And the winner is...not me :)

I really didn't enter to win, it would have been nice, but I don't feel bad about how it ended up.  About a month ago I decided that I wanted to enter a cake into the Eastern Idaho State Fair Sugar Art competition.  The theme was wall to wall and the design needed to be based on a wallpaper design.  So, I searched the Internet and found a swatch that I could envision on a cake.

The whole planning process was actually fun, drawing it out and thinking of different techniques that I wanted to try.  The only thing that I wasn't crazy about was the fact that it was a very monochromatic color scheme.  But I did think it turned out rather elegant.

I should really start to take progress pics.  But for now the final results will have to do.

No matter the results I learned so much and love this little hobby of mine.  By the way I got third place, other wise known as last, since there were only three entries in my division.   More on that later ;)

And it begins....

Do you have any idea how early 6:00 a.m.?!?

Let me tell you, it came awful quick this morning.  I really can't believe that summer is over and we are already back to early mornings, practicing piano and homework.  I love summer and frankly this one seemed way too short.  But as i sit in in my VERY quiet house this morning I know my kids are loving their first day.  Sara in Jr. High, lockers, changing every class throughout the day and of course boys and friends.  J.T. started 5th grade and of the three he definitely was the least excited but he is terrific and I know that he'll do great.  Then cute Cambelle, holy hanna, 2nd grade!! already?  She is oh so much fun and she is definitely coming into her own.  Even though my floor will stay swept for more than thirty minutes, I am looking forward to 3:40 when they get off the but to share their new adventures.

Sara 7th grade

J.T. 5th grade

Cambelle 2nd grade

So cute, I could eat them up!

Okay, I LOVE it when I start to giggle when I am making a cake, because when that happens I know that it's working.  I was able to make this fun flip flop cake for two of my nieces for our family reunion.  The cake is a three layer chocolate fudge with a raspberry and Nutella filling and then a cream cheese frosting all covered in fondant.  The flip flops are shaped from rice crispy treats with gum paste details.  Do you not just adore the sunglasses?!  Seriously so much fun, I also  got to play with my new toy, an extractor, I know sounds serious but it just lets me make perfectly round rope and other shapes.  This is a hobby I am so grateful for, I find it relaxing and it feels like I am doing a grown up art project.  Birthday season is just around the corner, woo hoo.  I can't wait bring it on!!!!

My Crazy Little Hobbies

Art class was always my favorite in elementary school, it didn't matter what the project was I just loved the process, sitting there with scissors, glue and crayons and my thoughts.  I loved sharp new crayons, lined up according to color (of course) and the challenge of making whatever was in front of me look as much like the teachers as possible.  In third grade I carried a little binder that had all my drawings in them.  And Mrs. Steele introduced me to things like chalk pictures and real clay that felt like silk in your hands.  The sad thing is that as soon I got to High School and could choose my classes the responsibility bug kicked in and I took only classes that I deemed "worthy" of my future, something that would be useful in college or as a mother.  So that means there was a lot of math and English a foreign language here a business class there and all the home ec classes that I could muster.  I stopped doing the things that made me smile and fill something inside me and I began to do the responsible thing.  Now don't get me wrong the "responsible" thing did make me happy, because I knew that I wanted to do well in college and being a mother was always at the top of what I wanted to be when I grew up.  But I sometimes wish that I would have explored the smile side of me a little more in high school because now the hobbies I have that bring that smile back to my face is essentially, art.  I love cake decorating and photography.  Chances are there are other things that I would smile about but for right now these are the two I want to learn more about and perfect a little, to bad I don't have a teacher to give me a little competitive boost.

A Little Pink Helicopter

Okay so it wasn't really pink but  it was a dream come true for two men in my life.  As long as I have know Troy he has loved helicopters.  When we were first dating he talked about becoming full time military and learning to fly helicopters, frankly that scared me and I had a lot of misgivings over that and worried and fretted and begged "please no."  And then I realized that I couldn't take that dream away and as a peace offering I gave him a little matchbox helicopter and told him that I would support him.  Long story short he didn't pursue that career but I know that he has always wanted the opportunity to at the very least fly in a helicopter.  Well, early this summer there was a fly in near by and they offered helicoper rides......they had him at "heli" and bless his cute heart he bought rides for both Cambelle and J.T.  So I went along to take a few shots.

My favorite part of the whole day was watching them get out.  J.T.'s face was so animated and excited like it was Christmas morning.  Definitely a day to remember.

Oh the drama

At the beginning of the summer each of my kids participated in a drama camp held at the school.  They each got a part in a little play and then performed it on the final night of the camp.  Who knew that all the drama at home would pay off?  Maybe it's the mom in me, but I thought they were really good.  Hopefully we'll have many more plays to attend, because it was a lot of fun.

 Cambelle was Perdita in a version of 101 Dalmatians.  I LOVED her cute little voice saying, "listen to you father."  I'm so happy she is starting to want to participate in things.  She has always been happier to be at home then venture out, so this is a fun change.

J.T. was the villain in the Aristocats.  He did a pretty good job, it is so not his personality so I think it was fun for him to perfect his evil laugh.

 Sara was of course Snoopy, I know the name below her didn't give it away or anything.  And she was fantastic.  She really has a talent for drama I think.  I hope she has opportunities in the future to cultivate this talent, because it was so much fun to watch her.

Watch out Hollywood :)

Names From the Past

We are given a name when we are born,

not one that we choose but one that is passed on to us,

From people in our past who we hardly know

but who have made it possible for us to be where we are today.

Their sacrifice may never be known,

we know little of their history, some have no face, only a name.

But let us try not to forget those that have touched our lives,

who have dwelt in our hearts, and let us forever share their memory and

the legacy they have left for us.

I truly am fascinated by the people who have come before me.  I have learned their names, and every once in a while come across information that gives me a glimpse of who they were.  They are as varied as the flowers in a field yet they come together to create beauty unmatched.  I love when something new comes to my attention because it makes them little more real to me and frankly I look forward to meeting them one day.  I can't wait to ask them questions and tell them thank you.  I know that not all my ancestors were fairytale type people with faith and fortitude and never a low moment.  In fact that is what makes me love them all the more, I know that there were moms with tempers and parents who felt a sadness that I can not even begin to comprehend.  I know there were those who didn't make the best choices for their families and left when things were difficult.  But all these situations allowed the people around them to make choices.  These choices made by spouses or children have led to where I am here and now.  It is true I have some colorful ancestors, but that is what gives the field of flowers it's character and that is what makes you want to investigate a little more and find out the details.  I want to introduce you to some of those individuals and give you a taste of why I love them.  Through these family history posts you will meet Robert and Elizabeth who were not given a choice in their marriage, Margery Mae who was a 52 year old widow when she walked across the plains with her five children, Mary Marinda who was a tiny little woman with so much spunk and strength it boggles my mind as well as a lot of other people I love dearly.  It's their legacy I look forward to sharing.