Fleur de Aleta

Today in the 2nd class of the beginner's decorating class.... we brought in a cake, learned how to level -  learned that the bottom of the cake goes on top, because it's a flat smooth surface for decorating.  We did a crumb cake, but the instructor added meringue powder in the icing to help the icing harden up quicker.  The room was hot, because the temperature is controlled by the home office of Michael's located up north, where it's not hot as hell as New Orleans right now.  Which makes it difficult for cake icing to dry. So, after adding the powder, doing a thin layer of crumb layer and then waiting... until the icing doesn't come off on your finger when you touch the cake.... Then we added a thicker layer of icing.  Add enough icing that you will be able to wipe off icing and not touch the crumb coat/cake.  I found that I had a hump to the top of my cake and I couldn't understand why when I had a flat bottom originally.  Valeta, our instructor, sai...

Yeah!  Today was the first day of the beginning decorating class.  Valeta is a great instructor.  I like how she said, "Some people say 'oh, I will practice at home' - and I tell them 'oh no.'  You're going to practice here and you're going to get it."  She walks around the room and has helpful suggestions on things to do and how to hold the bag.  She even worked with a left handed student, when the instructions are right handed based. We started with the practice board with stars and rosettes, using tip 21, holding the bag straight up and down.  I actually like making the rosettes larger. On the back of this practice sheet, we practiced lines using the same tip 21, but at a 3 o'clock position.  Valeta said to test out pressure with the lines - light, medium and hard.  I started having fun with it, going light and then hard pressure and it created cool ruffles.  Valeta saw that I was just having fun with the pressure and she showed me ho...

Dear Son, Tomorrow is your last day of camp.  This morning, you told me, "Camp!"  Then when we drove up, your were all smiles.  I thought to myself, "Oh, he is going to miss camp time."  It has been a great experience for you.  Your words are growing in leaps and bounds.  You are more open and willing to interact with children.  You did have two days where you bit a child... because the child was trying to take a toy from your hand.  At least your weren't bullying and you won't allow someone to bully you. When the teachers said, "Use your words."  Maybe you thought, "mouth, words, what's the difference" and BITE.  You did go through a biting stage at home, but that was long before camp and you got over it quickly, because we stopped you. You ate from the camp menu; some days were better than others.  You didn't like the meatballs, but you loved the pancake lunches and the chicken lunches.  There was a lot of indoor and outd...

My husband LOVES apple pie.  It's his favorite, so on July 4th, I thought it would be nice to try out a recipe for apple pie.  I looked for something simple, because I've never made a pie before.  I wasn't going to get so brave to make my own pie crust - we bought one in the frozen section (with two pie crusts in the package).  Below are the ingredients and directions for the pie filling and the pie topping. With the amount of apples used, we were able to fill 2 pies. 7 medium apples, cored, peeled and thinly sliced.  VERY thinly sliced, small pieces - should be smaller than what you see in the pictures. 1/2 cup sugar (and then a little more) 1/4 cup brown sugar 1/4 teaspoon salt 3/4 teaspoons cinnamon 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg 2 Tablespoons flour 2 Tablespoons butter Mix all ingredients in a large bowl, except for the butter.   (Keep the butter on the side for the last thing added on top) Microwave the filling mixture for 3 minutes.  Stir, Microwave for ano...

Dear Son, The end of the camp week ended well.  Your camp leader, Hailey, said you had a great day on Thursday.  At camp this week, you made "firework hats" - oh my gosh, SO cute!  You were in the group picture (on the left side, third down): You don't get any cuter than this! This weekend started early.  It's 4th of July, Independence Day weekend... we started the fun on Thursday evening with a swim at Oma's and Opa's.  Mommy bought you a floaty device.  You liked it.  We even tried to take it off about midway through the time in the pool and you cried to have it back on!  Warning for other parents - it's a great thing for your child, but do not leave child unattended (DUH), because the child can roll in the water going face down. This happened to you twice.  We were quick to get you right again and Daddy said, "It's still good that he put his face in the water." Next picture is right after you did  "ro...