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.

Meatloaf Surprise

Interesting title, huh?

I usually only make meatloaf one time a year.  It's one of my husband's favorite meals, so he gets it homemade each year as his birthday dinner.

I left work a little early so I'd have time to make it before I had two kids tugging on my legs.  It's just easier that way, trust me.

We try to eat fairly healthy, so I'm always trying to think of new ways to "reinvent" meatloaf.  You know, make it healthier, and more exciting.
My meatloaf recipe isn't all that special or exciting.  I usually just follow the tried and true recipe from my Better Homes and Gardens Cookbook. 

Doesn't every married woman have one of these?


Anyway, I loosly follow the meatloaf recipe that's in there, adjusting quantities based on what I have and to suit our tastes. 
But this year, I thought I'd liven it up a little more:

Shredded carrot is pretty exciting, isn't it!?


Wait, there's more....

Can you guess what it is?


I had an extra zucchini that needed to be used.  So I shredded that into the meatloaf, as well.
I know you can hardly contain yourself and your excitement.

As if the meatloaf couldn't get any better, I added yet another twist this year....

Individual portioned mini-meatloafs!


As a bonus, I was able to get EXACTLY twelve mini-meatloaves to fill the cupcake pan.  I can't even do that when I make actual cupcakes!

Unfortunately, there isn't a cooked picture of the meatloaf, because by that time the kids were home and chaos had ensued.  Trust me when I say that they were at hit!

Individually portioned and easy to serve.  And SURPRISE.....added vegetables that the kids don't even know they are eating.  Awesome!

I just might have to do this again before next year!

They Say It's Your Birthday.....

Today is a special day.... it's my husband's 30th birthday!

I wanted to take a picture of the kids together so I could make a birthday card for my hubby.  In my mind I had this ideal image of my kids sitting calmly (but of course super cutely) next to each other while each holding one end of a sign that read "Happy Birthday Daddy!"

A girl can dream, right?


A sampling of our mini photo shoot:





I promise she's not choking him

Really?

aww, look at those cute little baby feet!

Notice that I didn't even attempt the cute little sign idea.  I couldn't even get them to sit still long enough to take a halfway decent picture.
What you can't see is that everytime I sat them next to each other, they would both start laughing instantly.  It's like they were plotting against me!



Finally, after what I think was picture 536472 of the photo shoot, I got this:


Happy Birthday Daddy!

So HAPPY BIRTHDAY to my husband, my best friend, and the most amazing father to our kids.
I couldn't even dream of walking this journey without you.  YOU keep me balanced in this crazy, wonderful life...even on the days I might suggest otherwise ;)

Here's hoping the next year brings you even more joy than the 30 before it.