Field Trip

This morning my husband accompanied me to the happiest place in Virginia - Fran's Cake and Candy.  I as like a kid in a candy store...there were baking pans, molds, cutters, fondant, chocolate wafers, flavorings...I could go on and on!  Today I was smart though, before going I drew the cake I was going to make this weekend and made a list of the things I was going to need.  Since I hadn't done this in a few years, I had to stock up on the basics.  Granted we walked out of Fran's with about 5 bags full of supplies but it could have easily been 10 bags had I not practiced some restraint.



The store moved to a bigger, more accessible location a couple of years ago  so this was my first time visiting the new store.   It's still nothing glamorous, in fact it looks more like a warehouse but they are pretty well stocked.  Sallee, the owner of the store was just as sweet as I had remembered.  If you have a question about a technique or a certain tool, she's always got the answer.  If you're ever in the Fairfax area, I highly recommend stopping in and experiencing a little slice of heaven.

http://www.franscakeandcandysupplies.com/

Sabbatical is over!

After a four year sabbatical, I am finally going back to cake design.  What prompted me to stop? What prompted me to start again?  Lets see...

There were a couple of reasons why I stopped.  First of all, my husband and I started our own business so that consumed all my time.  Now that our business is fairly established and I can manage my time better, I'm able to go back to cake design (notice that I use the term cake design not cake decorating - "design" seems more upscale and boutiquey... LOL!)   The other reason, truthfully, is that it got too expensive.  I'm one of those people that once I get into something, I really get into it.  When I saw all the "toys" that came with cake design, I had to have them all...IMMEDIATELY! Which really is a huge problem.  Half the stuff I have I don't even use on a regular basis.  I have tried to use my tools at least once though.  That reasoning seems to justify the gadgets, tools and ingredients that clutter our cupboards.    A friend once said I should charge for my cakes but really, how can you charge a friend or a relative for a cake? I make my cakes for the sense of accomplishment I feel when I finish a design.  The oohs, aahs and the smile on someone's face when they see the cake is really just gravy.  

Why did I start again?  My 7 year old daughter, Sophie and Buddy Valastro from the Cake Boss.  Huh?!?!?!   Buddy ain't no Justin Beiber but somehow he has managed to capture my 7 year old daughter's attention.  Apart from the usual pre-teen Disney Channel shows, Buddy and his show, Cake Boss is the only thing that will keep her attention.  That got me thinking.  Maybe Sophie wants to learn how to design cakes...maybe she can be the next Elisa Strauss. Seriously though, watching Cake Boss has really re-ignited the passion I had for designing cakes.  This time around though, I'll be wiser and be more stringent when it comes to buying my "toys".  I'll only get the things I absolutely need and only if I will be able to use them on a regular basis.  Although I'm sure I can find a use for that new Cricut machine or the Agbay leveler or that airbrush kit i saw.....

All things cake

All things cake...just like the post title, this blog is all about cakes and my obsession with cake design.  For those who know me, this is probably the one thing no one would ever think possible.  Me??? In a kitchen??? Creating edible anything???  My name and cooking have never really been together in a sentence, unless the word terrible is being used as well.  Baking, on the other hand, seems to be a different story.  Perhaps it is the scientific nature of baking, there's really no guesswork involved and making yummy desserts is really about measurement, temperature control and timing. 

Along with making yummy desserts, I like making them look pretty.  That's really where the obsession comes in.  I've never been a particularly creative person, at least not on the outside.  I always have a million and one designs in my head but somehow I've never been able to put them on paper or any other artist's medium. The images on my head seem to get lost in translation, thus my absolute joy when I discovered cake decorating.  Mind you I am not an expert, nor do I claim to be.  I am, however one of those people that spends hours and hours doing research, trying to learn everything I can about a particular subject - especially one I am obsessed with.  Most of what I've learned in cake decorating has been through research and of course, trial and error (with an emphasis on trial and error).   Hopefully through this blog, I'll be able to share what I've learned and learn a few things along the way.  Enjoy!