Attempting pretty cookies part deux...and a recipe.

Tonight I decided to try some piping practice. I sat down for about an hour and a half, with a parchment paper bag (that I made myself, thank you very much) and piped the hell out of some pretty cookies.  First let me say that I threw out my first batch of royal icing, because after drying cookies for 48 hours I found that:  A.) I probably over beat the frosting, and 2.) I may have added too much water to the icing to thin it.  On the plus side of that other batch, I used rum flavoring on it, which I found to be delightful.  This new batch of icing I used coconut  extract, which is AWESOME. (Side note about royal icing, if you haven't done as much reading as I have, which is ok: Do not use oil based extracts, apparently oil is royal icing's kryptonite.)

Attempting pretty cookies.

This is my first attempt at using royal icing on cookies.  I whipped up some nice looking icing, however I am having two problems with it.  When the icing for piping dries, it can be smooshed easily, crumbly almost. When the icing is diluted, it takes FOREVER to dry.  This is problematic.  I fear I may have whipped too much air into it. The cookie is delicious.  It is my Aunt Cindys roll out cookie recipe.  Best. Cookie. Evah.

This is what happens when my husband says: "Is this dry?" and TOUCHES IT.  No bueno.
So, what have I learned?  I need to practice my piping skills. Srsly. Also, I need to master making royal icing.  I did find a great tutorial on easy clean up of piping bags etc. The video is here and if you are interested, It has great ideas.  I think I can use it for cake decorating too.

So I am going to keep on trying...My kids are super cool with eating my rejects.

Stockton Thunder

My friend Miki has a batch of tickets for Stockton Thunder hockey games.  She didnt want to go tonight so she gave me her tickets.  Amr had a study group so the kids and I took in the game.


We had a blast.

Valentines Day Delivery Specials!

Sweets for your sweetie on Valentines Day! For the low low price of $10, you can have 4 cupcakes packed in a cute box,delivered* to your sweetheart. Cupcake choices are: chocolate, yellow or red velvet. All decorated with adorable micro hearts, also included is a notecard for a personal message. Delivery area includes most of Stockton, and for an additional $2 dollars I can deliver to Manteca, and Lodi, or points in between. Please contact me for other delivery info.

Also available for delivery- Six hand dipped chocolate covered strawberries. These also come in an adorable box, with note card. $10 gets you the berries and delivery in Stockton.

Mickey Mouse Oreo Cupcakes

These delicious babies are made with Oreo cookies in regular and mini sizes.  the cupcakes themselves were Andes Creme de Menth flavor and Death by Oreo flavor.  Tow of my favorites, I must say! These turned out just adorable and were very fun!

Cassie Cakes

So, I am doing a little side business here.  It's a little something I like to call Cassie Cakes.  If you use the tag Cassie Cakes in the search on this blog you will find some of the things I have done.  If you have any questions or inquiries, feed free to hit me up in the comments, or email me at Cassiecakesca@gmail.com
Thanks!

Monkey Cake, with Marshmallow fondant

I did this cake for my friends little boys first birthday (man, that sounds awkward.) Anyhoo, it was my first time making marshmallow fondant and chocolate marshmallow fondant.  I really liked using it, so I think I will try it some more.  My mom bought me some cool fondant tools, so I am super excited to come up with my daughters cake, which will be some sort of Hello Kitty extravaganza.

"Monster" Themed birthday party cake

"Monster" birthday cake with matching "monster eyes" cupcakes. I am not in any way shape or form saying that these are Yo Gabba Gabba themed treats for my beautiful nieces third birthday party. *shifty eyes*

Andes Creme de Menthe Cupcakes

 Andes Créme de Menthe Cupcake- Devils food cake flavored with mint, packed with chopped Andes Créme de Menthe patties. The cream cheese frosting is flavored with a hint of mint, and topped with Andes Créme de Menthe patties. $24/dozen

Ramadan, via an American born, somewhat new convert

I have been married to my Muslim, Egyptian husband for ten years.  For nine of those years I have been Muslim.  When my husband first explained the basics of the religion to me, I thought it was some thing I could get behind.  Saying "there is no God but God" in front of a witness, praying five times a day, fasting during the month of Ramadan, giving to charity, and making Haj in your lifetime if you have the means.  Hey....that doesn't seem to be too difficult! ( I may have misjudged my fortitude here a little.  OK, I did misjudge my fortitude here.  ALOT.)  I converted when we started talking about having children.  We wanted to bring our kids up in a home with religious a value system.  I myself pretty much have a laissez faire attitude; having never really been religious, per se.  My approach to Islam has been not unlike some people's approach so say.... Catholicism; Which is to say, I really rock at being Muslim twice a year: at Ramadan, and Eid al Fitr.  Even now, I don't so much consider myself religious. Religion is something I struggle with however, especially during Ramadan.

Ramadan Mubarek!

Tooth Fairy is a coming!

Ayman lost his third tooth tonight.  (Well, actually I pulled it.)  The tooth Fairy personally told me that te third tooth and every tooth there after only gets one dollar.

Happy Mothers Day every one!

For my mom, I love you very much.  You are my best friend.  Happy Mothers Day.

my blog is old says the brother.

My brother left me a comment saying my blog was old, so here is a post.

I am no longer the best blogger but this site isn't going anywhere.  I am giving up on apologizing.  Here are a couple of pics that sum things up right now.  Above:  Jennah biffed it hard on her face and had to get both front teeth removed.  In addition, the week before, she gave herself a wicked awesome haircut.  So she's got that going for her, which is nice.

Not that it is all about Jennah, but she is turning five on March 18th.  pictures of an awesome birthday cake to follow.

And finally, I have been working with the registry sporadically at different places.  I am going to leave things vague here because given the chance i would go off about certain people I have had to deal with, and that can mean nothing but trouble. *shifty eyes*

That is it.  Thanks for reading.

Veterans Day, John Finn, USN- Updated. (original date of Post:12/01/05)

I was in the San Diego airport on Veterans Day. My mom and I were waiting to fly back up to Sacramento. I happened to notice a very old gentleman, sitting in a wheelchair. This really isn't a big deal, but I noticed he wasn't in the preboard area. I was wondering if he knew this or if he needed assistance. Anywho, while I was scoping him out, I noticed that he was wearing the Congressional Medal of Honor around his neck.

Now being a former military gal myself, I found this to be nothing short of amazing. I decided to talk to him. I walked up to the gentleman and introduced myself. I told him "Thank You" for his service to our country. (Lets face it folks, you normally get this medal after you are dead. In fact, i had heard it referred to as: Coffin Metal Handles, instead of Congressional Medal of Honor). Surprisingly the old guy was very sharp. He was 97 years old! He told me that there had been a Veterans Day ceremony in La Jolla that day and that he was on his way home. His name was John Finn.  Just in case you don't want to click the link, I will give you the rundown on the gentleman. He received the first medal of honor of WWII. He earned this medal by manning a .50 cal machine gun,In the attack on Pearl Harbor, and going buck wild with it during a 15 minute attack, sustaining heavy injury to himself before he could be persuaded to leave his post and seek medical attention.

I really feel honored to have met this man. It certainly isn't an every day occurrence to meet a Medal of Honor winner. When I was in the Navy, I would always look on the ribbon racks of the particularly "chesty" servicemen to see if there was one (always displayed at the top of all the others) but never actually saw one outside of textbooks.. After I actually saw this and read the citation I felt really touched and thankful that that old dude was so brave and made that sacrifice.... I may be a raging liberal now, but I know something to appreciate when I see it.

Update: John Finn celebrated his 100th Birthday this past July. He is the oldest living MOH recipient. Also check this out, MOH winners have benefits and stuff.. I didn't know that. (November 8, 2009)
Update 2: John Finn passed away on May 27, 2010, two months shy of his 101st birthday. You can see his New York Times obituary/story here.  Fair winds and following seas, Lt. Finn. (September 15, 2011)
More about John Finn: NBC Nightly News