Baking with Grandma: Donuts

These are our Bakers in Training: Grandma Harris got the kids a donut maker 4 Christmas, and knew she needed to teach us how to use the machine so that we would use it. She is so wise! The kids had a great time and even started a dialogue for their own cooking show. It was funny. Knowing these were staying in the house there was a lot of taste testing.

Did I mention taste testing?

Decorating

Let the Eating Commence

YUMMY! Thank you Grandma!

Daddy Daughter Date-Tacoma Raineers

Maple Lawn Elementary had a night out at the ballgame with the Tacoma Raineers Friday night. When McKenna learned about it a month ago she was soooo excited and begged her dad to go. After talking it was agreed that if she worked for the money they would go and for the past month McKenna diligently cleaned out the Chicken Coop for $2 a week to earn enough money to go the ballgame with her dad. (What kind of date makes you pay for your own ticket? :))

She's did a great job and was rewarded and thrilled when the big day finally arrived last night (3rd). With her Football jersey on, her tennis shoes on and her baseball glove in hand she was ready to go when her Dad walked in the door.

I think they had a good time, despite the horrible traffic and lack of parking which meant a lot of time in the car.

*As a side note, Johns said that after the lil dinner of hot dogs, chips and soda that came with the tickets-McKenna was still hungry. She wanted Popcorn, but changed her mind when her dad told her she would have to clean the chicken coop another 2 weeks. I think she's starting to understand the value of a dollar. :)

While John and McKenna were out-I was working on another masterpiece for a friend. Strawberry cake with Strawberry Mousse filling and Whipped White Chocolate Ganache frosting. Same cake as Memorial Day-except this one was frosted, and let me tell you-the frosting was Fantastic! Even John raved about it when he tasted it-and I hardly ever see him get excited about food, let alone frosting. If I could be a lil more consistent and prepared I think I could really get into this baking thing. SO fun!

What are those?

I'm a big fan of a couple of baking blogs. I'm mostly consistent and loyal to Conversations with a Cupcakes, but I also really like Bakerella. Wanting to do a fun easter baking project with Tyler I found these really cute bunnies on a stick: cake-pops are what she calls them. These were her version of easter bunnies last year. Mine were not quite as cute-had a few people ask what they were-they look more like mice. My friend TD also made some cake pops without the stick and I was not wise to the ways of white chocolate chips when one cannot find any candy melts. There for we went for taste in the form of a gnauche covering. it was yummy. Leslie was there to help Tyler and I make these for our dear friend Ady's birthday. She provided cute sprinkles for the nose and eyes. It was fun and the kids LOVED them!

Thanks these pictures Leslie!

Rainbows Aren't Forever

Spring Break and Lots of rain mean time to play inside. Baking is always a favorite of mine and cupcakes are a favorite of everyone. When I saw this done by Silvia, my sister-in-law I was intrigued and thought this would perfect. Everyone helped. Grandpa and Tyler helped mix the cake (from scratch) and both girls loved mixing the colors in the cake batter and together to create other colors: Green, purple, orange. Super Fun and YUMMY!

These didn't last long at our house!

A big Thank You to my Sister-in-law Silvia who found this cute idea.

Here's the link for the recipe http://familyfun.go.com/recipes/taste-a-rainbow-cupcakes-842128/

I love how cupcakes are everywhere and the ideas and flavors are incredible.