Trial Run



Ok, I'm gunna make this post short and sweet (ha!).

This fondant cake....it was nearly the death of me, not because it was super hard to make the fondant part....just many other factors that came into play.

1. I didn't count for the humidity that we have here...which is a LOT. It made the drying process pretty difficult, but leaving it sit throughout the day helped.

2. NEVER ever ever ever EVER ... leave cake in a toddlers reach, unless you actually want them to have it. Logan took a nice chunk of my bottom layer.

3. Never simultaneously cook pizza and cake, especially when the cake is underneath. I had to pick out 4 olives and a sausage out of the top layer, poor cake.

All in all, since this was my practice cake, I'd have to say that it was a success, it looks decent. The taste testing will be on Friday, unless the cake doesn't make it till then. We'll see!

It was definitely a fun experience, I can't wait to get started on Lucas' cake ;)

Orange colored Strawberry cake :)


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Let them have CAKE!




Starting my first fondant cake today has been pretty interesting. I always assumed that these beautiful cakes were beyond my cake making abilities...I'm determined to prove that my assumption was way off. This week is my baby brother's birthday, I've no idea what to get him, so instead I'm going to give him the gift of my first cake making experiment. I'm still not sure if that's a nice gift, or an evil one, BUT he's my brother so either way it fits.

I started out making the fondant today, I'm leaving it out to set for 24 hours, then I'll be getting ready to decorate. I'm slightly nervous, but WAY more excited. Here's my setting fondant... starting it made me want to give up automatically, it was an awful and sticky mess...but with more and more powdered sugar (2lbs) I ended up being able to handle it a
bit better and got it to a more workable condition...


Also, on another note, I am posting my raw unedited pictures from my Oldschool Challenge. These were taken yesterday (Mother's Day). I love my beebees!


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Three Small Challenges

Before I get completely into this post, I just want to point out that I absolutely realize the irony of what I am about to say. In my defense, this is a "baby-step" process, and getting the word out to people all over the world is easier online than in person.


So, my Bisou and I were discussing how reliant the world has become on electronics, and how we've made everything so much easier on ourselves because of that, making us a bit lazy in the process.

1. How many people (counting myself) use Apps on their phone to take pictures, edit them, then post them online? A TON, cool, I know apps are very useful, but if you want to share your ability to take cool pictures, then bust out your camera, set it to manual, then shoot that bad boy. This is my first challenge. Yes, it would be nice to see you grab up an old Minolta, throw some film in it, and try that out, but like I said...baby steps. I'll settle for you using your regular old digital camera. Post a raw photo that you've taken and that you would be proud to send to your family and friends online. No editing, whatsoever.

2. I hate email. HATE it, but how freaking convenient is it!? Challenge Dos.
Grab a pen, piece of paper, and a stamped envelope. Now get to work writing a letter to someone you'd normally send an email to. Maybe even throw in some of those fancy pictures you just took. Getting a letter in the mail is so special, I get so freaking happy when I get one. Knowing that someone took the time to write it by HAND (gasp) and send it to me and only me, rather than forwarding it. I want proof that you've done it too, take a picture and post it ;)

3. Lastly. I know most of my friends on here love to read, it's a big part of what we have in common. So this doesn't REALLY apply to you, but at the same time...do it anyway.
Pick up a book, any book that you have been dying to read. I don't care how long it takes, but instead of going out to see the movie...just read the book first. You'll realize it is soooo much better than the movie anyway. Exercise those mind skills and read. Again, take a picture of the book, and when you're finished I want to know your opinion of it.


These are three challenges that honestly should not challenge anyone, it should be a part of our everyday life. But we've leaned on electronics and gadgets so much that we are forgetting how to do these things. Twenty years from now, our kids aren't even going to know what film was, or how to write their names in cursive. So bring these things back into your life. If you do it anyway, then freaking bravo.

I'm going to be participating in these challenges as well, so you'll be seeing my proof as the week goes by. I hope to see yours as well!!

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No Walls, No Water, No Electricity

I absolutely love when people question my living "conditions", why I don't have doors, walls, or *gasp* electricity!? How can one survive without an electric bill every month!?

It's fun actually, like camping in a wooden tent, as my mom puts it. It's different than the way most people live, without county water, without electricity, without walls. You wouldn't believe that you can actually survive without those things!

So let me break it down. I live "Off-grid", our house is powered by solar, and a generator. This gives us the power for everything we could possibly need, computer, internet, laundry facilities, lights, and even a HUGE tv. As far as the water goes, we are on catchment, which of course means that we "catch" our own water when it rains. A filtration system comes into play with that, giving us clean water to shower in and wash our dishes, for drinking water we haul everything in. Lastly, the walls, I mean common, we live in Hawaii. There really is no reason for walls around here, besides to trap mold and make everything smell musky.

That's that. It's how I live, and I love every bit of it. I will always prefer this way of living, it's much simpler, cheaper, and resourceful!

If you were given the choice, what would you prefer?

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Teacher Appreciation Creation


Next week is Teacher Appreciation Week, this is the first time I've ever really even acknowledged this holiday. I can honestly say that I'm very excited to show my appreciation to the teachers at Logan and Lucas' daycare. The place they go to is way more than a daycare, in fact Logan just plain calls it school. These two wonderful women have gone above and beyond with the kids, Logan has not only improved in his manners but he's learned (most of) his ABC's, recognize colors, and he's able to identify counting with objects. I will admit that I was terrified to send the boys to a place for most of their day, away from me and with people that I did not know, nor did I have anyone that had previously went to them. Now I can't be more happy with my choice! I absolutely LOVE these women as do the boys.

Anyway!!! For next week I really wanted to make their gifts rather than buy. Since I already gave them bracelets I opted to make some candles instead. My mom came up with the brilliant idea to make the candles in baby food jars, I immediately agreed. Such a cute idea, and the perfect size for a candle!

We decorated with adorable owl stickers, and topped off with ribbon. I love them and will definitely be making more :)

We also had some candy left over from easter baskets so we put them in some cute little "Chinese food" boxes. and the boys finished everything off with homemade thank you cards.
It may not be my favorite holiday, but it is something that am more than happy to celebrate!!

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Caterpillars everywhere!!


So my sister sent me a picture of my niece's birthday invitation (which was unbelievably cute) and got me thinking about Lucas' 1st birthday. For Logan's party I had so many ideas but when it came down to it, I ran out of time and had to settle for buying all the supplies at a local party store. This year I decided that since I've got a little of a month before the big day, I should start planning everything and hand making it! I've decided with The Very Hungry Caterpillar for the theme. I loved this book as a child, Logan loves it, and I'm sure Lucas will too. I didn't want to get too fancy for the invitations, because I'm probably the only one that will be saving it. So I came up with a simple but cute layout, but not too fancy.

So next I have to think of party favors, decorations, and of course the CAKE. I've got ideas coming out of my ears!! I can't wait to start planning this some more! Plus, hand making everything just makes me so happy, especially knowing that the boys are going to LOVE helping with the whole process. Ugh, party planning can be so fun!!

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Sitting, Waiting, Wishing



I've been slacking on this blog! I really should get back into it, I love writing so I don't understand why I always abandon my blogs.

In any case, I'm back for now. I've kept myself busy lately with the skate shop, homework, the boys of course, and bracelets. Yes, bracelets. I've been lucky enough to find out about "Job's Tears" a seed from a plant that grows in my backyard. This particular seed doubles as a bead for bracelets. So I've taken on bracelet making, and let me tell you, I have never had so much fun making something! I can be as creative as I want with them and people LOVE them! They've become so popular I can't express my excitement! I'm already going on about 40 bracelets in a week and a half, it's incredible.

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