The cake is complete!

So after two weeks of reading up and experimenting the party is over and the cake is done.

Taryn came over Friday night and we decorated the cupcakes. I sent her home (to get things ready for the party) and I finished up the cake. I'm pretty happy with the way it turned out.

So I learned how to color fondant, make butter cream frosting, I did a little piping and had my first go at frosting a cake. I LOVED IT. It really makes me want to pursue the idea of pastry school...

My first cake decorating project

My friend Taryn's daughter, Naftalia's first birthday party is coming up next weekend. I've been talking about wanting to start some sort of party planning, baking, cooking of some sort of adventure, so Taryn jumped on it and asked for my help. She is a very creative person and could totally do this all herself so I thank her for including me in the plans.

We talked about food and what to do for the b-day cake and of course I offered up making the cake. Now, let me put this up front and out there... at Easter this year, I baked my first cake - it turned out ok but definitely not a masterpiece. I'm usually a pie/tart girl. Cookies, no problem. Scones, I love to make, but cakes I don't have much experience with, so here begins my adventure.

We decided on a small cake (for the b-day girl) surrounded by cupcakes. Perfect. Butterflies and flowers are the theme. So this week I worked on some ideas and Saturday I went to Cake Art in San Rafael and worked through the ideas. I think I got some good stuff. So I'm off to experiment.

Dahlias

For the past few weeks I've driven by this beautiful display of dahlias in front of a home and have wanted to stop and take a pic, but for some reason (family of the house outside, late to get some where, etc.) I have not. But today was a nice mellow day and as I was cruising by I decided to pull over and take a few pictures. It's a good thing I did, these babies are about to go. They just bring a smile to my face.

4th of July

Spent a lovely day up in Petaluma, enjoying the company (once again) of my friend Lauren and her family. I finally met the infamous Gordan... what a two-year old cutie!

Tonight I went up on my roof and watched the fireworks display over the bay. The fog 'held' off for the most part, just a thick layer up above. I posted just a small part of the show... it was an impressive 25 minutes long. I also reminisced about the good old days at Lake Quivira... the all day reveling at the dock, picnic lunch and dinner and fire works galore. Ahhh to be 8 again.

Yep, those are my toes!

Today I had a lovely day with my friend Lauren. We went and had lunch at a charming little pizza place in Potrero Hill called Pizza Nostra. Followed by a little slice of heaven... a pedi at Tiptoes. Ummmm what a great day!