Amish Country

The Lancaster area is one I visited as a child and so did my children. We love it there. I can't think of a calmer,more peaceful place to drive and explore for a day or two. We just returned from seeing an Aunt of ours and taking her to lunch. Although the area gets a bad rap when it comes to eating healthy, I think it's more about what you choose when you get there. We went to Oregon Dairy for the first time and it was wonderful. Besides being a lovely family restaurant, they have a terrifc supermarket full of fresh items. It is a fun, family place and I will go back. Spring is the best time to vist as the grounds and tress begin to bloom and the grazing cows are glad winter is over.

Palm Sunday

Today is always a reflective day for me. Memories of being in church with my Mom, waiting for those few strands of palm she would place behind our pictures on the wall and making sure when my children were little they would have a palm of their own. Today when I read the scriptures and the true meaning of the suffering during Holy Week, I need to remember how precious my life truly is and what my family and friends mean to me. I am blessed.

I Graduated...

...not from college, that was ages ago. No, this was more fun, delicious and I am so excited. I finished my cake decorating class, course one. Yesterday we made a cake of choice and decorated it. Mine was covered with roses which I seem to have mastered. I will probably be giving all those I know a cake it the next few months. Can't eat it all myself. I will post my creations from time to time if print worthy. I just found out a dear friend of mine has the talent and had created beautiful cakes for years for her family, social and church events and I know I could learn a few tips from her. Nice to know we have this in common as well. I think this course taught me mostly to try something I've always wanted to do and I am good at it:)

Pillow Pets

This is the cutest gift I have found yet for kids ,college age (my niece) or grown ups. The pillow pets are soft,adorable and hard to resist. I love the fact you can ship, they come in 2 sizes and almost every animal. I just sent a certain girl in my life one and hope she likes her new cuddley "pet"!!

Family Style Baked Alaska

Our dessert last night to celebrate my husband's birthday. We have had a few ups and downs this year so celebrating him was especially heartwarming and wonderful for me. Surrounded by the kids we had a fabulous dinner at Butcher and Singer on 15th and Walnut.The room holds special memories of other family events when it was known by another name. This experience,the ambiance, decor and waitstaff were superb. Having 2 desserts,one being the Baked Alaska to share, was a delicious end to a beautiful evening.

Having So Much Fun!

I have always wanted to work in icing. The kind you find in a bakery. Since we are a bakery family and I was raised on visiting them ,this has been a dream. Not a big dream but one I knew eventually I could fulfill. I recently enrolled in a basic cake decorating course. There are 4 of us, all beginners and I am having a great time. Our instructor, Tonya, a talented, professional in the business is patient and wonderful. Her knowledge, tips and help have set me on a path of dreaming of buttercream. My first cake, a hit with my family, turned out well and I am looking forward to next week where we make clown cupcakes. Sounds simple you may think:). I look at it like this. If you have a small or large passion and you are busy in your life, sooner or later you can do it..My Mom's cakes were always my favorite.She didn't have the time to decorate them but they will always be the best to me..gotta run and get a batch of buttercream going..

Live Life....

...one cupcake at a time:)...Seems fitting to me.