piles

That pretty much sums up my life right now.

I have piles of clean laundry to put away. Piles of dirty laundry to wash. Piles of projects to get done. Piles of toys all over the house. Piles of dishes in the sink. Basically, piles of messes everywhere. Oh and this huge pile of bunting waiting to be sewn for the wedding! Golly gee... I want all the piles to disappear! Seriously, my house is a mess not like the house you see here or here.

I can get a bit stressed thinking about all the piles I am surrounded with. It sometimes seems like things will never get clean or a certain project will never be done, but I must remind myself to take it one step at a time. One pile at a time, so now I am off to do just that. Wish me luck!

polaroid tuesday: week twelve

Lots of color (and good things) straight from our garden. I love it!

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lovely pictures and last day for giveaway

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not my pictures

Just like it wasn't my story, these aren't my engagement pictures, but my best friend's who will be getting married in less than two weeks. Some of us tried to get her to start a wedding blog, as she has funny wedding planning stories to share (i.e. Her mom sneaks invites out of her room to invite more friends), but it ain't her thing (she just likes to blog stalk), so I am sharing her pictures. They are too beautiful and inspiring not to share!

Photography was done by Christian Cruz (hair done by my stylist sister). Aren't the pictures just gorgeous? You can see more here. John and Linda were nervously anticipating this day as they are both extremely camera shy, but I think they did a wonderful job and that you can't even tell.

Two weeks until her big day, there is still so much to do! Ah!!! I am a bit nervous... we are in full swing of finishing up wedding stuff for her, so don't mind if there will be a lot of wedding talk here and there. Oh and don't forget the giveaway!

anyone interested?

This week the impossible project just released a batch of their first re-created instant film PX100 for the sx-70 cameras. I snatched a couple packs and 600 film will be following soon. Eek! Instant photography is coming back and in a big way!

To celebrate and just cause I like you all so much, I am giving away another polaroid camera! Yup! Yup! A polaroid camera!!! Then, you will be ready for when they release that 600 film to dance your way into the land of instant photography!

All you have to do is:

1. Leave a comment telling me your favorite item from one of my sponsors... aim's shoppe - downtown girl designs - shey [b] - warm sugar - lisa leonard - misha lulu - hijkids - orangepoppy.

2. Make sure you are a follower or subscriber of my blog and tell me so by leaving another comment.

3. Blog, tweet, or facebook about this giveaway and leave separate comments to the links here.

Now, if you do all of the things mentioned above, you might even be able to up your chances by getting your name in 5 times! Fantastic, right? For a polaroid camera, it is definitely worth it!

Those overseas are also welcome to join. The giveaway will end at 8am PST on Wednesday, March 31st and don't forget to come back Thursday to this post as this is where the winner will be announced. Good luck!

March is coming to an end and if you are interested in becoming a Cakies sponsor starting April send me an email!

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The lovely random generator chose... Allison!

Congratulations Allison! Please email me your address. Thank you to everyone else who entered and I promise to do another one soon. You will have another chance!

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always happy

This little one is mostly happy, except when she wants to eat, but once fed goes back to smiling. Sometimes I think she should have been named Happy Valentina. I wouldn't have mind if she were a twin of another just like her. Two of her would be bliss (I think Soul told you). The older sisters love her lots too. When they are sad they say, "I want a hug from Soulie!" We all can't get enough of her!

Have you ever noticed that Soul is always in these little white shirts? We have tons of them as these are pretty much the only shirts we put her in because after having 2 other girls, we are kind of tired of the pink. We love seeing her in white, though we don't want that one day she is in white to come too soon. We are enjoying every bit of her being little and all ours!

Today for me will involve taxes and emails. Gotta finish getting tax stuff together and then I will be answering your emails, so if you are waiting for one, I will be back to you soon. Tomorrow for you will involve another fun giveaway, it will be good. Promise.

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see last sponsor winner here.

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DIY: cupcake in a jar

Going to the other side of the spectrum, from a vegetable garden to loaded with all things bad for you, but tastes so good cupcakes. You won't think I am such a genius anymore once I tell you how these are done. It really is easy and makes for such a visually appealing way to dress up cupcakes, not that cupcakes need to be dressed up as the name itself is cute and enticing!

I pretty much use Paula Deen's recipe, but with a few of my own tiny tweeks to the ingredients (see*) and then I pretty much follow the directions in Paula Deen's recipe to make the batter and frosting, though I change it up a bit (time in the oven) when it comes to baking it.

Ingredients:

- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

- 1 1/2 cups sugar

- 1 tsp baking soda

- 1 tsp salt

- *2 1/4 tsp cocoa powder

- *1 1/2 cup canola oil

- 1 cup buttermilk, room temperature

- 2 large eggs, room temperature

- 2 tbsp red food coloring

- 1 tsp white distilled vinegar

- *2 tsp vanilla extract

for the cream cheese frosting:

- 1 pound cream cheese, softened

- 2 sticks butter, softened

- *2 tsps vanilla extract

- 4 cups sifted powdered sugar

1. Batter is ready to be put in cupcake pan.

2. I spray the pan with pam and then fill each hole up 2/3 with the batter. Note: I do not use liners, but you could if you want, just pull them off before putting them in the jar.

3. Usually they are done after about 17 minutes in my oven at temperature of 350℉, and I take them out and put them on a wire rack to cool completely.

4. Once they are cool, I slice them in half. You will have a stack of tops and a stack of bottoms.

5. Place 1 bottom in each jar.

6. Put a layer of the frosting.

7. Take the top of the cupcake and place on top of the layer of frosting.

8. Flatten (gently smash) the top part of the cupcake inside the jar. You want to get the top sort of flat.

9. Beautifully frost the top of the cupcake.

10. Cover with lids and package however you like! It will be heartbreaking to eat, as it is so pretty, but it is so yummy!

Easy, right? See, I told you I am not a genius. I did also want to give a crack at actually baking it in a jar (crossing my fingers that I wouldn't shatter or explode in the oven) and it came out pretty good too.

I followed these instructions, but the lid I boiled shrank, so I just ran it in piping hot water right before I put in on the jar. Also, I didn't listen to the "ping" because knowing my ears I wouldn't even hear it (I have small ears, so I have bad hearing! At least that is why I think I can't hear well.) I let the whole jar cool completely, which was 2.5 hours. After it cooled, I opened the jar up, I scooped out a hole in the middle and then filled it with frosting. I finished it off by frosting the top too! Then, I sealed it again and packaged it to my liking. Something I would change next time I bake it in a jar, is to only fill it up a quarter of the way because it came up higher than I wanted it too.

Just as cute and delicious as the other way of making it!

Here is a little supplies list with a link to where I bought my goodies for packaging:

- 8 oz glass jars with gold lid

- wooden spoons

- round stickers (I did have to cut them down a bit to make it fit the top)

- bakers twine

- pastry bag and decorative tips

Now, go and enjoy as I am sure most of you will be itching to bake or make something (anything) in a jar! It is really darn cute that you have to give it a try! Don't forget to listen to this song as you bake! Happy baking!!!

more of our garden

There is just an abundance in our vegetable beds right now. We spent yesterday evening harvesting and caring for our little vegetable garden. We are in awe of it all and are so thankful to God for allowing this mini vegetable aisle in our very own backyard! No need for us to buy any veggies from the grocery store, homegrown is better!

{romanesco broccoli}

{orange cauliflower}

{regular broccoli}

{parisian carrots}

{chiogga beets}

{golden beets}

{brussels sprouts}

{rutabagas, my hot husband, turnips}

{turnips}

{parisian carrots}

We took some inside, cleaned them up, and had some for dinner. It is kinda cool to eat things from your very own backyard!

I am sure you have figured out we like to eat pretty healthy, but we do indulge now and then, though it is all done in moderation. Plus, I definitely have a sweet tooth, so I need my desserts every once in awhile. A big reason we are like this is because Ben is a dietitian.

When we started dating, he just started going back to school to get his masters in nutritional science and was already eating healthy. After about 9 months of dating, I lost 12 pounds (and it stayed off until I had kids) because of all the healthy eating I was doing when we were together. Talk about a weight loss system that works! I guess it makes a difference if you cut out all the crappy food in your life. Now, he currently works for a local hospital teaching health education and creates nutrition lesson plans for a local school district. Therefore, he definitely practices what he preaches and makes sure his family does too (though I do sneak in bad stuff every so often)! All this to say, if you want to lose weight... date or marry a dietitian! Kidding. Okay, maybe just a little bit serious.

I love our garden and my hot gardener, but I love the God who allows this all to happen even more!

polaroid tuesday: week eleven

She really does. She learned from our mom.

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last day

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three

Three things I loved this weekend:

1. Waking up to see Soul's cute little toe.

2. Ben excited about his pickings from the garden to give away to friend's at church.

3. Flea market with some friends and even saw Danni and Nick for a little bit.

We had a good weekend, but my sewing machine and my sister's machine, which I borrowed, are both out! The tensions are horribly off! I use them machines a whole lot. Now, what am I supposed to do without any sewing machine?!! I am going to take them to get repaired tomorrow, though I am seriously considering buying another machine, for times such as these.

Tell me about your weekend. What three things did you love this weekend?

Hello to a brand new week!

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giveaway

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:: sponsor welcome ::

Please welcome the newest sponsor... aim's shoppe.

Aim's shoppe has many loves, some of which are "handbags, paper, babies, and screenprinting, just to name a few." The shop has some sweet little goodies for you or a little one you love from zipper coin purses to hair doodads, and even an owl pillow! If you are in need for a treat for yourself or for someone else, you might just find a little something special in aim's shoppe!

Aim's shoppe is offering one lucky reader one of her zipper coin purses! Once again, you can get a few more chances at winning this lovely prize, so here are some things you can do:

1. Leave a comment on this post telling me your favorite item from aim's shoppe.

2.. Blog, tweet, or facebook about this giveaway and leave the link here.

Now, if you do all of the things mentioned above, you might even be able to up your chances by getting your name in 4 times! Fantastic, right? Those overseas are also welcome to join!

The giveaway will end at 8am PST on Wednesday, March 24th and don't forget to come back Thursday to this post as this is where the winner will be announced. Good luck! Thank you so much aim's shoppe!!!

aim's shoppe shop...

aim's shoppe blog...

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The happy random generator chose... Tara

Tara, congratulations!!! Please email me with your address. Thank you to everyone else who entered! Reading your favorites are always so fun!

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DIY: the flower garland

The perfect little accent for spring. Just make and hang, and it adds a bit of cheer to any little place!

Materials needed:

- 24 - 4'' fabric squares

- 6' long twine (or could use yarn or string)

- sewing machine (can do it by hand, but easier with a machine)

How to make:

1. Cut some fabric into 4'' squares for a total of 24 squares for 6 flowers. Cut more squares if want to put more flowers on the line.

2. Stagger 4 square pieces of fabric on top of each other (can do more if you want a thicker flower).

3. Fold the entire stack in half.

4. Fold stack again in quarters.

5. Cut a 6' long piece of twine (or longer if want a longer garland).

6. About 6'' from the end of the twine, place the twine over the flower's folded end and zig zag stitch (and backstitch) the flower on to the twine.

7. Repeat step 6 about every 8''-10'' for each flower. Can space the flowers closer or farther apart from each other. Do as you think is best for you as you can even use a longer piece of twine.

8. Fluff flowers up a bit and hang somewhere that will make you smile!

Have fun crafting these simple things up! I have three of these little garlands in the shop if you want it!

I have lots on my to-do list, but never enough time to do everything. Anyone else feeling that way lately? I feel this way all the time now with three kids. Heck, I think I felt that way with just two! I wish there were two of me! One of me to take care of all my babycakies, Ben, and the house stuff and another one to take care of all the other things (i.e. taxes and emails). Yup... tax time is coming and that always stresses me out! I guess that is why I need to lean on Christ more because alone I am definitely insufficient.

Happy weekend all!!! Don't worry as next week I will show you how to do the cupcake in a jar and tomorrow there will be another sponsor welcome.

hacked

Hello world!

My mom is currently working on some of your orders and shop things while my two older sisters are napping. I got bored laying here as that is all I do all the time, so I decided to hack into my mom's blog and say hello. Also, mom keeps going on and on about how she forgot to announce the giveaway winner this morning, so I decided to do it for her here. Mom also tells me that Shey B is so kind to give you readers 10% off any order place between now and midnight PST this Saturday, so you better hurry up and put "cakies" in at checkout! Also, mom keeps telling me that she wishes I had a twin. I think she can't get enough of me that she wants two of me! Uh oh... I think I hear my mom coming, so I better wrap this post up as it is time for me to eat. Be back soon folks!

Love,

Soul

DIY: the piñata

The piñata really was easy and my mind is reeling with all sorts of other paper-mâché projects. Us girls may be making another piñata soon, but this time it will be just for us to play with!

Here is what you will need to make it:

- balloon (I used a punch balloon because I wanted it big and took off the rubber band)

- 2 newspapers (cut the newspaper in long 1''-2'' strips)

- 1 cup of flour

- 5 cups of water

- large bowl to hold balloon as you work

- old vintage book pages cut into 4''x4'' squares

- glue

- 7'' piece of wire

To make the paper-mâché paste:

1. Boil 4 cups of water.

2. While you wait for the water to boil, mix well the 1 cup of flour into 1 cup of warm water. This avoids any clumps in the paste. Set aside the flour mixture.

3. Once the 4 cups of water is boiling, remove from the heat and add in the flour mixture and mix well. If paste is a bit thick, add a bit more water. Same goes if the mixture is too watery, add a bit more flour.

4. Let the paste cool down before you start using it.

To make the piñata:

1. Blow up the balloon to your desired size.

2. Dip newspaper strips into the paste and place on the balloon.

3. Make sure to smooth out the strips on the balloon. Cover the entire area of the balloon with 2 layers of newspaper. Use the large bowl to help stabilize the balloon as you are covering it with newspaper.

5. Allow about 2-5 hours to dry. Rotate balloon as it dries to make sure that it dries evenly around.

6. Repeat steps 2-5 two more times to make sure that the piñata will be nice and thick. This will avoid the piñata caving in once the balloon is popped inside. Make sure piñata is completely dry before you start decorating it.

7. Make stacks of 10-4''x4'' vintage book pages and roll. This is the give the pages a curl before they are glued on the piñata.

8. Start with the bottom of the piñata and apply some glue then add some book pages to the bottom.

9. Once the bottom of the piñata is covered, place back on top of the bowl. Make one row of glue, still working on the bottom, on the piñata and place book pages on top. Overlap each page slightly on top of each other. Rotate the piñata around as you place the pages on. Remember, all you need to do is glue down just the top of the book page. This will allow the curled page to flip out and give it the "flippy" look.

10. Repeat step 9 until the whole piñata is covered in book pages. This part does not have to be perfectly straight as you want it to have a fun, whimsical look.

11. Allow 4-5 hours for the whole piñata to dry. Make sure to place in a dry area as humidity may slow down the drying process.

12. Once piñata is completely dry, poke two small holes at the top about 3'' apart.

13. Using a 7'' wire, feed through each hole and connect the ends of the two wires together. This will be to attach the rope to hang the piñata.

14. Cut another small opening on the piñata to pop the balloon inside and fill with goodies.

15. Hang and play.

Hope this all makes sense! Here is the pretty piñata that inspired the one we made. The piñata could also be covered in a pretty tissue paper or painted, the possibilities are endless. Fair warning though as it will break your heart a bit to see it go into smithereens!

Tomorrow, I will have a DIY for the flower garland and like requested by some of you, next week I will be sure to do a DIY for the cupcake in a jar. Stay tuned.

p.s. Totally unrelated to this, but for those of you living in southern California, my stylist sister is offering a special to get your hair done. I say go! Ben and I trust her with our hair, and Ben doesn't just trust anyone with his!