Monkeying around?

Ok- so it has been a while since I last posted anything.

I've not been doing much- well, as not-much as I can do with 4 children.

We've been able to have some fun times monkeying around lately. All that sugar from Halloween that we have *still* been consuming has left our body in extremes highs- followed by the all familiar sugar crash.
Picture 4 kids, all crazily bouncing off of couches- walls, balls, screaming, shrieking,laughing evil laughs..... followed by crying, more screaming, bleeding, bruising, and bumped.
Yup- that's been my house since the first day of November!
I'm not sure why we even allow that dreaded holiday really!
No kidding!

So on the topic of monkeying around I thought I'd post this cute cake I made recently. I loved making this thing and think it turned out so cute! All my kids decided this is the cake THEY want for THEIR birthday.

For those who are curious- it's a wondermold sitting on an 8" cake, followed by a mini ball pan for he head and a fondant "cone" smothered in icing and covered in fondant. Of course, cardboard is placed though-out as well as dowls and one big dowel through the whole thing.
Everything else is fondant too.

Well daddy took the huge bag of candy t work today and I say "good-bye! good riddens!" Now maybe our house can get back to semi-peaceful!

Which brings me to the monkey cake

A true Kansas Cake!

I heard from the weather man that the coming weekend should be the peak in fall colors.
I love fall and am so excited to breath in the beauty of the fall air this weekend!

Last weekend I had this huge cake due for my son's former teacher. Her friends were throwing her a big surprise bash! She loves sports, but more so, she loves Kansas teams, so this cake was (hopefully) perfect!

A bit of a challenge as I am still supposed to be spending my days "down". With no lifting or bending. I have become master of kneading with only my arm muscles, sitting while putting fondant on cakes, ect. I'm not sure I'll know what to do once I am able to stand!

The funny story behind the delivery of his cake is this: On a crazy Friday we drove 30 min. to deliver this. The address I had was wrong, but we found the place. Since I cannot lift, my hubby had to go in. I watched through the windows as he tromped through pockets of people, weaving in and out, smiling, waiting for the recipient to come toward him.
No such luck.
Instead, he ended up back at the car. I seems we were one day early on the delivery. OOPS! I'm not sure how it happened. I wrote the (wrong) date down on 3 different calendars!
However, the next day, we got the cake there- on time and everything:) Although not without a bit of embarrassment!

This cake has gumpaste plaques- written on with edible markers, then painstakingly painted with food coloring and a tiny tiny brush. Obviously, everything else is fondant.

Bridal shower Lingerie

I must admit that this cake was actually really enjoyable to make. I found it even funnier when a friend (who also makes cakes) emailed me and said she had also just finished a "boob" cake and she also really enjoyed making it.

It makes no sense to me- but this was fun, and for a Bridal Shower. I prayed all the while making it (as I do with all my cakes). However, this time I asked for this bride and her husband to have a lasting marriage. It's all fun and games until real life hits (SMACK!!). I believe God has made marriage to last and heard a survey that said people who were unhappy and divorced in 4 yrs were still.... unhappy. However, those that stayed married and stuck it through the "unhappy" times were in 4 yrs.... happy! I figured the best thing I could do for this dear bride to be and her husband was pray like crazy that they won't give in when tough times come.

This is carved from a 10" square. Covered in fondant, painted with luster dust, with modeling clay roses-(which is really fun stuff to make for your kids to play with- see recipe below!)

Chocolate Modeling Clay
14 oz. chocolate chips (any flavor, milk, white, semi, swirl)
1/3 C karo syrup

Melt the chocolate in the microwave slowly- stopping to stir every 10-15 seconds. This is important! Don't overheat!
Once totally melted, stir in Karo and stir.
Dump it out onto parchment or wax paper and let set a few hrs- viola! Edible dough to play with!

Cakes... are not quick!

Cakes.... awwww.
The word brings thoughts of beautiful colors and happy times, tastes and smells of sweet aromas which tantalize the taste buds.....and....... your local grocer?
One of these things seem out of place to me.
Can you take a guess?
Yes- I marvel at the wonderful conveniences of our modern world. We no longer have to pick out food in season and can it if we wish for it to last. We can drive to our local grocer and get anything.... I mean anything, at the tip of our fingers! But wait- the cake! Rows of fun and colorful sheets. Covered in mounds of icing..... how long has it been there? Was it baked today? WHAT IS IN THE STUFF??
I love being able to offer something different and so simple yet not simple at all. It is a pride I take seriously to provide the best quality... flavor and look- something you can't just walk up and pick "off the rack".
So-- my pet peeve of the week?
People calling, desiring a cake....... the next day. Maybe two.

Cakes- the custom kind- take hours and hours and hours (just ask my family!) of painstaking detail, baking, and that doesn't count all the supplies needed to "plate" it or box it.
You can't simply call and order a custom cake for the next day! (That's what the grocery store kind are for.)

Yes, they are similar to designer clothes- made just for a person with just the right touch. And it doesn't happen overnight. (I actually pull many overnighters) :)
You know what I mean.....
Quality... just takes............time!!
(Although the cake in this picture is one such "overnight" specialty)