Jordan did a wonderful job at planning everything out; knowing where to go and how to get there.

I left my heart in San Francisco

High on a hill, it calls to me.

To be where little cable cars

Climb halfway to the stars!

The morning fog may chill the air

I don't care!

Here's to you our City By the Sea!!!