New Cake Pic

This is a shoebox cake I made for a co-worker's birthday celebration. Yep, just like me, she loves shoes! The box and package are all cake - the shoe is fondant. It was fun to make, but I'll never be a cobbler!

Hot Older Babes!!!

Wellllll, at least we like to think so! This is my two wonderful friends from "Up North", Shelley and Linda. Last year we met for a girls weekend in the mountains (and my family home) of Western North Carolina. This picture was taken at Biltmore House. If you haven't been to those mountains you are really missing out! And, if you don't have some great friends - you are truly missing out! I'm quite blessed!

A Good Read

I love to read and always have a book I'm reading close at hand (I hate waiting-it's such a waste of time without a good book to occupy your time). I just finished this one and if you haven't read it yet - get to the library and pick it up. This thought provoking book (fiction) is excellent...and reminds us of how lucky/spoiled we are!

Time Does Fly!!!

Wow, it’s been weeks since I last blogged (or played on Facebook!). That’s an indication of how busy I’ve been - having a great time with all the recent activities I’ve been enjoying. In addition, I’ve been swamped with projects at my job. I used to go into the office early and blog a little before my work day began. Lately, I’ve still been going in early, but it’s to work (what’s up with that???). In light of economy and job lay offs – I’m fortunate to have a position, love my co-workers (some are great friends) and to actually like my job a lot.

So…here’s the catch up!

Yard Crawl
Our “Longhorn” friends had a “Yard Crawl”. Just another name for a great party! We had too much fun! I laugh the most in my life with this crowd of entertaining personalities. Everyone should be so fortunate!




CSR
My scrap friends and I hosted CSR (Creative Scrap Retreat). This was an overnight training/learning event that was a truly wonderful experience (with great food!). Each of us provided supplies and taught a class on a different crafting technique. Look at the pics of my projects! Jamie taught us the cute, cute, butterfly, picture frame project (quick, easy and lovely!). Debra instructed us in the art of binding and other techniques making the “LOVE” photo album (it’s so pretty and I don’t even have the pictures in yet!). Chere’s a year in photos Memories scrap album is a huge and fabulous project – I’m not even close to being finished, but you can get the drift from the images (I love decoupage!). Judy taught a Photoshop class that was very informative and gave us great ideas and training that we will use forever! My class was a card kit class – everyone knows I love to make my own cards! Everything came in the kit and then I added some embellishments and a little covered box to hold the finished notes. Add in great food, awesome goody bags (hello - matching pj's!) and a lot of laughing and it equals one delightful experience.
And, please believe me, the photos don't even come close to capturing how each excellent each poject really looks!






The album cover (it isn't completed yet)and front page


A page from the album - no pics yet

Happy Birthday Matt!

My youngest child turns 32 today! How is that possible??? I'm only...um...about...40ish myself.

The Children on Easter Sunday

My grandchildren got to ride a horse, ride the tractor and play with colored chicks and ducks. Not to mention, an Easter Egg Hunt at Serenbe and another one at a party next door. Too much fun!

I'm no Bakerella!

but, I try! Fortunately, my grandchildren don't know about the Bakerella blog site! I had great fun on Friday making a checkerboard birthday cake, cake pops, some cupcakes and an Easter basket cake! My little chick cake pops are not too smooth - the heads kept falling off when I dipped them in the melted chocolate - more practice required! Fortunately, they tasted great! The Easter cake was great fun - the eggs are cake covered with fondant and the grass and basket are all buttercream.

Braden is 4!!!

My grandson, Braden, turned four on Saturday. Hard to believe - just yesterday he was a newborn! He's so sweet and funny. He told me now that he's four - he has bigger feet. Are children the most wonderful blessing??? I love the picture of him and my lovely daughter, Krista. They will be in Georgia with me for Easter and I can't wait! I long to live closer to them, but at least we see each other about once a month and talk every day - we are pretty lucky!

Dr. Pam

Now don't be grossed out - I'm posting something very unusual. How often does someone who is not a doctor or in any type of training program to become one (or a nurse) have the opportunity to perform surgical procedures??? I'd guess it doesn't happen very much. But last February I was given the chance to do just that, in a cadaver lab, with my company's sales staff. It was fascinating and just one of the reasons that I really like my job. Hmmm, who knew...I may have missed my true career calling! OK - Seriously, I'm sticking with just cutting cakes!

Great Times!

Last weekend I went to visit my daughter and grandchildren. We had such a wonderful time together – as always. We had dinner at Zuzda’s – one of our favorite tapas restaurants, went to church and just played and played!

Look at this picture of Kyla and “our” Barbie dolls. We dressed them up for a wedding themed fashion show. There’s no better fun!!!

Decorating Frenzy

Last week while my husband was out of town I was in a whirlwind of decorating frenzy! I painted our kitchen a lovely golden yellow and added some new accessories, in one of our guest bedrooms I made purchased valances "custom" by adding fabric trim to match the comforter and shams and also added a new coverlet and additional shams for contrast (pictured below). But the best is our other guest bedroom (pictured above). Copying a picture from Better Homes and Gardens I painted this great focal point on the wall, purchased all new bedding and hung a rod and matching valances. WHEW! And, to add stress to my schedule, I had to make a wedding cake for 100 and deliver it today (the Kewpie doll cake topper is the bride's family heirloom and is 102 years old). When I returned from dropping off the tasty creation, we hung new rods and valances in the MBR. All in all - it was a bit of a makeover. I love everything...but now I really need a rest!

Cupcake Cutie

Can my Scrap Club friends guess who I was thinking of when I found this sweet item on sale at Kirkland’s yesterday? I’ll send it with your momma, Jamie!

Blogation

I’ve been so busy at work preparing for our national sales meeting in Arizona, I haven’t had a minute to comment on the blogs I’ve quickly surfed or to post anything on my own. In the evenings I’ve been too stressed about packing or too wretchedly tired to think. When I return next week, hopefully, I’ll have something interesting to say! It’s a sunny 86 in Scottsdale - definitely something to look forward to!

PS

You can check out a close up of the ice bombs on my friend's blog-www.photome-dr.blogspot.com
Yeah, yeah, I know it's not a link - I have to learn how to do that!

War of the Worlds???

No, just a little "Georgia Snow". It was crazy when golf and tennis ball sized hail began falling from the sky last night. The pounding on our house was thunderous --- the dog and I took cover - not sure who was more frightened! I've never seen anything like it. There is a good bit of damage to our house and truck, but fortunately, nothing too major and no injuries. I would hate to be a cow in weather like that - I mean seriously - you can't run - there's no shelter - what could you do??? When it was all over it looked like we'd had a bit of a snow storm, then the "fog" started to rise for an even more eerie scene. Oh well, it was interesting!

Shake Your Pom Poms

Anyone who knows me at all is aware that I was a high school cheerleader and many years later became a college cheerleading coach. I loved it in HS, but had a much better time working with such amazing talent at the college. In my first season we began with three young ladies – a few years later, there were over 30 cheerleaders and dancers on three different teams. You can imagine my delight when my granddaughter, Kyla, decided to become a cheerleader this year. Of course, I’ve been teaching her since she was born and she spent a good bit of time at my practices (being pampered by the students) and games – maybe that had something to do with her decision. Krista says she’s the last one on the floor, last one off the floor and continually drops her megaphone. Well, she’s only 6! I’m attaching my high school cheerleading picture (notice the very long skirt – strict Baptist High School), a photo of one of my college teams and two of Kyla. Go Swordsmen, Go Bobcats, Go Jumpers! Yeah, yeah, I still have that perky enthusiasm and even now I have some cheers in my head. If I can get rid of them (and some old songs) I’d have room for important stuff.

Happy Valentine's Day

I hope you all have love in your life...most importantly...LOVE YOURSELF!!!

A Special Day

Today is my dad's birthday. He would have been 78 years old, but sadly, he was killed in a freak accident when his truck encountered black ice and flipped on December 10, 2000. I miss him every day and know that my life and my children's will never be the same. We miss his support, good nature and sense of humor. Everyone in the community loved him - there were over 400 people at his funeral and there were so many flower arrangements - over 65 - we delivered them to shut ins and hospitals for three days. That says a lot about how people felt about him. Some days I still feel so completely grief stricken I don't know how we all manage to go on. But mostly, you just get used to it and keep going day to day. I believe with all my heart that he is in Heaven with his wonderful parents and siblings. The good news - he'll be waiting to greet me when I arrive. He's still my hero.

This is one of my favorite pictures of the two of us.

Chocolate

My sweet husband travels a lot….lucky for me he always returns home with a lovely Godiva delicacy. Do I look forward to seeing him when he comes in the door – of course – even if he came home empty handed. But, I sure do look forward to his candy surprise every time! Notice how many pieces are missing...I couldn't wait to try out this new variety. Sometimes a photo op just has to wait. This box actually lasted for two weeks. I was strong! What's your chocolate weakness???

My Mother

I thought I’d post this photo of my parents taken shortly after they married, and then a recent one of my mom with my grandson, Braden. Wasn’t she working it in the pic with my handsome father!!! She’s still beautiful. Faynita might be considered a “senior citizen”, but she doesn’t look her age or act like an old lady in any way, shape, form or fashion (she’s always dressed to the nines!). Go Mom!

Thank You Bakerella!

A friend led me to Bakerella’s wonderful blog and I could not wait to try my hand at making the cake pops she has on her site. How wonderful that she posted such detailed directions and inspiring photos. I had a great time in the kitchen…for seven hours…on Saturday. For my first time they came out ok. I look forward to making them again and taking a little more time with the dipping. They taste delicious and were a big hit with my friends. I also made a cake for my Elvis loving friends (Superbowl party) and a few little heart shaped snacks for Scrap Club. I guess it’s no secret that I love to bake…and eat!!! I long for pastry school (and a better camera), but for now this will have to do.