Friday, July 24, 2009
Fourth Of July Warm-Up
On July 3rd the local YMCA put on a family fun event that ended with a great firework show.
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
She Takes The Cake
Emily L-O-V-E-S to watch Jon & Kate Plus Eight and Cake Boss on Monday nights. A month or so back, the Gosselins got to go to Ace of Cakes and decorate cakes using fondant. Afterward, she was begging to make fondant. I'd never used it before, but had seen the pre-made dough for sale at Michael's. I did some research and discovered that it was not only spendy, but not very appetizing. We came across an easy recipe for marshmallow fondant that got good reviews, so I agreed to give it a try.
16 ounces white mini-marshmallows (use a good quality brand)
2 to 5 tablespoons water
2 pounds icing sugar (please use C&H Cane Powdered Sugar for the best results)
1/2 cup Crisco shortening (you will be digging into it so place in a very easily accessed bowl)
Generously grease your mixer bowl and dough atttchment.
NOTE: Please be careful, this first stage can get hot.
Melt marshmallows and 2 tablespoons of water in a microwave or double boiler: Put the bowl in the microwave for 30 seconds, open microwave and stir, back in microwave for 30 seconds more, open microwave and stir again, and continue doing this until melted. It usually takes about 2 1/2 minutes total.
Pour marshmallows into mixer bowl and add 3/4 of the powdered sugar. And begin kneading. If the mixture is too sticky, add a bit more powdered sugar. If it's too stiff, add a bit of water.
It is best if you can let it sit, double wrapped, overnight (but you can use it right away if there are no tiny bits of dry powdered sugar). If you do see them, you will need to knead and maybe add a few more drops of water.
We made two batches since Emily needed two colors. The first we colored blue with food coloring. The second we added chocolate chips to the hot marshmallow mix to make brown.
When you roll out the fondant to cover the "dirty frosted" (covered with a layer of buttercream) cake, make sure to generously grease and powder every surface that will come in contact with the dough. For an 8-inch cake, roll the dough into a 14-inch circle. Ours was too thick this first time, but I was a little nervous about getting it too thin, lol. When rolled to desired size, roll around the pin to lift, then unroll over the cake.
Miss Em was delighted how our first attempt at using fondant turned out.
16 ounces white mini-marshmallows (use a good quality brand)
2 to 5 tablespoons water
2 pounds icing sugar (please use C&H Cane Powdered Sugar for the best results)
1/2 cup Crisco shortening (you will be digging into it so place in a very easily accessed bowl)
Generously grease your mixer bowl and dough atttchment.
NOTE: Please be careful, this first stage can get hot.
Melt marshmallows and 2 tablespoons of water in a microwave or double boiler: Put the bowl in the microwave for 30 seconds, open microwave and stir, back in microwave for 30 seconds more, open microwave and stir again, and continue doing this until melted. It usually takes about 2 1/2 minutes total.
Pour marshmallows into mixer bowl and add 3/4 of the powdered sugar. And begin kneading. If the mixture is too sticky, add a bit more powdered sugar. If it's too stiff, add a bit of water.
It is best if you can let it sit, double wrapped, overnight (but you can use it right away if there are no tiny bits of dry powdered sugar). If you do see them, you will need to knead and maybe add a few more drops of water.
We made two batches since Emily needed two colors. The first we colored blue with food coloring. The second we added chocolate chips to the hot marshmallow mix to make brown.
When you roll out the fondant to cover the "dirty frosted" (covered with a layer of buttercream) cake, make sure to generously grease and powder every surface that will come in contact with the dough. For an 8-inch cake, roll the dough into a 14-inch circle. Ours was too thick this first time, but I was a little nervous about getting it too thin, lol. When rolled to desired size, roll around the pin to lift, then unroll over the cake.
Miss Em was delighted how our first attempt at using fondant turned out.
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
New Babies!
On Tuesday June 30th, Gracie and Timmy welcomed two little ones to the world. Blake and Emily witnessed the little girl arrive first and the boy followed later that evening. All are doing well. Here's a glimpse of the cuteness!
Friday, July 3, 2009
Day Trip
A couple weeks ago we took a day trip to find the infamous Sliding Rock. We headed west toward the "Land of Waterfalls" in the Pisgah National Forest. I got us most of the way, but suddenly realized we'd missed a turn somewhere. Of course I hadn't brought a map and nobody at the minimart we stopped at could give us directions. Luckily they did sell maps and after 20 minutes of scouring through them I found one that showed our destination. Map in hand, and attitudes back on track we continued on. It was a beautiful drive through some quiet little towns. Kinda reminded me of the western part of White Pass (Packwood, Randle, etc.). First we stopped at Looking Glass Falls, the most photographed waterfall in NC. They had good parking on the side of the road and a nice overlook. 
There were also stairs built so you could walk to the bottom and even swim in the waters below.
I wouldn't recommend being in the falling water though. The force looked like it would hurt somethin fierce. Blake got as close as he could without swimming. This photo looks blurry, but it's really water spraying.
We played there for awhile and enjoyed the serenity.
It wasn't long though before Emily was anxious to get to Sliding Rock.
It's a smooth rock formation that has become such an attraction that there are lifeguards on duty during the summer months to supervise all the people. Most of the water here in NC is warm, but up in the forest the river temp this time of year is 45-55 degrees. We were warned how breathtakingly cold it was, "but you gotta do it" friendly folks in the parking lot told us. The kids and I went first while Sam stayed below to be the photographer.
Blake went down by himself, then Emily and I together.
After her initial panic subsided, Emily was ready or round two so Sam went this time.
She again paniced when they hit the 7ft pool of freezing water at the bottom of the slide. Once she and Sam made it to the edge, she announced "no more", lol! I couldn't talk Blake into going again either, so we headed out.
We took the Blue Ridge Parkway to Ashville and marveled in the amazing views.
The kids loved all the tunnels and insisted we honk every time.
We enjoyed dinner at TGI Fridays before going home. It was a really fun little day trip!
There were also stairs built so you could walk to the bottom and even swim in the waters below.
I wouldn't recommend being in the falling water though. The force looked like it would hurt somethin fierce. Blake got as close as he could without swimming. This photo looks blurry, but it's really water spraying.
We played there for awhile and enjoyed the serenity.
It wasn't long though before Emily was anxious to get to Sliding Rock.
It's a smooth rock formation that has become such an attraction that there are lifeguards on duty during the summer months to supervise all the people. Most of the water here in NC is warm, but up in the forest the river temp this time of year is 45-55 degrees. We were warned how breathtakingly cold it was, "but you gotta do it" friendly folks in the parking lot told us. The kids and I went first while Sam stayed below to be the photographer.
Blake went down by himself, then Emily and I together.
After her initial panic subsided, Emily was ready or round two so Sam went this time.
She again paniced when they hit the 7ft pool of freezing water at the bottom of the slide. Once she and Sam made it to the edge, she announced "no more", lol! I couldn't talk Blake into going again either, so we headed out.
We took the Blue Ridge Parkway to Ashville and marveled in the amazing views.
The kids loved all the tunnels and insisted we honk every time.
We enjoyed dinner at TGI Fridays before going home. It was a really fun little day trip!
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