Day in the Dirt

November 2012
'Day in the Dirt'

Because we live so close to the desert, dirt bike riding is a very common hobby. You can almost smell the gasoline in the air come fall when everyone is cleaning out their trailers and tuning up the bikes to get out to the desert by Thanksgiving. So I wasn't surprised when I got a request for some cookies for 'Day in the Dirt.' However, in the effort of full disclosure, I must admit that everything I know about motorcycles could actually fit on the surface of a cookie....with space left over. Thank goodness for the internet! After scouring the Chaparral Motorsports website and looking at hundreds of pictures online this is what I came up with:

Cake #3! Happy Birthday FIL

September 2012
It was my FIL's birthday and he wasn't really interested in acknowledging it, but the women in his life wouldn't allow that! So my MIL gave him a little family soiree and I got to bake the cake! I made a few cupcakes to go along with for those non-cake eaters. (Poor souls) It was a Hawaiian theme which gave me a chance to try out some gumpaste. I made some hibiscus and plumeria but finally decided on the lacy petals of the hibiscus in the end. Be kind, it was my first attempt. ;) The inside was a vanilla cake with lemon cream filling which was perfect and refreshing for the hot weather we were experiencing that week here in SoCal.

Painting my hibiscus

Hibiscus flower drying

Decisions, decisions. Hibiscus or plumeria?

Matching cupcakes with fondant toppers. These are vanilla cake with lemon cream filling as well.

Top view: two large flowers and one small

The final product

 Here's to another year on the third rock from the sun, Dad! I hope you had a fun night.

Father's Day

June 2012

It has been many years since I have ventured outside of my house on Father's Day. Since my dad passed away 17 years ago on Father's Day, it has been a holiday that is filled with anxiety and depression. This year was different though. Usually my hub and kidlets head out to spend the day with FIL. This year I spent the day distracting myself with these little yummies. I used a wet on wet technique with the goal of practicing some straight lines. Then I jumped in the car, accompanying my family to the OC. The ride there was a little stressful, but once I got there and settled in with the fam, everything cleared up. I have such a great time with them and LOVE seeing my nephews play. The cookies turned out well too! They were a hit and FIL loved them. Happy Father's Day! Here's to NEW traditions.