It's Picture Time!

I'm currently:

Watching E60 (on DVR).

Helping Adam cook pork chops.

Some Thoughts:

First, I'm happy to report that all my stress the other night was totally unnecessary. The uniform thing was such a non-issue. I really can't believe I was so worried.

On a more exciting note-- I started to work on some of the larger fondant cakes today! AND... I remembered to take some pictures. I also worked for a total of 13 1/2 hours today, so I'm not going to write much (and instead I'll be tucking into bed soon), but I will leave you with a few PICS! woowho!

Enjoy & Bake Big! -Christine

(just a note: the first cake isn't finished yet... will finish it off with cupcakes tomorrow!)

Bells of Ireland & Animal Faces

I'm Currently:

Enjoying Columbus day & my first 2-day weekend in a while!

Eating an english muffin with peanut butter

Some thoughts:

First, let me apologize for not writing in so long. I have no excuses. I've just been so darn sleepy all the time. :-P

Second, some good news: My boss told me the other day that I can take all the pictures I would like at the bakery! So from now on, blog entries = text + pics!

And to begin with the pics-- last week I spent many hours making 'Bells of Ireland' out of gum paste. The little suckers were very time consuming-- and they were all for ONE cake! I think they turned out pretty well though. Here's a picture of the bells (and a picture of the cake is above):

Another little project I worked on last week was making animal faces for one of our children's birthday cakes. We needed samples of the animals to show customers, so I made all new faces out of fondant. I think they came out pretty cute:

These animals will go on top of one of our 'dot' cakes complete with a colorful party hat. ;)

Anyways, I'm looking forward to this week. I want to try and take lots of pictures, so I can show you about the cakes I keep referring to. Adam is away on business, so I should have lots of free time to write... We'll see how it goes.

Well, off to start the day. Until next time, Bake Big! -Christine

Birthday Cake!

I'm currently:

Finished cleaning the apartment, showering, and making myself look nice (for a change!).

Listening to Z100.

Some thoughts:

Tonight my parents and my grandma are coming over for dinner and to celebrate my (early) birthday. My gram has never seen our apartment, so I spent most of this morning straightening up and making sure everything looks perfect. I also prepped everything for dinner. I'll be making fettuccine with red sauce and chicken cutlets. My mom is bringing a salad and some fruit. And then comes the best part of the meal: the birthday cake.

Yesterday at work I made myself a small birthday cake. It was so much fun thinking of what I wanted to make. The possibilities were pretty endless. In the end, we decided that a 'serious' cake would be best (since my gram is coming over). So we passed on making a cake with elephants and bubbles, and instead I made a carrot cake with cream cheese filling, covered in sage green fondant, white dots, and a bunch of hand made gum paste flowers. I think it came out really well! A few of my coworkers guided me through it and showed me how to best attach the flowers. It was a great learning experience, and it was fun to make something that was my idea, and not something a client requested.

Overall, I'm really pleased with the results-- AND I had a blast making it. Now, well just have to see if it tastes as good as it looks. (I'll keep you posted!)

Now off to have a quick snack/lunch. Then tonight early dinner/birthday party! woowho!

Until Soon, Bake Big! Christine

First Full Fondant Cake!

I'm currently:
Acting busy while Adam does an interview for HGTV. (long story)

Some thoughts:
I made my first full fondant cake today! I mixed the fondant colors, covered it, decorated it, etc.! It was an 11" round light blue cake with a lavendar bow, and lavendar/white dots. Not my cup of tea, but I'm sure the kid who's getting it will love it! I also made a Giants football field cake-- complete with (cake) football on top! I had help with that one, but it was still fun. I'm learning so much, and I can't believe how much I'm doing after only 3 short weeks!

Now I'm pretty sore and tired, but also very happy that I no longer have to work two shifts on Fridays! Tomorrow morning is the end of the week. On Sunday most of the bakers are going down to Atlantic City for a baking convention. I wanted to attend too, but since I work on Monday and dont ahve my own transportation (other than the bus with the old ladies), I decided to sit this one out. I'm sure on Tuesday I'll have aan earful of stories from their adventures in AC...

Anyway, the film crew is gone now. Time to make dinner. (I'M SO HUNGRY!) haha!

Until Soon-- Bake Big! Christine

Cupcake Queen

I'm currently:
Eating a whole-wheat English muffin with peanut butter (thanks Adam!)

Rooting on the METS (in HD)!!! Whoooooo

Some thoughts:
What day is it?! Haha! It's already been a long week, but a very good one. Yesterday I helped my boss with a few of the 'dummy' cakes for the window display. One was a fondant cake with a tree and a multitude of fall leaves. I got to paint all of the leaves for the cake and even had some input as to where they show go on the cake. I also painted another one of the dummy cakes with an edible copper paint. Then painted a few of the hydrangeas for that cake.

Today I spent time working on layer cakes on the turntable. This is so much harder than it looks! The guy I've been working with has been doing it for 20+ years, so it's easy to feel mediocre next to him. But as they say, practice makes perfect, and I'm sure over time, I'll get it down!

We also made a bunch fo character cupcakes today. (The 'yellow bird', 'little red monster', 'little blue monster with a cookie in his mouth', etc. haha!) I also decorated another tray of the pumpkin cupcakes. One of the guys has started calling me the "Cupcake Queen". Not a bad nickname... especially when I think of all the other things they could be calling me....

Anyways, time for bed! Anther day tomorrow. Until soon, Bake Big! Christine