Black Bird Singing: It's amazing!

Black Bird Singing: It's amazing!: "So I'm currently in a cake decorating class. I just started about a week ago and love it! In the Wilton Decorating Basics Lessons, we ..."

It's amazing!

So I'm currently in a cake decorating class.  I just started about a week ago and love it!

In the Wilton Decorating Basics Lessons, we learned just what it says in the title... THE BASICS! 

I made my very own icing last night and find it delicious! 

Class Buttercream Icing 

1 cup solid white vegetable shortening

1 tsp Vanilla, Almond or Butter flavor

7-8 tsp of water or milk

1lb. pure cane confectioners' sugar (powder sugar)

1 tbsp of Wilton meringue powder

pinch of salt (optional)

Cream shortening, flavoring and water. Add dry ingredients and mis on medium speed until ll ingredients have been thoroughly mixed together. Blend an additional minute or so until creamy.

But for my icing I used banana flavor which makes it oh so yummy!!! I did not use milk, I used 7 tsp of water instead, with NO salt!

The cake mix I used was not store bought. It was made by me with the help of All Recipes. I found a simple white cake recipe and used that. The recipes calls for everything I had around the house. I found that making my own was just as easy as making a store bought mix. 

Although I'm still learning how to decorate cake, cookie, and cupcakes; I wanted to share with everyone how I'm doing. 

I know it doesn't look like much, but this was my first free hand decorating with the star tip. 

Our homework was to make a cake, put icing on it, and practice our stars. I used strawberry cake mix with chocolate mousse filling, topped with strawberry icing. I wasn't too sure what to decorate the cake with, so I went with the easiest thing that popped into my head.... the peace sign. This too was free hand... I'm sure you can tell that by looking at it! ;-)

This is only the beginning of my class and I can't wait to learn more!!!

So Sorry!!

So I've realized that I've not been on top of this blog thing. Which brings me to what my goal are for the year 2011! 

1. Eat healthy: be able to say no to seconds and lose around 10lbs.
2. Stay active: on my days off take Phoebe on walks and when I'm at work take time to walk around the building and run up and down the stairs. (I have not gotten any weird stares yet!)
3. Social life: I want to see my friends more! I know people are busy with their families, work, or have financial problems. But a movie night, dinner, or drinks  at someones house, isn't too costly. 
4. Business: I want to have my own business within the next 2 years and because of that I'm taking classes at JoAnns for cake decorating classes. AND doing lots of research on yummy recipes. ;-)
5. Organized: I'm more than organized at work, but when it comes to my home I'm a mess. I'm hoping to get this under control this year and keep it that way.
6. Blogging: I would like to keep up with my blogs; not just to kill time, but to get my voice out there! 
7. Hobbies: I'm wanting to start up a new hobby of painting and knitting. I find these two hobbies to be very relaxing.  

I think it's very important for everyone to have goals. Take some time to think about what you want to accomplish in the year 2011.

Baby it's Cold Outside

Winter is Finally Here

What better way to celebrate this lovely season with national Cocoa Day!

Snuggle up with your favorite blanket, make a fire, and sit and listen to your favorite Holiday music.

Glee- Baby It's Cold Outside

Hot cocoa can also make great gifts, Check this out!

Family Fun!

Enjoy Your Day and Keep Warm!!

Fun with Quotes!

Fun with Quotes!

I've always enjoyed looking up quotes and sharing them with friends and family. Quotes that are funny, ones that lift the spirits, and ones that tug at your heart strings.

That being said I want to share some Dr. Seuss quotes, I think he has some wonderful ones out there. How fun is it to share!

“A person's a person, no matter how small.”

This quote reminds me of my nieces and my nephew. Sometimes people forget about the little ones and they go off not being heard.

"I'm afraid sometimes
you'll play lonely games too,
games you can't win
because you'll play against you"


"I like nonsense, it wakes up the brain cells."

This reminds me of when I was younger and the silly things we did.

"I know up on the top you are seeing great sights, but down at the bottom we, too, should have rights."

This can be said for many different things, but for me it's about my work life.

“Today you are You, that is truer than true. There is no one alive who is Youer than You.”

What a lovely quote, just to say, to be yourself.


"You know you're in love when you can't fall asleep because reality is finally better than your dreams.”

This is My FAVORITE quote from Dr. Seuss!!

"Be who you are and say what you feel because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind.”

This one is to my true and loyal friends.

“Don't cry because it's over. Smile because it happened.”

Live life to it's fullest

"The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you'll go.”

This is a good quote for myself, just to motivate myself to keep working hard on my college degree.

"Today was good. Today was fun. Tomorrow is another one.”

A bright and cheerful way to end the day!

It's amazing how a quote can relate to you and make you really think about what you have in life and what's to come. I suggest you look up quotes to find ones that touch your soul.



Happy Thanksgiving

With Thanksgiving right around the corner, I wanted to express what I am thankful for.

With all the ugly in the world, why not take the time to sit down and write what you are thankful for too?! It won't be the hardest thing you do today, I promise! :-p

I am thankful for:

• My Family- When I'm in the need to talk to someone or if I need help, my family is who I call. It's nice to have that love and support.
• My Friends- Although we do not see each other as often as we use to, you will always be in my heart. I have great memories with my friends who showed me laughter and loyalty.
• My Loving Husband- You are my rock to lean on, my shoulder to cry on, and the reason I'm the luckiest woman alive!!
• My health- I do moan about the little things like a cough, stomach ache and head aches, but I am thankful for my good health.
• My Co-Workers- You are the reason (most of the time) :) I am a sane person at work. You see if I'm sad or upset, and you all make me feel better about myself and what I do.
• My haters- surprised? Don't be, if it wasn't for the people out there who are not good hearted, I wouldn't be as strong as I am now. When you thought you were making me weak, you were really making me stronger. Thank you for that.

There are a lot of things to be thankful for. And you should write them down and see how lucky you are too.

Fantastic!!

I have to say that I had a FANTASTIC weekend this past weekend, and let me tell you why!

On Friday night I went to Ameristar for my brother in laws Birthday party. We were going to eat at Amerisports for dinner and while me and my wonderful hubby waited for everyone to show up we drank some of their wonderful beer! My personal favorite was the Hard Ball Dark. YUM!!

I have to say that their food was pretty good too. :)

Brew Pub

Saturday we went to our favorite hole in the wall, that was introduced by my Cousin. It's a pizza place located in Gladstone that also serves nice cold beers. Myself and my husband get our favorite pizza and enjoyed the fine company at Judge's Pizza.
Judge's Pizza

So, after a very exciting Saturday full of shopping and eating pizza, we come to Sunday where I get the chance to shop at Charming Charlie before they open!!! Two hours to be exact, and on top of that me and my co-workers got 20% off. Pretty amazing I do believe. Now, ladies I've never been to this store before and didn't think much of it..... Man was I wrong! It's Heaven for those who love assesories of all kinds. Not only for adults, but for kids too! In order for you to get to shop two hours before the store opens you need to have 20 or more people show up and then you get your 20% off. If you can't get 20, but can get 10 or more you can shop during store hours and STILL get 20% off. It's a girls dream I tell ya! If you haven't checked it out, you need to!!
Charming Charlie

After I was done shopping my savings away it was time for me to celebrate my Birthday at P.F. Changs. My thoughtful husband reserved a nice little table for me and my family to eat at. It was very nice and private. I enjoyed the lettuce wraps, hot and spicy soup, and the honey chicken bowl. Love it! I do find this place to be a nice restaurant for just you and your honey or for a large group.
Changs

I overall had the most wonderful weekend!
 Soon I'll have pictures of our wedding up, but until then Goodnight, and just in case I don't see you; Good Morning, Good Afternoon, and Good Evening!