Frosting for the Cause

Recently  I was asked to participate in a fundraiser to benefit the cancer fund. 
Unfortunately, there are many varieties of cancer and awareness ribbons of as many colors to show us an outward sign of the type we hold closest to us or support.  But perhaps the most widely known is the pink ribbon for breast cancer awareness.  It just also happens to be breast cancer awareness month.  A time when the stores are full of many pink items from Tic Tacks to Swiffer mops.  With a portion of the proceeds going to research.
It is also no coincidence that I write this page today, October 8th…and dedicate to a wonderful person many called friend including me…Cathy Drake Van Horn.  Today is the first anniversary of her passing for this dreaded poison that robbed her of so much.  Cathy and I had been friendly and grown up together in a terrific community, worked in her moms store and beauty shop together, and spent many good times watching Sunday football, and cooking "hunting camp widow's" dinners.
So to honor the memories and spirit of Cathy and all those who have lost their battle with this retched enemy, I have had my (a chunk of) hair dyed pink, baked almost 200 white & pink pomegranate mini (or as my son named them) Preemie-BabyCakes frosted with white and pink frosting, and will be on hand to assist at BloomingNails Salon to work selling baked goods, applying pink streaks to hair, extensions, or feathers in the hair.  The event is being called--"A DAY OF DONATING TO CANCER RESEARCH IN HONOR OF CATHY VAN HORN" Please join us.
Perhaps you've noticed a couple of my posting with a cute little logo about The Cause on my FB page over the last few weeks.  I joined an online group that shares information and awareness about cancer…Frosting for The Cause.  Please take a moment or two and check out their incredible sites.
By the way, all the donations and proceeds raised at tomorrows event will be given to the Susan B. Koman Walk in honor of Cathy.
Thank you for taking the time to care & don't forget to self exam, visit your doctor on a regular basis, and get your annual mammogram.
Until the next episode, TTFN.  Love Jeanmarie
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Jeanmarie is the owner of BabyCakes out of Port Jervis, New York.  Convinced by a good friend to start showcasing her work, in April of this year she began blogging.  That was just about the same time that she began making her delectable cupcakes for her local coffee shop on a regular basis.  Since that time, Jeanmarie has been busy tending to her family of two children, her growing baking business as well as the needs of many in her community.  She is an avid supporter of fund-raisers in her area and does not hesitate to help, be it by donating her baked goods for sale or lending a caring hand whenever and wherever she sees the need.
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Wow, How Time Does Fly!

My apologies to any BabyCakes' fans if you have been looking for an update (KJL), but to say I've been busy would simply be an understatement.

Since Memorial Day weekend and my last blog, BabyCakes has taken on a life of it's own.  Yes, Millie, I know what you're thinking right about now and the answer is still a resounding 'No'!  You know I can't handle the pressure of a test.

BabyCake Pops

Well, to make things sort of short and sweet, I think I'll just show you a sampling of the goodies that have passed through my kitchen in June & early July.......First there was Soap Box Derby, then Hanah's Sweet 16, followed by graduation, and 2 adorable little boy birthdays--GO Yankees!  Throw in a visit to Mom's and celebrate Fourth of July.

top: Root Beer, center: PJ Sigs, Bottom: Orange DreamSickle

top: Canolli, center: Watermelon, bottom: Choc. Chip CookieCake

 

Memorial Day RW&B

Girl Scout Thin Mint CookieBabies

Happy Birthday USA

Happy 16th Birthday Hanah

The Star of the Show 7/4/11

There you have it.  They say a picture is worth a thousand words, these must have a value of a thousand calories, give or take a few.

A few weeks ago we visited my family in Virginia.  While there for some rest (yeah okay, we'll go with that) and help Nana support the troops, I got to play with the new phone I bought and got to 'hangout' on Facebook and clean up my emails.  I fully intended to catch up on the blog too but kept getting distracted…Distracted?  Who Me?  Yes Me, distracted.  Distracted by emails and chats involving BabyCakes.  Ahhhh such a nice distraction.  (Oh, did I mention I forgot my medicine and got so stressed out about not having it?)

As I sat at the kitchen table one night 'chatting' with Mrs. GoodKnight, I began to get pop up chats and postings on my wall from 2 other people…One wanted BabyCakes for a date next month and the other sheet cakes, yes 2 sheet CAKES, for his sister's graduation party.  Yippie!  Okay that set the tone for our departure time.  Time went from a stand still to the anticipation of should I bake here and take it home to decorate or leave Thursday instead of Friday and just bake at home.  But than again I did have the Parade BabyCakes to make and the ones for the Church Breakfast People's Picnic, not to mention get some done for Judy Java & Danny 2-Rivs (Oh yeah I forgot to tell you about Dan, remind me to go back to him).   So I figured Thursday would be the better bet.

The next morning my hubby said he'd love to visit Monticello, the home of Thomas Jefferson, not the one here with the racetrack.  That's when I got an email from Cooper and that's when time went from the anticipation of leaving to WE GOTTA GO!

Coop is a friend I met through Judy Java.  He was asked by someone about having a cake made for a 1st birthday.  He thought of Me.  OMG!  ME!  It was like when I found out I was pregnant, I was excited but at the same time worried about how it would come out.  I couldn't wait to tell me mom.  Of course I said yes, then I asked for when would they need it?   And it turns out it was that upcoming weekend….aaarrrhhhHHH!!!!!  Oh boy, it's do or die time.  But I was still so excited I was busting to get to work.

The day we drove home and the following day was so stressful (it could have been the fact I had not had my meds in a week).  Yeah, the meds or lack there of, were likely a contributing factor but on Friday when Maggie called me and said Nick came busting through the kitchen door at work asking her if she knew what day it was, it dawned on me EXACTLY why I was so crazed last three days.

...It was JULY 8th.

I immediately had that hollow feeling in the pit of my stomach that was so empty and took me back to that horrid place 11 years ago.  11 years--My God how time has flown.  I felt the hatred wash over me and wanted to envelop my kids in a safe secure embrace.  I sat down at the computer and there was Donnie's post--a note on his wall pertaining to that day and the loss of his Aunt Nancy.  All of a sudden I got a grip on my emotions and was overcome with a sense of hope…of fullness… and of love to be able to stand in my kitchen, baking and when he walked in the door , I was able to hug him and tell him just how glad I was that I still had him here with us.


The thoughts of what we had, what has happened and what we've been through as a family, and of what is to come…was like all the ingredients on the counter.  Alone they are just basic things, nothing special.  But mixed all together they become something wonderful and comforting and familiar.  We were given the opportunity to continue to mix our basic selves to make one wonderful and comforting family regardless of all the craziness and crappy things that come our way.

Luke's First Birthday

Dillion's 8th B'Day Cake

Canolli Graduation Cake for Amber

Now, if things weren't crazy enough, One of my emails with Coop lead to an utterly knee-jerk decision…The family whom I was making the BabyCake birthday for, was looking for someone to cook a dinner for them and their guests as well.  What do I do?  WTH-Why Not?  Talk about putting yourself out there.  Like throwing out the first pitch standing striped bare on the pitchers mound in Yankee Stadium on opening day.  But to do what you love and do it up to a higher level was like hitting the winning homerun.  I went right to Mommy mode and thought of Sunday dinner.  What a dinner it was.  Maggie told me to take pictures of the food when plated but I told her that would be a little pretentious but the host , Little Luke's dad, was all about the photo opps.  As I put the meal on the platters and in the bowls, he arranged it on the counter just so and snapped away.  So much for pretentious.    I hope to have pictures of it soon to share.

In the mean time I hope you enjoy seeing all the goodies I've been turning out, Especially the Yankee Cake for my 2 special buddies.

Until the next episode, TTFN.  Love Jeanmarie

So the Hurrier I go, the Behinder I get.

Busy is not even a word I could possibly use to justify the last few weeks.  Insane maybe, Ridiculous for sure.  It got so that I could remember which day it was because they were beginning to overlap.

Recently a friend of mine and I were talking at work and saying how we could wait until tomorrow (thinking it was going to be Friday) and it was only Tuesday morning.  When you put in almost a full week and it's 10 am Tuesday, it's even beyond ridiculous.

With the end of the school year coming on at full force, finishing up the loose ends at ARCH and helping the BossGirlie with reports and calling our charges to remember their test schedule, and taking on yet another job, I have had a tough time finding blog time.

I've started to work for a small private driving school in town as the owner's office assistant for the summer and part time (school first).  Talk about learning a new language?  The first task was to through and find the desk from the piles of files, mail, and all other written communications.  Then on to sorting and creating files (both on the computer & hardcopies)….Oh and did I mention the boss is electronically challenged?  That too is no understatement,  and by his own admission.  I am to open his emails first thing (I cannot express how it kills me to have to print emails).  Sort of like an oxy-moran. He is such a nice man but he is a train wreck at such things as focusing on one task at a time.  I learned real fast not to go over the "to do list" as a general thing.  I now address one thing at a time and hope I choose the most important either by date or function.  PHEWWWWWWW!

I really do enjoy the office, which is clean, quiet, and fairly new.  Not to mention there's the nicest computer screen I've ever worked on (little things make me so happy).  I can have 2 windows open at the same time and see almost all the work I need to, and sometimes have a third open and still not have to overlap too much.  Who would have ever thought I'd get all gaga over a rectangular shaped black visual devise?  I am so pathetic!

Needless to say the stress has been compiling lately and the one thing I look forward to is baking and writing.  Problem is it's so late when I'm done, I fall asleep.  So, let's go back to the end of May and the Black & White Fondant Cake and BabyCakes I made for the Miss Sweet 16 Jenna.  It was a Black & White Masquerade Theme.

We started with Chocolate Espresso BabyCakes and Snow White BabyCakes.

One third of each batch were topped with White ButterCreme frosting, black & silver Jimmies and a hand piped Dark Chocolate swirl.

The second third had Rich Chocolate Frosting topped with a Hand-piped Dark Chocolate Swirl.

The final third had a layer of Peanut Butter-Crème and topped with Chocolate ButterCreme and chopped Peanut Dust.  They earned rave reviews for the family.

For Jenna's cake I made ever other layer black & white (Chocolate or Vanilla), covered in ButterCreme, and decorated in Fondant.  I was provided with a white plastic mask and added some detail to it to be the topper along with some bendable star wire for detail and added bling.

So, there you have it…My first official for a real party of people-Cake.  I've been told there were many positive comments and the Birthday Girl was thrilled--and that's all that matters (when you're 16).

Since then life has been crazy busy but still finding time to create and bake.
This Friday is the All Night Grad Party and the school and I get the privilege of being the unofficial baker of the BabyCakes for the party (in all approximately 250 mini BabyCakes) and a double Chocolate Cake for the neighbor.

Back 'atchya  real soon.

Until the next episode, TTFN.

Love Jeanmarie

Everybody Loves a 6-Pack...

Monday, May 23, 2011

12:41 PM

A six-pack can conjure up images of The Jersey Shore hunk's midriffs , your favorite ice cold combination of barley & hops, or in my case, liquid crack aka--Diet Pepsi.  But today I wanted to share some BabyCakes with a special friend to take back home with her and ended up arranging a sweet six pack of delicious goodness.

Her favorite kind of cake is Chocolate, so I decided to make a variety pack.  This is the result of my efforts...A BabyCakes 6-Pack.

All of the above started out as my basic Chocolate BabyCakes.

After that they are so individual, it's sick (that is a good kind of sick).

From left to right, top to bottom...

Top-Left: The ever popular Reese's Surprise, a Chocolate BabyCake with Reese's and topped with Peanut Butter frosting and a Mini Reese's as garnish.

Top-Center: Hazelnut creme filled BabyCake topped with Hazelnut Butter-Creme Frosting; Top-Right:  Port Java Signature.

Bottom-Left: BabyCake filled with Dark Chocolate Ganache, topped with white Butter Creme, Ganache drizzle and shaved Chocolate; Bottom-Center: BabyCake topped with Strawberry Citrus Frosting; Bottom-Right: Snicker's Surprise topped with Peanut Butter Butter-Creme, Ganache drizzle and Walnuts.

The smile on her face was totally worth the time put into making them so special.

So the next time you need to put a smile of someone's face, you need to smile, or get the notion for a six-pack,...think a BabyCakes 6-pack.

I think she will enjoy them for many miles. She may even save one until she gets home.  Syd, I love you and was so happy to see you in PJ.

Until the next episode, TTFN.

Jeanmarie

Practice Makes for Euphoric BabyCakes

Sunday, May 22, 2011

10:26 PM

Some people say "Practice Makes Perfect".

I think it's far too early for me to even think there is a possibility of saying my portrayal of baked goods is anywhere close to perfect.

Although it may taste perfectly palatable to those who taste it, to look at it is way left of perfect.

I guess I am my own worst critic, but nothing should be deemed perfect--really--NOT ANY ONE THING I might do!

When you decide perfect is 'IT', how can you ever take things to the next level or think that much farther outside of the box???

If anything in my life I did do were said to be perfect, I would have to say my kids are as close to creating perfect as I have ever gotten.  Now, I am not saying they are perfect, but what I am saying is that they were both born by the blessing of God (who is perfection).  Both were healthy and have been flourishing for the last almost 20 & 17 years (on June 8th & as of January 16th, respectively) .  While they are great kids, they too have flaws and can be problematic from time to time.  But again, I was blessed with 2 perfect babies.

And yes, I said she is going to be the BIG 2-0.                          Thank you God.

Saturday, another perfectly precious baby turned 17 and to celebrate her birthday, a perfect plan was hatched to include her friends, some of their moms & dads, and even her 92 year-young neighbor Jean.  The evening started with a tour of "The Girls Room", "pimping out" her new wheels, and introducing us (the moms) to the girl's version of a donkey game and pinning tails on it & another rather tall octopus sort of contraption.  Things we needn't discuss--EVER!

As a matter of fact, turning 17 has brought up some concerns.  Not necessarily by the parent but by the child…She tells her mother that she thinks it's time she (Mom) should get a life.  Not that she minds doing things with her and being the center of her mother's universe but she asks the question…."Mom, what will you do when I go away to college?"  To which Mom replies, "Well, I guess I have 2 options.  One is be the crazy cat lady or the other is to find a Latin lover."

Oh boy! Here we go!!!!!!!!

With the Rapture of the World looming on the horizon, we enjoyed the beautifully perfect blue sky for about 15 minutes and then with 6 o'clock quickly approaching, run for umbrellas to cover the poor grill master from the monsoon that ensued.  15 minutes later the weather decided to be kind to us and all the waterworks ceased.  The burgers, and hotdogs along with the pasta salad and other accompaniments were yummy.

To top off the celebration there were several varieties of chocolate & peanut butter to be savored.  Miss Ashe made a chocolate ice cream cake encased in peanut butter surrounded with white whipped cream.  For flair she put a lovely 17 in the center and surrounded it with Reese's pieces.  Oh it was for sure perfect delicious.  KC made chocolate/peanut butter brownies for a later snack, and I added my version of Reese's Peanut Butter Surprise BabyCakes to the collection along with a two layered decadent Chocolate Cake, Peanut Butter Frosting center with peanut butter and chocolate chips, covered with even more Peanut Butter Frosting.  But I couldn’t stop there…I slathered it with Chocolate Ganache.   It read "Happy Birthday Courtney" in her favorite color--yellow.  I was very proud of the way it turned out and was happy for the reviews it got.

 Millie loved it and also tried one of the Reese's Surprise BabyCakes.  As she cut into it with her fork, she realized it was not called a 'surprise' for nothing.  She discovered the hidden Reese's cup inside…Needless to say she was basically speechless .  She let out a mmmmm sound……….and then she let it be known that she thought the BabyCake was perhaps going to outshine any Latin lover.  I suppose this is purely subjective.  I have no idea how many if any Latin lovers she has had, but I do know she has had a Reese's Peanut Butter Surprise BabyCake, (should I do some renaming?) aka a "To Die For or U4EA" BabyCake.

I am still not sure how I feel having been responsible for her rather vocal experience of elation last night.  Flattered or Funky?  It would seem practice doesn't always make perfect;  Sometimes practice makes Euphoria!
I think I will just give her a perfectly simple--Thank You, Millie.

Until the next episode, TTFN.

Jeanmarie

They're Baaaaackkkkkk!

Monday, May 16, 2011

11:42 PM

Yes, they are back…those much missed, but ever pesky college kids.

"Let the summer begin", seems to be their motto.  (To be totally honest, I am so happy).

It is also the year when most of them will be leaving the wonderful world of teen-hood and enter into that ridiculously useless year of twenty.  Yup,  the not so big 2-0, Limbo, what good is it anyway, no longer a teenager but not the "legal" adult most perceive that they should "act" like, year of 20.

 

For Ange, 20 came with one store bought cake (that tasted like cardboard) and two, a frozen wonder of ice cream shaped into a cake like thing.  Not that her mom didn't have the intent to bake her a homemade cake but she got called into work and, as they say, the rest is now the history of her 20th birthday.

Feeling sad for her for not wanting to leave her teen years just yet and going home to have a less than love filled cake, I went into BabyCakes mode.  I took out the mixer and the making of what was to become a light as air Lemony Angel Food BabyCake topped with Blackberry Butter-crème, pretty sprinkles and colored sugar.   

 When the girls returned, we sat at the infamous kitchen table for a bite.  Oh so light!!!  Bet you can't eat just one.  Nope you can't and with that off they went to see their friends with a plate full of this yummy goodness.  My belief is the light airy taste and felling come from the seltzer water.  Needless to say a new batch was baked up for dessert on Sunday for our family dinner.

So in honor of Angie's Birthday, a new BabyCake is born.

Happy Birthday to our non-tax deductible daughter, Angelina (Angel) and welcome home (and back to the Kitchen Table) all my babies, especially my own Magz (who will be reaching the Age of Limbo in a few short weeks.)

Until the next episode, TTFN.

Love Jeanmarie

Oh Happy Day!

Monday, May 09, 2011

10:41 PM

Oh what a happy day (Saturday & Sunday) it was (they were)...quiet, restful, and enjoyable.

Happy Belated Mother's Day to all Mom's near and far.

Actually, the "day" began the night before with dinner at Il Castello,

(845) 557-6400

130 Rt-97, Barryville, NY 12719 Get directions

Back to that in a few...

Saturday morning began with a fresh batch of PJ signatures and an Orange Dream Sickle-stuffed with creme & topped with Fresh Orange Butter-creme.  First order of business is to collect all the necessary items for baking, my butter-cremes, and toppers--off to the Jav, I go.   As I hit the kitchen I start to help clean up and get the catering job on the road so I can start to mix and frost the yummy delights.  After mixing up the Orange Dream Frosting, I hollowed & filled the Orange BabyCakes then topped them with the same.  Oh man, did I tell you how nice and fresh they smell?  Well they did.

Next I mixed the signature white chocolate butter-creme frosting adding the "magic" pink for the Port Java look.

About noon I began to wonder how my boy was doing--It was SAT day.  Yuck, I have a panic attack just thinking about the test.  He was going to stop to see me when he was finished.  About 1ish, 2 girls (classmates of his) who also took the test, stopped in to have lunch and relax for a time.  Lex asked me what kind of BabyCakes we had.  I told her both flavors but that the Port Java BabyCakes weren't done yet. I told her the frosting was mixing and they'd be done soon.  "I'll wait", she said.  Needless to say they ate one standing up at the counter and took another along with them to go.

                                                        Good deal.....I Love you girls!
And finally--my boy arrived to let me know he lives and what his plan for the rest of the day would be.

And now for the Il Castello details...

All cleaned up and heading home to clean up for a nice day early Mom's Day dinner with Papa Bear, G-Ma, and of course my boy.  The specials were awesome, fried green beans with marinara sauce, heart shaped mozzarella, then Lasagna a la Nonna (Mmmm! for G-ma & me), Surf & Turf (for Boy), and Stuffed Shrimp (for PB).  Then we went whole hog with Coppa Cafe, a Cannolli, & homemade Almond Ice Cream.

Needless to say half of my dinner is in a container in the fridge waiting for one of us (Monday nights supper for Papa Bear).  It was so good.  The only down side is that the Hawk's Nest has one lane closed due to wall repairs.  Expect to see and be held up by this through October (is what I heard is the estimated date of completion--yeah sure it is.)

Oh, the ride up 97 was, as usual, breathtaking and so nice.  The river is running pretty fast from all the rain. but not to any level that would be upsetting and is welcome this time of year.  August and drought season will be here all too soon.  And, I lied, Nick was not so happy in the back seat from the curves (or my driving is what he'll say).

When we got back to the house I finished my batch of Banana (1/2 with walnuts) BabyCakes.  I topped them off with Maple Buttercreme, a sprinkling of nut dust, and a chocolate covered banana slice.  Yum, the kitchen smelled sooooooo good.

Then off to a well deserved soak and to christen the "New" hot tub...at 55K.  As our nice little trio began to relax and chat under the star lit sky, we were joined by another couple and then a sixth friend came over after her night working at Golden Pond.

Now---the tub will comfortably seat eight, but when one decides to do laps or snorkel, it does become a bit unruly.  And of course being new and all it was like an Olympic event of musical chairs.  We all wanted to try out the different seats to claim what would be in our comfort zone.  I however, stayed put do to my height and depth of seat ratio.  And then there is also the occasional runner for hydration and some needed elimination. After what could have been 4 1/2 maybe 5 hours in the thing, I was so tired (yet extremely sober) and water logged, I headed home to sleep.

Apparently not everyone took my lead.  It would seem 2 additional friends decided to "dive" themselves into the "party"---and literally dove in on the fun.

I suppose if there were ever a poll taken on how long a person has stayed in the hot tub or how many hot tubs a group of friends can break in record time, hands down---we got it.  First tub--installed November, bit the dust in March.  New tub installed and filled--first soak--BOOM!  Something about water levels and flooded back yards not being a good combination.  On the other hand, moving to a new neighborhood, having a hot tub, fire pit, and music somehow leads to meeting your neighbors (whether you want to or not).  Over comes Jean--who as crazy as it sounds--thoroughly enjoys the "kids" and finds having a get together a great thing.  She thinks it should happen every weekend.  I have always hear "with age, comes wisdom"---Jean's 90---so get together we shall! (Always be careful what you wish for.)  Just not sure if the tub can handle us.

Happy Mother's Day!
We (the 2 of us) did spend some time (about 20 minutes) in it on Sunday after Sweet Carolyn flushed the lines and filled it up with water.  So for the time being the problem seems to have been taken care of--let's pray.

Sunday evening was simply the best!  It topped dinner Saturday; It far out shined the hot tub (sorry friends); It even beat out BabyCakes.
My boy asked me to go to dinner with him, his treat.  What a nice son, my son is.  Papa Bear joined us and so did Dee.  I was in Mommy Heaven.  The only thing that could have been better would have been if my girl had been with us too.  And a beautiful card with a lovely message from him to say...."Happy Mother's Day, I love you".  Ahhhh--I am a happy mommy.

So until next time Mrs. Little...to all my friends and loved ones who mother others, even if they aren't your own, Happy Mom's Day!!!!!

Until the next episode, TTFN.
Love Jeanmarie