Uncle Brad Visits

Chad's brother, the Commander and XO, paid us a nice visit this past week.  His boat docked in Yorktown so we were able to get together 2 nights while he was here.  We got to have a few drinks together and Chloe got to play with Uncle Brad. 

Poor Madison and Reagan have been without Daddy for 2 months now.  He will be arriving home TOMORROW to reunite with Eileen and the girls.  




 

Chloe digs my new cake making skills

Smoky Eye Makeup

Yesterday, I saw this clip on how to give yourself a smoky eye on The Today Show with Hoda and Kathie Lee. I thought it was a really pretty look and have never really known how to get it properly. 

Here is how:

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It will probably be 2015 before I need to get dressed up and where makeup like this, but I have bookmarked this video so when it does happen I can try it!

Army Wives is BACK!!!

I just heard Army Wives Season 3 is starting on Sunday, June 7th at 10pm on Lifetime. I can't wait to see what happens this season.  I love this drama because I can relate to it.  It does get really cheesy at times, but I like that it portrays what military life is like.  Although theirs is a whole lot more glamorous than mine!

http://www.mylifetime.com/on-tv/shows/army-wives

Icing

I have gotten a few questions on how to make the icing, so here it is.

We used 2 types of icing, buttercream and royal icing  Buttercream is the soft stuff that we used to ice and decorate.  Royal icing is what we made all the flowers from.  Royal icing hardens and then you can lift and place the flowers on the cake as desired.  

Buttercream Icing:  Annabelle's Recipe

1 cup shortening

2 tbsp milk or water

1 tsp of butter vanilla flavoring

1/2 tsp of creme bouquet flavoring

1 lb of confectioners sugar

Mix the shortening, milk/water, and flavors in a mixer with the paddle attachment until it becomes creamy.  Then add the powdered sugar.  If you want the icing creamier add more milk/water, if you want it stiffer add more sugar.

Annabelle told us to use Walmart's generic shortening because Crisco has removed the trans fat from their shortening which makes it not hold up as well when used for decorating.  Using butter actually tastes better, but when it comes to decorating, the shortening is easier to work with.

Buttercream can be used for all decorating including roses.  I would recommend the royal icing for the small or intricate flowers, like the ones I did on the hat cake.

Royal Icing for making flowers: Recipe from the Arteco

1/4 cup meringue powder

1/2 cup water

4 cups of sifted powdered sugar

Beat the water and powder until it peaks, then add powdered sugar.  I had to add another cup of powder sugar to get the icing stiff enough to work with.  

Happy Decorating!

All about cake class

Here is where the magic happened, 6527 Tidewater Drive, Norfolk. You can find information on their classes on their website at www.wineandcake.com

This is me with Annabelle, she was a really cool lady, a real firecracker.  She was also a military wife and has lived all over the world.  Her class was a blast.  I don't think she is offering anymore classes till the fall, she wasn't sure when I asked her because she was having trouble with her knee and may have to go in for surgery. 

The Finale

Tuesday night I finished my last cake class. 6 weeks and I have completed Cake I/II/III and have my Wilton Certificate. I feel so accomplished, ha ha! Our last cake was a 2 tiered small wedding cake. I personally think the pillars are a bit cheesy, but am glad I learned how to do them.

Now onto my next project, planning and packing for our first family European vacation!  "Look kids Big Ben."