Sugar Coma

My son's birthday fell on Friday the 13th...his lucky day or so he says. I wanted to bake him a special cake and was looking through my box of old recipes and found one from mom called, "The Perfect Chocolate Cake." Well, "perfect" caught my attention. I perused the recipe and made sure I had all the ingredients it called for, and let's not forget the cute apron. A baker MUST have a cute apron when making a cake of this magnitude. I proceeded to start this cake on the afternoon of the 13th. We were taking Scooter and his girlfriend, Tracie, out to dinner that evening, so I needed to get it done. Oh, did I mention I was also working through all this? It has been slow, so I thought, good, I won't be bothered much...WRONG...sooooooooo wrong! I was slammed (thank you #13)...I should have known.

Now, when I cook or bake, I do my best to kind of clean up as I go along..really, I do. Not this day. I was on a deadline, had faxes coming in, paperwork to deal with and this huge cake to figure out. Needless to say, powdered sugar was flying all over the kitchen! I had to boil the chocolate mixture and wait for it to cool. Whip the frosting over a bowl of ice (huh?) and bake 3 pans at one time. That made me so nervous.




The cakes had cooled, the frosting done, and the whipped cream filling waiting to be layered between the cakes. The cakes came out the pans just fine and the filling was layered and the cakes didn't slide off(I was holding my breath). The cake was a little lopsided, but not much. I made the mistake of leaving the frosting in the pan sitting in the bowl of ice, so it was not so easy to spread. I let it sit a bit and just whipped it up some more. I did some swirly moves with my knife and also took the back of a spoon to create some peaks. I didn't have anything to garnish it with, so it would have to do. It was 4:45 and I had to hop in the shower and get ready for the kids to arrive and take them out to dinner. It all got done in the nick of time.


After dinner, we came home and cut into that monster and that first bite was so goooood! Very moist, the filling delightful, and the frosting perfect. The chocolate was just right. Not too rich. Add a little vanilla ice cream and let the sugar coma begin!

BTW...that's the birthday boy, Scooter, with his lovely fiance, Tracie!

Apron fit for a QUEEN!

I found this GORGEOUS sheer fabric in the home dec section of a local shop and bought 5 yards of it not having any idea what I was going to do with it. A friend made a comment about what a pretty apron it would make. That started the wheels turning.




I wanted it to be frilly and girlie, so I added one ruffle, then a layer of lace from my stash, then another layer of some crinkly silk type fabric I found at another store. I found a bag of AMAZING vintage rhinestone buttons at my favorite antique store and added those to the bottom. Ooh...la...la!!!




I had all this fabric that I tried to make a draped effect with and had enough to twist and turn into what I call a "rosette" in the center on top of the ruffles. There's a bit of seam binding around the rosette...the leaves...and then a bow at the waistline. The ties are really long, so they can wrap around the back and come back to the front and tie in a loopy drapey bow. I feel like royalty when I put this apron on!

Another apron

I am having too much fun with these aprons. I don't use a pattern, so I'm designing it as I go along. I start with a fat 1/4 and build it from there. I've had this GORGEOUS old Madeira hankie with an "R" monogram done in shadow embroidery. The pics don't do it justice. Once again, the fabric is from the Moda line, "Aviary" and is sooooooo "deeeeeeeLISH!" I adore the soft shades of lime and pink and the delicate florals. I just get all giggly goo!!!

I've been visiting the quilt shop about every other day and I completely lose my mind as soon as I step inside. I forget why I'm there and it's so hard for me to make a decision...I want it all!

Shabby Chic Inspiration

I found this YUMMY piece of vintage lace and wondered what I was going to do with it. I also had this GLORIOUS Moda fabric and then it hit me...ya know...one of those "AhA!" moments! An apron! I got out my rotary cutter and mat and ruler and went at it. No pattern here, just basic instinct, so to speak. It's the kind of apron you just want to dance around in. I think it would look cute with a pair of crop leggings for summer, don't you? Any hostess would be the envy of her guest while wearing this. Anyhoo, I have it listed at my new Lollishop...A Wink and A Smile! I already have an idea for the next one. I've just been a bit under the weather with a head cold/sinus infection. This is just what I need to bounce back...creativity! I hope it inspires all of you to find your creative niche and have fun with it!