Surprise Cake

I found instructions on the internet, on how to make a "flag cake". It looked so cool I decided I had to try it for our 4th of July celebration.

It required 2 boxes of white cake mix, divided and colored.
With the EXTRA batter, I made cupcakes.

As I started to assemble the cake, I read and re-read the instructions, but something wasn't turning out right. My blue layer was too tall, making a hole in the middle of the cake. My kids kept saying, "Mom, just fill the hole in with frosting and you wont' be able to tell the difference." I like frosting, but that didn't seem like the best solution to me. I finally decided I would cut the blue layer down, making it even with the inside layers. That's not what the instructions said, but I wasn't going with the "frosting solution".

Don't know if I messed up somewhere or if the instructions had some fault. I crossed my fingers and hoped that it would turn out.

On second thought, maybe there wasn't supposed to be EXTRA batter. Maybe I was supposed to have baked another layer to fill in my "hole". Oops.

I finished it off with vanilla frosting and made a cute little red, white and blue banner for the top.

I brought it to our 4th of July celebration and waited to reveal the surprise inside... please work out, please work out, please work out. :)

Gift Exchange

I'm doing another on-line gift exchange through "Craftaholics Anonymous".

My exchange partner mentioned (with the exception of Christmas), 4th of July was her favorite holiday.

I hope she meant it, because that's the direction I went. My idea was to create a "party pack"... everything you need for a successful 4th of July celebration.First thing I created was a red, white and blue banner for her mantle (or where ever she wants to put it). Next, I saw this awesome flag cake on-line, so printed off the picture and directions on how to make it, along with the cream cheese frosting recipe.Because I'm kinda banner-crazy, I made a flag cake banner to top the cake. I also made these firework cupcake toppers, just in case she wanted to go in the cupcake direction instead.

I gathered several yummy summer salad recipes that could go with her 4th of July BBQ dinner. And Tootsie Rolls, just because they were so festive and cute.

I hope she enjoys it.

Can't wait to see what's coming my way. :)

Happy Mother's Day!

As is tradition in my home, I was served a Mother's Day breakfast, by Jason and the kids. Because we have 9:00am church, I hopped in the shower and missed my chance to have breakfast in bed.

Still yummy at the table , also less risk of crumbs in the sheets or spilled milk. :)

Jason gave me clothing and treats. Clothing for my new size and treats to keep me at my old size. Just kidding, I will only eat them on my FREE day. The kids each gave me cute handmade gifts they had done at school or secretly constructed behind closed doors. So sweet.

Our young men got it "right". They served all mothers/women Symphony CHOCOLATE bars, after sacrament meeting. After church, I promptly opened and consumed 1/2 of mine, before getting home. Just the beginning of my chocolate buzz for the day.

In the evening, we went over to my mom's house to celebrate with her, along with Dean/Candice, Tim/Karen and Brinton/Amber's families.

It was a CrAZy busy house, but fun.

"If mother's were flowers...

I'd pick you!"

A kid's rubber boot, with cute little purple pansies.

I also made this cute, miniature Happy Mother's Day banner, to put on a triple-layer chocolate cake.

Gifts for my mom.

Emma, this is for you... a cake banner 'stache. :)

To go with our very rich chocolaty cake, and to complete my chocolate buzz, "Death by Chocolate" ice cream, of course.
Death by Chocolate? Yes please... there are probably worse ways to go. :)

Happy Mother's Day, Mom!
I love you!