Disney Photopass E card

So apparently this didn't work as expected. Try clicking on the picture to see if you can see the E-card that I created!

A Whopper of a Fish Tale!

So for those who don't know the back story here it is:

Since I have know Richard, about fourteen years now, he claims to be a fisherman. However he has never caught a fish in those fourteen years. I do have to give him some slack, since the kids have been born he has not had much time to fish. Even when he finds the time he has never caught fish, not with the kids, not by himself. He even jinx people around him to not catch fish (sorry dad).

So yes I tease. He even teases back saying I am his bad luck, even though I rarely go fishing. I beg to differ, I question if he has EVER caught a fish. So Richard's mission the last few warm weeks of the summer and fall has been to prove me wrong. He has been spending his quiet Friday mornings at Herriman's little fishing pond, which is regularly stocked with fish. Two weeks in a row he has come home empty handed. HMMMMMMM...

Last Friday both the kids were out of school and it was unseasonably warm. Richard decided to give it one last try. The three of them set out to go fishing.

Here is the proof I got.

My question still is WHO CAUGHT THE FISH??? The kids both say that they caught a fish and that dad caught a fish too. Richard to you coax the kids? I guess either way the curse is broken, someone caught a fish while Richard was there.

The one thing that I wish wouldn't have happened is this last picture. Olivia thought her fish was "soooo cute" so dad told her to kiss it. Can anyone say YUCK? Not to mention germs.

~Amanda

Hello, Cupcake!

I have borrowed this wonderful book "Hello, Cupcake!" from my sister-in-law Kim. This book is so creative and has so many ideas on decorating, cake baking tips, and much more. If I didn't like Kim so much she wouldn't be getting this book back. Needless to say, I will soon be making a trip to my local Barnes and Nobles to make a purchase.




Here is my first attempt at recreating one of their creations. This little pumpkin patch turned out pretty good. I couldn't find all the candy that they originally used, so I improvised.

I already know what my next two batches of cupcakes are going to be. So at least for the next little while, if you ask me to bring anything for a dinner or pot luck, don't be surprised if you see "Hello, Cupcake!"

~Amanda

Carving pumpkins

Ok, so we decided to carve pumpkins again this year. After getting one for free from my mom, we went and got two more.

Bradley wanted to have a mummy pumpkin. After trying to figure out how to "carve" the mummy wrap, we decided to sacrifice an old t-shirt and just wrap it.




Olivia wanted a kitty, so Amanda drew up a kitty face, and I set about carving it out. One cut and a few bandaids later, it turned out pretty cute.





I decided to do things a little different this year. Tired of seeing all the cute jack-o-lanterns out there, I decided to make a "gross" pumpkin. It was probably the quickest one I have done, since I didn't have to scrape out the insides.



Happy Halloween!!

Richard

I have found my passion....again.

So first I need to apologize to Richard, my co-workers and anyone else who I barrage with my new found energy for my passion, baking! You now can't blame any extra pounds on me, I just apologized.

The last few weeks I have been on a baking high. I have made cookies, cakes, candies, ice cream, cupcakes and treats of all kinds. I really can 't help myself. I get bored and want to bake.

I have always loved to bake, but the last little while it felt like a chore but now something has renewed that spark in me. I think it all started with a blog I stumbled upon, Bakerella, which is now a website. She is so creative and has the most delicious recipes. She shares her tips and secrets step by step which is wonderful. I am a great copier, I just don't do the creativity part on my own.

After the new year I am going to start a cake decorating class. I am determined to better my skills. I have seen some of the coolest supplies for baking, candy making and decorating. Richard is going to be sorry. I don't know if I can control my spending.

So here are some of my recent creations. Some come from Bakerella.com and others from Allrecipes.com.


This is a chocolate mousse with raspberry and chocolate formed leaves.


Chocolate molded/covered pretzels.


Halloween Chocolate Carmel rice crispy treats


These are cupcakes that I made for my brother-in-law Jason's wedding. His and Lucretia's colors are blue and purple. I had creative freedom on these cupcakes. So I tried making the candy flowers and chocolate initials. Cute if I say so myself.


~Amanda