Fell a little behind

I am sorry to admit I fell a little behind on what I wanted to accomplish this week.  I was off to a great start on Monday, but then things seemed to just stop.  I know the main reason was because I came down with one of those stupid end of the summer colds and it just killed my brain.  I would try and get some things done, but I would just stare at a blank screen.  The worse part was I had what felt like fifty million things floating around in  my brain, but nothing would come out.  Hopefully now I am doing better things will get back on track.

I would like to say thanks again to everyone who has been so supportive during this new adventure.  I have received many compliments and advice from several different people about many different things.  Please keep them coming I want to hear it all good and bad, even if you think I am totally insane and off my rocker.

Hopefully you will notice that, I have changed the layout of my blog.  I added a spot where I have listed the items I would like to offer.  It isn't a complete list of course, but it is a start.  I know I will never be able to list everything I can do, if I did that would be the whole page and maybe more.  If there are any suggestions please feel free to comment.

Lastly, today I signed up to bake for the teacher's luncheon at my daughter's school.  The theme was Italian.  So, after thinking a bit and knowing what I would have the time for I have decided to make an Italian Rum Cake and a Tiramisu.  This will be the second time I will make an Italian Rum Cake, but the first time making a tiramisu.  I think both will go over well.  The luncheon is October 12th, so I post pictures as soon as I make them and will let you know how they were received.

Until next time...... Happy Baking!

Busy Day

It is 10 am on a Monday morning I have already done a few things today (which is very surprising since I am NOT a morning person).  After taking care of a few personal things I knew I needed to figure out what else I needed to do for my business to get up and running.  So, that is where I started today.

First thing is a way to advertise.  I already have a Facebook page and thank you to all of you who have visited it.  Please continue to tell your friends about me, you will be best way to let people know that I am out there.  I also was able to create a flier that I can use to start to spread the word locally.  I want to be able to show you, but I can't seem to get it.  When I figured it out, I will show you all.  Hey what can I say it is a Monday.  The other thing I am working on is a business card that I of course can hand out to anyone.  I will be getting help from a very good friend with that, but not today because today is her birthday, so that will have to wait. (Love you girl!)

Secondly, I have a PayPal account set up so I will be able to use this blog and hopefully soon a website to take orders and payments.  With that, I am in the process of creating a permanent list of products that will be posted on the blog to let everyone know what I have to offer.

Lastly, is to get the internet to cooperate long enough to get some of things posted for the world to see.  I know I am asking a lot for a Monday, but hey I need to be an optimist.

Well, some of you I hope are wondering if the cupcakes I made were a hit or not.  Well, I can say with resounding 'YES' they were.  Everyone who had one said they loved them.  Next time I make them I am going to try milk chocolate instead white chocolate.

Well that is all for now.  I will let you all know if anything else occurs in my small corner of the baking world.

Until next time...... Happy Baking!

Angel Food Cupcakes

Well, I can finally say I, in a sense, made my own creation.  I just finished making Angel Food Cupcakes with White Chocolate Mousse Filling.  Ok Ok, it isn't completely MY idea...my husband gave me the idea of using the mousse as a filling.  But, of course he didn't need to twist my arm too much on the idea.  I decided to use white chocolate over milk chocolate because I think the sweetest would go better with the cake.

Here is the final product.

I give it a thumbs up in taste and so did my 3 year daughter.  I know, it is a cupcake, it is sweet, of course she will like, but to her credit she does have different levels of likes and this was a high level of like.  More people will be trying them out tomorrow.  So, I will let you know what they all think later.

I want your opinion.  After seeing this picture...do you think this is good logo or not?  I am hoping by the end of the week I can have some flier created and out.

My next big project will be for my daughter's school.  They are having a luncheon for the teachers the second week in October.  The theme is Italian.  So, one thing I will definitely make will be an Italian Rum Cake.  I made a sugar-free version for my father's birthday last year and it was a big hit.  I am not sure what else to make.  I'll be combing the internet for recipes over the next couple of days.  I'll you know what I come up with.

Until next time......Happy Baking!

Pizza and Angel Food

Tonight, I tried something a different then my normal baking.  I made homemade pizza dough.  I have done this before, but instead of the normal mushrooms and cheese I made a BBQ Chicken.  I will have to admit it was just ok.  Nothing to really write home about.  I know I will be making more pizza dough, but I don't think I will be making BBQ chicken again.  Oh well, no big deal.  It was a learning experience.

I know I have told you about trying to make up a flier to help me advertise, but I am having real difficulty with it.  I know I have some creative flair, but I am at a complete lost with this.  I think I need to start with a logo of some sort.  I also want to take advantage that the holidays are coming and get people wanting homemade desserts for their parties and family affairs.  I was suggested to me that I use picture of something I have made.  I think that is a great idea, just not sure which one.

Tomorrow I am going make some Angel Food Cupcakes filled with white and milk chocolate mousse.  I really can't wait to try this out.

Until next time....Happy Baking!

Tried Something New

I went out of my baking comfort zone with my last experiment.  I made cinnamon rolls completely from scratch.  It was actually a two process.  I had to make the dough and let it rise until it was double in size.  After that I formed the rolls themselves.  They were then set in the refrigerator overnight to rise again.  I made the rolls Sunday afternoon and actually baked them Monday morning for breakfast.  I will be honest they were pretty decent for doing it for the first time.  They were a little chewy and not very soft.  I would give them a 7 out of 10.  I know I am probably being hard on myself, but aren't we all our own worse critic.  Here is a picture of the end result:

YUMMY!

I tired to come up with a cool flier to advertise, but didn't have much success.  I want to have people think of the holidays and all of those home baked things.  I know I will think of something, some how I always do.  

I have plans a trying something really new this weekend.  I having a fun girls weekend and I was thinking of making Angel Food Cupcakes with White Chocolate Mousse Filling.  I know it will drive my girlfriends crazy.  I'll let you know the outcome.

Until next time.....Happy Baking!

Weekend Update

Sorry everyone for not posting anything the last two days, but you all know how life can be.  But, I had few things go through my head this weekend.

First things first, I must say, "YAY"....... I got paid for my first cake.  Ok ok, I know it isn't a lot, but I am looking forward to many more.  I think there are some opportunities on the very near horizon.  I promise I will keep you all informed, if anything happens.

Secondly, I want to share that two of the people I sent all those cookies too last week got them and gave me some honest feedback.  I can't share the exact word he used because I think it would make a few of you blush because I did a little when he said it.  But, needless to say, I was told by him that they were the best cookies he had honestly.  The other person loved also them so much, she actually needed to hide what she had left so he would steal any from her.  Once I find out from the last person, I'll let you all know.

And lastly, I did try my hand at something a little new for me.  I made Chocolate Chex Caramel Snack Bar for a daughter's class.  She needs to provide snack for the class once a month and made the decision to try and make the snack instead of buying it.  There are a few reasons for this.  One of course is obvious...I just want to do it.  Second, I am hoping to give the kids something different then what they are use to and lastly I hoping it is a way to get more exposure to outside people.

Here is the final product.

It was a huge hit with the kids and teachers.  In about 3 weeks I will have an opportunity to bake for a teacher luncheon.  I can't wait to think of something to make for it.

Well, that is all for now, I'll let you know what else happens.  Today I plan on coming up with some sort of flier to get around my neighborhood.

Until next time.....Happy Baking!

Products I want to offer

I thought I would everyone an idea of the products I would like to offer.

I'll start with the cookies:

Chocolate chip - milk, semi sweet and white
Oatmeal Raisin - with or with out nuts
Sugar  - these can be made into and shape
Peanut Butter

I know this doesn't seem like a lot, but these can be the basis for many varieties.  For example instead of chips, chocolate chunks could be used.  With sugar cookies, they can be made into almost any flavor.

For more of the local area, I would almost be able to make anything.  I know there is still many things out there that I haven't tried, but I want to know.  But, I know I need to start somewhere....so here is a start:

Pies:
Fruit - Apple, Cherry, Peach, Pumpkin
Coconut Cream
Banana Cream
Lemon Meringue

Cakes: (these could also be made into cupcakes) and (frosting could butter cream, whipped, or cream cheese)
Vanilla
Chocolate
Lemon
Angel Food
Red Velvet
Pineapple
Carrot

Muffins:
Banana
Blueberry
Pumpkin Spice
Chocolate Chip
Poppy Seed

I like to believe this only a beginning.  I am open to any and all suggestions.  I can also make brownies and bread.  Please feel free to comment.

Until next time......Happy Baking!

PIctures of what I have done

This is the most recent cake I have done.  It was for a friend's son's 8th birthday.  He wanted the Transformers logo.  It was done with butter cream icing and was star tipped decorated.

I did this one for daughter's 3rd birthday.  It was a Dora shaped cake pan.  This was also done with butter cream icing and star tipped.

My daughter was spoiled this year..... she got TWO cakes.

Sorry for it being sideways.  

I did this one for my daughter's 2nd birthday.  Her favorite cartoon is Max and Ruby.  This is Max.  I made him out of two 9 inch round cakes.  The icing was a whipped icing and the details were gel.

This was my first real attempted at cake decorating.  This was for my daughter's 1st birthday.  I used a Elmo shaped cake pan.  The icing like the rest was done in butter cream and star tipped.

These were 'dirt' cupcakes I made to go with the Max cake.  They are chocolate cupcakes with cream cheese icing.  They are decorated with crushed oreo cookies and gummie worms.

That is all I have pictures of that I have made.  As I make more things whether cakes, cupcakes, snacks, or dessert, I will take pictures to should all of you.  I hope I didn't make to many of you drool.

Until next time......Happy Baking!

The Business Idea

I want to start off by saying I am not knocking any cake decorators out there.  I actually admire Duff Goldman from Ace of Cakes and others like him.  Sometimes wish I could do what they do.  But, outside of the simple geometric shapes or the less the more elegant idea, I could never do what they do.  I don't have that much artistic talent.  So, with that said I don't want the bulk of my business to be cake decorating.  My shining star would the cake or baked good itself not the decorations.

With the back to school and the holidays coming up, it got me thinking.  How many times has Mom or Dad had to stop on the way to school to pick up a dozen cupcakes because it was their child's day for snack?  Or you are going to a pot luck and are asked to bring something?  I have heard many people over years say, "I wish I could just bake something." or "What you buy in the store is never as good as homemade."  So, those people will be my main target.  I want to bring baked goods out of the special occasion category and into the everyday.

I am not saying I won't make things for special occasions because I more then will.  I just want people to think outside the box.  Think of those times where a nice dessert would great, you want something a little better then the super sweet things at the store for your child to take to school, or you want to bring something to a potluck that hasn't been sitting on a shelf before you bought it.  I know that this means most of my business would be local because of delivery issues, but I do have an idea for those else wheres...... mail order cookies.

Mail order cookies?  Yes, I said mail order cookies.  You can order homemade cookies and have them delivered right to you door anywhere around the country.  Of course as I learn how to better ship things, I might be able to expand into other baked things.

Ok, this is where you get the chance to tell me if I am completely crazy or that may have something here.  I am open to all suggestions.  Hope to hear from some of you.

Until next time.....Happy Baking!

Getting Down to Business

First thing I would like to say thank you to everyone who read yesterday's post and also for the words of encouragement.  Just in case you don't know you can also find me on Facebook.....here is the link: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Magnolia-TX/Sweet-Treats-and-More/150212291678749.  I hope if you like what you see you will join the page.

Ok, I will have to admit something to all of you, after coming down off the high of getting this blog started, setting up the Facebook page, and telling all my friends about what I was doing, reality started to set in.  I thought to myself, "What the heck am I doing?"  (I'll be honest another word went through my head)  But, I read my first post again and again, read the comments people left, and listened to my friends saying I could do this, things got better.  So, here I am again today letting you know what is going out in my little baking world.

The one thing I didn't share with you yesterday while I was writing, I was also baking about 6 dozens chocolate chip cookies.  They have both white and milk chocolate chips.  And today I am baking oatmeal raisin.  You are probably thinking why was I baking that many cookies.  Well, I'll tell you.....

A couple weeks ago it was my aunt's birthday, so I decided to surprise her a make her her favorite cookies and send them.  Little did I know what that would start.  First, it started with a few friends on FB asking me why I couldn't send them cookies too and it just snowballed from there.  So, before I knew it I am making cookies to send to three different people.  And just for the record, a certain person better leave me alone after this.  HE knows who is.

But, in all seriousness, I would like honest feedback from those people.  It would really mean a lot.

Well, the cookies are almost all done and I need to get more things done.  Tomorrow I will lay what kind of business I want to do and maybe I can get some suggestions for all of you.

Until then Happy Baking!

First Day of a New Adventure

Today I decided to embark on a new adventure.  The idea came to me while I was outside early this morning mowing the lawn.  The only things out there was me and a few animals.  The neighbors who work were gone and the school bus had already been around to pick up the kids.  With "It's Raining Men" by the Weather Girls (I know, I know....I am dating myself) playing on iPod, I started thinking to myself how can I let people know about the baked good service I want to start.

You see I just moved to the suburbs of Houston, TX about 4 years ago after living in the San Francisco Bay Area for 5 years and before that growing up in Southern New Jersey.  Then to top it all off, I had the best thing happen to me.......I had my wonderful little baby girl.  So, I didn't make too many friends at first because my life was consumed with taking care of a baby.  But, as the little one got older and was able to do more, I rediscovered my love for baking.  I would make up any excuse to bake.  I would make and try anything.  Most of the time I would just bake and make my husband take them to work.  Many of his co-workers just loved everything and would ask him when he was bringing something else in.  When he would tell me that I would think to myself..."What if I did this as way to make money?"  People always said you should do what you love and I LOVE baking.

So, I would throw around the idea a few times, but never did anything about it until recently.  I had some things happen in my life and made me think I should start doing things I really want.  Now, here I am a new blogger and hopefully a new business woman.

I want to use this blog as way to let people know about how things going on with my new adventures and maybe just maybe get a few clients too.  ( What can I say, I am trying to be optimistic)

My plans are to post pictures of anything I bake and will be more then happy to have everyones input on what they think.  I want any and all types of suggestions.  I will not be able to do this with you.

Wish me luck!