Tuesday, June 26, 2012

Quadruple Chocolate!

Chocolate Lovers Unite!!!!
I may have gone a tad overboard with these delectable creations.
Double chocolate cake with chocolate chips baked right into the batter. Then I made chocolate butter cream by adding cocoa powder to the mix. I piped that on and sprinkled the semi-sweet mini chocolate chips! You know that funny white look that chocolate chips get as they age, well I hate it. It will ruin a decoration. To remedy the white coating, I put the chips in a cupboard near the oven. They got warm enough to soften, but not melt, making the white film disappear! Whoo!



YUMMMMMMMMMM!!!!

Hmmm, I wonder what I can bake next! Who has a birthday coming up?

Monday, June 11, 2012

Giant Birthday Cupcakes!

About a month ago I promised to make a batch of sweet treats for my photo taking-coffee loving-friend, Logan Clement. I may have let time slip by, but I would say by the reaction on his face as he took his first bite, it was worth it. 

I went garage sale hunting with a friend a few weeks ago and found a giant cupcake/muffin tin! I knew I had to get it...because really, who the heck does not love a GIANT cupcake. Am I right people? Twice the cake and twice the frosting. I rest my case.

These Funfetti cupcakes came from a box, and with some tricks up my sleeve, they apparently turned out way good! Almond butter cream frosting adorned the top in a swirly pattern of sweet goodness. I know because I licked the beaters. I dressed them up with some fun sprinkles for a pop of color! Logan, being the phenomenal photographer that he is, agreed to take a few fun photos of my latest creation. (Click HERE for his blog!)

Here they are!!!

Top View!

Black and White
Cube Pic!
 A cupcake from Heaven on a Cloud...ha ha!

I may be obsessed with cupcakes, considering I just made another batch for our Call-A-Thon at church, but I just cannot help myself! I LOVE baking!

Thursday, May 31, 2012

A Winery Wedding


Sarah & Ben Bradley
March 31st 2012
A day full of God's glory and joyful smiles.


It all started in the Cornerstone Church office when I heard screams of congratulations as the happy couple, sporting matching T-shirts that declared their engagement, walked through the halls. I wondered back to the front desk and heard the story of their epic engagement. As Sarah and Ben got back into work mode, Sarah came up to the front and asked if I could possibly help her with her reception, like I had for a mutual friend the month previous. I told her I would check my calendar. What an awful response- I was terrified to have so much responsibility. After a few weeks, and some serious consideration, I agreed wholeheartedly and dove into the challenge. After months of planning, meeting, chatting, emailing, calling, sending text messages, and visiting locations, the day had arrived. Here are a few stunning photographs from the day. Thanks go to Logan Clement for amazing shots!! (Click on his name for his Facebook page, or click HERE to see his blog.)
 

















  Prairie Moon Winery was the place to be that night. The happy couple made the food that was served a huge priority, giving thanks to all of their guests. Christianis Catering served an amazing Italian meal for the 230 guests. They also provided all of the centerpieces, the cake stand, and wine tree! Their staff was an absolute joy to work with, even while I stood there watching each and every move they took. It had to be perfect... ;)


I also had the privilege of helping with the cake top. They decided to go with 300 cupcakes and realized that needed a cake to cut! I volunteered to make them one. I also LOVE to bake...if you had not noticed. I made it the night before, and almost ended up crying as the almond butter cream frosting would NOT stick to the cake. But, after serious prayers, the frosting began to stick. PHEWWWW! And the flowers went in the morning of the wedding. And, if I do say so myself, it looked great!



And besides the random decorations, I took the guestbook very seriously. We had a custom archway built and brought in. I adorned it with lights, ribbon and twine, in order to create a clothesline effect for each guest to attach a note card to. I had empty wine barrels moved under the clothesline for the supplies needed to create a one-of-a-kind signature. It is hard to describe, so here are the pictures! 



The frame holds the directions of how to sign the guestbook.    

Overall, this weekend celebrating the marriage of Ben and Sarah was a total success. Sure some things were misplaced, rushed, and even forgotten. (Oops!) But at the end of the night, they were happily married. Sarah looked BEAUTIFUL and Ben was very handsome. The whole entire wedding party looked pretty sharp too. Families and friends were joining together in laughter and tears of joy. The dancing went long into the night and I slept very well after all was said and done. 

A Look Ahead: A wedding cake for Nathan and Elena this August, a possible baking adventure for Katie and her fiance, and a wedding next May for a couple I work with!!!

Thursday, February 9, 2012

A Look Ahead: A Winnery Wedding


Oh weddings, how I love them and all the fun that goes along with each one. I am currently planning and coordinating the reception for a wonderful couple. They are hosting their celebration at Prairie Moon Winery in Ames, Iowa. WHAT A COOL PLACE!!! This rustic hall, complete with distressed wood beams and twinkle lights, comes with a majestic window wall. These floor to ceiling windows makes their vineyard a perfect backdrop for any occasion. I only have to add a few strands of lights to frame out the space. Deep purple and burnt orange will really add to the already wonderful wood tones. I am really excited about this one. The guest book, cake table, gift table, and various other hints of decor will be adorned in purple ribbon and hints of burlap. I am also making their cupcake stand cake topper. If that makes any sense. Pretty much it will be a 6 inch round cake that sits on the very tippy top of this awesome cupcake holder. We picked out their cake and frosting the other day and I am pumped to bake this one! I will be sure to add pictures of the event, but the picture above is a little teaser. We have about seven weeks until the big day! I also get to hang out with a buddy all day! The photographer is also a co-worker of mine. Oh yes, I got a second job, I am now the official music booking agent for Cafe Milo. I love it!

I also got to bake some serious cupcakes for my roommate, Renae. They were triple chocolate cake with coffee buttercream frosting. I only modified it a small amount and it still tasted great! Well, I didn't actually have one, but my roommates eating 12 of them in a span of less than 24 hours confirmed that they were good.

Friday, January 13, 2012

Photography. I dabble.


I decided to dabble in a little bit of photography
and started with a wedding. I know I know....
another wedding that I was somehow involved in.
I have always loved taking photos but this is my
first serious job. I had such a blast and get to hand
over the pictures to the happy couple soon!
Congrats to the Stowes!