Karen dishes up Just Dessert

Oh, I'm back...

2009-09-03T11:06:00.001-07:00

It's been awhile!

I wanna have the same last dream again
The one where I wake up and I'm alive
Just as the four walls close me within
My eyes are open up with pure sunlight
I'm the first to know
My dearest friends
Even if your hope has burned with time
Anything that is dead shall be re-grown
And your vicious pain, your warning sign
You will be fine

Hey oh here I am
And here we go
Life’s waiting to begin

Any type of love it will be showed
Like every single tree reach for the sky
If you're gonna fall
I'll let you know
That I will pick you up
Like you for I
I felt this thing
I can't replace
When everyone was working for this goal
Where all the children left without a trace
Only to come back as pure as gold
To recite this all

Hey oh here I am
And here we go
Life’s waiting to begin
Tonight
Hey oh here I am
And here we go
Life’s waiting to begin
Tonight
Hey oh here I am
And here we go
Life’s waiting to begin

I can not live
I can’t breathe
Unless you do this with me
I can not live
I can’t breathe
Unless you do this with me
I can not live
I can’t breathe
Unless you do this with me
I can not live
I can’t breathe
Unless you do this with me
I can not live
I can’t breathe
Unless you do this with me
I can not live
I can’t breathe
Unless you do this with me

Hey oh, here I am (do this with me)
Here we go
Life's waiting to begin (do this with me)
Hey oh, here I am (do this with me)
Here we go
Life's waiting to begin
Life's waiting to begin

(Angels and Airwaves; "The Adventure")

I can not live, I can't breathe, unless you do this with me

2008-09-30T07:59:00.001-07:00

Angels and Airwaves. Jacksonville, NC, September 19, 2008
One happy Karen!

Thank you Paul Newman.

2008-09-27T07:25:00.000-07:00

You will be remembered as a quintessential American male and great man.

Song of the day

2008-09-26T07:07:00.001-07:00

Switchfoot's
Only Hope

I have such a craving for M&Ms

2008-09-24T06:09:00.000-07:00

As a certified chocolatier, you would think my tastes run a little bit more sophisticated. And normally, they do; an ounce of sublime dark chocolate or a sumptious truffle will just satisfy like nothing else. But, there are times, when a handful of M&Ms will hit the spot like nothing else.

Love cake by Dahlia's Custom Cakes.

M&M satellite cakes by Cater It Simple.

Champagne wishes (and caviar dreams)

2008-09-19T11:16:00.001-07:00

Hi Karen,I would like to thank you again for the cake, it was beautiful. My sister was blown away! You do amazing work. I will be sure to let you know if I or anyone I know needs another cake made. Here are some pics of the cake.Abbey

Not a Soccer Mom!

2008-09-17T05:58:00.000-07:00

Since my son will never play soccer (for the foreseeable future anyway), I won't ever be called a Soccer Mom. I am however, venturing into the neo-suburban world of Parent Teacher Organizations. I'm the new Vice-President of my son's school's PTO.
Something tells me I'll be organizing a bake sale sometime this year!

2008-09-11T09:59:00.000-07:00

Yay! Wedding pictures!

2008-08-27T07:56:00.000-07:00

Congratulations to T and E on their marriage! Here are some of the photos they were gracious enough to send to me. Their reception was at the Bluewater Grill in Wrightsville Beach. Best wishes to them both for a long and happy life together. Semper Fi.

2008-08-13T04:41:00.000-07:00

From RoadsideAmerica.com:
Anchorage, Alaska - Chocolate Waterfall and Fountain
Inside "Alaska Wildberry Products" you'll find a 20-ft. chocolate waterfall that spills into a beautiful fountain, the waterfall is believed to be the largest of its kind in the world. It contains 3,400 pounds of real liquid chocolate. Finger dipping is of course discouraged.

I am looking for a contractor who can install one of these in my house.

Brownies

2008-07-24T07:09:00.001-07:00

So I have found the perfect brownie recipe. After some testing, taste-testing, and reviews by objective folks, the results are in!

It's new on the menu, and just fabulous. They're sliced big enough to say "I can't believe I ate the whole thing", and fabulous enough for you to say "but I'll have another one too!".

Camera

2008-07-17T13:28:00.000-07:00

So, I have been relying on disposable cameras to take photos of my work, particularly wedding cakes after setup. Of course, you see no new photos posted because I bought one without a flash; ergo, all the pictures are very dark.

I hate buying gadgets and anything electronic. I can't commit to spending alot of money on something that really takes a beating from me, and ends up sticky with icing. But, it looks like I'll need to take the plunge and buy something; my portfolio is looking old, and I've done some pretty cool cakes lately.

Any recommendations?

Happy birthday to my not-so-baby-anymore

2008-07-07T11:36:00.001-07:00

Thank you to everyone who supports freedom

2008-07-02T13:42:00.000-07:00

Tag, I'm it!

2008-06-15T19:53:00.000-07:00

The rules are as follows:

1. Post the rules!
2. Answer the questions about yourself
3. At the end of the post, list 5-6 people you would like to tag and leave a comment on their blog letting them know
4. Let the person who tagged you know that you posted your answers.

So here goes....1. What were you doing 10 years ago?
Working in NJ for a nonprofit agency serving people with developmental disabilities.

2. What are 5 things on your to-do list today?
I am done for the day! But...went to church, packed my son for camp, drove my son to camp, actually let my son stay at camp (instead of changing my mind, and my husband was thinking the same thing!), and catch up on emails/paperwork

3. What are some snacks you enjoy?
I love popcorn. And chocolate chip cookies. And strawberries.

4. What would you do if you were a billionaire?
Share, share, and share. And give, give, and give.

5. What are three of your bad habits?
I make a lot of lists, and misplace them constantly.

6. 5 places you have lived?
I've lived in over a dozen towns in NJ, and 2 towns in NC.

7. What are 5 jobs you have had? Cake decorator, nanny, nonprofit supervisor, shipping clerk, waitress.

8. What is currently playing on your Ipod? I don't have one.
9. What are the last 5-6 books you have read? The Bible (not the whole thing..it's a a work in progress); Winter Solstice; Black and Blue; Look Me in the Eye; Tara Road.
10. Who do you want to tag? Oh, I don't know.

Summer vacation!

2008-06-10T07:19:00.001-07:00

Today is the last day of school for my son, who has been counting the days since April. In just 5 days, he'll be leaving for his first foray into summer camp. He'll be going to a wonderful program run by the NC Autism Society, and spending 5 nights at a sleepaway camp. He's not even 7 years old yet, but this is an opportunity that you snatch up while you can.
My son has always made the most progress when he is challenged to do new and sometimes scary things. Likewise, my husband and I have always made the most progress with him when we make ourselves not baby him. Autism has made him young-at-heart, and sometimes young emotionally, but we have to push him out of the nest sometimes. And watch him fly.
He always lands on his feet.

Am I nervous? You bet. Is my son? I'm not sure, but he's already told me what I need to pack for his "summer camp". And I will probably sit on his bed every day while he is gone and cry. A little because I miss him, but mainly because I am so proud.

Gift cakes

2008-06-02T07:08:00.001-07:00

Sometimes it's good to have a friend that is a cake decorator! Pictured are some cakes I've done recently as gifts (or just for supply costs).

Really?

2008-05-18T19:56:00.001-07:00

Has it been almost a month since my last post?
Well, since then...I've celebrated a birthday, got pampered on Mother's Day, and made some great cakes, including an elegant beach-themed wedding cake, a colorful- take-on-a-filigree-patterned wedding cake a celestial star-shaped wedding cake, a 4 tier pink girly-girl birthday cake, and a whole lot of cupcakes! I am knee deep in frosting and loving it!
The trend I've seen for this summer is no trend whatsoever...every event has been totally different with flavors and themes, and I'm up to the challenge.

And congrats to the new addition to the world...Jayden! (I made your baby shower cake!)

Pictures soon!

Autism Awareness Month

2008-04-22T10:28:00.001-07:00

“Today you are You, that is truer than true. There is no one alive who is Youer than You.”
Dr. Seuss

I love someone with Autism. And here he is.

I've been tagged!

2008-04-18T05:56:00.000-07:00

I'll do it, but just for you, Tara!

Six random facts about me.

1. I have over 60 first cousins.

2. My nickname is from the novel Anna Karenina, which I've never finished reading (sorry, Mom).

3. I am allergic to shellfish; I wasn't for the first 20 years of my life, so I know what I'm missing!

4. I don't have a favorite flower. I like them all.

5. The words "cookie dough" were used in my wedding ceremony.

6. I am on a new roller derby team here in Jacksonville, NC. (I can't skate backwards, but I can go forward really fast!)

Life is good

2008-04-03T07:46:00.000-07:00

It always has been, really. I've been blessed beyond belief in my life. No, it's not always a "cakewalk", but those times have always been gotten through with an amazing family and a few great friends.

I make mistakes...who doesn't? But accepting your own imperfections and making amends and being accountable will make you a far happier and LOVING person. It helps you grow, believe me. I've grown lots these past couple of years!

What does this have to do with cake? Nothing, directly, really...but some very good news recently means I don't have to do cakes anymore to earn an income; now, I can just do them because I love to do them. And that is passion.

April

2008-03-31T16:27:00.001-07:00

Divine

2008-03-26T07:24:00.000-07:00

Chocolate-dipped strawberries and handmade truffles are becoming more popular than ever at weddings and other special events.

Here are several beautiful ways these scrumptious delectables can be displayed.

Girly girl!

2008-03-25T05:22:00.000-07:00

From Estiloweddings.com

Swarovski cake "jewelry"....from small ornaments to wedding cake toppers, these are beautiful keepsakes.

Baking tip of the day

2008-03-22T06:12:00.000-07:00

If you have a recipe that calls for (candy) chips, toss them with a little flour before folding them into the batter. Then, they will be less prone to sink to the bottom.

We have an awesome chocolate chip cake, by the way. It might make you give up cookies...