Cake Decorating from Start to Finish!

So I love to do cake decorating and I just recently did a 1st Communion Cake and thought it would be fun to document the process.

First you gotta bake the cakes (duh...)

In order for the cakes to stick, you have to put something between the layers if you're doing a multi layer cake. The people I did the cake for wanted a pineapple filling, so after the cakes were completely cooled, I added the pineapple filling:

After the cakes are layered, they're ready for icing! That's really probably the hardest part. Fortunately, these cakes weren't crumbly really at all, so the icing turned out pretty good. In order to get the icing true white, you can only use shortening in the recipe. Butter tastes better but causes the icing to have a yellow tint. Here I used shortening with almond flavoring:

Now the fun part: Decorating! This cake was for a boy, so I tried to avoid flowers & used all hues of blue. The dove & communion cup were actually cookie cutters I pressed into the icing so I could outline the shapes. I am no artist and I don't trust myself free hand! The swirls were all free hand, so there's a few spots, if you look close enough, that are a little choppy. But you're always more critical of your own work, right? =) With both layers, this cake was heavy!

Here's another angle that shows how big it is! Let me know what you think!

I think it turned out good, if you ever need a cake let me know! I love doing it! =)

A Tribute to Marriage

What better way to begin a blog than on an anniversary?

What a blissful season it was when we exchanged, “I dos.” We looked forward to a lifetime of happiness and fulfillment. Giddy to see each other, excited to hold one another’s hand, not wanting to say good night and go our separate ways. At least for me, the beginning of our marriage was a time of anticipation & hope for all that could be between us.  Don’t get me wrong, I knew marriage wasn’t easy. I knew it takes work. I just thought that our love for each other would overshadow any issues or crises we would face. “Love conquers all,” right? And we were in love, so anything that would come our way would be like a pebble on our path. We can do it, as long as we love each other!

It’s quite amazing how far a couple can come in three years of marriage. No longer is it a giddiness to see each other, it’s a “hey.” No longer is it excitement to hold one another’s hand, it’s, “don’t touch skin to skin it’s too hot.” No longer is it sad to say good night, it’s “honey, I just want to go to sleep.” I found out men are stinky. We’ve experienced meals that just don’t taste right. I’ve forgotten to clean my hair out of the drain. A lot has changed in three years.

The anticipation I felt in month #1 has turned to a determination in year #3. No longer do I hope things will work. I am determined to make things work. No longer do I wish for happiness. I am determined to live a life of joy, regardless of the circumstances. No longer do I wait for him to fulfill my deepest needs & desires. I am determined to allow my Heavenly Father to fill me so my spouse doesn’t have to carry that impossible burden. Yes, a lot has changed.

I’m sure a lot will continue to change. Heck, I’m sure a lot of people still consider us newlyweds. Whatever you want to call us, we know a lot more now than we did three years ago. We’ve gone through the fire. To be honest, it feels like we’re in the fire some days… Most days... Some days… But if I know anything about the fiery furnace it’s that there is another in the midst that protects and saves. He tests us so we may prove to be genuine. I believe that and know that God has a plan for us. He loves us individually & together, and because of Him I am free to love my husband with everything that’s in me. I love you, Michael. Happy Anniversary. =)