"When One Falls, Another Takes Him Home"

Last night I watched the movie " Taking Chance" with hubs and I was so moved by it I decided to write a blog about it. Usually I don't watch war-themed movies with my husband because it makes me really sad to see the many things that happen. This movie is unlike any other war movie I have seen. This movie is based on a true story of Marine Lieutenant Colonel Michael Strobl's journey to escort 19 year old PFC Chance Phelps's remains back home. It opened up my eyes on the process that goes in taking a fallen serviceman home. The honor, respect that goes in getting everything ready and most of all it opened up my eyes on the effect that this process has on everyone it touches. I know the effect it had on me. I would recommend this movie to anyone, if you have HBO watch it. Oh and have kleenex by your side..you will need it.

My husband served in the Marine Corps for 5 years. Everyday I am proud of the fact that he served our country and risked his life for all of us. To all of those in the armed forces who have given up so much to protect us here at home...I thank you....To PFC C. Phelps USMC and all the other fallen marines, soldiers, sailors and airmen...Thank you for your service to our country and for protecting our freedoms. Rest in peace.

My Second cake!

So unfortunately I could not make it to my class tonight, but I still tried my hardest to practice at home and make my cake. Since I missed class I was unable to practice making those weird clown shapes, but I did practice my drop flowers, and shell border as best as I could. I cant wait to go back next week for our final project: The Wilton Rose.


Here I am hard at work makin the shell borders :D

This was my end result. I was very pleased with it this time and I have to thank hubs this time around because he helped me make the icing :)

My First Cake!

Last night was my 2nd cake decorating class and it went really well!

We practiced all sorts of stars, border fill-In's, curving lines, zigzags, printing and the first part of the Wilton Rose. I totally didnt realize that holding the decorating bag a certain way would make my wrist hurt because by the end of the class I was in pain! I had tons of fun though. I decided to make the cake that was on the cover of my Wilton Cake Decorating Beginners Guide. This is what I ended up with:

and a cute one of Christina poking at it! She couldn't help herself!

I think its not bad for my first cake. Next time I have to make sure to add little more food coloring to the icing so that the colors "pop" a bit more. My green was way too light! I need to think of what to make for my second cake....so stay tuned for next week! :D

Six Word Memoir

The other day I was told about this awesome site called Six Word Memoirs and I thought hard about what mine would be. It had to be something that would describe my life in six words....this is what I came up with:

Young mom gave it all, Succeeded

I liked it beacause it works in so many ways and it made me realize how far I have come. Not just in life, but as a mom, a woman, a wife, etc. etc.

It is definitely a site to check out. What would yours be?

Wilton Cake Decorating Classes

So I signed up to take some cake decorating classes. Why you ask? because I want to learn to decorate cakes like a pro :P I did some researching and I found that Michaels offers cake decorating classes so I signed up. The awesome part is that my class cost me $17.50 for a 4 week course! Today is my first class and I am excited and nervous at the same time.

I will be taking the beginners course which is:

Course I
Discover Cake Decorating
Focuses on basic skills and techniques, from icing prep and simple borders to roses.

From there I can move to the other courses they offer

Course 2
Flowers & Borders
Teaches more borders and flowers. 8 different flowers, including pansies, mums, and daisies, plusbasketweave and Color Flow

Course 3
Fondant & Tiered Cakes
Introduces rolled fondant, advanced borders, lily nail flowers (lilies, poinsettias, petunias and more)and tiered cake assembly

Course 4
Fondant & Gum Paste Course
Our expert instructors show you how to marbleize fondant, work with the ribbon cutter, make gum paste flowers, and so much more!

I am excited and will be blogging about my progress as I go along!

Boston Creme Pie Minis

Since today is super bowl I wanted to make some tasty treats for the family. I was pressed with time so I went to one of my favorite Kraft website and found a recipe for some Boston Cream Pie Minis. This recipe calls for *gasp* boxed cake mix. I know I know many dont like to use it but when you have to get something ready pronto this is what I like to use. I was pleased with the end result and the family loved them as well.

Boston Cream Pie Minis

You will need the following:

1pkg. (2-layer size yellow cake mix)

1 cup of cold milk

1 pkg. (4-serving size) vanilla flavor instant pudding

1-1/2 cups thawed Cool Whip topping, divided

4 squares semi-sweet baking chocolate

PREHEAT oven to 350 F. Prepare cake batter and bake 24 greased muffin pan cups as directed on package. Cool 10 min. in pans. Remove to wire racks; cool completely.

POUR mik into large bowl. Add dry pudding mix. Beat with wire whisk 2 min. or until well blended. Let stand 5 min. to thicken. Meanwhile, using a serrated knife, cupt cupcakes horizontally in half. Gently stir 1/2 cup of the whipped topping into pudding. Spoon about 1 Tspb. of the pudding mixture onto bottom half of each cupcake; cover with top of cupcake.

MICROWAVE remaining 1 cup of whipped topping and the chocolate in small microwaveable bowl on High 1-1/2 min. or until chocolate is almost melted, stirring after 1 min. Stir until chocolate is completely melted and mixture is well blended. Frost each cupcake with about 1-1/2 tsp of the chocolate mixture. Refrigerate at least 15 min. before serving. Store leftover cupcakes in refrigerator. Makes 24 cupcakes.

and one more pic because they look oh so good :)