Christmas Cookie Party!

Chocolate Covered Pretzels

This is the time of year I like to take a little time off from tastings and events. Sometimes it happens, other times, well, not so much.

After going through cookbooks (hey, it's what gets me in the spirit!) I was inspired to have a Christmas cookie party. This was the first time I've incorporated all the different aspects of my life, but it was so nice to get friends, family and industry buddies together for food, drink and baking!

Thank you everyone who came! Fun was had by all!

Below are pictures so graciously taken by Shannon of Flourish! Thank you Shannon!

Butter Cookies and Puff Pastry Pinwheels (with Strawberry Jam)

Mi Mamma

Childhood friend Mindy (hadn't seen her in about 22 years!) and her hubby Chad.

Lora Ward of A Day to Remember makin' some nice Snickerdoodles for her daughter's b-friend. Yes, the totally inappropriate, but funny "Nice Balls!" comment was thrown around... along with the SNL references to Schwetty Balls. Too Too Funny!

The bridal bouquet pose... but with cookies!

Katie Baker of Adagio Events with dark and white chocolate dipped pretzels.

Part of the gang... Moi, Lynnette, Lora, Allison of Allison Stahl Photography, Marj of Stellasweet, with the beautiful peppermint pinwheel cookies that Mindy and Chad made.

Former intern, and new high school grad, Cearra (middle), and Brandy of Brandy Sommer Photography.

Don't you just LOVE Allison's shawl?

The Spotlight Is On... US!!!

Dynamite Weddings did the nicest vendor profile on us on Wednesday. They are always great when it comes to gushing about us, all I can say is thank you and I have a suspicion I'm going to have to make you some more treats! (For a bunch of toothpick gals, they sure do like their sweets... goal for 2009, make them each gain 10 pounds!)

Here is a link to the entire expert spotlight. Thanks go out to the always fabulous Allison Stahl of Alison Stahl Photography and Memory Journalists for all the outstanding photographs of my work (PS: I LOVE the one at the bottom with my darling bride holding out the shot glass!).

Michelle and Josh - May 22, 2009

Michelle and Josh got married last Friday at Newcastle Wedding Garden. They looked so lovely (although I only saw them separately before the wedding!).

Their colors were eggplant and sage with a very rustic outdoor theme. During our cake design session we discussed several fun options to incorporate a tree and other natural elements into their wedding desserts. The grass at the bottom of the cake was painted onto the buttercream with food color and a paint brush. The tree was made out of chocolate modeling paste with three shades of purple fondant flowers with pearl dragee centers. I had such a good time making this cake, it stretched my creativity and reminded me why I love this business!

This wedding is a great example of mixing a small cake, cupcakes and little bites in one ensemble. I can't wait to get better pictures from Allison Stahl, but these definitely let you see some of the fun details!

Their cake and cupcakes were chocolate cake with creme brulee filling. The cake bites were vanilla bean butter cake with chocolate buttercream and fresh fruit.

Jessica and Jason - April 25, 2009

Jessica and Jason were married and had their beautiful "lounge" themed reception at Viscaya Pavillion in beautiful downtown Sacramento. Her colors were greens, pinks and purples with lots of crystal! With these details in mind we created this cake in three shades of green with sugar diamonds between the layers and all topped off with Waterford Crystal flowers.

(Quick note here: When Jessica asked every other bakery in town about using the crystal flowers to top her cake, they all said no. I try not to have that word in my vocabulary. It was just an obstacle to be overcome. Each flower had an 18" long stem (that you don't see because it is INSIDE the cake).

I created a plastic tube and plate structure that went through the entire cake and that the flowers slipped into... very slick, but more than a bit difficult to assemble!) The cake, again!, was a real collaboration. The bottom tier was chocolate cake with layers of cherry jam, vanilla bean pastry cream and Morello cherry compote. The middle tier was vanilla bean butter cake with layers of raspberry pear mousse with fresh raspberries. Jessica's Mom made the raspberry pear jam that I then turned into mousse. The top layer, to be saved for the following day, was red velvet with layers of cream cheese buttercream. What a cake!

With the "lounge" theme Jessica and Jason decided to have heavy appetizers and a dessert buffet (in addition to the cake!) instead of a sit down dinner. Below are some of the pictures.

Fruit Tartlets with Vanilla Bean Pastry Cream

The guests were treated to, among other things, pink peppermint and pistachio marshmallows cut into the couple's first and last initials. I went a step further and cut out their whole first names... how fun! (This is the joy of a boutique dessert shop! We can do fun crazy things like this!)
Jessica's Mom's favorite! Lemon Meringue Triffle: Layers of lemon curd, creme fraiche and dried meringue.

Special thanks to Allison Stahl Photography for all these lovely pictures! She did a great job and I'm thrilled to be able to share these pictures with you all!

David Girard Vineyards Wedding Workshop

I just got pictures from this event at the beginning of the month! A HUGE thank you to Allison Stahl Photography for these lovely pictures!