superheros to the rescue

A new client contacted me a month ago (well, she tried to), but being that I've been in absentia from my blog and FB page most of Feburary, I got the message on Friday. Evidently my "fantastic" customer service didn't turn her completely off to me. It turned out that she wanted cupcakes for her son's superhero birthday party, but assumed it was too late as she needed them the next day. Normally, that would be a safe assumption, but I had the afternoon off from my kids and had only planned on being lazy, so I was able to fill the order for her. I've had a break from cakes lately, so I was happy to have some time alone to be artistic.

I made a plan, bought a few supplies and went to work on the Hulk, Thor, Spiderman, Captain America, Iron Man, and the Silver Surfer whom I'd never heard of...probably because I have girls. We know Strawberry Shortcake, My Little Pony, Hello Kitty and the like, but superheros are not really on our radar. As girly as my daughters are, they did think the superhero cupcakes turned out pretty cool.

So, here they are...

the Silver Surfer

Spiderman

Thor

Iron Man

Hulk

Captain America

This leads me to wonder why no kid ever wants a super villain birthday party.

Midnight Snacks

I've been wanting to try these for a LONG time, but haven't had the energy for it until this week.  You'd think I'd find a different weekend than the one I have to make 6 dozen cupcakes for different events and people, but no, no.  I'm crazy like that.

And let's face it, I secretly also want everyone to think I'm a super star and a little superhuman.  Don't pretend you wouldn't wish it.

I call these little cakes Midnight Snacks.  They have everything you need for a late night snack:  dark chocolate, vanilla ice cream, potato chips and soda - or pop for the mid-westerners (I'm so with you guys) or Coke for the southerners (ya'll are a little weird).  Salty, sweet and plenty of chocolate!

These are divinely dark chocolate cupcakes filled with sweet vanilla cream (my take on ice cream), with chocolate cola flavored buttercream and topped off with chocolate covered kettle potato chips.  What could be better?

(And don't worry, you southern folks, when I lived there, for a season of life, I called all pop Coke too.  I remember the first time I asked for a Coke at a restaurant and the server asked me "what kind?"  It took me a while to get it, but I eventually learned to fit in.  People make fun of us mid-westerners for calling everything "pop" too.)

Welcome to America!

A friend of ours has been working tirelessly for I don't know how long to become a United States citizen.  (Yes, there are still those of us who think this is the greatest country in the world to call home.)  He and his wife have 2 beautiful boys and despite the long hours of work to support his family and the long days of attending to the needs of her sons, they filled out huge piles of paper work and went through intense interviews and test.  I can't begin to understand the process because I wasn't a part of it, but they tell us it was stressful and long!

On September 16, 2011, Greg, who was born in Poland, was sworn is as a citizen of the great United States of America!  I had the privilege of both attending the naturalization party and making a dessert for it!  We are so proud of you, Greg; welcome to America!

Celebrating Greg's heritage and his future!