Thursday, September 19, 2013
Fall is here!!! Well Almost!
Some adorable new additions to This Little Piggy! I'm super busy getting ready for a couple of fall shows but had to take just a minute to share these. Not only does fall make me crave apple cider and hay rides but it makes me want to sew!!!
Thursday, June 27, 2013
Now I get it - an apology to all my friends in Children's Ministry
"Your job this week is just to love your kids. It's easy to love someone for 4 days! Nothing says I love you, like a water balloon to the face! Play with the kids you brought to camp!" I wonder how many times over my years at Camp Siloam I told those things to a new group of counselors. Okay, so I didn't really want anyone to get hit in the face with a water balloon. I just wanted counselors to realize how important it was for them to interact with their church group at camp. It was a part of my Monday mantra to get counselors excited and it was absolutely important and true.
Often, from my view as the Children's camp director, I saw a group of tired adults bringing kids to camp. Some weeks there was a lot of enthusiasm from the adults and some weeks it was like they were only the bus drivers and nothing more. At least that's how it appeared to me, but I was missing part of the picture.
Despite the fact that I have been a part of children's ministry all of my adult life, I have never understood until just recently the real day to day issues of leading a group of children at a church. At camp I worked with hundreds of children from many different churches. Now I am working with a couple dozen at our little country church. And while I have a great support system and amazing helpers I feel a great burden to care for our little group.
I tuck my children safely into bed at night with full tummies and happy thoughts in their little heads. And then I think about all my other children. The ones who are not my own but who my heart cares for very much. The ones we pick up and bring to church on the vans that go into those not so nice neighborhoods in our town. I lie awake and I wonder have they eaten today, have they bathed today. Did anyone take little Suzie to the doctor for that ear ache she's had for days...., I wonder if Joey's mom was able to get him some shoes? Did Sally get to have a birthday party once their food stamps came? I know that I cannot dwell on their problems or I will drive myself insane but they are on my mind.
I wonder if they understand anything we teach them at church. How can they understand the love of a Heavenly Father when they have no idea what a Father is? How can they learn what is right in the short time they spend with us and then be sent out into a world that is so wrong? How can they possibly remember to respect each other at church when no one shows any respect at home? I wonder how much I can help these children without enabling the bad behaviors of the adults in their lives. I pray... a lot...
And when I am done praying over my children with so many pressing physical needs my thoughts turn to the kids who have parents in our church and my concerns for them are just as real, often my own child is at the top of this list. How can they understand their need for God when they have no real understanding of need? How can I keep them small enough to love the others and not realize their differences? When they do realize the differences how can I keep them humble and teach them to be leaders.
If only I had known as a camp director what I know now I would have been such a better leader and encourager to our children's ministry leaders. I saw you resting and sitting on the benches and was guilty of thinking that you were being lazy. I am sorry. I did not do enough to encourage you. Even though you told me, I did not realize who you were bringing to camp on all those church vans and all that you had done to get them there.
So if I could say anything to the young men and women working at church camps this summer it would be this: Thank you for being here. I need you to help me love these children. Walk beside them and talk to them. Sit by them and make them smile. Give me a hug and pray with me for these children. Understand that we brought children who are wondering who will take care of their younger brother while they are at camp, children who wonder if mom and dad will be there when they get home. Understand that while we are praying diligently for their need for eternal salvation we are often overwhelmed by their immediate needs. Help me show my son, who has wants for nothing, that he to needs a savior.
And I ask you to not judge if for a moment I sit on a bench to rest peacefully instead of playing with my group. For just a while I want to enjoy the feeling that the children I brought here are safe within this little valley. They are full of food, and life and joy at the freedom they have here to just be children and not caretakers of their parents and their siblings. They are in a place where they can feel God's love. And I am busy praying for them.
Often, from my view as the Children's camp director, I saw a group of tired adults bringing kids to camp. Some weeks there was a lot of enthusiasm from the adults and some weeks it was like they were only the bus drivers and nothing more. At least that's how it appeared to me, but I was missing part of the picture.
Despite the fact that I have been a part of children's ministry all of my adult life, I have never understood until just recently the real day to day issues of leading a group of children at a church. At camp I worked with hundreds of children from many different churches. Now I am working with a couple dozen at our little country church. And while I have a great support system and amazing helpers I feel a great burden to care for our little group.
I tuck my children safely into bed at night with full tummies and happy thoughts in their little heads. And then I think about all my other children. The ones who are not my own but who my heart cares for very much. The ones we pick up and bring to church on the vans that go into those not so nice neighborhoods in our town. I lie awake and I wonder have they eaten today, have they bathed today. Did anyone take little Suzie to the doctor for that ear ache she's had for days...., I wonder if Joey's mom was able to get him some shoes? Did Sally get to have a birthday party once their food stamps came? I know that I cannot dwell on their problems or I will drive myself insane but they are on my mind.
I wonder if they understand anything we teach them at church. How can they understand the love of a Heavenly Father when they have no idea what a Father is? How can they learn what is right in the short time they spend with us and then be sent out into a world that is so wrong? How can they possibly remember to respect each other at church when no one shows any respect at home? I wonder how much I can help these children without enabling the bad behaviors of the adults in their lives. I pray... a lot...
And when I am done praying over my children with so many pressing physical needs my thoughts turn to the kids who have parents in our church and my concerns for them are just as real, often my own child is at the top of this list. How can they understand their need for God when they have no real understanding of need? How can I keep them small enough to love the others and not realize their differences? When they do realize the differences how can I keep them humble and teach them to be leaders.
If only I had known as a camp director what I know now I would have been such a better leader and encourager to our children's ministry leaders. I saw you resting and sitting on the benches and was guilty of thinking that you were being lazy. I am sorry. I did not do enough to encourage you. Even though you told me, I did not realize who you were bringing to camp on all those church vans and all that you had done to get them there.
So if I could say anything to the young men and women working at church camps this summer it would be this: Thank you for being here. I need you to help me love these children. Walk beside them and talk to them. Sit by them and make them smile. Give me a hug and pray with me for these children. Understand that we brought children who are wondering who will take care of their younger brother while they are at camp, children who wonder if mom and dad will be there when they get home. Understand that while we are praying diligently for their need for eternal salvation we are often overwhelmed by their immediate needs. Help me show my son, who has wants for nothing, that he to needs a savior.
And I ask you to not judge if for a moment I sit on a bench to rest peacefully instead of playing with my group. For just a while I want to enjoy the feeling that the children I brought here are safe within this little valley. They are full of food, and life and joy at the freedom they have here to just be children and not caretakers of their parents and their siblings. They are in a place where they can feel God's love. And I am busy praying for them.
Thursday, August 2, 2012
Advice for my Holly
One of my very first family events with my husband, Tim, was our niece's 2nd birthday party. of course we were just dating then but it seems like I just blinked and she grew up. Tonight, I spent the evening helping her with some crafty projects for her college dorm. Crazy! As we worked and chatted I shared some of my own college memories and more than a little unsolicited advice. I've learned a little along the way and have several young ladies whom I love headed off to college in the coming weeks so it seems only appropriate that I pass along a little practical college wisdom. I wouldn't say these are the rules you need to live by, just a few helpful hints that might keep you out of trouble and help you survive that first semester (it's a doozie)!
1. It is not wise to take Calculus at 7:30am (especially if math is not your strong suit and you are not a morning person)
2. If the girls down the hall invite you to go grocery shopping at 3am, I say go :)! If the boys across the street ask you to do anything at 3am, I say no! You can sleep when you're 70. Just make sure you're homework is done and you don't have class at 7:30am!
3. The friendly people in the union giving away free tshirts if you apply for a credit card are not your friends and the tshirt isn't really free-- you will pay dearly for it.
4. Make a new family who will remind you of who you really are. You will make so many new friends some who hold very different values than you grew up with. Its okay to make new friends with new ideas but find a family of friends at the BCM or another Christian student group who will keep you accountable to the person you really are!
5. Don't forget you have a family at home. You are not as big as you think you are, sorry its sad but true. I heard a girl at high school graduation say her mother's job was done.... wrong, it just got harder. When you make a stupid mistake tell your momma and let her help, if you want to avoid another stupid mistake ask you momma for advice first, or call Aunt Jenny :) and I'll tell you if you are being stupid becuase that's how much I love you! (that goes for you too Bailey & Haley)
6. Make a good handy guy friend who you have zero romantic interest and make him dinner from time to time. (Thanks Dave for fixing my car, my stereo, my garbage disposal, the list goes on and on- he ate well)
7. Don't date the boys in the band- you'll just have to trust me on that one. (not talking marching band I'm sure they're quite nice)
8. If you cannot pronounce your professor's name and you cannot understand him drop it and run or scratch you head for several weeks and drop it with a "D" (that's a shock to a little girl who always made "A"s
9. If your professor wrote the book, lol good luck!
10. If the sign says no parking, they mean no parking. Parking tickets stink!! Pretty sure I funded half of the new parking garages at the Uof A.
11. Don't go growing up on me too fast just keep being a kid for a little longer. And for goodness sake quit pinning stuff to your pinterest boards that are for future kids its really freaking me out! :)
More than anything have fun and enjoy your college time. It goes by so fast and you can't get that time back. I'm so proud of all my girls headed off to school. Remember who you are and who your heart belongs to.
1. It is not wise to take Calculus at 7:30am (especially if math is not your strong suit and you are not a morning person)
2. If the girls down the hall invite you to go grocery shopping at 3am, I say go :)! If the boys across the street ask you to do anything at 3am, I say no! You can sleep when you're 70. Just make sure you're homework is done and you don't have class at 7:30am!
3. The friendly people in the union giving away free tshirts if you apply for a credit card are not your friends and the tshirt isn't really free-- you will pay dearly for it.
4. Make a new family who will remind you of who you really are. You will make so many new friends some who hold very different values than you grew up with. Its okay to make new friends with new ideas but find a family of friends at the BCM or another Christian student group who will keep you accountable to the person you really are!
5. Don't forget you have a family at home. You are not as big as you think you are, sorry its sad but true. I heard a girl at high school graduation say her mother's job was done.... wrong, it just got harder. When you make a stupid mistake tell your momma and let her help, if you want to avoid another stupid mistake ask you momma for advice first, or call Aunt Jenny :) and I'll tell you if you are being stupid becuase that's how much I love you! (that goes for you too Bailey & Haley)
6. Make a good handy guy friend who you have zero romantic interest and make him dinner from time to time. (Thanks Dave for fixing my car, my stereo, my garbage disposal, the list goes on and on- he ate well)
7. Don't date the boys in the band- you'll just have to trust me on that one. (not talking marching band I'm sure they're quite nice)
8. If you cannot pronounce your professor's name and you cannot understand him drop it and run or scratch you head for several weeks and drop it with a "D" (that's a shock to a little girl who always made "A"s
9. If your professor wrote the book, lol good luck!
10. If the sign says no parking, they mean no parking. Parking tickets stink!! Pretty sure I funded half of the new parking garages at the Uof A.
11. Don't go growing up on me too fast just keep being a kid for a little longer. And for goodness sake quit pinning stuff to your pinterest boards that are for future kids its really freaking me out! :)
More than anything have fun and enjoy your college time. It goes by so fast and you can't get that time back. I'm so proud of all my girls headed off to school. Remember who you are and who your heart belongs to.
Thursday, July 12, 2012
It's hot!!! Summer is soooo not my favoritve season. Give me fall football weather any day!! I am really looking forward to fall. My brain goes to bed at night thinking about cute little clothes for fall portraits, Halloween costumes, pecan pie, etc.... the list goes on and on. But here we are smack dab in the middle of one hot, dry summer! Hallelujah thank the Lord for air conditioning and cold sweet ice tea! I think we might have some new comers to the blog today, so let me just give you a quick synopsis of me: I have horrible spelling and and am apparently not that good at using spell check, so just adjust your brain and deal with it :), I have 3 small children so if it seems like I left a thought hanging, well I probably had to go save someone hanging from the rafters!!, I have every intention of sharing more crafty blogs as soon as I have more time in my life (bahahaha) to take pictures and give clear detailed instructions, until then I'll show you what I did, throw out some random applicable advice and well.... good luck!
Lately, I've been painting a lot of furniture (my poor husband doesn't understand why we can't leave things the way they are!) and sewing like crazy! I'm so thankful for all my local customers who keep me busy. I really really want to work on some projects for tweens. If some of you moms have tween and want to send some clothing ideas my way I'd appreciate it. Do they wear the ruffle pants? Do they want applique tshirts? I'm firmly in toddler land and not sure whats "in" with the older set. So give me some feedback please!
I also updated the work order list. If you have a pending order, you should be on there along with the date I plan to deliver your project by. I'm waiting on a really slow backorder of a couple of fabrics that is holding up two projects but fabric should be in early next week and in plenty of time to get bags where they need to go! Be sure to check the list if you have already placed an order and let me know if you don't see something that should be on the list!!
I'm still on a bedding kick. (be sure to check out the new page with all the bedding details and bear with me its a new adventure). But it is firmly square dance season around here! I have two that are dancing this year and can not wait!! Love it.
I'm also crazy busy trying to keep my crew entertained and loved this summer. Its really hard to balance working from home and being a full time mom. Some days I do good, other days they would probably tell you I stink at it!! My 8 year old loves a good science project or any kind of project so I thought I'd share this one with you today. Its a pinterest find and it was so super simple!! Check it out and try it. It was a hit around here! Stay cool today and be sure to say hi and let me know you checked out the blog!
(not my kids :)http://www.housingaforest.com/rainbow-bubble-snakes/
Lately, I've been painting a lot of furniture (my poor husband doesn't understand why we can't leave things the way they are!) and sewing like crazy! I'm so thankful for all my local customers who keep me busy. I really really want to work on some projects for tweens. If some of you moms have tween and want to send some clothing ideas my way I'd appreciate it. Do they wear the ruffle pants? Do they want applique tshirts? I'm firmly in toddler land and not sure whats "in" with the older set. So give me some feedback please!
I also updated the work order list. If you have a pending order, you should be on there along with the date I plan to deliver your project by. I'm waiting on a really slow backorder of a couple of fabrics that is holding up two projects but fabric should be in early next week and in plenty of time to get bags where they need to go! Be sure to check the list if you have already placed an order and let me know if you don't see something that should be on the list!!
I'm still on a bedding kick. (be sure to check out the new page with all the bedding details and bear with me its a new adventure). But it is firmly square dance season around here! I have two that are dancing this year and can not wait!! Love it.
I'm also crazy busy trying to keep my crew entertained and loved this summer. Its really hard to balance working from home and being a full time mom. Some days I do good, other days they would probably tell you I stink at it!! My 8 year old loves a good science project or any kind of project so I thought I'd share this one with you today. Its a pinterest find and it was so super simple!! Check it out and try it. It was a hit around here! Stay cool today and be sure to say hi and let me know you checked out the blog!
(not my kids :)http://www.housingaforest.com/rainbow-bubble-snakes/
Wednesday, June 20, 2012
Square Dance Love
Square Dance
Price List
(not just for
dancing but they’ll probably do some twirlin in these! )
I’ve
tried to make this as simple as possible but there are sooooo many options, so
stick with me on the separate pricing or if you’re the impatient type just ask me to send you a couple of options and I promise to make you
something fabulous you will love! If you
are the leader of a square dance group (or just the one who always gets stuck
coordinating the outfits :) I highly
recommend you look this over, text me when you think you know what you want for
your group and I will email two or three really simple options for your group
to vote on. If it seems a little early to you to be planning your groups
attire, remember that it gets crazy hard to find 4 matching tank tops in
August, and I will need time to order your fabric and sew the outfits. Please feel free to call me if you know you
want something but find yourself overwhelmed with deciding. I love to do this and would be happy to put
something together for you whether it’s an individual order or for a group.
Your Order will be ready within 1-3 weeks from the order date depending
on my work load. I would like to have
all square dance orders in by the end of July but we’ll see….. Happy Shopping!
 |
| (Audrey tank, Emorie Skirt, Jane Bow) |
 |
| (Audrey Tank & Skirt, Emorie Bow) |
Twirl Skirts: sz 12m, 2/3, 4/5, 6/7, 8 ( 10/12 and up please add $6 to skirt prices)
Jane- super cute one
fabric gathered twirl skirt- $25
Audrey- a little more
glam, 2-3 fabrics and some ric rac trim - $33 (cowboy skirt)
Emorie-
the works, ruffled bottom, apron, 3-4 fabrics, - $45 (yellow floral/brown apron)
Nancy (as in Fancy) 3
tiers of lovely ruffles- $55
Add an apron to any
skirt- $12
Shirts / tanks-
Jane- simply beautiful embellishment- choose one: frayed flower, ruffle collar,
outlined applique- $16
Audrey-choose one: ruffled bib
w/buttons, full applique, flower & collar- $22
Emorie- the works, ruffles, bling applique,
flutter sleeves, bling- $35
Coordinating Fabric tops- I recommend these if you want the look of a
traditional square dance dress but still want to leave plenty of room for
growth, these tops are made to tuck into the skirt and at tunic length they will have a much better shot of working
for two seasons of dancing. I have
endless pattern options for tops that will also work as dresses if you’d rather
go that direction please just let me know and we’ll create something cute! But
here are some of my favorite styles.
Pillow
case top- $18, Sweet top-
$22, (elastic on sleeves/and neck)
Round
Neck top- $28 Knot
Dress top- $35
Bows- Bows are like the cherry on top!
Jane-
one layer- $6
Audrey-
5 layers- $10
Emorie
- who’s counting? The bigger the better! This is a big beautiful style and
perfect for dance wear. Lots of ribbon, fluff, and whatever else I can fit
in! $15
Fabric
Flower Headbands- $8
For the Boys- they are
just as important they just don’t require as much stuff!! Well at least not
this kind of stuff :)
Pocket
square- $5
Garter-$5
Bandana-
$6
Add
coordinating fabric to a western shirt you provide- $15
Fun Extras-
Parade Pants- I’m always so worried that we are going to
ruin our pretty little dresses in the parades.
These super cute ruffle pants are a great option to wear in the parade
or to have as a great versatile piece to wear with the cute top you chose
earlier!
Ruffle
Pants- $35 (in a mix of your skirt fabrics)
Ruffled
Jeans- $20 (made to jean or capri length with jeans that you provide)
Brother/ Sister sets-
I am happy to offer coordinating
outfits for younger siblings. These will
not be exact copies but something that would look great in those pictures you
know you want to take while they are all dressed up!
Boys-
appliqued t-shirts $16, western shirt fabric add on- $15, baby boy romper w/ applique $35, 6m-3t,
shorts and a t-shirt set from coordinating fabrics- $25 (0-4t)
Girls-
any of the previously listed items made to coordinate with big sister/ big
brother’s attire
Please contact me for more info.
Some other thoughts- I know a lot of groups like to wear their
dresses for two years but that makes me kinda sad to think that these adorable
pieces I make only get worn to square dance in.
I would love to recommend that you all choose something you will love
and wear all year long (maybe without the petticoat beneath). These skirts are great in the summer with tanks
and cute sandals or boots, and later in the fall/winter with boots and leg
warmers, and a sweater or long sleeves. Make an outfit you will use for family
portraits, another special occasion, or just to church on Sundays. I say create
something you love and wear it all you want.
But that’s just my opinion. :)
If you would like to
wear these again next year… I cannot guarantee they will fit a year from now,
little girls grow a lot! But I will do whatever I can to help. We can always add a ruffle for length and
make new shirts. Traditional dresses
can be made with seams that can be let out, etc…
Payment Options- Cash or
Check, paypal
½ of total is due upon ordering for all group
orders and the remaining ½ on delivery.
I can send each child’s parent a separate paypal invoice so one person
doesn’t have to collect all the money, but I cannot order any fabrics or begin
sewing the order until all have paid the first ½.
Fabric Options/ and more pics:
Feel free to check out
all the pics on our FaceBook page- This
Little Piggy-
We are working on
building up the square dance album.
Fabric options are
endless and change frequently I try to keep a good slection on FB, would be
happy to text or email you choicesI', or meet with you personally. If you give me a general idea of colors you
would like I can better provide you with some options.
If you don’t see
something your group needs just ask I probably can do and just forgot to add to
the list!
Sunday, April 15, 2012
The Preachers Wife
A warning upfront- I'm in a foul mood and this could translate into either a really great sarcastic funny blog or just a bunch of whining. I'll let you know when its over. First off, I just finished reading the final book in the Hunger Games series and it didn't go my way. (That's not why I'm in a bad mood, I'm not that nutty) But, seriously?! what was that girl thinking?? I'll try not to ruin it for anyone who hasn't read them all but I'd like to erase the last 10 pages from my head and come up with my own alternate ending. Okay I'm going to ruin it so if you haven't read it and want to..... well leave now. Okay you missed your chance. How?? How could she choose Peeta over Gale? Yeah, yeah I know it wasn't really a love story, whatever. She's a fighter and she chose the lover not the fighter? I don't get that at all and quite frankly pretty sure Miss Collins got it all wrong.
But that's not what's got me all grouchy and its about as important as the late breaking news on the E channel. Really, I'm in a bad mood about church today. Don't worry I'm not upset with the Pastor and I can't say I was upset by anything he said, because I barely heard a word he said. His children were behaving so badly I doubt anyone heard him!!
I'm so thankful for our little congregation. Among many other things, the pray for us, encourage us, and just plain love us! And they tolerate our very noisy children. Well mostly its just the girls. Caleb is old enough and smart enough to keep quiet and behave properly in church, but the girls seem bent on driving me insane. And its working. Tim pastors at a small country church and there are many Sundays where our kids are the only young ones there so we don't have children's church regularly.
I am determined that they can and will learn to sit in church without causing an uproar but today they provided much evidence to the contrary. If you have noticed any families with small children who at one time came to your church but aren't there anymore, I know why. They are exhausted. Totally drained from trying to keep their small kids in the pew and listen to the pastor. More than once today while holding on to a foot disappearing beneath the pew I thought "it would be so much easier to stay at home".
The girls are waging a war against my sanity and they are winning. I'm pretty sure I've developed a twitch. I cannot personally tell you anything that Tim preached today. Emorie screamed off and on during both morning and evening services and we of course had to leave church once each service for Audrey to use the restroom. And in the end I finally gave up and left both services feeling like we were totally preventing everyone else from focusing. The look on Emorie's little face was sheer triumph! Grrrrrrrrr! I know, this too shall pass. They will grow up and I will survive. Caleb is proof. And I will cling to the knowledge that one day we can sit in peace. I just hope by that time we haven't run everyone else off and find ourselves sitting alone in church :(
Encourage the young parents in your church. Help them when you can, tolerate them when you can't. It would be easier for them to stay at home but that is not where they need to be. Love them even if you don't love the distraction they cause.
But that's not what's got me all grouchy and its about as important as the late breaking news on the E channel. Really, I'm in a bad mood about church today. Don't worry I'm not upset with the Pastor and I can't say I was upset by anything he said, because I barely heard a word he said. His children were behaving so badly I doubt anyone heard him!!
I'm so thankful for our little congregation. Among many other things, the pray for us, encourage us, and just plain love us! And they tolerate our very noisy children. Well mostly its just the girls. Caleb is old enough and smart enough to keep quiet and behave properly in church, but the girls seem bent on driving me insane. And its working. Tim pastors at a small country church and there are many Sundays where our kids are the only young ones there so we don't have children's church regularly.
I am determined that they can and will learn to sit in church without causing an uproar but today they provided much evidence to the contrary. If you have noticed any families with small children who at one time came to your church but aren't there anymore, I know why. They are exhausted. Totally drained from trying to keep their small kids in the pew and listen to the pastor. More than once today while holding on to a foot disappearing beneath the pew I thought "it would be so much easier to stay at home".
The girls are waging a war against my sanity and they are winning. I'm pretty sure I've developed a twitch. I cannot personally tell you anything that Tim preached today. Emorie screamed off and on during both morning and evening services and we of course had to leave church once each service for Audrey to use the restroom. And in the end I finally gave up and left both services feeling like we were totally preventing everyone else from focusing. The look on Emorie's little face was sheer triumph! Grrrrrrrrr! I know, this too shall pass. They will grow up and I will survive. Caleb is proof. And I will cling to the knowledge that one day we can sit in peace. I just hope by that time we haven't run everyone else off and find ourselves sitting alone in church :(
Encourage the young parents in your church. Help them when you can, tolerate them when you can't. It would be easier for them to stay at home but that is not where they need to be. Love them even if you don't love the distraction they cause.
Saturday, April 14, 2012
Cursing CupCakes
Its 1am and I am in my kitchen covered in flour, powdered sugar, and red food dye. I am not a baker. I am a seamstress. I am a designer. I am a writer. I am many many things. I am not a baker. I am also not perfect and if anyone reading this believes me to be and wishes to retain that image be warned and stop reading now.
Caleb's Razorback party is tomorrow, scratch that it's today, and in an effort to not be rushed I decided to make his cupcakes today. Lately, we've be having cupcakes for birthday parties for a number of reasons. Well let me just number them for you.
1. I'm frugal. There are a couple of bakeries in Fayetteville that I adore but I do not adore their prices. It's cake people! We are going to eat it and then it will be gone. I don't care how cute it is or how much my guests will ooh and ahh over it. It's cake. period
2. My favorite stay at home mom baker made some well earned changes and isn't doing birthday cakes anymore. I would be bitter but I love you anyway :) and believe me I understand like no one else could.
3. Cupcakes are easier to decorate than a whole cake. Well in theory anyway.
4. Did I mention I'm frugal. Cheap, tight, call it whatever you want. I didnt want to spend money on the cake when I've already spend a small fortune on the gifts, food, and party essentials.
5. I am a creative, talented girl, I can make cupcakes- ha!
Okay that's enough numbers. So anyway I found a picture online of some darling Razorback cupcakes and Caleb loved them. I made the cupcakes from store bought cake mix, yeah yeah I know cheating- whatever. I found a recipe online for a simple buttercream icing I thought would work well and then was worried one batch wouldn't be enough so I doubled it :).
I quickly realized I had enough icing to cover Baum Stadium. Oops, oh well I calm down and eat a cupcake using some of the extra icing. One had to be sacrificed for quality control purposes.
So I divided my icing to make red, black, and white. Mix in my red paste....... pink. Mix in more red.....dark pink, hmmmm. I've mixed icing before with this same paste. At this point I probably should have thought a little harder but it was getting late so I calmed down, ate another cupcake and just dumped in the entire new container of red paste.... still sorta pink. Pigs may be pink where you're from but around here they're red- dark red! Curse--- not an actual curse that would be wrong and I would never do that (except in rare skiing accidents and I apologized profusly for that) After taking time to think it through and eating another cupcake (true) I added a little black and came up with a color I could live with but its still not right. At this point my kitchen looked like this and I was thinking very bad thoughts about my cupcake skills.
I'm not even sure why the salad dressing is on the island?? I didn't use it in the frosting, promise :). Its late I'm tired and I realize there is no way these are going to look right. I start slappin icing on cupcakes all the while making plans to make a trip to the bakery in the morning and pay whatever they want for whatever they have.
Calm down eat another cupcake- just kidding. by this point I was about sick and I figured I should save one for breakfast.
I decided I should just put on the base layer and add snouts, tusks, and such tomorrow. But I had to make finish a couple just out of curiousity and I'm pretty darn happy with the final results.
I don't think I'll be getting a job as a cupcake decorator anytime soon but that's okay by me. I think my birthday boy is going to think they are awesome and that is all I need! Well that and maybe some bleach to get all the red off my hands. Come by tomorrow and help us celebrate. I'll send you home with some pink icing :).
Caleb's Razorback party is tomorrow, scratch that it's today, and in an effort to not be rushed I decided to make his cupcakes today. Lately, we've be having cupcakes for birthday parties for a number of reasons. Well let me just number them for you.
1. I'm frugal. There are a couple of bakeries in Fayetteville that I adore but I do not adore their prices. It's cake people! We are going to eat it and then it will be gone. I don't care how cute it is or how much my guests will ooh and ahh over it. It's cake. period
2. My favorite stay at home mom baker made some well earned changes and isn't doing birthday cakes anymore. I would be bitter but I love you anyway :) and believe me I understand like no one else could.
3. Cupcakes are easier to decorate than a whole cake. Well in theory anyway.
4. Did I mention I'm frugal. Cheap, tight, call it whatever you want. I didnt want to spend money on the cake when I've already spend a small fortune on the gifts, food, and party essentials.
5. I am a creative, talented girl, I can make cupcakes- ha!
Okay that's enough numbers. So anyway I found a picture online of some darling Razorback cupcakes and Caleb loved them. I made the cupcakes from store bought cake mix, yeah yeah I know cheating- whatever. I found a recipe online for a simple buttercream icing I thought would work well and then was worried one batch wouldn't be enough so I doubled it :).
I quickly realized I had enough icing to cover Baum Stadium. Oops, oh well I calm down and eat a cupcake using some of the extra icing. One had to be sacrificed for quality control purposes.
So I divided my icing to make red, black, and white. Mix in my red paste....... pink. Mix in more red.....dark pink, hmmmm. I've mixed icing before with this same paste. At this point I probably should have thought a little harder but it was getting late so I calmed down, ate another cupcake and just dumped in the entire new container of red paste.... still sorta pink. Pigs may be pink where you're from but around here they're red- dark red! Curse--- not an actual curse that would be wrong and I would never do that (except in rare skiing accidents and I apologized profusly for that) After taking time to think it through and eating another cupcake (true) I added a little black and came up with a color I could live with but its still not right. At this point my kitchen looked like this and I was thinking very bad thoughts about my cupcake skills.
Calm down eat another cupcake- just kidding. by this point I was about sick and I figured I should save one for breakfast.
I decided I should just put on the base layer and add snouts, tusks, and such tomorrow. But I had to make finish a couple just out of curiousity and I'm pretty darn happy with the final results.
I don't think I'll be getting a job as a cupcake decorator anytime soon but that's okay by me. I think my birthday boy is going to think they are awesome and that is all I need! Well that and maybe some bleach to get all the red off my hands. Come by tomorrow and help us celebrate. I'll send you home with some pink icing :).
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