The Wedding Cake: A Mother's Gift to her Son and Daughter-in-law

Gum paste flowers are finicky.  You have to get them just right; too thick, they break due to the weight. Too thin and a gentle breeze will send them into a million pieces. 

Once you have the knack of rolling them out and assembled, they take color wonderfully and come to life.   These orchids were fun and simple to do, even though it took 3 days to make a complete flower!

 I added threaded beads to give the flowers more depth and dimension.  The pearls gave them a more elegant touch too.

The cake itself is a white cake, with a strawberry cream filling.  Fresh strawberries are chopped up, gelatin is added, and whipped cream is folded in.  This sets into a mousse-like consistency and tastes really good.

Vanilla fondant covers the buttercream base.  Pink and white orchids of various sizes were used, pink ribbon and silver beads grace the each layer.

March Birthday Cakes

This was the first time I had attempted to make a tie-died anything, but this turned out ok.  I used almond bark and colored bits of it, swirled them on a piece of aluminum foil.  I did this in case I needed to heat it up at any time  While the back looked like a child's creation when they mix all the play-dough together, the underside actually looked good.  

Birthday Cake: Rapunzel's Tower

 Here is the latest creation: a birthday cake for a precious 6 year old.  She wanted Rapunzel's tower, which thanks to a friends castle cake set, was fun to do.

My cousin came along for the delivery and final set up and took several photos of me in action.  Thanks Rosey!














There is a story behind this cake, one that eats at me a bit.  See, I had originally said "no" to the job.

I told the customer that I had friends that could possibly help her, but I could not reach anyone.  I ended up calling her back saying I would do it.  What compelled me to call her back was pure, old-fashioned GUILT.

Even as I write my scattered thoughts, I still wonder why I allow myself to feel guilty for saying "no". Does the brain freak every time I say no when a person asks me to do something?  Or is it because we are told from an early age not to say no but to help those we can?  I have frequent flier miles racked up on guilt trips.

I'm sure this is silliness.  Just got to clear the brain.

As it would have it, school and work were canceled due to all the freezing weather and I was able to stay home and bake this cake, not to mention do some sewing! :)

God provided, plain and simple.

New post @ Elliott Cookbook blog

For those of my family who read my blog, I have a new posting.  I'm starting out with Grandma Goldie's biscuits.  I honor her with the first blog posting. :)

Elliott Family Cookbook

Keep the look out for more!

A

Amy and the Elliotts

Today, I watched Julie on Julia.  A movie about how a lost writer finds her voice in blogging about her year long challenge to cook all the recipes out of Julia Child's "Mastering the Art of French Cooking".

About 5 years ago, I asked my cousin(s) if we should redo the family cookbook.  It was met with great response initially but then came the collection of said recipes.  Suffice it to say, it would have been "My 3 aunts and 4 cousin's cookbook" had it gone to publication.  Aunt Rebecca: you still hold the record for sending the most.  :)

But the movie has me thinking: why not blog the Family Cookbook?  Contributors can submit their recipes.  We can try out the recipes and submit a review or suggest changes or substitutions.  Instant updates and something that can be done day by day.  I can even scan in recipes in the original handwritings.

Thanks Julie, Julia and of course, Mom.  :)

Empanadas of Love

I absolutely love this time of year,  Autumn in New Mexico.  The cool weather sends me back into the kitchen.  It is in the kitchen that I can create and let my culinary imagination run wild.  Where "accidents" become family favorites.  I love to try something new and then, if it works, have folk over to dine with us.  I still haven't figured out how to cook for 3.  I cook for 5+, which usually means lots of leftovers.

You might even say that the kitchen is both a sacred and safe place for me (go to Leah's blog if you want to understand where I'm going with that statement: http://leah30s.blogspot.com/2010/10/portland-5albuquerque1-safe-places.html

What really brings the Fall season home is a good batch of Pumpkin Empanadas.  Here it is nearly the end of October and I had yet to make a batch.  It wasn't until the awesome baristas at Satellite leaned out the drive-thru and asked "When are you going to bring us some empanadas?", that I realized it was time.   They must have been on everyone's mind, because my DH's employees and coworkers were asking for them too!

How does something so small become so popular, so appreciated?  I'm still trying to figure this out!  These pastries are simple enough to make, but they are labor intensive.  Suffice it to say that there are several steps to getting them just right.  Sunday afternoon I made almost 100. (See photo at right)  Half went to my DH's work, the others went to the crew at Satellite, E's teacher and my coworkers.  Monday, I went to the chiropractor! :)  No, this is not a guilt trip for those that want some.  It is a gentle reminder to myself not to go so gung-ho when I make a batch.  Or 4.  

I am asked for the recipe all the time, and I will usually give it to those who ask. E recently asked me what the secret ingredient that I put into the empanadas.  I told her it was Love.  It is a labor of love to make them.  I love to give them away!  Bless and be blessed.  

I feel the same way about my cakes, too.  Most of the cakes I bake are given as gifts.  Speaking of cakes, here is one I made earlier this month.  I probably should post them more often than I do!

Taste and see that the LORD is good.

Oh, the joys of those who take refuge in him!   Psalm 34:8

April Birthday Cakes

Here are a couple more cakes that made it into April.  Family friends were the lucky recipients of these.  Both are chocolate.  MJ's is chocolate, with chocolate icing, topped with sugared strawberries.  This paired with her pop's homemade ice cream about put us all in a sugar coma.

The second cake is JJ's "Team Jacob" cake.  This one was a fun one to do.

The top is a Dream Catcher from the "official movie site" and our gift to J.  (I can't believe you're 11!)