It's Lovely!

The date at CSN is successfully set for Tuesday October 19, 2010 & I am practically shining with happiness. It's so weird to me that this event is actually going to happen after all of this time.

On Tuesday, I talked to the CSNHS Student Council, and a good majority of them seemed very enthused about getting volunteer hours. :]
The Students Making a Difference Club has agreed to co-sponsor the event, and the amazing advisor will be able to oversee the event from 930 to 1230.
I'm extremely pleased that an advisor has consented to be there. My only issue is that I wanted the bake sale to run until 3:00 pm.
So, cross your fingers for me while I search for that willing advisor!
Yesterday, I spoke with the Rebel Service Council (whom are all very lovely people, btw) and they have worked with the Share our Strength Foundation and seemed pretty enthusiastic about the event. Crossing my fingers x5934 that they agree to sponsor the bake sale!

Moving on to topics that are even more delicious...here is a short list of baked goods that are definitely going to make an appearance at the bake sale from yours truly.

CLICK ON THE PICTURE TO FIND THE BLOGGER! :]

See you there!

The time is LITERALLY flying by...

Really. I swear I just saw the minute hand zoom past me going at least 55 mph.
Maybe I'm hallucinating after the 38209183092 hours I've spent at the computer. Or...maybe time was really flying.
Either way, these days are full of go go go.
I'm working on expanding the bake sale across the entire Las Vegas Valley through high schools, and I have high hopes that they will respond with a great wealth of support.

I'm focusing on having high hopes for each goal that I accomplish and not getting upset when things don't go exactly as planned.

This whole event planning thing is teaching me how to be more flexible, understandable, and open to new ideas.

BUT, knowing that this whole blogging world exists will be the death of me. Every new recipe I see, I think ' YEAH. That looks great! I'm going to bake that for the bake sale!' Then, reality gives me a swift kick and says, 'Hellooooo Cher, do you realize your baking list is already 15 items long?' & I whisper, 'hey reality. shut it.'

I come across new, delightful, delicious items every day & I get all excited and completely geek out.

I'm going to end up baking for a minimum of 17 hours a day atleast a week before the sale.

Maybe I'll find a team of lovely bakers that enjoy the cause as much as I do!

Not likely...but a girl can dream.

Bake Sale Inspiration

I want this bake sale to be epic. Sort of like Lord of the Rings...but better because you can eat dessert.

I want the food to taste delightful, the event to go smoothly, the support to be insurmountable, and the decorating to be lovely.

So, I've compiled a list of inspiration from various blogs all around the internet.

Take a look! ;]

Fete Fanatic

Hello Naomi

Bakerella

Craft-O-Maniac

Icing Designs

Katydiddy's

Everybody Wants to Lend a Helping Hand

Hello Hello!

I realize that it's Friday, and I'm pleased to say that a failure isn't being documented today.

In fact, I've been much too busy to even think about failing (which is always a good thing).

As I mentioned before, I am planning on hosting a Great American Bake Sale under the Share our Strength Foundation either October 11 or October 13th. The planning is going wonderfully. Every day, I take advice from all of the business books that I've read, and I picture the event in my head, adding more detail to every vision.

I start to see the tablecloths, the unique cupcake toppers, the information on the dessert-shaped flyers, and the look on people's faces when they eat something delicious like a chocolate cake ball. I keep wondering where the inspiration for this event came from, and I'm still pretty lost.

All I know is that I love to bake, and I love to help people. This charity event has the perfect combination of my interests. What's wonderful about events like these is that every body seems to want to be involved. The minute I started telling people about it, offers for help came right to me. My initially small bake sale has turned into an event that could generate thousands of dollars, and each day I can see the goal rising higher and higher.

How exciting would it be to raise $20,000 for Share our Strength and know that all of that money is going to be given to communities all over the United States and put toward underprivileged children that need food on their table. I'm so excited to be able to be a part of an event like this, and I can't wait until the donations start coming in, and I can tell all of the volunteers about the huge difference we're making.

Starting next Thursday, I have meetings left & right, and I'm nervous to talk to so many people! Hopefully they'll be able to see my vision of what this bake sale could bring, and they'll be willing to support all of the efforts. I'll just have to use all of the advice How To Talk So People Listen by Sonya Hamlin and use it to my advantage!

Have a lovely night, Bloggers!

-Cher

It's Failure Friday Again!

So, I was determined to make a very cute, professional looking cake for my manager's birthday. She requested a white cake with white frosting and fresh strawberry filling.Unfortunately, I  do not have a tried & true white frosting recipe yet, and I was playing around with possibilities. I considered myself lucky to find a wonderful recipe that has a beautiful marshmallowy texture and exists in the perfect state between sweet and too sweet. Unfortunately, this frosting also melts very fast (but tastes wonderful when used as a dip for strawberries!). So, I hurriedly crumb coated the cake, put it in the freezer, and came back to do the second coat only to realize that this wasn't going to go the way I originally planned. 

You see, the night before when I baked the cakes I have to admit that I was in a bit of a rush. The day at work had been long and tedious, and I wanted to sit down and get some work done at the computer. Because of these events, I failed to coat two of the 9" pans with nonstick spray and ended up mutilating two cakes (yes, I know the word mutilating is dramatic). 

So, I had to salvage what I could (and save the rest for a second run of cake balls!). In the end, the filling turned out wonderfully, but was also dripping down the sides and mixing in with my wonderful white frosting. It all tasted VERY delectable, though. 

I realize that in order to make beautiful cakes, I must practice my cutting the cakes in layers...because that is what ultimately gets me in trouble. Ahhh! I need to invest in a cake leveler from Michaels!

Either way, I managed to kind of uphold a decent appearance with the simple elegance of strawberries. 

After my second Failure Friday post, I now feel like I am on a mission to tell the amateur bakers of whereverland that mistakes happen ALL of the time...especially near Fridays, as it seems. So, keep on baking  &hopefully all of my mistakes make you feel better about yours. :]

Made With Love Monday

This Monday we're making a cute little giraffe to decorate any kind of handmade card. This theme is Christmas because I have so many cards to make still, and I think the giraffe looks extra cute as a present at the top of the tree.

You will need a circle puncher, a hole puncher, a glue stick, scissors, a sharpie, a pencil, brown, orange, and white card stock, decorative ribbon, and 3d glue spots which are for the card, so they're optional.

I use the circle hole puncher because it is incredibly efficient and helpful, but it's optional of course.

It's pretty simple to free hand this with the pencil. Just focus on the different shapes involved in the picture, and that makes drawing it a lot more attainable.

The flipping over bit is to help hide the pencil marks, of course.

Depending on the size of your giraffe, you can choose between using a mini hole puncher or a standard hole puncher like the one seen in the picture.

The five half circles are used for the hair at the end of the tail, two hooves, and two dots on the body that are next to the edge.

After this, punch out two white circles and glue them on the face as well. Then, use the sharpie to add the pupils in whatever direction you choose.

Depending on the width of your decorative ribbon, cut a small strip of it to make his bow easier to handle.

This just makes it easier to tie once it's around the giraffe's neck.

YAY! You're all finished making a super cute giraffe!

OOOOH. AHHH. YUM.

I’m sure you can relate to me when I say that dessert makes me jump for joy. I started baking so that I could be jumping for joy constantly from all of the yummy treats coming out of my kitchen.

After wandering around blogger for a couple of weeks, I’ve compiled a list of recipes that I want to try because they’re unique, creative, and simply delicious.

&the tastiness begins…

1. Strawberry Lemonade Cupcakes from Java Cupcake (click to find the recipe)

I love this recipe because it's perfect for the summer season & they look so cute.

2. Lemon Blueberry Cheesecake Bars (click here for recipe)

Lemon, blueberry, and cheesecake all in one place equals absolute perfection.

3. Key Lime Mini Cheesecakes from Moogie & Pap (click here for deliciousness)

Also perfect for the summer season & perfectly portioned.

4. Hot Chocolate Cupcakes from 52 Cupcakes (click here if you want to smile big)

This recipe makes me excited for winter parties.

5. Peaches and Cream Cupcakes from Just a Taste (you know you want to click here)

Ahhhh, all of these great summer recipes are going to make me have to go to the gym. These look simple, sweet, and fruity. :]

6. Pie Pops from Bakerella ( yes, you want to participate in the cuteness too)

Anything on a lollipop stick and from Bakerella requires no explanation of why it is included on this list.

7. Best Chocolate Pie Yet from Cookie Madness (get your fork ready)

I've seen this picture more than twenty times,

and my jaw still drops.

8. Snickerdoodle Blondies from the Brown Eyed Baker (yes, they're quite lovely)

Amazing combination of two different desserts. I adore the crunchy part on top.

9. Turtle Ice Cream Pie from Bake at 350 (mhmm, I understand the need)

This pie is my best friend.

10. Homemade Ice Cream from Kevin and Amanda (it's so easy to make!)

This recipe had to be included because of the simplicity and the wide variety of combinations you can include in the ice cream. It really is a wondrous thing.

11. Vanilla Bean Cupcakes from Diana's Desserts (click.click.click.)

Moist, sweet, and perfect.

12. Ferrero Rocher Rich Fudge Brownies from the Brisbane Baker (click for amazingness)

I have been waiting for these for at least fifteen years.

13. Chocolate Raspberry Cupcakes from Slow Like Honey (click to help them get to your kitchen)

Beautiful & tasty.

14. Cinnamon Toast Cupcakes from Nothing But Crumbs (cinnamon goodness found here)

I love these because they remind me of the Cinnamon Toast Crunch cereal. That cereal is delicious, and I can't wait to try these to discover how much better they are.

15. Peanut Butter Cookie Dough Brownies from Ice Cream Before Dinner (YUM.)

I have two friends that will faint when they see these.

16. Pancake Cupcakes by 52 Cupcakes (different & delectable)

Breakfast for dessert. Who could ask for more?