More baking

Here are a few recent cakes I have made. As I look at cake websites, where the cakes are completely over the top and exquisite, I tend to get discouraged. I think, "My cakes are pathetic!". However, I've just started & I don't necessarily have an ultimate goal of making fabulous cakes, just enough to get me by for my children's birthdays. If I ever end up with the patience to get fancy with my cakes, then so be it. Until then, I'm just going to keep experimenting and keep things simple. Who has time to roll 20 million pieces of fondant to decorate the top of a cake that might not even taste good?! Not me. Not right now anyhow. I will at least have a great tasting cake, to say the least.

Horrible lighting, but this was a Hotwheels cake. I said a few choice words when making this, but it ended up ok. Ya live and learn!

This one was just kind of thrown together. Nothing fancy about it. Just filled and iced w/cream cheese icing and generic decorations.

This is one of my favorites. Mainly because I think it's cute and very simple to make! It's a Kit Kat Barrel cake, filled with chocolate ganache.

This is Hudson's 3rd birthday cake. He hasn't yet turned 3, but I had to make his cake early so that we could bring it on the bus with us. He wanted a Nemo cake and I was determined to give him one.....made from mommy. I don't know what it will look or taste like by the time we pull it out of the freezer, but here's what it looked like before!

Flower girl

I've taken on lots of baking and a few crafty things lately. I saw these hair flowers on a baby a while back & thought they were soooo adorable! I now make and sell them! They are clips and can be attached to a head band. Emily has had so many compliments on hers. I just think they are so fun!

Gone Fishin'

Hudson loves fishing and we found some time to just go relax out at a local pond. Not sure who had the most fun!!!!

Little Artist

Last weekend, an art teacher friend of mine hosted a mini art camp at her house for small children. I think Hudson was the youngest little artist there. He really enjoyed each of his projects he made. Mommy guided him a little bit and then just let him go at it! He was really LOVING the painting projects!


Seven of his art projects.


Miss Natasha handing him his completion certificate.


After they were all finished, they shared lunch together.

Hudson the builder

Rob happened to stumble upon a kids workshop day while he was at Home Depot one day. Once a month, Home Depot hosts a free kids workshop for parents and their children. They get a free kids work apron & they use the store's tools and supplies to build something different each time. They built a picnic caddy this time. Hudson was so very proud to do this with daddy & it just melted my heart that Rob was just as excited. Each time a child goes, they get a pin on their apron. It was Hudson's first pin. There were kids coming in with about 30 pins! We're excited to go again!


Mr. Buck


Notice how he sticks his tongue out while concentrating intensely.
Rob often does this, as well. So cute :-)

Heavenly Goodness!

I LOVE to bake. Cooking has to be done, because you have to eat. Baking is more of a luxury, because we don't NEED it, but we WANT it! I recently got into baking cinnamon rolls, inspired by my momma's famous rolls she'd always bake when guests came over or if we craved them. I've doctored them up a "little". The cake is made from scratch and AMAZING! Chocolate Ganache Cake with Buttercream Frosting. Oh, I want some now! I didn't make any of these for me, though. I actually sold these! That's right, a friend of mine liked both the cake and cinnamon rolls so much, she ordered some for a 4th of July get together. Mmmm. Maybe if I just look at the picture, I'll feel like I've satisfied the craving. Yeah right!

Georgie was naughty

The other day, Hudson rushed into the living room and told me to come in the bedroom, for Georgie was being naughty! He told me that Georgie hit him and had to be put in time out and have a spanking. He also made Georgie apologize to him. Interesting. Can you tell that HE has gotten in trouble (often, I might add) for hitting? Poor Georgie. I hope he doesn't try this on Emily some day!

Wayyy behind!

Yes, I'm behind on posts. I think because I am on facebook so much, it is easier to just post pics on there. That, and I wonder who all checks this?
We went to Rob's parents for Father's Day last weekend, which ended up being quite eventful. Saturday, we went to Midsummer's Day Festival in Lindsborg, a celebration of the longest day in Sweden, which is where my dad's side of the family originated. It was pretty neat, watching people dance, walking around to all of the Swedish booths of food & information of Swedes. Very interesting that my maiden name (Duell) was actually Gustavson years ago in Sweden. During the French war, the French assigned the Swedish army new names - there were too many names that were too similar. Well, our family was given Duell, which I believe is French for a "dual" or battle. Something like that anyhow!
It rained a ton that day! That evening, we were under a tornado warning & headed to the basement after our electricity went out. It was nice to actually have a basement to take shelter in, since most of Oklahoma homes do not have any!
After that was all said and done, we took Hudson outside to play in the puddles in the ditch. He had a ball! I used to do this when I was a kid with my brothers & sisters. Growing up in the country, and a big family, cheap pools came by way of a stock pit, stock tank or ditches after it rained! Fun times!!

Rooster Days & "way up high!"

A couple of weeks ago, we attended Rooster Days, a mini carnival, in Broken Arrow. Hudson got to feed all sorts of animals & loved it! Then, we saw a fun trampoline & Rob decided Hudson should try it. I thought he might be scared, but he wasn't. The weight limit was 30 lbs and they said he hit the mark. I don't think he quite weighs that. Regardless, he got on this thing & had a BLAST! He kept wanting to go higher and higher! Then, when they took him out of the harness, his pants got pulled off! Too funny!

Big brother

I'm really hoping this is not just a phase, but nothing melts my heart more than to watch how loving Hudson is to his little sister. He is very caring & nurturing towards her. If she has slobber on her chin, he wants to wipe it (if he's not gagging from it, which he does!), if she is crying, he tries to comfort her..."it's ok sissy". I know I know...she's not talking yet or getting into his toys, but still, I enjoy every moment of this big brother love!
She, on the other hand, just LOVES to slobber lately. My shirt shoulders are usually pretty well drenched by the middle of each day! I miss that stage when it's gone, though!