baking baby.

If you follow me on Facebook, then you may (or may not) know that the hubs and I just moved a couple months ago. As I packed up my old kitchen, I dreamt about the cake plates and platters and such that have been stored in the garage over the years. And then I organized my baking supplies into gigantic storage containers, dreaming of using it all, and having it all easily accessible to me, now that they would have a dedicated place in our finished basement.

For a couple weeks after we had finally moved in, I was still in denial about having to cook again...I was under the impression we could get take out for dinner every night, despite the fact that our entire kitchen was unpacked, organized, and clean (oh yah, and that we now had a mortgage to pay).

Slowly but surely, though, I began getting to know my new oven. I started by acquainting myself with her friend, the stove. Then I worked up the courage to start courting her, with easy things, like frozen french fries (seriously people...the hubs and I have been eating out since May...I've kinda forgotten what real veggies are). 

Rather quickly, things got a little more serious. We spent more and more time together, as I worked my way up to a casserole and meals of the sort. And then...we decided...it was time. Our first time together was magical, and we made beautiful chocolate chip whoopie pies. 
So. Good. 
It almost made me forget about the past four years that I spent with my old oven. And what makes this relationship more exciting is the fact that I get to use all the things I had been longing to break out.

We've been baking together as much as my schedule allows, and I got my first official order based out of our new location. Baking with my new baby for a new baby. 

One little buggy adorned the sweet invitation, so naturally buggy cookies had to be made.

And of course some onesies.

Stripes, houndstooth, and polka dots. Perfect patterns for baby boys.

S'mores cupcakes: graham cracker crust, graham cracker and chocolate chip cake, marshmallow frosting .

Caramel Mocha cupcake: vanilla cake, caramel filling, mocha butter cream, chocolate covered espresso beans garnish.

Cupcake toppers to display a sweet message for the shower guests.

I must say, it was nice getting prepped to bake, since everything was organized much better than I had it in our other place. All of my icing bottles were in one place. My treat bags and boxes were all together. It was lovely. I could definitely get used to this.

 

It's nice to finally feel settled. Perhaps I'll go make s'more whoopie with the hubs my oven. hee hee ;)

april showers.

So far this calendar year, I have had a couple of small orders to fulfill. This one, I've been looking forward to for a while now. 

I met Missy at an old job. We were assistants together, both promising English teachers who had yet to be given a chance. We quickly became friends, and decided to get our ESL endorsement together, you know, to make ourselves more marketable. Without her bossiness encouragement and support, I might not have taken the classes with her. And then where would I be? :) 

And even though we don't work together anymore, we still make time to get together every now and then (she's one popular chica with some pretty rockin' friends)...and every time we do, it's always full of laughter and good times. You can't help but love this girl!

One of the first few times I made cupcake pops was for her and her then-boyfriend's housewarming party. Naturally, they were a hit. Now they're engaged, and Missy gave her mom my number so I could make goodies for the wedding shower. Woot woot!

Missy and Keith are having a small destination wedding in Jamaica, and they're having a reception at home a month later. So in keeping with their wedding theme, I coordinated with their colors (pink and orange) and threw in hibiscus flower accents.

To have some variety at the shower, the goodies consisted of the following:
peanut butter delights
vanilla cake balls with m&ms and/or toasted coconut
lemon cake balls with m&ms and/or sprinkles

red velvet sunflower cupcakes

decorated sugar cookie favors 

 

I used the Williams Sonoma cookie stamp to make these cookies. I decorated some cookies that said Jamaica too, and I made some wedding dress cookies as well. Unfortunately, I didn't take any pictures of those!

All of the guests seemed to satisfy their sweet tooth in some way or another. And had some sugar to take on the road, too. :) That's the only way to roll.

Congrats to Missy and Keith! I love you guys and I'm so pumped for your wedding!! Can't wait to dance ;) 

<3