In Full Bloom 2

This year was a very special birthday for my mother-in-law.  Thanks to her husband, we thrilled her with a surprise dinner at Log Haven.  All the cousins were together with a sitter and it was just a great grown up night to relax.  As always, dinner was fabulous and the cake from Nothing Bundt Cake was SO yummy.  (If you want a divine flavor for a bundt, try their cinnamon swirl, just like a cinnamon roll fresh from the oven!)  We then had a lovely backyard party for her with the whole family the next day.  It was a perfect day for all the kids to play and the grown ups to eat cake!

The bottom tier was a white sponge cake with fresh strawberry buttercream and the top tier was my new favorite, the Not-so-Thin Mint Chocolate with White Chocolate Buttercream filling.  The details were all made of fondant and the cake was frosted with Chocolate buttercream.  

Happy Birthday, Mama!  

How great it was to pull off a surprise for you!

We love you! 

Damn tasty bundt cakes...

Queen's Garden

I usually don't get to do cakes for my sister or parents, and get tons of grief for it every time their birthdays roll around!  This year, we had planned to be roadtripping to my parents for my mom's birthday and my sis would be surprising us with a visit as well.  I thought it would be a good year to do a cake for her since we would be spending her 65th birthday in Disneyland next year.  

It was interesting, to say the least, completing a cake away from my own kitchen.  I pre-baked all the cake I would need, I made and colored all of the fondant ahead of time and I packed ALL of the gadgets and tools I would need.  My sister helped with some of the ribbon roses, but was the greatest when it came to keeping my kids OUT of the WAY!  

This cake was Devil's Kahlua Chocolate with fresh strawberry buttercream.  Although she prefers buttercream, I promised to do a thick layer when I dirty iced it, if she would "settle" for marshmallow fondant!

I tried my best to keep the finished product a surprise, but with only one fridge, it was a bit difficult.  In the end, we surprised her with most of her St George neighbors dropping by for a party.  It was so great to sweeten my mom's birthday just a bit!

Happy Birthday, Mom...
We had so much fun playing in the sun!
Thanks for always showing us you are never too old to be young...
Love you Truly!