I made these cupcakes the first day I was in the kitchen a few months back. It was officially the first order by Icing & Aprons. I got a message that night from a friend saying he was SHOOTING my cupcakes...NOT BANG BANG shooting--->CLICK CLICK.

Shaun is a photographer here in the Dallas area and happened to be photographing his friend's couples shower that night. I met him at a good friend's wedding in Horseshoe Bay this summer where he also happened to be shooting the groom's brownies I made for the reception.

He was kind enough to send me the shots he took of the shower cuppies, so here they are...ENJOY. And if you are smart you will hire him for your next photographable occasion, cause he is awesome, a true talent. Check out his work at:

Icing & Aprons first official Cake Decorating Class. This fun little get together took place at Providence Place Bridal Boutique & Special Events Center in Rockwall, TX on December 22nd 2009. Great way to laugh with friends and learn a new skill for the kitchen. Keep checking Icing & Aprons website for further class schedules www.icingandaprons.com . I'd like to thank all of you ladies that came out to get messy in the icing with me. It was such a fun time! All of your cakes came out so cute...proud of my little baking students!!! And a special thanks to Providence Place Bridal Boutique for letting Icing & Aprons host the Cake Class at the shop. It was the perfect quaint location. Cheers to more unique & fun times in the parlor room @ Provi Place www.proviplace.com

Have a sweet day and be filled with His sweet spirit!

God Bless.

Their Creations!

The reason for the season. About 2 weeks ago was I visited Childrens Hospital in Dallas. I had previously emailed them about perhaps giving a cake decorating class for some of the kids & parents. The Lord had put it on my heart after watching the movie My Sisters Keeper. For some reason my heart needed to reach out to the hospital...even thought I didnt know why yet or exactly how to go about it. I hadn't heard back from them about the email, but that weekend God pulled through as always and made the connection for me.

Salon 306 parntners with Providence Place Bridal boutique where I work. It had been a cold morning and I was working solo in the shop. The Rockwall Christmas parade was that morning. I heard the bell ring and I went around back to see who the next guests were. It happened to be the girls from Salon 306. They had a flyer for their Salon Ambush promotion they were launching.

We got to talking about the parade, and Kristine said she was going to help with the Adolphus Parade in downtown Dallas. http://www.childrens.com/AboutUs/OurLocations/Dallas.cfm Well I just so happened to read on the Children's Hospital website the other day when I emailed them that they were part of the Adolphus parade. So I said, "Isn't that parade connected to Childrens, I was thinking about volunteering there?"

Kristine said it was and that she has been a volunteer there for a while and was going up there on Monday to talk with the directors of the volunteer department if I wanted to go with her. She was thinking about getting back into it as well. 

Ding ding ding. ATTENTION ASHLEY: This is God speaking. Here is your open Door...please walk through it.

Had I not emailed them earlier about the cake class, I would have never known about the parade...and would never have asked Kristine about Childrens...and then I would have never had known she volunteered there...and therefore would have continued on with my life. But...God puts people in the right place in His timing. We just have to PAY ATENTION to the details so we can make the connection. I'm always curious about every situation I'm in, who's around, conversations. I ask...why has God surrounded me with this experience, people, or whatever it may be. I know every moment is designed by God, so I love to pick up on his language and walk with Him.

So that Monday she text me, I met her up at Mockingbird Station and we rode together. We met Angela at the front of the volunteer office where we sat and talked with her about Kristine's trip to Germany and a whole slew of other topics.

She asked me what I did, and I told her about Icing & Aprons...and that I was a cake decorator.  I mentioned I had emailed them about teaching a class there for the hospital and she immediatly knew what I was talking about. She said she had sent it to her boss and she would be getting back to me & also gave me a contact number. She then asked for my website www.icingandaprons.com and requested for me to make a cake for their volunteer Chistmas party. Also since I knew Kristine I could put her on my application for volunteering and I would be able to get in sometime in January to help.

So I made the cake..it's the one above. Its a chocolate cake, with chocolate ganache with chocolate buttercream. I delivered it that Friday.

I don't know why God has me connected to the hospital, or why He put it on my heart to act on it, but I'll go where He leads me next. I wonder what He's doing up there :)

So cool to see how the Lord works through his people to make something out of nothing. If this was a connect-the-dots picture...maybe it would be in the shape of a cross at the end. If you like connecting dots in life take notice...they always point to God and His plan.

So so sweet.

Merry Christmas!!

Servant in Christ,

Ash

Saturday was the The Epsilon Phi Alumni Chapter- Texas Tech University Chapter of Kappa Sigma- First Annual Founder’s Day Celebration. My brother went to Texas Tech and was a Kappa Sig along with other Rockwall friends of his that are like my own brothers as well.

This is their Crest. There was also and Epsilon Cake & Phi Cake on either side of the Crest for the party. I made that trip to Tech to visit my brother many a time and went to many of their fraternity events back in the day. I might as well be a Kappa Sigma honorary member.

My brother and alot of these college buddies still hangout and watch Red Raider football, going hunting, & having annual Washer tournaments.

My brother taught me the secret handshake. Justttt kiddingggggggg. I know what serious offense that is :)

This was for a Christmas Martini & Birthday party gathering. The candy cane & holly are made from fondant & the rest is buttercream.

This is a recent Wedding Cake I did for Courtney's wedding. Her mom was actually my 2nd grade teacher. Mrs. Hogue came to my house to drop off the flowers so I got to give her a big hug. It was a white cake with chocolate fudge filling.

My friend Melissa helped me deliver it in her truck. No matter what cake it is, it is always scary delivering it. I hold my breath the entire time, watching it like a hawk...every bump, every turn, every stoplight....while gravity & physics laugh at me. Talk about a relief when it's out of my hands and do it's destination.

Me and Mel had a great talk about Chirst on the way. Talking about Jesus calmed me down as we transported the cake; took my mind to a grander place & took the focus off of the small stresses of life.

We dropped it off at a nice Dallas neighborhood. The houses were like small countries, those estates you see in movies like Pride & Predudice or old English flicks. Well not quite as big, but at least a slight reflection.

I walked up to the giant door and rang what I thought was the door bell twice...it wasn't...I still have no idea what it was, maybe a camera button? I finally saw another big button and gave it a go. Success. I met Anne & she let me put the cake on the buffet. And that's where I left her, the cake. I heard it was a hit, so that makes me smile.

Thank God for no sudden stops or potholes on the way :)

Have a greattttttttttttt & sweeeeeeeeeeet day.

So I literally had to borrow a cup of sugar from my neighbor today to finish baking some cakes. Well it was more like a bag. As my grandma says, "it just isn't how it used to be, neighbors used to hangout and talk, borrow a cup of sugar... now you are lucky if they even smile at you." I tried to pay for the sugar but they wouldn't let me. Very kind. I think my grandma Momo would have appreciated this story.

 Happy Thannksgiving Yall!

Johnny is my Godfather. I was born into a Catholic family, so a Godfather is someone who takes on the responsibility of me & my brother if anything were to happen to my parents. He used to live on our same circle in Rowlett next door to my family & him and my dad grew up together & were best friends since High school. We used to swim over at his house, bbq, play foursquare, have gambling parties, & I remember there always being a margarita machine & me never being able to have any of the snow cone looking beverage. He was a big part of my childhood and a great Godfather. He was and still is a huge fan of the Redskins & my Dad and us of course are Cowboys fans. There was always a rival when it came to football. Johnny and his wife Lynette had John Martin when I was about in 2nd grade. They moved & as time & life went on we all became busy with whatever and hadnt kept in contact too much. I got a message from his son John Martin, now in college at TCU, asking if I would make Johnny some cupcakes for his 58th birthday. He said to make a sports medley. Him and my dad were always bowling, so of course I threw that in. A couple golf, and TCU cupcakes. And I crossed over to the dark side and made a few Redskins cupcakes. I almost made one a Cowboys cupcake with a star in the middle but decided that since it was his Birthday I'd spare him the site of it. I mean The Cowboys did just beat them last Sunday by one point 7-6. Didn't want to rub it in too much :) John Martin came and picked them up last night. He was about 2 feet talller than me now and all grown up and so nice. Dang, time flies. I am so honored to have a Godfather and so thankful for all the memories Johnny made in my childhood. So cool to see how God brings people back together through random works. It seems to be a reoccurring happening in my life...maybe yours too if you take a minute to notice it. My dad called him that night and wished him a happy birthday. Yay for cake and connecting people.

Have a sweet day & be filled with His sweet spirit.

Mary, our on-site photographer Elizabeth Stanley's little girl, had her birthday party at Providence Place in Rockwall. She had quite the spread Alice-n-Wonderland style...ants on a log, cookies, tarts, marshmellows, & cotton candy. The little girls wore tutus & princess crowns, and the boys wore tophats and had drawn on mustaches. Mary decided to go with a mustache too haha...it's her birthday so she can do whatever she wants. I made the cake and mini cupcakes...pink, feathers, and jewels. Visit www.elizabethstanleyphotography.com to check out her work. Happy Birthday Mary!!

Okay so Thanksgiving is tomorrow, but I can't help and think about Christmas just around the bend. Icing & Aprons have mixed Christmas cupcakes

*1 Dozen for $30 Christmas Themed

Also The Winter Cake Decorating Schedule is up on the main website www.icingandaprons.com There are a couple of the classes that are holiday themed and a perfect occasion to celebrate.

I work at Providence Place Bridal Boutique in Rockwall as well and we have a great parlor room & garden area to rent out for a Holiday dinner or Christmas party. Visit www.proviplace.com That is also where I am holding the Cake Decorating Classes.

This is Ashley Crow above, for all of you who were wondering. We had a mini potluck Thanksgiving at our friend Katie Kaufmann's house and all the girls came to hangout. I brought a Christmas apron and one cupcake and convinced Ash to sport it for a couple Christmas pics. Why pay models, when my friends are so willing and beautiful. Keep checking the website for upcoming Icing & Aprons Photoshoots and all my lovely friends that help. Thank you God for such supportive and wonderful friends!

~Love Ash

Icing & Aprons Signature Cupcakes have Arrived. Signatures are the I&A Brand for cupcakes and cakes. These are certain designs that are unique to I&A. Sprinkle covered with a chocolate accessory or fondant detail. More options will be coming soon. Yall help me get this business poppin' like Starbucks. Order your first dozen today!

I originally made these for a girl that works with Pure Dental in Dallas, TX @ Mockingbird Station www.puredallas.com  I went to school at Texas State University and majored in Advertising. I was in AD CLUB. We basically did a bunch of ad stuff. We traveled to Houston to participate in a competion/convention where we got to create campaigns with a group of random other college students at different Ad Agencies all around town. One of the officers of  the Club, Nanci, actually used to live on Dolly Street by me my last year in San Marcos.

She contacted me the other day and asked if I would make her friend, Sara, some cupcakes for her birthday and take them up to her. Nanci now lives in Houston and works at the Chronicle. Just so happens that Sara also goes to Watermark Church www.watermark.org where I go and has brought Nanci there before as well when she's been in town. Small world...but not really when you think about how Big God is and how easy it is for Him to bring people together or re-unite them. He wiggles his nose and bopps his head and poof...it's done.

So I've been wanting to make some signature cupcakes that are offered exclusively to Icing & Aprons customers. I've had these designs in mind for a while. There are going to be more, but this is a start. You can get any colors with sprinkle covered, and i'll match up a chocolate disk or fondant flower. Hope yall like them, enjoy!

Oh and by the way, Pure Dental is so cool inside. I walked in and felt like I was at some swanky special place...and it was a dentist office. So if you are in the Dallas area and you hate going to the dentist, this place you might actually want to visit and the front desk staff is super nice!

~Ashley Marie

Email icingaprons@gmail.com

Have a sweet day and be filled with His sweet spirit.

Have you ever had Orange Cup Frozen Yogurt? I go to North Park Mall on occasion in Dallas & they have a locatoin there. You should check them out. www.myorangecup.com A while back I did an "Orange Cup" cake for my friend that works at Whitley Penn www.wpcpa.com  Nathen took it to the owner of Orange Cup during a business meeting. It was a white cake, covered in fondant, with handmade fondant fruit, and icing doubling as the frozen yogurt. Cake is good, but a big scoop full of frozen yogurt makes it even better! Thanks to Orange Cup...it was a really yummy cake & visually exciting to make :)

Have a sweet day, and be filled with His sweet spirit.

I made some cupcakes for the Cystic Fibrosis Concert Series that is being held at the Granada Theatre tonight. I got off worked and zoomed over to Greenville Avenue to drop them off.

I studied aboad in Spain a couple years ago for my last Spanish classes. I went through the my college, Texas State University. There was a group of about 30 of us. None of us new eachother from Adam. By the end of the trip we were one big loving disfunctional family. All having shared in this one and a life time experience together...forming a bond that makes me smile everytime I think back to them. I had launched my website last week and Jenneva, one of the girls from the trip, sent me a message and asked if I would be willing to donate some cupcakes for the Cystic Fibrosis Concert Series event. http://cfconcertseries.com/ The event raises money & awareness to support the cause.

I made some aqua, maroon, and chocolate brown cupcakes. Flavors: Carrot w/ CreamCheese Icing and toasted coconut,Chocolate w/ Rich Choco Icing, and Pain Vanilla with Plain Vanilla Icing.

I totally wanted to stick around and listen to some music, but they hadn't set everything up yet. People were running around busy busy. Looked like it was going to be an amazing event & I wish them tons of success, and that God pours out blessings all night for them.

So cool to see how God reconnects people for a greater purpose. Glad I got to help out, even if it was just to bring a smile to someone who loves cream cheese icing :)

Much Luv,

Ashley Marie

I made this cake for Doug Kaufmann's 60th Birthday. And yes I know it says 40th...it was a joke. My great friend Katie Kaufmann married Evan Kaufmann...and his Dad is Doug. He does research, writes books, and has a nutrition TV show called "Know the Cause." Katie asked me if I would make him some green apples, and if you click on his website you will know why. www.knowthecause.com

So I was working out the other day and realized I had chocolate cake batter dried on my arm, gross haha. I started laughing to myself and  think I actually sighed outloud and shook my head. Very ironic I thought, working out compared to what I do for a living. I will always be the girl whos hands are dyed pink from mixing color, icing in my hair, powdered sugar on my cellphone & smells like a cupcake...oh and that has dried batter on my limbs. I have learned to accept this and I'm fine with that :)

I feel like that guy from Saturday night live: Deep Thoughts by Jack Handy

Just random tid bits of information to fill the air ha

Have a lovely day friends!

On October 16th, 2009, I woke up early to make some cupcakes. I didn't have time to make my usual cake from scratch so I went to the grocery store to pick up a few items like powdered sugar, and some vanilla cake mix. I have found that store-bought cake mixes aren't that bad if you are in a pinch. They always come out moist & have that signature "birthday cake" flavor. But that is here nor there when it comes to this story.

I was stressed out this day. I was tired, broke,...& honestly I did not want to be making cake. I wanted to be nestled in my bed while my box fan blasted as background noise. But God gave me a little reminder of His grace & love that engergized me for this particular morning.

I went to the baking aisle and gathered my ingredients. Six boxes of Pillsbury cake mix. As I was making my way to the express checkout counter...carefully looking to make judgements of who would be the speediest cashier & swiper...I noticed a farely large black woman in one of those moterized carts looking at me. I had chosen the line to the right of her and I figured she was starring at me thinking.."I should be in that line, she's gonna get checked out before me. "

So I pulled up into my line, where a enthusiastic black woman was helping the other customer infront of me. She was so polite, and just happy, with a big smile on her face, and just talking to her customer like they'd been friends forever. I swear she would have started dancing if there would have been a good ringtone going off.

Well the tired part of me really wanted to be annoyed at this lady for being so full of life so early in the day...but I wasn't. I remember thinking, 'how does she have so much joy right now...oh she must be a believer.' I could sense Christ's love pouring from her & it tickled me.

Well at this point I noticed that other woman in the next line was still starring at me. I thought, man she really wants my place in line. And as I got greeted with a very joyful welcome by my cashier, the large black woman got my cashiers attention and handed her some paper & pointed at me.

She had given me 6 coupons for Pillsbury cake mix, knocking the price down to .40 cents each. My cashier seemed as thrilled as I was saying, "well look at that, look at that." I kept thanking the lady from a distance realizing now, what all the starring had meant. She wanted to give me something I didn't even know I wanted...or deserved.

Me and my cashier were now discussing the small, but great gift of this annonomous stranger's generousity.

 I said, "Well talk about being at the right place at the right time."

I paused & said,  "Small blessings."

She looked at me and announced, "You must know the Lord." in a kindered excitement.

I responded with a smile, "I do."

She gave me a high five and said "yep, there's no such thing as coincedences. The Lord is good. Isn't He good!"

I told her, " I knew you knew Him before I even talked with you, I could just tell."

"Our spirits are intune with eachother's. That's right. Isn't that something!"...as she kept shaking her head and smiling from ear to ear.

"I know, I know; you can just tell." I affirmed.

I'm sure the people behind me were like, what are these two crazy ladies talking about...and why are they so giddy with excitment...all it is, is a few dang coupons. Well all I can say is her joy woke me up from my slumber and got me out of my bad mood...& then the faithfullness & grace of God blessed me with something so simple but wonderful as $2.40 off of cake mix from a complete stranger...that I and this check out lady were filled with the holy spirit & just so thrilled to glorify God in those few moments of His devine intervention.

I can't make this stuff up. It's just so cool how God plans every last detail. From me arriving to the grocery store at that exact time... picking out 6 ..cake mixes...to coming to the line just in time for that woman to give me 6 cake mix coupons...not just any coupons..but the brand of mix I had, Pillsbury...to having me have a spirit filled conversation with a sister in Christ...someone to witness and experience that small blessing with me and not let it go unnoticed, cause He knows how much I get a kick out of that.

I mean what if I had gotten there 1 minute later...or I picked out Duncan Hines cake mix instead of Pillsbury...or I needed 10 instead of 6...or I had chose to go to the 3rd line over instead of the 2nd one. I mean seriously................................it's got God's name & creativity & Jesus's love & selflessness written all over it. WOW. If you let God be cool, he sure does define the word for you in ways you just can't think up on your own & ways you don't even know will thrill you. Take notice & seek it, and He will show up.

As I left I said "thank-you so much" to the woman in the moterized cart one last time. I got in my car and started driving down the highway..and kept kicking myself as to why I didn't go over and give that woman a huge hug because I so wanted to, or helped her to her car. I prayed that I would run into her again...so hopefully I'll be at Walmart one day and I can return God's love that she showed to me.

So even though I was tired and being a brat in the morning, God showed up & I noticed. He gave me another glimpse of who He is and humbly reminded me that I don't deserve that person's kind gesture, He gave it to me anyways because of His grace & love. And I thought...omg, i'ts just like how He gave His son as a gift to me to take away my sin & brokeness, hurt, constant search for this freedom & fullfillment, so I could really reunite with God.

And taking it to the next level I thought....It would have been rude of me to say..."No thank you...I don't need your coupons...I have enough money, I can pay for it myself." Of course not...I choose to take it, cause it's FREE, it benefits me, & it is this act of accepting  another's love simply because they are giving it to us out of love that makes sense to our heart...accepting this coupon called grace, a gift I don't deserve....JESUS CHRIST's SACRAFICE. By accepting the coupon, I am returing love to the giver...saying I appreciate your gesture & I need & want your love in my life....I want that $2.40 off my cake mix...and I didn't even realize it until after I accepted your coupon. How nieve & silly of me to wonder why you were starring at me...when you just wanted to give me a gift. (do you see where I'm goin with this?)

God put's these random senarios all around us, all the time, all woven in each and every one of our lives to get our attention, to show who He is & that He wants to be connected to us. He is just waiting for us to accept His coupon...accept His Son....So that He can be re-united to us & pour own more and more and more of his limitless love. Just take notice. Keep your eyes peeled & your hearts open...ask, wait and watch it unfold....because He is starring down from heaven at each one of us...trying to give us His Coupon.

Just had to share that story, it made my morning and the rest of the day for that matter.

There is nothing quite like......small blessings.

Later Gators

~AShley Marie

Have a sweet day and be filled with His sweet spirit.

When working with fondant flowers....to give them that blossoming effect try letting them dry right side up in your left-over egg carton. The egg holder gives the flowers just enough curve to make the flowers come to life with shape instead of the flat route.

I'll be back with more Tips for Tuesdays

My friends, from back in the Rockwall Highschool days, had Rocco this time last year. Hard to believe a whole year has flown by. You might recognize Tiffany from the "Icing & Aprons Icing Party Photo Shoot." 

Her and her husband Eric I've known for over a decade. I was excited to be able to create Rocco's 1st Birthday Cake & make his favorite Television Show "Yo Gabba Gabba" come to life in front of his very eyes.

I personally have never watched this show, but I hear it is popular among the baby arena. It's full of bright colors & odd characters. My friend Tiff said Rocco loves the colors & bounces up and down when he watches it.

So this was definetly a first. I will say that even when I was making the cake I was in a happy mood. There is something to be said for a color pallette full of primary colors haha.

And it looks like Rocco enjoyed them too....& the Icing!

Happy 1st Birthday Rocco Man..."Party in Your Tummy!"

Have a sweet day and be filled with His sweet spirit.

"Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of thine heart." ~Psalm 37:4

So the local kitchen I will be renting from opens this week, which means I have to get moving to advertise what Icing & Aprons is all about. My hope is to be in the commercial kitchen within a month & taking orders.

 I have my logo design to come up with and some cupcake photo shoots to do before the advertisements go out. My lovely friends are going to be the models but the star of the photos will be the cupcakes...unless the models get hungry! I will also be hosting my first Icing & Aprons cake decorating party coming up & I will display pics soon.

The website should be up in the next couple weeks to explain the concept for Icing & Aprons as well as prices, flavors, services, picture galleries, & more. So technically I'm in business...I mean all the "legal" mumbo-jumbo is done &...I have my company bank account with real checks that say Icing & Aprons in the top left corner...so that counts for something. I know I'm pretty excited about it. Just waiting to work through the creative stuff & I should be on a roll.

 I will say that I do not know exactly what I am gettig myself into, what my schedule is going to look like, or how any of this is going to meld together...but I do have faith that God will work his magic like he always does & spin out footsteps that are laid out way better than anything I could come up with. My biggest hope through this business is to some how...by His will...bring glory to Him & connect His name and word to as many people as possible. To be just one more bridge to the Lord for searching & lost people. That they might come to know Him, understand & experiece His love & purpose in a beautiful & adventurous way like He continues to show me everyday. He ALWAYS steps up and is there...through thick & thin...bitter & SWEET. The Son, Jesus, is HOPE...and with that I have peace in wherever the wind of this life takes me. So with a bold step of faith...I am beginning this cake journey...and resting, Father, on Your guidance. We shall see what the future holds..

"For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be." ~Psalm 139

I will keep yall updated when things are in place and ready to begin. Thanks to everyone in my life...you all have been such a blessing and encouragement...a true rock, leaning post, & inspiration.

Have a SWEET day & be filled with His sweet spirit.

 With Much Luv,

Ashley Marie

I made some Cake Pops for fun last weekend. One went to my grandma Momo and the others left with my mom for her work party. Easily demolished in one bite & fun to eat.

"And he made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ, to be put into effect when the times will have reached their fullfillment...to bring all things in heaven and on earth together under one head, even Christ." ~Ephesians 1:9

Friday night, my parents, my brother Chris, and his fiance Monica (one of my dear friends as well) had went out for pizza at a quaint saucy pizza kitchen here in Rowlett. The occasion: my one and only brother's 29th birthday.

Earlier that day, I had been preparing 'tres leches' cake for a dinner party on Saturday & had some left over batter. I know Chris isn't really head-over-heels for cake like me, but EVERYONE must have cake on their birthday...it's a law...punishable by a very disappointing birthday. So I felt a DUTY to the Birthday Constitution & my brother to have some candles a'flame and ready to be wished upon.

Tres Leches for anyone who doesn't know is cake originating from Cuba made of 3 milks...and it is sooo good, no lie. I didn't go overboard. Just a dozen tiny cupcakes with a lil fluff on the top. I wasn't sure what to get him for gift and then a brilliant idea swooped over my thoughts in the form of a GUN.

You see him and my dad have taken up a new hobby...guns. The shooting ranges, shooting at friend's ranches, gun shows. I've found them inside at the 'dining-room' table mind you...cleaning their pistols and rifles. I like shooting don't get me wrong...but it's a little different when there are cartridges & parts laid out where I eat my cereal. So naturally...I thought...cake and bullets...perfect. That totally screams Happy Birthday brother from the bottom of my heart.

So I went to Walmart and purchased the last box of 40 gauge bullets for Chris's pistol...they must be popular with the Rowlett crowd. I strayed up to the gun counter where the cashier was talking to a manly customer about how many of what animal or bird he shot. Going through the list of poor unfortunate animal souls as easily as checking off a grocery list. I said with a box of candles & birthday card in hand, "Yes, I need a box of 40 gauge Full-Metal Jacket bullets please." I wonder what those two characters said about me after I left with my box of bullets. Either 'she doesn't know what she's buying...or even more scary...she knows exactly what she's buying." But no worries gentleman. I'm a baker & we aren't violent people.

 I made the perfect bday present for a guy. Cake and Bullets. The best combination of Sweetness and Danger. I like it....right up my alley. & I think my brother did too. Love you Chris!

Ready. Aim. Fire. Eat.

"Moreover, when God gives a man wealth and possessions, and enables him to enjoy them, to accept his lot and be happy in his work-this is a gift of God. He seldom reflects on the days of his life, because God keeps him occupied with gladness of heart." ~Ecclesiastes 5:19-20

Tonight Christ has been on my heart alot. How he just gave his life for me, so that I could find myself in Him, so that I can walk over the bridge of Jesus Christ and connect and see the Father, God as Christ supports my feet. How undeserving I am to be made perfect through Christ's sacrifice and accepting His selfless act of obedience and love. That any hands should bleed from thorns if they held my heart & felt my mistakes. But God's grace through His son freed me from that mess & keeps changing my heart to reflect His. gzzzz its so awesome. Everyday, He shows me something Everyday.

I guess I just want everyone to know Him, to give Christ a chance, a genuine chance to let him in and see what happens. What do you have to lose? Why is it so hard to fess up to yourself & God what's really been going on in your life and admit that you've made some bad choices..& some really bad choices..we all have...WE ALL HAVE. Why must we feel this need to hang on to all of that hurt, shame, pride & baggage...when God gave us a way out. He sacrificed His son so that Jesus could bare the load for us and we don't have to. I think that sounds like a really good deal if you ask me...an awesome gift that we should AT LEAST ask about it if we are unsure of the legitimacy...to find out the details...at least inquire about the option. I mean whens the last time you really asked someone something that they couldn't prove...but you believed them cause you trusted them or respected them. Well the creator of the universe, the maker of every flower, fish, thunderstorm, vascular muscle, breathing, you & me, the ingredients for chocolate....If He did all that I'm pretty sure we can trust Him with our questions.

Asking Him about his son...this Jesus character people talk about...who is he, should I know him, is he real, will you show me who he is if he is real like people say. If its a sincere question your heart makes...what is the harm in asking God. If you genuinely want the answer from him He will show you. Maybe not in the way or when you want or expect, but if you let him work He will show you the answer.

Here's the deal-Pickle. If you feel bad about the crap you've done or gotten into & you want to be freed from it...you need forgiveness. The only way God sais you can get true complete forgiveness is to accept Jesus's death on the cross as a debt payed. God traded his son for our clean slates. Jesus's death covered our sin. It cancelled out all of it; sin no longer has dominion over us through Christ...thank GOD! And when He rose on the 3rd day after His death guess what...He cancelled out death too. He CONQUERED it.

When we do something wrong, we feel bad...because deep down even if you don't realize it or accept it...we are in a relationship with God our Father and we have hurt him...so that hurts our hearts too...just like any relationship with two people involved. We are separated from Him and the only way to mend that disconnect is the Christ connection. Our soul is yearning and moaning for forgiveness...yet we people keep choosing not to listen or acknowledge that moan, we don't want to give up our baggage...we want to be miserable, smiling in public...but alone in our thoughts and our bedrooms. Perhaps because it's the only thing we know and are used to...but that doesn't make it the best way to live...ya know. Give it up, let someone capable of handling it take care of it. Give it to the Lord & live.

Okay I'm stepping off my soapbox. Just got really stirred up tonight and my heart hurt for people that are hurting. I don't like it I tell you...I just don't like it!

Goodnight and if I know you, I love ya...and if I don't...well I love ya anyway cause God loves ya, so you must be okay in my book ;)

~Ash


"Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you."
--Matthew 7:7

"I tell you he truth, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be condemned; he has crossed over from death to life." --John 5:24

 I made the cupcakes and cakepops in advance and the girls came over early for their goth-makeover. The fan kept blowing on Johnna's fake eyelashes, I was running around trying to match wigs to outfits, Jen was painting her fingernails black, and Missy was putting on green...yes green lipstick. We were ready!

We arrived at the shop (Providence Place Bridal Boutique...check them out at http://www.purelyprovidential.blogspot.com/  to set up all the props that I had purchased from Walmart in their BOO-Tique....lots of cool stuff yall and cheap! So the girls were batting their eyelashes, smiling for the camera & smelling the cupcakes. Literally...sniffing them. We hadn't eaten dinner yet, so the smell of icing was too much for us to handle. During the shoot our stomachs would rudely interupt with a "rraoorahharaaa"....growling one by one. The models  asked if we were going to get to eat the cupcakes when it was over. I was scared to turn my back for too long in fear that my main Props would be EATIN! haha.

"I DO" Tres Leches Cake

Here are the main ingredients for the cake, i'd give you the recipe, but now why would I go and do that ;)

So sugar, flour, vanilla, milk, unsalted butter, cream of tarter, baking powder, & lots of eggs and  eggwhites (depending on how dense you want your cake) The more eggs the denser it becomes...but you do want it to be heavier than a normal cake so it will soak up the milk.

Meet Sally<---- She does the mixin for me so I can be mobile in the kitchen. Now when you whip your eggwhites, make sure and mix until stif-peaks are formed. Kinda looks like Shaving Cream! I remember th first time I did this at a bakery I used to work at. I was amazed that cracked eggs could change in to such a drastic consistency...actually it kinda wierded me out, I'm no gonna lie. After the magical transformation happens FOLD the eggwhites into the batter, don't over stir...the eggwhites makes the cake fluffy. I like the word fluffy...so anythng fluffy is an ace to me. K, PoP that baby into the oven at 350 degrees until its done. I never trust the 'minutes' people tell you to leave your cakes in. Every oven & batter is different...just like us! So be patient and wait till it feels kinda bouncy and spongy (such fun words this cake has associated with it.)

 

 

Now the good stuff, the main attraction...put your hands together FOR....the Three Milks. "Yay, alright, whoo hoo, check them out." as the audience goes wild. Okay enough. Stir together Evaporated Milk, Whipping Cream, and Sweetened Condensd Milk.Once your cake is out of the oven, go watch an episode on Food Network b/c it's going to take a while to cool down. Okay now that Rachel Ray's 30 minute Meals is over...go poke holes with a fork all over the cake, get out that aggression. Pour about half of the Trio Milk mixuture over the cake until it soak it up. Let it sit over night in the fridge if you want it extra good.

 

To serve pour the remaining milk on a cute vintage dish, plop a peice of cake, use a glob of whipped cream to top it and drizzle some homemade carmel syrup And VeLa TRES LECHES CAKE ready for tasting. I use a spoon to eat mine, so I can scoop all the milky goodness up.

The crowd at the party seemed to enjoy it. CONGRATS you two crazy lovebirds! Later that night Monica asked me to be bridesmaid for the wedding. My first time to be one and it's at my brother & best friends wedding, what an honor & blessing. Wonder what the dress is going to look like?

 

 

Have a SWEET day & be filled with His sweet spirit.

Tonight I had a special request from a good friend...Miss Johnna. She's a 2nd grade teacher in Quinland & she is also one of the most loving & beautiful people I know, inside & out. Her school is having a fundraiser bake-sale tomorrow and she asked me last week if I would make something for it. So I thought...little kids...bright color and flowers. I got home from work & busted those things out super quick tonight...lightening-fast-speed...you know like Superman...Superwoman that is! I impressed myself. Strawberry & White Cake with Vanilla ButterCream.

My last job was teaching pre-schoolers Art at the Nature & Science Museum, and I would bring my kids cupcakes for their parties. Dang little kids love icing. They would eat the Icing first...Lick it off actually...and then the cake. They'd have pink & blue stains all over their face & fingers. Mind you they are 3 & 4 so to eat all that icing is a sugarrush...bouncing off the walls....wired...not an ounce of shut eye...kiddo in the making. I'm sure their parents were thrilled with me. Anyways, here are the cupcakes for the fundraiser. 

So my first day officially in the Kitchen was last Wednesday. I was making gold, brown, & fuschia cupcakes for a wedding shower. They were chocolate flavor filled with a chocolate ganache and topped with chocolate buttercream.  I had some other cakes to bake, so while that was happening, I was busy decorating with fondant. I filled them, iced them, & then covered them with colored fondant.

The day went pretty good except that my Ipod died & I had no music. Just my thoughts to entertain myself. I boxed up the cupcakes & brought them back to the house to wrap them in ribbon. I also found these cute stamps that I've been using on my boxes to give it an extra personal touch.

 

I delivered them to Margie, my first order along with a stack of business cards. My first real order under Icing & Aprons under my apron belt. Wow, I thought I'd never get to this point.

 
I remember walking with my Mom really down & upset, and just so ready to get started with this business. She got real firm with me & said Ashley, I haven't been seeing you do anything to further the process. There's all these things you could be doing and your not doing it. I got really defensive & went on a whole spill about how I can't do anything until I get to this 'other' point...I can't imagine in yet. I need to SEE it. 

Well the reason I couldn't imagine how to get to the bigger steps was because I had paused on taking the little ones. I got my butt in gear and made an appointment with a business counselour that week. I made a list and started checking it off...and the more I accomplished the more God unveiled my vision to the big picture & things started to flow together. Just takes those initial first steps of faith then you start speaking & understanding God's language.


And here I am in the kitchen, delivering my first order, & looking back thinking wow I knew it was possible, I knew it was going to happen after all those years of waiting & wondering WHEN....the 'when' happens as you walk in faith...and there you will be, standing right in the middle of WH----(ME!)----EN!

Thanks Mom for being tough with me and asking me the hard questions...you know that I need to be challenged constantly. You told me the truth...that I needed to stop making excuses and feeling sorry for myself & make it happen. If it wasn't for you, I would still be on one of those long walks with you in our neighborhood wondering 'when' everything was going to start rolling. Love you.

Have a sweet day and be filled with His sweet spirit.

~Ash

I just ate dinner with my oldest best friend Jennifer. I've known her since I was 5. She's tall, blond, & gorgeous...and the best part is she doesn't act like it. Humble and so sweet & genuine, so thankful God put her in my life. She will be modeling some of my Halloween cupcakes! I'll be posting pics next week.

We went to Ruby Tuesdays, both got the Mini Trio...but don't be fooled...there is nothing 'mini' about it. After the salad bar run, and the meal I barely had room for dessert. Oh but don't worry, I found some...right next to the burger & cherry tomatoes.

We split the Blondie for two. A Blondie is almost like a brownie, but it has more of a dense sweet flavor like baklava. It was drizzled with caramel sauce with some vanilla ice cream...the kind of ice cream with those ice crystal shavings that dissolve like snowflakes. It was the perfect end to a hilarious night. I shall fill you in one day about our joke of the day...it's "COMING SOON." (only Jen will get that.)

Just got a super cute apron from Anthropologie & talked with the same checkout girl from my last trip. I bet somebody $5.00 that next time she will ask me 'what's up with all the apron buying, freak?' ha You can send me my winnings to my address....a check is fine, make it out to Icing & Aprons. Thanks!