Baking Extravaganza 2011: Mission 4 tiered Wedding Cake

I am pretty sure astronauts can see this cake from space

A couple of months ago my friend Michelle asked me to make her wedding cake. My response: Duh! Well today is the wedding day. This is one epic cake and here are some crazy pictures from what I have been doing the past 24 hours!

It will be a four tiered wedding cake. The size of the tiers are 12, 10, 8 and 6 inch round cakes. Each tier is about 10 inches! Talk about drama! The bottom layer is white velvet cake with Bavarian cream and fresh blueberries. The 10 inch round is a chocolate cake with whipped chocolate ganache and raspberry coulis! Then the last top tiers are red velvet with Bavarian cream. The entire cake is frosted with white chocolate cream cheese frosting.

Check out those blueberries!

Chilling to the max! The top tier was being "worked" on at this point

Now that's enough fun for a day- time to go wash the frosting residue off my body and load this bad boy in the car- because we care driving to good ol' P-town to stack and dress him up for his big debut!

I hope everyone has a great weekend!

Happy Drooling,

Kara

Seven

Last week was a little epic. While I was finishing up with a research deadline, and gearing up for my first ultramarathon, I was also preparing for family to come visit our new place for the first time since we moved. But while all of these factors were providing me with a little bit of stress- the pressure I felt for making a sweet seven-year-old's birthday cake and birthday extravaganza special topped them all.

When I realized that I would need to make his birthday cake I knew that this was possibly the most important cake that I have baked in my life! Usually I put a lot of time and thought into every cake that I bake- and this was no exception.

I spent days coming up with my strategy, creating new recipes, and approaching problems such as "how much filling can I put into three layers of cake without sacrificing the structural integrity?" to how can I make it "Star War-sy" enough? Once I felt comfortable with my plan of attack- I started the cake. It was going to be a three layer nine inch chocolate cake with "oreo" and whipped chocolate ganache filling all wrapped up in delphinium blue super yummy frosting, and decorated with fondant stars and Star Wars figurines.


So when it came time to execute the plan, somewhere between the oreo filling and whipped chocolate ganache I started bawling. Here I was making my Caleb his seventh birthday cake. You may be thinking- "geesh, seven-year-olds love anything with sugar- whats all the pressure about?"

Seven years ago on June 10, 2004, when I was nineteen years old I had a son. Crazy! I know! Well, realizing my limitations and knowing that he deserved so much more than what I could offer, I decided to pursue adoption. And in this process, rather than losing him, I have since realized that I have gained 3 more amazingly graceful and beautiful family members. However, if you would have asked me seven years ago if I would ever be able to make him his birthday cake or even spend a birthday with him I would have answered "probably not."

Ironically, a couple minutes into my messy, humbling, grateful cry-fest 2011- his mom called. I was able to share that moment with her and express how amazed and grateful I am to spend the weekend with them and to be making his birthday cake! I let her in on the theme and the flavors- needless to say she was excited!!!

The next day I put the finishing touches on the cake, picked up the birthday balloons, and hung the streamers. I wrapped his super soaker squirt gun (yes- I did feel weird about buying him a gun! But it was a huge hit!) and hid his brother's super soaker. I frantically cleaned until I received the text- "we are on Pioneer!"

When they came out of the car I saw my beautiful boy (who was wearing a Star Wars shirt), picked him up,  swung him around and asked him "how on earth did you become 7?!" Shortly after pinning him with his "super birthday Jedi knight" medal and opening his presents, we sang "happy birthday" and cut the cake. He loved it, his brother loved it, his parents loved it. And I will dare to say that it was the best cake I have ever made.

Thank you Caleb for being the brightest star in my sky, the kick in the butt when I need it, the reason why I started running, and the light at the end of my tunnel. You have taught me enough lessons to fill a lifetime. The motivation, joy, peace and love you bring to my life is beyond measure.

The happy boy with his birthday cake! Yummy!

Peace and Love,
Kara

Postscript: The recipe for this amazingly delicious cake and all the fillings will follow :)

Dear Blog, I know I have been away for a long time, I am sorry...

but I promise- I have good reasons!

I officially finished up my first year as a PhD student, moved across the state of Washington, started my research, prepared a manuscript for publication, ran a trail race, and am looking forward to finishing my first ultra this weekend.

You are right, all the excuses in the world won't negate my absence. But while you are forgiving me, please be assured that I haven't completely forgotten about you! In fact, I have multiple dessert pictures taken from raspberry cheesecake bars, breads, and delicious cakes that I made over the past 2 months that I totally meant to put up!

I will get back in the swing of things... in the meantime.. here are some delicious dessert pictures to soothe your craving...

Man struggles to find life outside himself, unaware that the life he is seeking is within him

-Khalil Gibran

Music and Running

About this time last year I realized that music can be a really motivating tool for running- I know that I am a late bloomer on this one. But for years I had resisted to adopting it as part of my running routine. My previous reasons ranged from abstract to practical- including wanting to have some good ol' fashioned peace and quiet.

I guess I got sick of so much peace and quiet and I started to carry the ipod under certain circumstances including: running in the gym and when I am going out for a multiple hour solo run. With that said I will not listen when I am with friends or on the trail.

Here is a list of some of the albums that I listen to most frequently. Generally, I rely on these for different reasons.

Q-Tip The Renaissance
Favorite song: Track 10 Life is Better

I feel bad ass when I listen to this album. Consequently I seem to run my fastest when I am listening to this album. I mostly listen to it when I am running in the gym- probably for two reasons both related to fast running. 1. I hate the gym and want to get it over as fast as possible. 2. Admitting to my vanity- I want to look like a serious runner and don't want my students to see me moving like a slug (I know- I shouldn't care about that).

The XX

I love the sound of this group. It is mystical, raw, and reminds me of youth (I know- I am not THAT old).
Perfect to be included in the long run. Eventually I find myself day dreaming when I am running far- this album helps to transport me to that dreamy state of mind.

Amelia: Somewhere left to Fall

I admit - I list to this album when I am feeling nostalgic, sad or craving some kind of nurturing. With that said- I listen to this album when the run is for therapeutic, restorative purposes. This album helps me to sort out my thoughts. The sound of her voice has a way of wrapping me up in one bug musical hug.

I think of my sissy when I listen to Amelia- I think that she would really dig her.

Last but no least...


Wilco! Summerteeth
favorite song: Shot in the arm (I know- it is about heroin)

All time favorite album to listen to for all of the above reasons and more.

Wilco has a special place in my heart. There are a lot of wonderful memories connected to this music- mainly including my favorite running partner and her super amazing German Wired Haired Pointer "Wilco."
I listen to this album on my long runs. Although I have been running way to long without her when I listen to Summerteeth is pulls me through the most challenging sections of my long runs substituting the boredom, pain, fatigue that I may be experiencing with joy.




T & K post run giggle attack!


Other albums that didn't quite make the cut but awesome to run to: Radiohead (anything), Blackalicious, Beck, Swell Season, Joni Mitchell, Laura Viers, Ceelo Green, Ryan Adams, Eagles of Death Metal and of course Queen!

Brady & Heather's Wedding

As many of you know, I was asked by my bro-bro to make his wedding cake! I was at first a little nervous- I have never made a wedding cake before! On top of that the wedding was in Arizona so I needed to figure out how I was going to do this away from my own kitchen. Minor stresses aside, I was thrilled to do something so special for the beautiful couple- it was the least that I could do!

So here are some pictures from their beautiful day showcasing the 3 tiered wedding cake that I threw together for them. The majority of these pictures are the professional photos from their big day- photographed by  Christopher Leigh Studios, Scottsdale, AZ. They did an incredible job!

To get your salivary glands going - It was a chocolate butter cake with whipped chocolate ganache and raspberry coulis filling, and all wrapped up with a white chocolate cream cheese frosting. It had a pink ribbon on each tier with hand-placed edible pearls lining the ribbon. Lastly, it was further embellished with chocolate initials and chocolate leaves to compliment the fresh flowers.

Heather and Bridesmaids!

I just had to include Matt- he is so handsome!

Cutting the cake!

Tastes Good!!!

Beautiful Happy People! Congratulations Brady and Heather! I love you!

Birthday Cupcakes!

Over Spring Break I was invited to help a friend frost and decorate cupcakes to celebrate her daughter's first birthday! We had a blast and most importantly her friends and family were able to enjoy these precious individual desserts while celebrating the beautiful Daphne! Here are a couple of pictures showcasing the cupcakes prepared that day.