Cant believe my son turned 3 this year!! His birthday was in October and it was a beautiful but chilly day and we took him to the park for his party. I kept it simple this year. I invited his friends to a drop in style party. Nothing more than cupcakes and few balloons. The kids could play their hearts out. I didn't even stop them for the happy birthday song! It was wonderful! Stressful for sure. The parents were able to talk and play with their children and not be forced into watching each gift open and blah blah. If a child came with a gift, I would have Miles come over to greet them and open it right then so he would know which gift came from which person. Until he is older and wants to do something else this is the way to go!

 

It was so laid back I forgot to take pictures too! I felt bad for that, really bad. I was able to get one picture of his friend Dylan. He is such a sweet heart!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

After his park party with his friends, we had a little dinner and cake with just family at Nannys house. This again was so relaxing and fun. My Nanny offered to cook spaghetti and we open a few gifts and enjoyed cake!

Miles wanted a monster truck cake. That was all he talked about. So he was so excited to see a monster truck on his cake.

 

Happy Birthday my sweet 3 year old!!!

 

Cakes Cakes Cakes! Been so busy ! And so much fun! Here was a Barbie cake. And may I add my 1st barbie cake. I chose to make 3 6 inch cakes and stack them and then shape them. I had heard bad things about the "Barbie" cake pan. I thought this worked out great! It ends up being pretty tall if you want it to come up to her waist. I guess some cakes I had seen, maybe they took her legs off. It make the barbie look weird to me.

So here we are at a new year. Wow time goes so fast the older you get. Seems like I just turned 25 and here I am 35. Makes  you really think about how fast life goes by.
This year has brought many good things. I thank the Lord for that. He sent my husband the job he wanted and needed. He taken care of us and brought us through many hard days. He has kept us healthy and safe. I hope the new year brings many more new and exciting things for us.

My goals this year. I try not to make a "resolution" list. Although January 1st is a good time for a fresh clean slate. So I will just consentrate on what I already do and make it even better.

1. Get closer to God. I dont think anyone can be too close. And even if you are close, you can get closer. I am going to read my bible more, study my sunday school lesson. Pray often. And if I tell someone I am going to pray for them, I will write their name down so I wont forget.

2. Take care of my body. This is something that I have let go for so many years. This year I joined a gym and have being doing good. I have lost almost 40 lbs since May. I feel great and I do things at the gym I never thought I would. So with all that said, I am going to be sure I excersise EVERYDAY. Even days that I can get to the gym, I will at least go walk or get out and do something.

Thats is pretty much it, everything else will work its self out. Happy New Year!

Hi! I am so going to do better blogging starting the new year. So Ill get a little warmed up now. I have so many new things going on now. I havnt been able to scrapbook or cardmake in a long time! :(

Hard to do with a 3 year old that wants to help. So maybe I'll hold off and do other things until he gets in school. Although I sure do miss it!

One thing I have been working on is cakes! I have been doing so many orders since I started my page on facebook that I have been so busy!! If you are on Facebook, please look up GoldieCakes. I do a lot of give aways and starting the new year I'm going to do some drawings for birthdays! I know free cake! Heck yea!!

So stay in touch in the next week and Ill be posting how to enter for birthday drawings!!!
Here is a little eye candy......homemade creamy yummy cant put it down chocolate cake! Its not the most beautiful cake....but your tummy does not have eyes :)

Hunger Games Cake

I loved making this cake!!! It was so simple and fun! This was also the 1st time I had ever used fondant. I don’t care for fondant, so never bothered. I knew making this cake I would need to though. So I made my own out of marshmallow and powder sugar. I just goggled and followed the 1st recipe that popped up.

A day before hand I made the Mocking Jay. It was white and I sprayed with gold paint (edible of course!). The cake is simple white cake with buttercream frosting. The flames on the side are also fondant. I just mixed red, yellow and orange fondant and rolled out to get the marbled look.

Chicken, Broccoli and Cheese Casserole

This is by far one of my favorite comfort foods. So warm and belly filling!

Ingredients:

*About 3-4 Cooked and Shredded Chicken Breast

*2 can of cream of chicken Soup. (I make my own, see recipe at bottom.)

*1 Cup of Sour Cream (fat free is fine)

*1 Cup of Cheddar Cheese

*1 Cup of Colby/Monterrey Cheese

*1 bag of frozen chopped broccoli (about 2-3 cups)

*2 Tabs of melted butter

*1 sleeve of Ritz crackers

Heat oven to 375 degrees

Take melted butter and half of a sleeve of crushed Ritz and form a crust bottom in a casserole dish.

Take remaining ingredients mix well and spoon on top of your crust.

 Take remaining crushed Ritz crackers and sprinkle on top.

Bake uncovered 30 -45 mins. I was closer to 45 mins . I like a crunchy top. 

Enjoy with a side of brown rice!

Homemade Cream of Chicken Soup:

 *****This will make the same amount as 2 can of cream of chicken soup****

* 1 1/2 cups of chicken broth. (I always keep chicken bouillon cubes and make my own broth)

* 1/2 tsp. poultry seasoning

* 1/4 tsp. onion powder

* 1/4 tsp. garlic powder

* 1/8 tsp. black pepper

* 1/4 tsp. parsley

* Dash of paprika

* 1 1/2 Cups of milk (fat free is ok)

* 3/4 Cup of flour

Stir broth and all seasonings to a soft boil, add 1/2 cup of milk, and bring to boil.

In a separate bowl mix remainder of milk and flour well.

Mix a little of the hot broth with the milk/flour mixture (this is to warm before mixing all together)

Now add all together back in pot, return to boil until thick and creamy. STIR OFTEN!!

Coconut Strawberry Almond Cake w/ Cream Cheese Frosting

Yes....Ive done it again. I have made a cake that I could sit down and eat all by myself and not tell a soul!
This is a semi homemade and is well worth the extras!

1 Box of Coconut Duncan Hines Cake Mix ( only box cake I use)
2 Tbs AP Flour
2 Tbs Sugar
1 tsp Baking Soda

Mix Well

4 Eggs
3/4 C. Veg oil or Apple Sauce ( I used oil because I didn't have Applesauce, but will next time)
1/4 C. Water
1/2 t. Almond Extract
1/2 t. Coconut Extract
1/2 t. Vanilla Extract

Mix well for about 3 minutes

Fold in the following

1 C. Shredded Sweetened Coconut ( place in food processor for about half a minute)
3/4 C pureed fresh Strawberries
1 C. chopped fresh Strawberries
1/2 C. Finely Chopped Almonds ( or you can use pecans)

Blend well.

This will make 2 very thick 8x2 round pans, or better to use 9x3 round.

Bake at 375 degree oven for 45 mins. I always check after 30 mins.

Cake will get a nice golden brown, but will not be tough.

I topped with a classic cream cheese frosting and toasted coconut. I didn't completely ice mine, I wanted to taste more of the cake then frosting. Worked out great! Keep in fridge and serve chilled!

Baby shower time. Not for me, no no.......lol
 So many ideas! This was going to be a onsie ...but I was going to have to cute away a lot of cake. So we made it in a dress and tried to save as much cake as possiable. Now this cake was not as moist as the others, due to the fact I was going to be sawing a way on it. It was almost like a pound cake. The lady bug was a frozen buttercream design that I did. It was so easy!

I think this was the best tasting cake I have ever made! I made it for my preachers wife, Ms Bobbie. I told her I made it was love...cheesy I know. But I do love her and I did spend a lot of time on this cake to make sure it was as perfect as I could get. We always have a church dinner for her, and we all enjoyed it! I made this cake with applesauce....and boy it was super moist! I can always look back at my cakes and see where I can improve. Maybe one day Ill go take some classes and maybe Ill get them to look as good as they taste :)

Now this is a cow cake I made for my step daughter. Her request was, "A goofy looking cow".....well there you go....Looks pretty goofy to me......I now wish I had went back and wrote Happy Birthday to Moo on it......but she wanted it plain.I also made some cupcakes to go around the cake that were just green grass.....made it look kinda cute :)

So I been in a baking mood! I am always trying new things when it comes to anything crafty or artsy...so why not make it so you an eat it! Here are a few cakes Ive been working on. Maybe one day I can start a little bakery...wouldnt that be fun! Instead of a happy little tree, Ill have a happy little bakery :) Get it? Ok , moving on lol.......So this is a cake I did for a friend of mine. She needed a cake for her daughters birthday. She was doing Aerial. No luck finding a pan or anything, so I had to free hand this bad boy. I see so many ways I could have improved this, but with the time I had, I think it turned out ok.

Coconut Banana Cream Pie

Are you ready for something YUMMY? If not, just move along. If so....you MUST make this! I'm talking YUMMY. There are several steps and some time you will put into this amazing pie, but I promise it is worth it. Here is what you will need:

Crust: You can buy a homemade crust or you can make your own. I made a graham cracker one.
1 package of graham crackers (3 come in a box )
3 Tbs of Butter 1 Tbs of Sugar (or powered sugar)
2 Medium bananas (sliced)
Splash of lemon juice

Pie Filling:
3 Tbs of Cornstarch
1 1/3 cup of water
1 can of sweetened condensed milk
3 egg yolks
3 Tbs of butter
1/2 tsp of vanilla
1/2 tsp of coconut extract
1 C. of Sweetened Coconut

Creamy Topping :
1 Pint of Heavy Whipping Cream
3 Tbs of sugar (or powdered Sugar)
1 1/2 Tsp coconut extract
1/2 C. Toasted Coconut (simply place in a nonstick pan and stir over med heat till toasted)
 
First thing, go ahead and make that crust, or unwrap it. I love things homemade. Makes me feel like I have accomplished something....yea,yea  I know. Most likely this cost me more money and more time, but hey......makes me feel like I should be back in the 1950s. Waiting on my husband to come home from work with my awesome looking pie waiting in the window seal. The whole " Hi, honey, I'm home!! " bit. Ok back to the crust. I crushed graham crackers, added sugar, and melted butter and built my crust. Slice the bananas and splash them with some lemon juice. This keeps them from browning and adds a little tangy. Let set for just a few minutes then drain. Line the bottom of your crust with those cute bananas. Now is here is where I thought.....that just maybe, adding some crushed pineapple.....maybe a little pina colada pie?? Maybe next time.

Now to the filling. Add your starch and water in a heavy medium size sauce pan. Dissolve well. Turn on medium heat. I used a whisk during the rest of this process. Now add your 3 eggs yolks and sweetened condensed milk. I looked at buying the fat free condensed milk and believe it or not it had more sugar! So I went with the regular. I mean if you are going to go out, go all out!
Do NOT leave this pot! I mean it. I did and I almost ruined it! So now stir, not really constantly , but often. You are waiting on it to get thick and bubbly...........this takes some time. Do not be tempted to turn up the heat though. It will burn and scorch it. But when you get there, remove it from heat. It will be a thick like pudding. Now add your butter and extracts. Let this cool a little. Leave it sitting for maybe 20 mins. Then fold in the coconut.
Let this cool down before adding to your crust. I put mine in the fridge until completely cool. Once cooled. You will want pour this on your crust. Well its kinda thick and doesn't really "pour". Get out that pasty bag! Or a large zip lock bag. If using a pastry bag, clip the end with a clothes pin before filling...if not it will be a handful trying to keep it pinched. Also You can set it down in a large cup to help hold it upright while you are filling it. Now fill it up and then poor over the crust. This way, your crust isn't disturbed. No tip needed, just let it flow out of the bag. I started in the middle and worked my way out. Leave about and inch from the side. Now add toothpicks and cover with clear wrap...this will keep a skin from forming. Now the hard part........place in fridge for several hours! You at least want 4 hrs to set. I know...this part stinks.....I was up all night thinking of this pie. But the more time it has to "set" the better it is!

Now onto the Cream! For those of you lucky enough to have a Kitchen Aid Mixer.....I adore you. I on the other hand, do not. Not yet anyway. But I do have a sturdy hand mixer with a whisk attachment. You can do this step with just regular beaters as well. Before starting this process, you will need to cool down your bowl and attachments. I put ice water in my bowl along with my cream and whisk. This works really fast! ( Be sure to dry out bowl though!!)

If you have never made REAL cream...boy are you in for a treat! Once you do this, you will never buy cool whip again!! And by the way, read the label to cool whip next time......uggg......is there any milk or real cream in there??!!
Pour in your heavy cream in your now really cold bowl. Whisk until it turns thick and fluffy, then add your sugar. I used powdered sugar...seems to me that it will dissolve faster and keeps the cream fluffy. Also add in your extract. You can do this to taste too. You may wont more and less. So add a little and taste......awwww I know tough job having to test taste that cream huh?! Mine, had to be tested SEVERAL times....hint hint!! Pastry bag time again! I did use a tip this time. But its not necessary since you will be covering the top with toasted coconut. That's up to you. Use the same technique as before. Load up that pie and top with the toasted coconut! Now you can enjoy this now, or for an easier cutting pie, I suggest letting it set for at least an hour. But again, you are the cook, so you get to call the shots!

Enjoy!!!

So far this year I have been feeling the artsy side in me trying its best to bust through! I have always wanted to go to art school...and maybe even teach art....maybe some miracle will happen and Ill be able to do that before I am too old! lol. So I have been doing some baking and decorating some cakes. I have this awesome cake I made for my step daughters 17th birthday. It was a yummy almond cake with Raspberry frosting. My all new fav! Decorating was so super easy! The key is having the right tip (1M) and the right bag! Tomorrow I am making a strawberry one for my Nannys Sunday School class....I cant wait to see how that one turns out.

Wow, Cant believe its been so long since I have posted! Life has really been moving along. Ill have so much to update on. One big ol reason I havnt been blogging is my laptop died on me! Boooo hooo!! I mean really, what the heck? Now I cant deceide if I want to have it worked on or just break down and buy a new one. So anywho! Havnt been crafting much, but I have been baking and cooking and doing a few things. Miles is 27 mths old now. Seems like I just had him. Times does fly, but again seems like I have had a fussy baby for EVER! He is so wild, I cant seem to keep up. He is trying to talk in sentances....which may not be a good thing haha. When he does something wrong, he will go ahead and spank his self. I find this very funny, and saves me from feeling bad from having to do it myself. So there you have it. Here is a cute pic of him laughting at his birthday party. Looks cute huh....right before we gathered everyone for the big ol Happy Birtday song...he takes a big ol yucky in his diaper, nice huh? So my child!

For more serious news of the homefront. We lost a beloved pet last summer. My heart was completly broken. Still is. I cant believe Rock is not laying at my feet as I type this. I could NOT have ask for a better dog. He was the easiest to potty train, he loved to sleep, he loved to lay on my lap, he knew when I was sick, he was the best. He accepted Miles the very moment we came home with him. Even though I had some nut case of a dog whisperer try to tell me to get rid of him. She said he was going to eat my baby....these people kill me. Yea he really killed him alright, does drowing in dog slobber count? Miles raced cars up and down his back, he put things in mouth, he rode his back like a horse. He inspected every part of that poor dogs body...and I mean EVERY part! lol I will forever miss my best friend. I miss cleaning out his ears and eyes. I miss plucking the hair from around his teeth, yea the hair......do not ask.....I have no idea. I miss letting him out to poop at the last minute because he was so lazy he would hold it in. I miss putting baby blue PJs on him. I miss riding him in the car and people giving us double looks. I miss taking him to park with Miles. I miss just laying in the bed or on the couch with him on a lazy rainy saturday afternoon. I honestly believe dogs go to heaven. And I cant wait to pet his soft sweet head again one day. Im sure he is sitting at my doorstep now, sleeping and waiting for me to come home. Im not sure Ill ever be able to have another pet. I hope so. And Im sure I will. I see the smile and light in Miles eyes when he sees a sweet dog. So I know Ill break down and get him one one day when he is old enough. Until then Ill say good night and touch Rocks urn each night, and sometimes hold it and cry just a little.