Sometimes Things Just Don't Work Out

One day while grocery shopping, my daughter decided she wanted to bake some brownies. The easy kind from a box. I had no problem with this and was very happy she wanted to bake all by herself, so we picked up the box mix, and headed home.

My daughter pulled out her apron, dragged the chair over to the counter so she could reach, and read the directions on the box step by step. I helped as much as she would let me, but for the most part she didn't need my help.  I assisted with the oven, and when she was done, we placed them in to bake. 

They came out beautifully, smelled great, and looked perfect. However, when it was time to cut them up, they wouldn't come out of the pan. I could see her eyes collecting the tears, so I thought fast and said 'we would make a brownie trifle' in the happiest voice I could make. I pulled out the strawberries, chocolate pudding and cool whip, and told her to go get the big glass bowl. I cut the strawberries, and made the pudding but gave her directions on how to layer everything. I let her make it by herself so that when the masterpiece was done, she could take all the credit.

Later that night we had company over, and they all commented how good it was, and not even just to be nice to the little girl - it was delicious! My daughter was proud of herself and I think learned a lesson that day - sometimes things just don't work out, but it's how you deal with it that decides the end result.

The Iron Cupcake Challenge

For the past month or more, I have been fretting about creating a winning coconut cupcake for the Iron Cupcake Challenge. I tried everything and everybody else tried everything I made. In the end, the fresh fruit topping was a favourite combo so I went with that. I had a vanilla coconut cake, filled with a coconut mango filling, topped with a mango creamcheese icing, and topped with fresh fruit and shaved coconut. I took the day off Friday, so I could bake all day long and prepare. On Thursday night I did all my shopping:

I spent a lot of money. Maybe too much. A question came up: In the end, what do I get for winning? The answer: A ribbon, that's all, just a ribbon. I couldn't even advertise who I was, so no recognition there either. BUT they do sell samples of each one (we had to make 10 dozen mini's) and all proceeds went to the Canadian Cancer Society - so that was a plus. 

I woke up at 7am on Friday to begin all the baking, and I didn't get to bed until 2am Saturday. Then I had to be up by 6am so I could top all 120 mini's with fresh fruit. I was a little tired. 

We were there by 8:30am to set up our table. I did a a rather simple display. Brown sugar on the table for the sand, the cupcake in a coconut, a net that I forgot to put down, and a tropical stand on the side with mini's displayed. 

 My display was lacking compared to others - some were quite grand and mine was rather simple. I will definitely kick it up a notch now that I know. One of the other bakers made a three foot palm tree - which I thought was amazing!

She didn't win for her presentation though, which surprised me. I loved it!

After set up, we could go home until judging time, but we hung around for the duration of the challenge, drank a lot of coffee, browsed the market, visited with family and friends that came out to support and chatted with an aunt of a childhood friend of mine who was placed right beside me in the competition (small world). It really was a fun morning!

Noon rolled around and all bakers gathered for the judges decisions. I was contestant number two, and I saw on the sheet as it passed by in the hands of the announcer, that number two won a category. I was very excited for a second, however, when I arrived, number three had set up in my number two spot and so it was actually her that was 'number two'. I wasn't called for any of the categories - which was disappointing. However, ALL the mini's sold out, so I would guess $600 was raised for the Canadian Cancer Society!

Things I learned: The 'mixed drink' seemed to be a common flavour combo for this, I think 5 out of the 7 went in this direction so it was good not to. There was an avocado mousse on one, it looked pretty at the beginning but after it was out for a couple hours, it turned brown. My son didn't like the taste of that one, said it was like grass. It did have a very 'green' flavour to it. If you are a smoker (which I'm not), don't do it near your baked goods, you can taste it. My display will be bigger and better next time. I will not do fresh fruit again - it made for a very early morning and added to the cost. I will always bring my oldest son to these events - he was an excellent taster and reported his thoughts on each one.

I will probably do it again, as it really was exciting. Besides, I really do want one of those 'Iron Cupcake' ribbons. Even if it is just a ribbon.

When I got home, my thoughtful daughter had presented me with a gift:

Best ribbon ever! It is hung up inside my baking cupboard so I can look at it every time I bake. It's makes me smile.

Rootbeer Float Cupcakes

My Grandma lived in a HUGE old house when I was younger. It seemed almost magical with all the rooms and doors that were all somehow connected to each other. There were small little doors that would lead to closets that were big enough to be called a 'clubhouse' if you were little, and in a game of hide-and-go-seek, these were my favourite spots.  The grand stairway seemed gigantic when you were small and  led up to a dimly lit upper level that took some bravery to walk up to alone, but you could be sure that one of the seven aunts or uncles would be up there somewhere, so only the middle part of the stairs was truly scary. My dad was the oldest of the bunch, which meant that when we went to visit Gram, there was always some of the younger ones still around, and that made going there something I loved to do. The kitchen table was always a buzz with chatter of homework and friends visiting. I learned how fun a board game was at that kitchen table, or even a family favourite game of Ten Thousand. If you rolled the dice and didn't get any points the whole table would yell 'WALLY!', a bad roll named after a wonderful man. I am smiling right now, just thinking of all of the memories of Gram's house....Her vegetable garden, the dirt cellar with the tool room with the little hammer I thought was meant for me, the two wheeler that I would try so hard to ride by myself, the extra large Christmas tree at Christmas time and Corky the dog and his coloured dog biscuits that I would always want to eat (and sometimes did). Those were the 'good ol' days'.

Another favourite memory of mine was getting a root beer float at Gram's house. It was always made in the dark green plastic cups and I would always need a spoon and the A&W bear straw. I loved to see his face turn brown while I sucked up the ice creamy root beer.

A few weeks ago, I ordered some Watkins root beer extract from a lady at work. What else could I do with it other than make a 'Root beer Float Cupcake'? I started with a basic cupcake batter and added the extract to taste. They smelled great while baking in the oven! I topped it off with a vanilla buttercream, some caramel drizzle and a pop bottle gummy on top. They looked great and tasted incredible! Definitely one of my favourites!

Rootbeer Float Cupcakes

Tinkerbell Cake

A friend of mine asked if I could make a Tinkerbell cake for her granddaughter's first birthday a couple months ago. I have to admit, it was fun to do such a girly cake, with pink and purple flowers everywhere.

Tinkerbell Cake

This cake was a two layer 10" vanilla with vanilla filling and vanilla buttercream. I picked up the Tinkerbell for the topper - her wings light up! 

One thing I learned while making this one was.... I really need to brush up on my skills when it comes to piping. It took me awhile and I still wasn't very happy about it in the end. I was very happy with the large center flower - even though under the watchful observation of an 8 year old, it was pointed out that there wasn't a center for the flower. I now know better for next time. I will also get the okay from my 8 year old before I deliver another one.