Last week was a whirlwind. 

And sadly, I missed my cake class.

I will get to make it up this week though. The two cupcakes I want to make next are a filled carrot cake and a Banana Creme Pie Cupcake.

and I'm also going to make a two layer cookie cake, I got the idea from this fabulous baker...and here's her website to check out her cupcakes. Steph's Blog- Grace and Peace

and then I plan on making a 3 layer hexagon shaped candy cake. I'll be using rolos, york peppermint patties, and reese's!  YUM! 

I CAN'T WAIT!! 

Tonight is going to be a great night.  Hubby and I are staying in tonight.  We're going to watch movies and craft. 

I'm going to snazz up my apron.

he's going to work on his model car.

gnight.

 

Learning new things :)

I've been taking a cake decoration class!

I have an insatiable desire to learn and do something new at all times.

The class is pretty interesting...

let's just say the teacher isn't teaching us how to pass health inspection laws, if you get my drift.

But anywho here's what we did tonight...

 

it's sideways, sorry for your luck, I'm tired :)

But we learned dimensional decorating! In person this cupcake would be jumping right off the cake!

gooood night!

holy Cupcakes!!!

Would you know it... I've never made cupcakes from scratch.

and I've never filled a cupcake,

or made my own frosting for them.

My mission today was to do all three! 

I spent a couple hours in the kitchen (I'm sure for all you advanced bakers- it woulda been easier)

I used a recipe from Java Cupcake's Strawberry Lemonade Cupcakes!!  ( I didn't use their frosting recipe though, I used a combination of a few, then winged it the rest of the way!!)

first step is to cook strawberries down to a reduction.  It's like instant potpourri!!!



Then you mix half of this in with the batter. 

(Next time I make it, I think I'm going to add chunks of lemon so the flavor is a little stronger!) 

Beware!!  This recipe makes 24 regular size cupcakes, and about 30 mini cupcakes!!

They came out of the oven great!!!!

And then I attempted to fill them. A little sloppy...

but I made it work!!

Here's the final product!  Looks adorable! 

The frosting was a little bit more liquidy than I'd like, since I added a strawberry puree, so next time I might do a layer of this verison of frosting and a small dollop of cream cheese frosting!

They were DELICIOUS!!  The best thing about these delights is that they are light and fluffy, perfect for a hot summery day!!

yuuuuum

MISSION ACCOMPLISHED.

lions, tigers and PROJECTS oh my!!

I haven't had access to internet for awhile.  My computer's been faulty.

I mean, I can access it from my phone, but really, who wants to blog from a phone.

Not I.

Anywho, it's been a crazy summer so far.  I've had some life and work changes that have kept me busy busy!

I haven't crafted as much as I'd like to...but I have a few things under my belt.

I stained my potato hutch.  You're probably wondering what a potato hutch is, or why I wanted one.

Too bad, I'm not going to tell you!  jkkk.  mostly.

                        From this........................to this!

Anywho, I stained this sucker, and  let me share some things I learned.

1. Lighter is always better...once it's dark, you can't go back.  It might've (okay, definitely) come out darker than I wanted.

2.  If you plan to use a foam brush, have a spare (or 10 in my case) handy.  Foam isn't the best quality and they fall apart!

3.  About halfway in, I decided to use a technique I'm dubbing "soak and swipe"  Meaning I soaked the wood with the stain, let it sit for a second, and swiped a towel over it to pick up the excess.  Most successful part of this adventure.

Andddd finally...Always go with the grain.  I did- I swear! :)

Things I'd still like to get to this summer:

1.  Homeade cupcake.  I'm thinking a dark chocolate cupcake with a raspberry puree filling, topped with a buttercream frosting and chocolate covered raspberry to top.  Oh yes, you read that right!!  YUM!

2. DIY Headboard I just saw in a magazine made of random and eclectic dresser drawers.  Sounds weird right?  Well, I kind of like weird- so feel free to donate your old dresser drawers :)

3. Plan and coordinate a murder mystery party. I've recently become infatuated with Clue;and  I'm an excellent detective and I'd like to practice my skills :)

Oh, it's already the middle of July you say???  I'd better get on it then! 

Untitled

i'm not really that clever at making titles.

This one will remain untitled.

One of the things I loved most about Hawaii (besides their amazing sense of humor and compulsive love of vowels) was that there were a lot of free things to do.

This prompted me to look for free things to do in my area.

My newest adventure to try to Geocaching!!  (Click to see what all the buzz is about!)

I think on our next day off, I'm going to take Casey and the dogs for a day date and just roam the city.

Also, it's a great way to see what else there is to explore in the city :)

We went zipping in Hawaii also!  I'm having a hard time finding some local spots to do this at.  I could've spent all day ziplining!!  I multi-tasked and shot a video as I was soaring across the mountain!!

I know- good thing there wasn't al ot of bugs huh?!

anywho, that's all for now- excited for more adventures this summer :)

<3 te*lynn



May, oh my...

...how time flies.

 May was a fast month for sure.

3 weeks of vacation.

I know, tough break.

Mexico was first.  Hawaii second.

My next several blogs will include my travels!

Check this out:



I am in LOVE with Maui's BYOB Law.  January 2011 they banned the use of single use plastic bags.  At stores, they utilize paper bags which makes me nostalgic and has a down to earth feel.

Some stores won't even provide you with a bag- you have to provide your own.

Mainland- get on board!!

and my newest love, that I've thought about everyday since I gained its presence is the Banyan Tree!

 AFTER climbing the tree...I spotted this sign.

 uhh....OOPS  :)

seriously... my new LOVE.

This Banyan Tree was first planted in April, 1873, and marked the 50th Anniversary of Christian missionary work in Lahaina. The tree was imported from India was only 8 feet tall. It now stands over 60 feet high, has 12 major trunks in addition to a huge core. It stretches over a 200-foot area and shades 2/3 of an acre.

if you want to see more pictures of the banyan tree , click here!

well, that's all for now.  I hope you enjoyed my new fascinations!

procrastination is character's assasination...

a friend once told me this is her favorite quote...

at this moment I would agree. 

I need to pack.  I need to pack actually.  I need to pack outfits, and supplies for three week's vacation. and I have a list a mile long of things to do this week...

You'd think I'd be excited about this- but I'm kinda dreading picking out that much stuff!

What if I change my mind on what I want to wear?

What if in the next week I find better outfit options?

What if I pack for 80 degree weather and its 100 degrees??

I'm not really a what if kind of gal,  just figured typing up this blog would exonerate me from a few minutes of packing!

...mission accomplished. 

off to START packing, we'll see how far I get.

take a peeksie at where I'll be next week :)