Hobby or business?

When I was growing up, my mom used to make us homemade birthday cakes.

Nothing overly elaborate, like some of the birthday cakes you might see today, but she still baked each of us a birthday cake and decorated it with love.  (I wish I had pictures here, they were great cakes, and plus, I was a cute kid! ha!)

When we were young, it was always a shaped cake pan decorated to the accompanying pattern. My siblings and I had birthday cakes ranging from Rainbow Brite, Bugs Bunny, clowns, baseball gloves, bubblegum machines, etc. I've even inherited some of the pans that my mom saved over the years!

As the years went on, the cakes became less elaborate, and the joke now is that mom doesn't even take the cake out of the pan. Just bake a standard 9"x13" cake, leave it in the pan, and frost the top!

　

I had decided after I had my first child, that I too, would make my kids' birthday cakes each year. 3 years in, and I've stuck to my promise.

Check it out for yourself (and please excuse the poor pictures...I need a new camera!

　

{T's first birthday cake & smash cake}

{T's 2nd birthday cake, Elmo of course!}

{T's 3rd birthday cake}

{T (3) & JB's (1st) birthday cake}

{JB's 1st birthday smash cake + mini cupcakes}



{dessert table at joint party}



　

　

As you can see, the cakes aren't overly elaborate, but I love knowing that I did it myself. Each year for Christmas, I ask for some new "tool" to help me along with my baking skills. I am totally all self-taught, although I've toyed with the idea of taking some decorating classes.

Baking has become more of my "thing" and now I'm usually the one that volunteers to make the dessert for various family and friend functions.  I've always dreamed of starting my own business and baking delicious treats, but honestly, don't have the guts to put myself out there like that.

Yesterday was my sister-in-law's last bridal shower before her big day (coming up in less than a month!!) and I had the responsibility for the cake. Of course I wouldn't being buying a decorated cake from the store, and I took her color theme and ran with it. Her wedding colors are cornflower blue and yellow, so of course that needed to be the cupcake and cake colors as well.

My father-in-law's side of the family is quite large (he's one of 12 children) and almost all remain local. I needed to be able to feed approximately 50 women for the shower :)

I made a very small cake, and tried a new "rose" technique I had seen but hadn't had reason to try.  I thought it turned out OK for my first trial. 

Next up were the cupcakes.  I made some mini cupcakes, as well as some traditional sized cupcakes, and did a combination of the yellow and blue icing.  "Rose" swirls, of course (her wedding flowers are roses, too!).

Sorry for the terrible lighting in the next few pictures, but the "cake area" at the party was on a kitchen counter that didn't have any natural light and was a little dark.  You'll get the idea!



{the bride's new last name starts with an "N" if you couldn't guess!}



As I was unloading the cupcakes and making my "cake display" more than a few people asked if this was a new business of mine or just a hobby.  At first I answered that it was mostly a hobby...but that I wouldn't mind if it turned into a business!  I had always day dreamed about doing something like this as a business, but could it really be a reality?!  Who knows.

At the end of the party, I offered my cake baking services for the next bridal shower (only a little over a month away....remember when I said it's a large family?  That means LOTS of bridal/baby showers!!). 

I also volunteered to make cupcakes for the bachelorette party "pre-party" this weekend.

Today, I daydreamed a little more seriously about making my dream a reality.  But on a small scale.  As in, starting with word of mouth among friends and family and seeing where it takes me.  Who knows, right?

Maybe this won't actually go any farther than just being the one who always makes dessert for family functions. 

I guess you never know for sure unless you really put yourself out there and actually take a chance.

Cheddar Cracker Carrot

I know I promised in this post to share how I was going to make my "chedder cracker carrots".

A little late, but here you go!

They were SUPER easy to do, but was a more fun way to give an edible gift.

(My daughter LOVED them!)

　

Here's what you need:

Icing decorator bag

Green ribbon (I just used curing ribbon)

Filling (I used the Target brand of cheddar crackers, shaped like little chicks - perfect for Easter!)

　

Ready?

Take your decorator bag. Fill it with your crackers (or jelly beans or whatever you decide to use).

Twist the bag.

Tie with Ribbon.

　

It told you it was easy!

(1 box of crackers exactly filled two 12" decorator bags.  Perfect!)

Enjoy!

Beans, beans, beans

Since I've already introduced you to my best friend, I thought I'd share an even easier recipe with you.
Seriously, easiest dinner you'll ever make.

Ready?
It's oh so cleverly called: Sausage and Green Beans.
And it's one of my kids favorite meals.

Ingredients:

Smoked Sausage
Frozen Cut Green Beans
Seasoning of your choice (optional)

I wasn't kidding when I said it was easy.

I usually add 3 bags of frozen green beans to the crockpot and add some water so that they don't stick to the pot.  I add some garlic and dehydrated onion (because I usually don't have fresh onion on hand) and sometimes some black pepper. 

I add the smoked sausage on top but don't cut it.  The reason I don't cut it, is because just like most of my crockpot meals, it probably cooks too long and that helps it from getting too dried out.
I love the green beans to be on the mushy side for this meal, and so do the kids, so actually it works out well that this cooks for about 9 hours because that helps them get nice and cooked!  Make sure to use a slotted spoon to drain out the water when you serve it up!

Sometimes I do add some sort of potato to this to try and round out the meal, or I'll add a side of garlic bread.  Many nights it can be a struggle to get my daughter to eat her veggies.  Not so with this meal.  Maybe it's because it's pretty much the base of the meal, as opposed to a side item.  I'm not sure why, but I just roll with it. 
Most nights, she asks for seconds!

{please excuse his ridiculous, long over due hair cut in this picture!  I promise it has since been cut!}

I'm all about easy meals that everyone in the family loves.  I grew up on this meal, and it's still a winner in my house!

Hippity-Hoppity Easter's On It's Way

Wow, it's been a while since I've blogged. I know you've missed me (all one  of you that is probably reading my random ramblings!)

Anyway, with Easter right around the corner, I thought I would share my Easter basket ideas.  Hopefully this post will be a little bit more timely than the super bowl post.

While I do give the kids candy in their Easter baskets, I really try to limit the amount that they get. The grandparents' also know my thoughts on the excess candy situation, and for the most part they stick to my wishes. (In the interest of full disclosure, grandparents still like to do whatever they want).  

I'm really not a prude and refuse to give my kids candy or sweets or anything like that (trust me, they get more than their fair share). But let's be real here; no 3 year old and 1 year old need THAT MUCH candy. Plus, mommy is much more likely to eat it if it's around, so it's best for all parties involved if we limit the intake. (Luckily, I'm only on bag THREE of the jellybeans so far).

Both of my kids birthdays are in the fall, so I kind of use Easter as an excuse to give "gifts" that I would probably be buying anyway since there is no birthday or Christmas in the coming months.

So, what are my kids getting this year?!

I'm glad you're so curious!

For my three year old daughter:

*Nail Polish (this has yet to be purchased, it will most likely be purple since that is her favorite color!)

*Sidewalk Chalk

*A new spring outfit (picture the dress with cute white legging capris....that I'm sure won't stay white for very long!)



{source: Carters.com}



*2 new books, with two of her favorite current obsessions (Curious George and Super Why!)

{source: Amazon.com}

{source: Amazon.com}

　

　

For my 18 month old son:

*New spring PJ's (have you caught on to the subtle baseball theme?!)



{source: Kohls.com}

*Rain Coat


{source: Kohls.com}


*Of course, a book.  This is one of my favorites from when I was a kid, but I bought the board book version for smaller hands:

{source: Amazon.com}

*Bubbles, bubble, and more bubbles.  This isn't the exact same bubble set that we purchased, but it's most similar. Basically, it's a tumbler and it's awesome because IT DOESN'T SPILL.  Amazing.  We already had two of them, but we've lost the wand on one and the kids fight over them all.the.time.  So, more bubbles it is!

{source: Amazon.com}

*I will also probably add a ball or something else to play with outside



Other popular items that may or may not make it into the baskets this year (I haven't actually put together the baskets, so we'll see how everything fits):

-Crayons
-Coloring book
-Stamps
-Stickers



In addition to this fun stuff, they will of course get candy.  I like to fill plastic eggs with jellybeans.  Not only does this limit the amount of jellybeans they get, they think it's fun to open the eggs and have surprises inside! 
I'm sure there will also be some peanut butter eggs because they are my favorite my daughter's favorite.  I'll throw in one box of peeps for good measure because what is Easter without peeps!?!

I will also be attempting to be cute and crafty by making a "carrot" out of cheddar crackers.  I bought the Target brand because they are little chicks instead of fish which is clearly more Eastery (is that even a word?!).  I'll post pictures after I actually make them!


If you have any suggestions for items you like to fill your Easter baskets with, share them in the comments!  I would love to hear them!