Course 3: Final Class (Class 4)

Last night we had our final class for Course 3. We learned how to cover a cake in fondant and then we decorated with our flowers that we made over the last 3 weeks. It was a pretty fun class actually, pretty low key. Fondant is really easy to work with actually, I mean it tears and gets stretch marks really easy but it’s really an easy way to make a cake look REALLY good. Fondant is very forgiving in some ways and unforgiving in others. It is forgiving in the sense that you don’t have to have your cake perfectly iced for it to look good, however, if you get the littlest bit of lint or anything on it you will see it.

I really liked working with fondant, but it’s expensive and kind of a waste of money for just an every day cake because no one really eats the fondant anyway. I would say that you would use it for the grand occasions where you want the cake to be picture perfect, such as weddings or anniversaries. The fondant takes quite a bit of time as well. You have to first ice the cake in buttercream and then you have to roll out the fondant and get it placed on the cake without tearing or stretching it out. But then again you cannot argue with how good it looks when it is done! 

Here is a picture of my finished cake: 

I have to say this cake class has been absolutely amazing. I have loved every minute of it and learned so much! I can’t wait to have kids someday to be able to make them the awesomest cakes ever! Until then I guess I’ll be making them for friends and family members! 

How are you guys handling the winter? It’s back to being warm again up here instead of the subzero temps we had last week. I can’t say that I mind, but I don’t want all the snow to go away yet. It’s been nice having it around finally! 

Hope all is well!

XOXO,

On a Cold Night…

…Nothing soothes the soul like comfort food! We have been seeing subzero temperatures in Montana this week, such as on Wednesday it was -30 with the wind chill, and yes the entire city was still operating. We’ve gotten a foot or so of snow, and we’re still operating. No snow days for us. But nonetheless, I made some great comfort food from my child hood, chicken and dumplings! And it was sooo good! 

The recipe is super easy. Here it is below: 

Ingredients:

1 rotisserie chicken

4 cups chicken stock

Carrots, chopped

Celery, chopped

Frozen Peas

Onion Powder (you can use fresh onion if you have it)

Bisquick

Water 

Directions:

1)  Place carrots, celery and onion (if using fresh) into a stock pot, cook for until slightly tender.

2)  Put chicken and stock into the pot.

3)  Boil until the carrots just have a bite.

4)  Prepare dumplings according to directions on the Bisquick box.

5) Serve and keep warm! 

Here is what mine looked like with the dumplings on top. It was absolutely delicious. I hope you enjoy! 

XOXO,

Course 3: Classes 2 and 3

Well I am a little behind on my posts for the Wilton cake decorating class. I missed last week’s class due to travel for work, but my mom caught me up on Saturday after I got back! 

On Saturday we made calla lilies and roses out of fondant! That was really fun and so easy! That’s what I’m learning with this class, things are really easy to make but they take a lot of time to actually make and then they have to dry which takes days. It’s surprising how long it actually takes for the flowers to completely dry. 

Here is a picture of the lilies and roses: 

On Tuesday we made carnations, mums and daisies. These were really fun as well. The carnation is the most time consuming out of the 3 and I would say it is not my favorite, but they still look good. The mums and daisies are pretty simple. The mums are definitely not the prettiest flower but they are different so they work. They are a flower that you would want to have a specific use for them.  

Here is a picture of my mum: 

I didn’t get a chance to take a picture of the other flowers yet. I’ll try to remember to post them next week when we decorate a cake. We are covering the cake with fondant and then decorating, this could be really interesting. 

 After this class we will take the final course Advanced Gum Paste Flowers. I’m actually really excited for the next class. We make some really cool flowers, but it takes a lot of supplies to make as well. So that could be interesting. We shall see how it all goes.

How is the weather where you are? We have gotten a TON of snow since Sunday and it just keeps coming. I probably brushed a good 3-4 inches off my car this morning. I’m grateful for buying a new car now, there is no way I would’ve been able to get around in my Mustang in this weather with this amount of snow. The unfortunate thing is the main roads get plowed, but the residential areas rarely get plowed. So trying to get out of the neighborhood was interesting, but my car did great! So that was quite the relief. We are supposed to get another 1-3 inches today, 3-5 inches tonight and then another inch tomorrow. We’re looking a lot like winter in Montana now and that is awesome!

Course 3 Class 1: Fondant Bow

Last night we had Wilton Cake Decorating class at Michael’s and it was pretty fun. We played with fondant and made a bow. The bow looks a lot more complicated than it really is, I mean we are talking super simple. You make all the loops and allow them to start drying and then you assemble. It is seriously that easy! However, taking the time to color the fondant, roll it out, cut it into strips and assembling the loops takes quite awhile. Not to mention how long it takes that stuff to dry! 
Here is a picture of my finished bow last night: 

As you can tell there is something in the centers of my loops. That would be paper towels to help the loops hold their shape while it dries. I will pull the paper towels out this afternoon after work, and then the bow will continue to dry and be ready to place on the top of a cake.  

I will miss class next week due to travel for work, however, I will go out to my parents house and have mom teach me how to make the gum paste flowers that they will be learning while I’m away.  

On another note I have to tell you about my latest addiction. Pintrest. I’m totally obsessed. I can spend hours and hours on that website. It is so inspiring, motivating, and a total time suck, but I love it. I’m finding tons of recipes, craft/DIY ideas, workout inspiration, EVERYTHING! It’s amazing. If you haven’t already checked it out and become addicted you definitely should! It’s awesome. If you do join, follow my pins, at skylerae of course!  

How are your New Year’s Resolutions coming? Did you make any? I made a few, mainly wanting to save money for a down payment on a house and paying off my car debt. I did a few health/fitness ones as well such as working out 3x a week and only eating out once a week. Let’s see how well I do this year! Let’s make 2012 awesome! 

Hope everyone is having a great first week of 2012! 

XOXO,