The Restaurant…

Well, there has been bad news all around these past couple of weeks! The restaurant that “supports” this family has finally started to shake. The weeks before Christmas last year were some of their busiest since opening, not so this year! I think more companies opted for ‘potluck’ instead of catering. I don’t blame them, everyone is tightening their belts, and dining out is one of the first things to go!

My business doesn’t support the family but it does help! I have many little stores around the internet and one of the best ways I’ve found to increase sales…accept credit cards! Having worked in accounting at a hotel before getting married, I remember the horror stories of credit card charges being disputed for no reason, and even the yearly fee that the companies charge you to allow credit cards. So it was an area I shied away from. Until now! I get all the perks of credit card accepting, without the hassle of additional paperwork and fees. I’m just hoping it continues to grow and grow!

Resolutions!!

Got any??

I am a total resolution maker! This year I have plenty! Ranging from saving money & earning more money to food storage and weight loss! But there is one cake related goal I have this year! I would LOVE to create one of the large asymetrical cakes that you see on TV. They look topsy turvy and whimsical, and I LOVE them!

Not this cake exactly…but you get the idea! As soon as I get it under way, I will definitely add pictures!

I Want Hers…

Did you hear Tina Fey won entertainer of the year due to her impersonation of Sarah Palin? I never watched it, but I will tell you…I LOVE their glasses! I am DESPERATELY in need of new glasses and am planning a pair just like theirs!

I’m ALWAYS drawn to frames like this one,

I think people look so cute and trendy in these types of frames. But sadly my face is NOT the type to get away with these and still look OK. But I love the color and added flair in the arm bands, so I’m thinking I will mix the two styles that I like, and get something like this…

It still give the fun color on the sides, but not “over-crowd” my already freakishly large melon!!

Both of these frames, and hundreds more Holiday frames are available online at Zenni Optical. And as a birthday present to myself (and my poor deteriorating eyes) I’m going to be getting me my very own pair! Shall I post a picture when I get them???

It’s Over!!

I feel bad!  I’m usually the first person on the block to get Christmas up.  As I sit in the living room at night, with just the light of the tree…I vow that I love it so much I will keep it up until June!  Usually it is down the day after Christmas.  How bad is that?

Last year we were hosting a New Years Eve party, so I kept it up past the New Year.  This year, we have nothing planned…and I made it through Boxing Day…but today, the 27th of December…Christmas has died and gone to the basement!

May it rest in peace!!

Christmas Eve!

My cake making ends after the birthday cake on the 7th and I don’t have another one until the 6th of February!  It’s always a sad time, cause I love to make the cakes–but without a reason to create one, we would just be eating a TON of cake!

This year for the first time, our family Christmas Eve party is at our house.  I was thinking of doing something in the cake realm for dessert, but changed my mind.  If your family is anything like ours you all fill up on appetizers, over stuff on dinner and have very little room for dessert.  So I thought I’d do something less grand, and settled with cookies and tarts.

So that is my day tomorrow!  Christmas baking.  I can’t wait!

A Castle Cake Fit For A Princess!!

Here are some pictures of Blake’s cake. We were originally supposed to go to Build A Bear, so she wanted a teddy bear dressed like a Princess. Sadly, there was carnage when removing him from his pan…he lost a leg, so this was the fastest, easiest cake I could come up with. I made the cakes last night and frosted them today after basketball. Let me tell you…there was no need for fat burners today! HOLY COW….I frosted like a banshee, and actually made it to the party on time!! So honestly, only about 2 hours to frost and decorate….Thanks to Kelly’s friend Amy…it was on her blog that I first saw this cake.

I will post more photo’s of the actual dress up party at Libby Lu’s tomorrow…right now, I’m just going to rest the piggies while I talk to my mom and then re-find my kitchen!!

Springy Santa Hats

Have you seen these cute new Santa hats? They look like beanies but with a spring and a cute fur ball on the end. I saw them at a drug store in town, but wasn’t sure if my kids would like them. OH MY…they adored them! So now I think I will pick three up so my youngest can wear one to his pre-K program on Thursday, and my older three can wear them to school on Friday! Too Cute!

Pinewood Derby Fun

This is the cute little cake I made for my boys Pinewood Derby last year. It was a “potluck” dessert evening, and I thought a cake to commemorate the night was called for! All of the scouts loved it, especially the wheels (they were Hostess Cupcakes), and it was a great night! Both of my boys brought home the Pinewood derby trophies. Jacob was grand champion for the third year in a row. Everyone was quite happy to see him retire! And Grayson took third place this year. His hopes….with his big brother out of the way of the next race, he’s expecting to be the new Grand Champion and keep our domination alive!!!

Christmas Ideas

Do you need a passport for Caribbean cruises? I know you do for Mexico…but these new restrictions have me all confused!

Last year my husband surprised me on Christmas with a new laptop. For my birthday it was a shiny red Kitchenaid. This year for Christmas, I’ve decided it’s my turn to surprise and spoil him. I’ve been looking into some fun getaways for the two of us, but not knowing the new passport laws, I’m thinking my original thought of either a Blackhawk’s hockey game or a Bulls basketball game at Madison Square Garden…I know there isn’t a passport needed for either one of those!! BUT…would you rather tour New York City in a parka and boots? Or get a passport and lounge around on the deck of a beautiful ocean liner??? Yeah…I thought so!

Time To Update

For the past several years I have dreamed of having laser surgery on my eyes. I have worn eyeglasses since I was in the 9th grade, and how I would love to be without them.

Until that happens of course, I do need to get an updated prescription, and an updated look. I have wanted rimless, rectangles for months now, and I think I will be making my appointment with my vision center this week. Maybe we’ll call it my Christmas present to myself!

How strange will it be to look in the mirror, and see a different pair of eyes looking back at me? After eight years with the same glasses…methinks it might be a little strange!