Mad for Macaroons

Cindy needed some bite sized treats for her wedding guests this weekend. Her colors were red, black and white, so we wanted her selections to repeat that color scheme. Heart shaped vanilla and chocolate linzer cookies were filled with raspberry or white chocolate ganache, chocolate shortbread squares were dipped in white chocolate as well.

She then added some almond and pecan bars for some nutty crunch, and- my favorite-coconut macaroons for a bit more white. Since I hadn't made macaroons for a while, I made some extra, just for my snacking benefit.

Now I remember why I haven't made them in a while. I haven't stopped snacking yet.

The Color Is Blue

I will never be asked to be a hand model. My hands are not pretty, but they are capable.

My hands are my most trusted tools.They finish a sentence when that word escapes me, tell me if I have flour lumps in my cake batter, if my fondant has air bubbles before I wrap a cake, even if a cake is done. Like all well-used tools, mine are a bit dinged, and soft skin has been replaced with calluses, scars and, of course, colors.

You will always know what colors I have been tinting my fondant. This week's color is blue.

Carnival, NOT Carnivale!

I admit it was a little more about me than the cake with that one. I have had a half-baked design in my head with a Venetian Carnivale theme for months. Thought I could coax it out with a birthday cake for my niece and nephew. Just because they are only going to be 7, and Carnivale is for grown ups......

Getting back on track with children... animals are big, especially monkeys. Requests have included contemporary shapes and colors as well as classic storybook characters. Since George has already made his appearance, and he needs company, the upcoming carnival cake will add some lions, tigers, and bears, oh my! Sorry, that kind of opening is hard to ignore, even paraphrased to fit my needs. The "half-baked" comment was actually accidental.

Say Cheese!

I am not a fan of cameras pointed at me. When Geri said I had to have head shots done for my website last fall, I begged for mercy. To no avail obviously, since I have a head shot on my site.

Katrina from Studio Laguna was in charge of that photo shoot and understood how uncomfortable I was going to be. She made it painless and even caught my eye roll a few times. This, according to Katrina, not to mention my Intro to Baking class, is a common expression for me.

Today I am having more shots done for an upcoming article in Minnesota Meetings and Events. I am not nervous, exactly, but I am hoping that when Tate points the camera, I can "Say Cheese" without looking, well, cheesy.

A Garden Party Shower

Victoria called me a few weeks ago to help her complete menu for a Garden Party themed bridal shower for her niece. The colors were going to be bright, vibrant pinks, oranges, yellows and greens. Martha from Martha's Garden would be doing the flowers. There were more sweet offerings from Chocolat Celeste and Gateaux, Inc., so Victoria was looking for some bite-sized morsels to round out the menu. Cookies shaped like butterflies, leaves, dragonflies and flowers seemed just the thing.

A Groom with a View

I have blogged about the research and ongoing work for the groom's cake for Brent and Susan. The wedding was unconventional from the start. Planned for Wednesday, August 8 to accommodate Brent's playing schedule(he plays for the Wild), the pretty in pink reception had some other add-ons to keep it personal and unique.
The bride wanted chocolate inside and out, the groom was all about white cake and raspberries. Now let's talk about design. First, some of the images came from his tattoos. I can honestly say I have never asked someone to remove their shirt in a tasting before. Then the ideas just kept coming. Several books, 1" of photos, drawings and photocopies, and we had a cake. My photos can't begin to do it justice, but I have to wait for the good ones from Scott just a bit longer.

A Baby's Gift

A former student asked if I would make a baby shower cake for her sister-in-law. Janene was more than capable of putting together a scrumptious menu, but really didn't want to tackle a cake.
I sent it off to the party with happy thoughts for the new little one about to join the world.