Cami cake

We always celebrate my mom's birthday with a beach theme. This year we decided that was getting old. . . we needed something new. Now, mom and dad just adopted Cami, ("the duchess") a beautiful golden retriever puppy:

Cute, right?!

Our something new: my sister-in-law, the illustrious Michelle Robblee of michellepaige.blogspot.com created the most awesome puppy party. To see details of the party go here:

http://michellepaige.blogspot.com/2011/08/puppy-themed-party-for-nana-nana-and.html

Anyhoo- my job, of course, was the cake and voila:

white cake with raspberry frosting/filling and chocolate puppy prints.

Cakes for Eli and Clara

We are blessed with awesome neighbors who moved in about 2 years ago. Our boys play outside in the front yard waiting for Eli and Clara to come out to play. Just this summer have we taken to knocking on each other's doors asking if kids can come out to play. So cute.

So of course, I was excited to do the birthday cakes. Last year, I made Eli an adorable robot. . . this year the theme was Cars, so I made my standard racetrack- this time in a 5.

A month or so later was Clara's turn for a birthday. Here is her Hello Kitty cake- white with strawberry filling.

Ode to my Dishwasher

Every good baker needs a great dishwasher. Most days, I can get the cake done before I fall over. Thankfully, I've got this guy. He gets my dishes cleaned, dried, put away- all with a smile :)

Yum! Every good bowling party needs a cake- a white cake purple ball with 5 chocolate chip cookie bowling pins. Happy birthday, Jack!

Well, it's funny now. . .

Let me tell you a story:

I spent much of last week contemplating, stressing over, and constructing a pirate ship cake. By Friday afternoon, I was quite pleased with myself and my product.
Off I went to the Mariner's game. Upon returning home, I opened the fridge to "check" on my cake and perhaps pat myself on the back that it looked so good. I immediately closed the fridge and began hyperventilating. After some tears and more than a few choice words, I set to work again. At midnight (cake was due at noon on Saturday) new cake was baking.

My children loved having ruined cake! Nathan said to me earlier: "do you know why I'm so into pirates now? It's because you're making that pirate cake for that kid I don't know."

The second cake turned out just as cute and far more structurally sound.

I also made 4 dozen of these darling pirate cupcakes. It turns out I LOVE making cupcakes.

Great story right? I'll tell you, you are glad you were not there!

Hannah Montana Karaoke Party

This was white cake with buttercream and fondant flowers for Julia's 7th birthday!

Tying up loose ends

Looking back through the blog, I've noticed a lack of updates! I need to tell you about my 3-day walk.

I originally started the blog and little cake business to raise my money for the Susan G. Komen Breast cancer 3-day walk. I indeed raised all the necessary funds and indeed walked all 60 miles. It was an overwhelming weekend. Thank you to ALL of you who supported me and bought cakes!

Through the experience, I realized that my headline is still correct. I am not a perfectionist. This personality quark makes a cake business difficult. I still enjoy the occasional job and I really enjoy the variety of creative ideas. I will never support our family on this business or have my own show nor will I likely ever do a wedding cake.

In addition, I will also probably not walk the 3-day again (Lord willing!). This year a portion of my proceeds will go with my cousin and aunt walking for 2011. The rest of the money is being saved for our trip to the Dominican Republic with Children of the Nations . . coming in 2012.

Here is our team at the starting line with Jenean and Terry our survivors in the pink cowboy hats!

This is my cheering section in Bothell on Day 1:

Look at the signs they made!!

This is some tired feet and a sea of pink tents on Paine field in Everett at the end of 24 miles, Day 1:

Jenean and I made it through all 22 miles of Day 2! I think the smiles are genuine and that pole is actually holding us up.

Me and my buddy, Kelly! We made it!!!

Red fish, blue fish, Joel is one, make a wish

Decked out in his "thing 3" onesie, Joel celebrated his birthday Pruitt style with his 2 big brothers and family and friends. It is my privilege to make the birthday cakes for these guys. I'm usually given enormous creative license to do whatever I want; Sometimes it works. Over the years we've done Elmo to Rocket to Curious George and now, Dr. Seuss!! My favorite part was creating the fish!

How many zebras does it take to fill a zoo?

48.

We tried two different styles of Zebras to differentiate the 24 vanilla cupcakes (with Nilla wafer snouts) and the 24 chocolate ones. I have a clear favorite, but I also prefer chocolate!

the Return of Cake Season, episode 1

Wow, I'm behind in blogging. Please forgive me! I must give a huge shout out to my friend Stefanie who referred my cakes to at least 4 moms! I'm in the middle of a huge cake month but must share the past month as well!

This one was for Matthew who turned 3 with a soccer themed party. I did the soccer ball in white buttercream with black fondant and the cupcakes with green buttercream grass. I honestly did not notice until I uploaded the photos that that 3 was backwards. Perhaps a little sleep deprived?!

a Cars racetrack for Gavin

Gavin came dangerously close to sharing his 2nd birthday with a baby sister, but gladly baby Fiona waited a week and Gavin was celebrated as a two year old should- with cake!

My Jedi turns 5

My drummer turns 3

We celebrated Josh's birthday with a few friends at Chuck E. Cheese. Super easy and super fun! I made a vanilla cake with buttercream and strawberry filling.

It turned out cute, but we couldn't find the plain licorice ropes- the yards of licorice we found pulled the frosting away from the cake and by the time we got to the party, it had all fallen apart. . . but to be honest, the 3 year olds liked it better that way. Josh especially loved drumming on the cake with the fondant and candy cane drum sticks!

Curious George eats cake

Shane turned 3 this weekend with a chocolate cake covered with buttercream and fondant. This was my first attempt with a fondant figure. Turned out pretty cute and as soon as we sang "happy birthday" Shane blew out the candles, grabbed George and stuffed him into his mouth! That's success in my book!

Surprise Remodel

We sprung a leak. It turns out it was a pretty big one. Within 48 hours of discovering warped floor boards, our kitchen was demolished. We are currently waiting for insurance approval to start on repairs. Here is how we're living:

Surprise Remodel