Cake Decorating

I was going to wait until this weekend to post on Cake Decorating, but I was too excited. Today's class focused on the star tip. I wish I had something that showed all the tips and what you can do with them [like the poster hanging up in the bakeshop]...maybe I will look into that for a future post.

First we just did some practice on parchment paper before getting our own cakes to ice and decorate. Right now we are using a whipped icing, as opposed to yummy buttercream.

Cake with a simple 'shell' border


The finished product

My cake is a little ornate for my taste, but remember it is a.) the first day of actual decorating and b.) the point is to practice so I pretty much did all kinds of borders, stars, rosettes, and pop-up flowers so I could get some experience. And I did get some compliments!

Here are examples of some of the techniques I used on my cake (because it's difficult to see the details):

Top: Star Tip, Bottom: Shell Border

Top: Rosettes, Bottom: Zig Zag Border

I can't wait until next Wednesday!

First Week of School

So I started classes this week. It's been a long time since I had a first day of school and I was pretty nervous. Some people (who shall remain nameless. But I live with her) thought I was being silly (maybe I was), but it still didn't stop the first day of school anxiety. After my first class I realized that I don't have anything to worry about and I am going to have soooooo much fun over the next year. So here is the rundown on what I am taking:

• Fundamentals of Baking
• Cake Decorating
• Facilities, Layout and Design
• Safety and Sanitation
  
• Bakery Operations

And I am strongly encouraged by my professors to taste (which could be bad) and take home anything I have baked or decorated (which might be worse). Be ready for pictures because I start decorating cakes tomorrow! The actually baking doesn't commence for another week or so, but I will be making breads, rolls, cakes, pies, cookies, tarts...pretty much every delicious dessert you can think of. If you want anything, let me know and I will send you some goodies!

Goodbye North Carolina, Hello Texas!

Part of my decision to start this blog was to document my big move and new career in Texas. Exactly one week ago I packed up all my worldly belonging into a 6 x 12 U-Haul trailer and drove from Charlotte, North Carolina to Dallas, Texas.

The Lexus & the U-Haul...thanks, Dad!

The drive took approximately 17 hours over two days. It is not something I reccommend as it was not very fun. Luckily, my I had a couple books on tape and a cuddly sidekick riding shotgun to keep me from going crazy.

Cooper riding shotgun

I have done the NC-TX trip several times over at this point so I decided instead of going the normal route through the southeastern states of Georgia, Bama and Mississippi, I would change things up a bit this time. My route took me through the beautiful state of Tennessee, a state I have never visited.

Top: "Mountains" Bottom: Entering the state of Tennessee

I stopped in Nashville the first night so I could go to Neely's BBQ [since I am a self proclaimed Food Network junkie], but unfortunately my tight schedule prevented me from exploring Nashville any further.

Tuesday morning I was back on the road, but by the time I hit Arkansas it was pouring rain which it did until I hit Rockwall. Since then it's pretty much been a whirlwind of activity. I moved into my new digs. Cooper is getting used to living with a different kind of four legged creature, cats!

Cooper meets Oolie

He's not quite sure what to think of Pekoe and Oolie, but I think over time they will all be the best of friends...maybe.

So for now I focus on unpacking, organizing, starting school (more info on that to follow) and getting used to living in Dallas again. In some ways it is so different, but totally the same as it was 10 years ago.

The Return/A New Beginning

I should be unpacking & organizing. Instead I am starting a blog as I watch my roommate unpack & organize...

Stay tuned - I promise it will get better!