Saturday, July 27, 2013

Birthday Cake for my 16 year old...


20 hours!  That is the magic number.  Laura's 3 tier  Birthday cake was a labor of 20 hours!

Tonight is my daughter's 16th birthday party.  She will have many of her friends over to celebrate with a good old fashion cookout.

Her guests will be able to hang out in the backyard, kitchen, living room and our new playroom/den.  Our old playroom  was really just a mess with Legos throughout and many little boys toys.  All that is gone.  The Legos, many trains and trucks are now in Alex's bedroom and closet.

Now, the new playroom/den makeover has been completed.  The playroom/den also has sliding glass doors that lead to the backyard, just like our dining room.  A new coat of paint (light teal), new comfy sofa, new curtains (sewn by me), new large TV (with the kids games systems - Wii) housed within a new wall unit from IKEA.  A shelf with our favorite board games.  A new game table with 7 different games (change the top to create a different game).  Even a re-purposed coffee table I purchased from the Checkered Corner - painted with teal and then sanded off (love the work Anita did to it).  Hope Laura's guest enjoy the room...I know we will in the coming years.

Perhaps, with this being Laura's 16th birthday, the thought of a simple cake was just not going to happen.  After much negotiations, (yes, Laura wanted something even more elaborate), this is the cake I agreed to make.


I honestly had no idea this would require so much time.  Why did it take so long?  

Thursday, 10 hours:
  •  Baked 3, 2 layer cakes.  All cakes are from scratch.  Bottom layer is Coconut cake with coconut filling. Middle layer is chocolate with a raspberry filling.  Chocolate layer was time consuming as it required melted chocolate and butter be added to the batter.  Top layer is vanilla with a chocolate Ganache filling. 
  • All three layers have a layer of Chocolate Ganache.  This was my first time making Chocolate Ganache.  Turns out it's extremely time consuming when the recipe calls for many chocolate bars to be cut into small pieces!  This cake has 6 pounds of chocolate bars!  Bottom layer (coconut) has a white chocolate Ganache, the middle and top have dark chocolate Ganache.  The Ganache seals the cake and keeps it moist for days.

Friday, 10 hours:

  • Tinting fondant in just the right Tiffany blue is no easy task!  Rolling the blue fondant to cover the bottom part of the cake was a challenge...failed the first time, succeed the 2nd time!  Seems like I spent most of the time kneading, tinting, and rolling  fondant.   Since I work with fondant only once a year (Laura's birthday cakes), I am slow when I work with it.  
The birthday girl is happy with her cake.  She seems really appreciative.  Here are more pictures of the cake:



 Laura's birthday card I made for her.  I gave it to her last Sunday, July 21st ...her birthday.
Laura loves Tiffany Blue Color and Chevron
This year I was a slacker when it came time to make birthday party invitations.  I have made them for her for the last 15 years or so.  This year, Facebook.  Since Laura communicates with most of her friends via texting or Facebook, I had Laura create a Facebook event on her page.  I would like to say I am just embracing technology but no, I just did not have time or energy to be creative.

Although I think the card and cake count as being creative.

Sunday, July 21, 2013

Happy 16th Birthday Laura!

My little girl is 16 years old today!

I remember the day she was born like it was yesterday.  Feeling nostalgic remembering so many milestones.  First day of pre-school.  First day of Kindergarten, so many first days!

Now, Laura is driving a car!  She has her driving permit and is not ready to take the driver's license test only because her dad and mom have not given her the time she needed behind the wheel.  The Wagner's are know to procrastinate.  In this case, I don't think neither of us are ready for all these changes.  I know we have to be, but it is so difficult at times.  This past week Laura logged in 8 hours of driving time.  She is progressing very nicely.  Alex and I have been with her the entire time.  I have to give Alex (my 9 year old son) credit for quietly sitting in the back seat of the car while we literally just drive around.

Laura's next milestone will be to get her driver's license.  I know she is getting closer each day to reach that milestone.  Me...I am still working on getting ready.  Now I know how my parents felt when I was 16 and was so happy to have my driver's license.  That look on their faces ...well, I see it in the mirror now!

Laura is now a Junior in High School.   We are proud of all her accomplishments.  Among them, I am proud to say she is an Honor student.   Two more very short years and she will be going away to College.  The thought is very exciting for Laura....for her parents...all I can stay is I have to get ready but I am sure when the day comes I will be unprepared.

Wednesday, July 17, 2013

Checkered Corner open July 19, 20 & 21st!

The Checkered Corner in historic Downtown Littleton, at 5650 South Curtice Street will be open

Friday, July 19th
Saturday, July 20
Sunday, July 21

Open 10-6 p.m. Friday & Saturday
Open noon - 4 p.m. Sunday


Come visit us this month.  Isa Creations is in the upstairs bedroom at the Checkered Corner.


Tuesday, July 2, 2013

Family Time in El Paso, Texas


The kids (Laura and Alex) and I  have been in El Paso for just over 1 week now.  I grew up in El Paso so in a way, this will always be coming back home although home now is Littleton, CO. 

Due to my severe cat allergy, we can't stay at my dad's and moms' home (the home I grew up from age 4).  My parents took in a stray cat many years ago...they love their cat like it's their kid (so sweet).   My parents wish the kids and I could stay with them when we visit, but they understand (from past experience) that if I did stay (even with my allergy medication) I would start wheezing and require immediate medical attention.

Thankfully, my sister lives only a few miles away from my parents home.  The kids love to hang out with their cousins and their cousin's cousins(Robert's side of the family).  I love to spend time with my sister as well and my parents come over almost every day.  I have spent time with many other family members, including my aunt Consuelo (mom's sister), my uncle Efren and Robert's sister and brother. 

It was sad but something the kids and I needed to do. 
 Last week we went to the cemetery to visit Robert, my brother in law.
I miss him. 
 My sister's house  is full of pictures of Robert. 
 I smile. 
 I also feel some sadness. 
   I definitely feel  his absence, but life does go on, it has to. 

In the last week we have been here, we have seen several movies.   Since my sister and I are Harry Potter fans (the books and movies), she and I have been watching Harry Potter Movies each night.  My son Alex has joined us most of the time.  Although, tonight will be the first night we will miss our little marathon since we all have plans tonight.

Tonight we will go see Johnny Depp's new movie, The Lone Ranger.  Everyone who knows me knows I am a huge Johnny Depp fan, so it's not a surprise we will be there to see the movie tonight.  Tomorrow, my sister and I will continue our Harry Potter Marathon with Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince (movie 6).

We will be here another week.


I did not take this photo (wish I had)...here is the link to El Paso Sunrise Photo