Thai'd the knot

Last month my little sister eloped to Thailand.  They came back to Manitoba in May for a small reception that I got to host.  His parents flew out for supper and then brunch the next day.  We all had a wonderful time.  I would have loved to be there, but this was the next best thing.

My signature chocolate Reeses peanut butter cake with PB butter cream, chocolate ganache and mini Reeses cups.
I wanted it to be simple and classic, Laura's style.  The symbols on the front of the cake are Thai for "I love you"

I love the Damask them with Robins egg blue.

Top view

John cutting the cake.

My inspiration for the cake and party them.  I framed a piece of wrapping paper as the mat was being signed by friends and family.

Here are the chocolate with vanilla bean buttercream cupcakes.  Along with coconut vanilla cupcakes with cream cheese lime icing, these were my favorite...yummers!

Chocolate covered bride and groom strawberries. Amongst them hide chocolate dipped and chocolate ganache topped brownies.  Laura helped with bow ties and buttons!

And of course just because they eloped they couldn't avoid all the fun.  We dressed them up in tacky clothes and took some of our own family wedding pics.  Here Laura is wearing a lace tablecloth around her as well as in her hair. 

But of course you can't make this girl look bad.  We got some great pics with the apple tree blossoms.  What a catch, we are blessed to have John in the family.

Congratulations Laura and John!

Here's to many years of happiness together.

Mr Happy cupcakes

These cupcakes were an effort to help cheer up my little guy who was so sad his favorite ball popped.

Oh to have the problems of a 5 year old and then to fix them with cupcakes and a new ball.

Mr.Happy not so happy after he met the branch.
 My little guy was even less happy :(

Chocolate chocolate chunk cupcakes with vanilla buttercream icing was the cure.
To top it off was a hand painted yellow gumball.
We even shared some with the neighbours who also saw Mr. Happy sail over their fence.

So easy and quick and not to mention Yummy:)

A Happy Mothers Day for me:)

I feel blessed to have been spoiled today by my four wonderful boys.  They brought me flowers, hand made cards and a beautiful cake -- all I asked for was lots of hugs!

Local "Flowers" picked fresh by my boys.

A chocolate cake with vanilla butter cream icing covered in fondant.  My husband found my supplies and went to work with the boys all morning.  They even bought a new apron for me - love it boys.

They even thought to put five butterflies to symbolize our family.

The secret recipe my hubby made up :))

It was a beautiful cake and I could taste the love, which happens to taste better than chocolate:)

This was a wonderful Mothers Day I will cherish forever.

 Thanks boys.

Happy Easter for a sweet neighbor

I made this cake with some extras I just couldn't justify throwing away.

3 layer vanilla cake with vanilla buttercream.  Very simple but that's what my lovely neighbours ordered.  I was nervous making this as in her 89 years I'm sure she's had delicious desserts to compare.

Similar to my other Easter cake but I added some pink and yellow butterflies and flowers.

Top view.
She loved it and It made my Easter to make her party special.

Mexican themed cake....beans anyone?

This cake was made for a very special Grandpa who was born in Mexico 89 years ago. 

 He's a sweet heart with a sweet tooth:)

By far the most challenging cake I've done based on size.  

10 cake recipes, 11 recipes of icing, 10lbs of mm fondant and at least 30 hours of work.

I always start with a sketch and try to stick to it.
This is a planning essential.

And now for 89 candles.
These are chocolate dipped pringle stix with a fondant flame.
It's was overwhelming to see a life time of candles and to imagine all he's done and seen in  those years.  

Mouth watering top tier that made up the bean pot.
Chocolate cake with drizzled with dark chocolate ganache covered in peanut butter buttercream then topped with mini Reeses Cups.  This was a hit.

Green tier was a 10" chocolate cake with drizzled dark chocolate ganache.  Then coated in Skor bar and topped with.... you guessed it .....whipped ganache.  Soooo rich.

The bottom 14" vanilla bean vanilla cake was coated with cream cheese icing and then loaded with these mouth watering raspberries.

Ready for fondant mexican blanket construction.

These clear guides worked amazing for stints.
Routine washing between colours a MUST to keep a clean look.

One Mexican blanket.
Did you know you can buy a real one online for $69.95

Apply to cake and drape then go madly scrub your counter top praying it doesn't stain.

The moment I was waiting for.  Hand painting my clay "Olla" and lid.
So much fun, it made up for the difficultly I had draping it.

My inspiration for the "Olla"
$21.95 online.

A little surprise birthday wish on inside of lid.
He loved it, but cringed at the number :)
I guess it doesn't get easier.

"Olla" complete with beans.

Cake was assembled on site 1 1/2 hours away through flood water detours.
No country roads today!

Final product including exactly 89 edible candles and hopefully a flavour for everyone.

Loved the colours.

Moments like these you remember for a lifetime.  
Like giving a labour of love to a great guy who never knew that sort of thing was possible.
He did whisper to me he purposely ate a small supper so he could eat more cake.
At 89 I think you can eat cake for supper and not feel guilty! 

Mr. Cornelius Froese with cake and an amazing hand painted portrait by Kerwin Froese.

The most difficult part of this entire cake.....cutting it.  This was not easy for me.  I really was wishing someone else would do this VERY difficult job.  
Funny no one offered.

I told Grandpa "at his age he shouldn't have to blow out any candles".
And that "it was much easier to just eat one!"
He agreed.


A very Happy Birthday Grandpa Froese.

I'd like to extend a big Thank you to the planning committee for including me in this wonderful celebration. 
 I feel truly honoured to have had the opportunity to create a cake he'll remember.

Surprise Easter Egg Cake

This was a simple yet fun Easter cake with a surprise!

10" Chocolate cake with whipped dark chocolate ganache, covered in marshmallow fondant,
Sure to satisfy all major chocolate cravings this season.

Back view of eggs.

Coloured white chocolate cooling in molds.
 Flo-coat is essential when colouring real chocolate to prevent ceasing.

Warm and level the egg in a saucepan on extra low.
Creating a smooth seam for other half to seal to.

Pre measure treat amount prior to heating the egg as to not waste time while your chocolate is cooling.  Seam warm edges and then smooth with your finger filling in any gaps.

Ready to decorate!

White chocolate hollow Easter eggs decorated with fondant.

My image for inspiration from a site called Simple and Handmade.

My version of a tulip that turned out more like a daffodil.
Use a small leaf cutter, flatten,curl.  Then wrap around the bulb.  Do this another five times and there you go ....a flower!  Then do this 9 more times and you have enough for a cake!

Dry upside down for desired petal shape.

Now for the fun part....assembly.
Two tones of grass, flowers, butterflies and eggs ready to go.

Ta da ....add the eggs and some more grass and its' done.

So simple yet very pretty.
A Very Happy Easter to Wendy and her gang!