Happy Spring!

Royal Icing take two.

Today was the second time I attempted Royal Icing.

Still not happy with the results.

I am looking for a shiney finish...and the ones I have tried twice now have been more matte finish.

I tried a new sugar cookie recipe as well and I was happy with the taste of those.

However we'll keep searching for the perfect Royal Icing.

The decorating aspect itself...was...ok.

It was fun.

But I want perfection...now.

And I'm FAR from there.

But, in the meantime...I'll just keep having fun!

Chocolately goodness!

The other night I made two dozen cupcakes for Nate's Lincoln School Fun Night.

I only needed to take in one dozen for the school...so guess who got the rest?

Yep.

We did!

I am finding that I enjoy decorating small things (cupcakes and cookies) more so than large cakes.

Not that I will give up full size cakes.

But I've really been enjoying myself this past week with all the tiny treasures.

Sprinkles anyone? :)

More cuppycakes!

Even before I got into cake decorating, I always volunteered to bake cupcakes for Lincoln's Fun Night each year.  But now that I'm into decorating...it's just that much more fun!  Tonight I had my first attempt at decorating with Royal Icing.  I did a white cake with chocolate buttercream frosting.  Then I tried my hand at Royal Icing.  I did the lettering right on the cakes, but the flowers, starts, and dots...I actually piped onto parchment paper and let them "set" before transferring them.

They're not perfect by any means.  But I am having a fun practicing and learning new things every step of the way.  I hope whoever wins them enjoys them!

Triple Salted Caramel Cupcakes

I continue my quest to be an awesome baker.

And I'm moving beyond cake decorating.

I'm looking for amazing flavors as well.

Someone had told me about a salted caramel cupcake and I was looking for the perfect recipe.

All I did was type it in my search engine and VOILA!

I found this:

http://www.sprinklebakes.com/2010/05/triple-salted-caramel-cupcakes.html

This is an awesome blog!

If you're looking for some amazing desserts, Sprinkle Bakes is the place!

Mine aren't as pretty as hers...in fact, those little crystalized sugar decorations on top were quite a flop on my part, LOL!  But they tasted AMAZING!

You have GOT to try them!

If you like sweet and salty...this is your dessert!

Well, what are you waiting for?

Go check out Sprinkle Bakes blog!

She rocks!

Keeping the dream alive!

The delay of your vision is not a denial. - Bryan Jarrett


One of my former associate pastors had this saying posted on his Facebook status today.
How appropriate for what I'm feeling right now.
Some of you may know...I have a dream.
After feeling very stagnant and unfulfilled and just plain burnt out in my current job...
I have been dreaming of going into baking full time and then writing/blogging (because writing is also another dream) about it.
Some days I feel inspired.
But most days, I feel like it's just another pipedream of mine that will never happen.
Can't happen.
But I keep telling myself, that ANYTHING is possible with God and prayer!
And according to scripture, he knows the desires of our hearts!
So I just thought this saying was so appropriate for me at this point in my life.
I just pray my "delay" doesn't happen when I'm a little old granny, LOL!
So...if you're a believer, whisper a little prayer for me!
This is a HUGE dream of mine.
I am longing to find happiness and fulfillment in my job again.
And I believe God wants not only what's best for us...but He also wants us to be happy.
Amen!

My kinda day...

Today was my kinda day.

We got up and went to church.

Then had a nice lunch at Texas Roadhouse.

Our appetizer took a little longer than usual and so our serve came to our table and appologized saying they had to prepare a new one because they burnt the first order.

They were then delivered by the manager and she announced that they were "on the house" because they took so long!

Well, how about that!

That was sweet!

Honestly, it wasn't even that long!

But hey, who am I to argue with free?  LOL!

We then came home...

I couponed a bit, played around on the 'puter.

Then I took a short nap (bliss).

Got up.

Threw some peanut butter cookies in the oven...yum!

The guys were craving pizza, so they got a couple to share.

I was just feeling more "snacky".
So I picked up the ingredients for french onion dip and chips.

We all watched The Amazing Race.

And the best part...

I got me a thunderstorm!

Everyone who knows me knows I love thunderstorms!

Complete with rain, thunder, lightening, and even some hail!

Now...

All is quiet.  The boys are in bed.

And I'm headed there shortly.

Not really ready for Monday...but then am I ever? ;)

Thankful...

In the midst of the storm...
Today I will choose to be thankful.
I am thankful it's FRIDAY.
I am thankful I have two beautiful sons.
I am thankful I have a husband who is comitted and loves me no matter what.
I am thankful that WE WILL make it through all the storms life seems to be throwing at us right now...with school, work, life in general.
I am thankful that the few constants I have in life...that I know I can always run to...
Are...my husband, my sons...my God.
Thank-you for always being there for me at the end of it all each day.

A "God thang"...

No sooner had I written my last post...
How weary I've grown with all that's going on in our life...
This popped up on my Facebook page.
http://networkedblogs.com/ft46v

This is one of the many Proverbs 31 blogs that I follow that encourage me daily.
Talk about timing.
As discouraged and overwhelmed as I've felt...
I think God might as well have just tapped me on the shoulder Himself! ;)
This was exactly what I needed to hear.
I've got to give it up.
Let it go.
Put it in His hands.
Thank-you God...for those little reminders, when we need them most.
Please continue to remind me.
Your forgetful, worrisome servant...
Melody

Stop and be thankful...

Through out all the day to day whining and complaining...

And worrying and fearfulness...

Sometimes we forget to stop and thank God when things are actually falling into place and going well.

Today it hit me that I need to do that more often.

Today...

I am thankful...

That I have ALL of my appointments lined up and scheduled!

That we are almost done with the boys dental appointments!

That I got my prescription straightened out with the pharmacy!

That I won a book in a drawing!  Woohoo!

That the sun is shining today!

That I have nowhere to go or nothing to do tonight!

That spring IS coming!

That I have my monthly newsletter done and out!

That I have all my e-mails caught up!

That we are all healthy!

That I got a good haircut by a great stylist last week!

That I have a small group today and am getting a little time to refresh.

It's not much...but it's these little things that I need to start thanking God for.

The little things we don't think about that are the small positives in our day.

Because when these "litle" things go wrong...

Those are the major frustrations that send our days into downward spirals.

So today...
I choose to be thankful!

I won!

I know some people probably think I'm silly...
But it's the little things in life that just make my day!
I've said that over and over again.
Sure, we'd all love to win $1,000,000.00 in the Publisher's Clearing House Sweepstakes...
But honestly, I don't think it's ever gonna happen.
So in the meantime...
I'll take those little blessings.
Those little surprises that just light up my day!
I got an e-mail yesterday informing me that a comment I'd left on Proverbs 31 blog had randomly been selected to win a book!
Yay!
Me!
I won!
I can't wait to read it!

No excuses...

So, a friend of mine and I were discussing the other day how we are always so obsessed with looking our best.

Yes, we have our "not so great" days, when maybe our make-up isn't perfect, we skip the contacts and throw on our glasses, we wear our old jeans and tennies.

But our discussion revolved more around how we like to look our best.

We enjoy being "girly".

We like to look nice for our husbands.

Another woman piped in and said that "if Christ dwells in us, we wouldn't be worried about what the outside looks like, it's only what's on the inside that counts".

Ok.

I can agree on the part that...yes, we need to be concerned on inner beauty as well.

We need to be kind, caring, loving, gentle, giving, and serving God.

However...

I think way too many people women, use this as an excuse to throw in the towel and never do anything to present themselves well.

We as Christians already take enough heat for being "boring".

Personally, I think there is nothing wrong with being modern, up to date, and well-dressed!

Why would you not want to look your best for your spouse and the world in general?

Of course we all have our "grubby" days.

But I personally enjoy putting on make-up, trying new hairstyles, dressing fashionably, etc.

Why do so many women throw in the towel once they get married and have children?

I know I'm far from perfect.

I could stand to "tone up"...maybe lose 5-10 pounds.

But there's no need for me to wake up and not shower, not put on make-up, not fix my hair, and wear sweats everyday.

I enjoy looking nice for my husband.

I feel better about myself when I look nice.

I enjoy being girly and feminine.

I'm not saying you have to put on a dress everyday and wear high heels to vaccuum and cook dinner in.

But there's nothing wrong with putting on some cute jeans and a sweater, applying some make-up, styling your hair so you look nice for your spouse.

I'm sure many would disagree.

Opinions are like belly-buttons...everybody's got one!

But all I know...

Is I've been married nearly 18 years...

And it just keeps getting better.

:)

Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own.
1 Corinthians 6:19

Black Heels To Tractor Wheels...

I love The Pioneer Woman.

I came across an article by her in a magazine several years ago...how she got her start...her life...and a wonderful recipe of hers.

I've been following her blog ever since.

She is SO cool!

Well, I have been wanting her latest book so bad, ever since it came out.

And today...

A package arrived in the mail.

Yes, my wonderful hubby secretly ordered it for me and surprised me!

I think I'll keep him!  Teehee!

I'm so excited to read it!

One of those little things that just makes your day!