catching up and craziness

So to say my life has been a bit hectic lately would be a major understatement. So, blogging has been put on the back burner. But, I will do my best to hit some of the highlights as of late.
First, take a look at my latest cake. I made this for a runner like myself so I enjoyed doing it! She is turning 30 and running a 30k to celebrate. So, I made a running themed cake. The cake was strawberry flavor with vanilla buttercream. The "dirt" path was made of brown sugar and the rest of the decorations were fondant. Voila:


Last weekend I had the absolute privilege of going to Boston for the marriage of my good friend Monica and her now husband Josh. It was a gorgeous wedding and such a testimony to their love for each other and the Lord. Thankfully the wedding was on Saturday...the day before Hurricane Irene hit Boston! We had our share of wind and rain but thankfully no real damage at my parents house. And, both of my flights were on time which was very pleasantly surprising! Overall my trip was fabulous (despite a short bout of sickness on Saturday). I loved spending time with my family...even without power for a little bit on Saturday! It's always a little hard to leave when I visit, I sure do miss them! Take a look at this gorgeous bride and groom:


So, like I said before, life has been hectic and a little overwhelming. Yesterday I was having a particularly hard day and here's what I came home to:

I sure am blessed.

Whoooo's having a baby?

Laura, that's whooooo! I had the pleasure of making a cake for her baby shower last weekend. Little Evelyn Ruth is going to make her debut is just a few weeks now and I have heard through the grapevine that she will be residing in an owl themed nursery. Thus, the owl. So, here it is! Thanks Alison for asking me to make the cake, I had so much fun!

encouraging word

Often I will read something in my morning quite time that is just SO applicable to my life situation. It's like God knows exactly what I need to hear (which, of course, He does) at that exact moment. I have been reading through 1 Corinthians. This morning I was reading chapter 15 and the very last verse was my ah-ha moment. So, here's my tid-bit for the day. I hope you find it as encouraging as I did!

Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.

-1 Corinthians 15:58

this weekend's cake/cupcakes

I'll keep this short and sweet and just post a quick pic. 50th anniversary cake and cupcakes- 20 white cupcakes, 20 carrot cupcakes, and a 6" red velvet center cake. All with cream cheese icing and fondant decorations.

Our week in God's country

Chris and I spent the past week with my family in God's country...at least, that's what my dad calls it and I wholeheartedly agree. Most of you would probably just call it Maine. Seeing as how I have thus far spent more time living there than anywhere else, I also call it home. But honestly, look at this view...


We have become pretty comfortable with the 14 hour drive to Boston to visit my parents and then the trip to Owls Head, ME is another 3 hours or so... however, it becomes a 5 hour drive if your mom just insists that you stop at Red's Eats for a lobster roll and the line is 2 hours long!! The lobster roll was delicious but I think that will be our one and only time visiting Reds.


We spent the week doing a lot of relaxing, reading (I finished 2 whole Harry Potter books...now just 4 more to go!), playing board games, laying on the beach, fishing, etc. We spent a day at Acadia National Park and then stayed in a cute bed and breakfast which was my parent's anniversary gift to Chris and I. That was a great day...in all the years I lived in Maine, I never remember going to Acadia (though my parents are adamant that we have been there lots of times).

One of the highlights of our Maine trip every summer is seeing my whole family...and boy do I have a big family. In fact, I have 18 first cousins and I saw a majority of them during this trip. We range in age from newborn (actually my aunt is having a C-section tomorrow!!) to age 30. We had a lobster bake on Thursday and we got to catch up on each other's lives. This is the only time of the year that I see some of my cousins. Two of my cousins are started college this year and they are both coming south! I also got to see both of my grandmothers, one who turned 70 this year and one who turned 80!


On our way back home we stopped in Augusta, ME for a surprise birthday party for my Grandma Betty who just turned 70! So, I was able to see the whole family for a second time. We had a wonderful time celebrating with her!


It's always a little bit hard to come back home after such a great week with my family. It makes me realize just how incredibly blessed I am to have been put into such a great family. I'm still hoping that one day my parents will decide to move south, even just maybe for part of the year. However, this yearly trip also makes me realize something else. My family is really a bunch of Mainers at heart and we will always be!