Cake Class: Session 2

I finished the second session of the Wilton cake decorating class at Michaels.  For the last day of class we were to decorate a cake using the new techniques we had learned all month.  Unfortunately my cake didn't turn out as good as it did for the first session.  I had prepared, the night before, lots of delicate blossom flowers for the bottom border of my cake as well as some roses and primroses for the top.  Let me tell you, working with icing is tricky!  Having the right consistency is crucial!  My icing for the cake was too wet and it didn't crust the way it should (it was also a humid day) so I couldn't smooth it out with a sheet of parchment paper like the pros do.  I also didn't pay enough attention to where I was storing my pre-piped flowers and Charlotte got her hands on a lot of them leaving me no time to replace them.  I had to improvise in class.  Fortunately, I had a bunch of different flowers I had practiced making so I wasn't completely without.  I wasn't really that satisfied with my cake, but it was good enough.  And to make matters worse, my cake carrier failed on the way out of the store and a whole side got smashed!  So here's the picture of my doomed cake.  At least it was delicious!

Notice the smash on the right!

Freedom Festival

The Navy base here held a Freedom Festival for all military personnel and their families.  It was great!  It was a little on the toasty side, being 95+ degrees, but we all had a good time.  There was a barbeque, inflatables, a rock wall, and a few craft centers for kids.  William loved the inflatable obstacle course and Sean rang the bell on the rock wall.  Charlotte loved the bounce house for a while, but then she was happy just running around on the grass and playing on the playground.  Then when it got dark, there was a fireworks show.  This was the first year they held such an event.  I hope it becomes a regular thing.

 

My Navy Boys

Sean recently went on a trip to Norfolk, VA for work.  He stopped off at the Navy Exchange and found a kids sized uniform.  He called home to see if William would be interested in wearing  it.  Was he ever!  When Sean came home, William wanted to sleep in his new uniform.  I snapped a few pictures of my two matching Navy guys.

Our Summer of Hershey!

This is the first year we've ever bought season tickets anywhere.  I figured Hersheypark this summer was the perfect time and place to try it out.  William is at an age where he loves rides and Charlotte gets in free and can finally ride the kiddie rides.  We have good times!  I also love that we only live 30 minutes away so we can get there, spend a few hours and come home for dinner.  There is also a water park so William can work on his swimming.  On weekends, Sean can come with us and William gets a chance to ride the roller coasters.  His favorites are Comet and Sooper Dooper Looper.  We've gone 4 times so far and I hope we can get away to visit more this year.  Anyone is welcome to join us!

Sean didn't think the line for the Starship America was worth it!

William and Sean in the back of the Sooper Dooper Looper

Flying Falcons

Roller Racers!  William got unlimited ride time on these!

Charlotte LOVES all characters.

Notice there is no line.  Tuesday afternoons are ideal.

Cake Class

I took a decorating basics class at Michael's and tonight was graduation.  I learned how to bake, level, torte, and layer a cake.  How to make the best buttercream frosting for decorating, how to make a cake really smooth and that frosting can fix almost any mistake!  I learned how to make several types of flowers and even a ribbon rose.  I did not do well with lettering so I don't think I will be doing much of that.  In fact I didn't even attempt it on my final project.  I've already signed up for the next 4 weeks of classes where I will learn about fondant and gum paste.  I'll keep you posted as to how that works out.  Here's my final project.  I was originally going to have just a few vines and leaves to accent the flowers but it was so fun making the squiggly lines that I went crazy with it.  Fortunately I stopped before my cake turned into a gloppy mess.