Cookies, Cupcakes, and Cardio

Step by step homemade baking recipes

  • Home
  • Baking Bucket List
  • Recipes
    • Converting to Metric
  • About Me
    • What I Love to Love
    • Privacy Policy
    • Contact
  • Cookbook
  • Cakes
  • Cardio
    • Weights
    • Running
    • Spinning
    • Hiking
  • Cookies
  • Cupcakes
  • Tutorials
    • Videos
  • Other Baked Goodies
    • Holiday Baking
  • Randomness
    • What I’m Reading
    • The Beginning
    • Fortunate Fridays

Fortunate Friday- Ode to Valentine’s Day Cakes and Cupcakes

February 20, 2012 by Jenn

Valentine’s day has come and gone . . . once again!  And I next year, I’m taking the day off so I can focus on our orders and clients!  We are so FORTUNATE to have had so many people want to include us in their need to send their loved one something SWEET!   My Fortunate Friday post is dedicated to all of you <3

I have posted some of our cupcake ideas and corresponding YouTube videos but here is a run down on them if you want to review . . . Heart Shaped Valentine’s Day Cake,  Heart Shaped Cupcakes for Valentine’s Day Video, How to Make Valentine’s Day Cupcakes- Video.

 

[Read more…]

PinterestShare
Filed Under: Cakes, Fortunate Fridays, Holiday Baking Tagged With: buttercream covered cakes, cake, cakes cranbrook, Cranbrook, cranbrook cakes, fondant, jj's custom cakery, valentine's, valentine's day, valentine's day cake, valentine's day ideas

Fortunate Friday-Top 5 Cake Decorating Tools

December 16, 2011 by Jenn

I haven’t done a Fortunate Friday post in quite some time and since I’m fully immersed up to my elbows in the cake world lately, I thought I would make my Fortunate Friday about all of the CAKE DECORATING TOOLS that I find helpful. . . and of course, we can’t forget the cupcakes!

Before I jump into the Cake Decorating Tools that make caking easier, I HAVE to thank Paul for the early Christmas present!  You might have noticed the blog got a makeover!  Isn’t it pretty!?  I love it . . . thanks P!  I’m so fortunate to have him <3

5 Cake Decorating Tools

1. Edible Ink Printer–  This has been a tool that has come in extremely helpful.  It allows the cake decorator to print pretty much ANY image onto edible paper, and place it on top of a cake or even cupcakes!

We currently use a Cannon MP640 to do our edible prints.  What’s important to remember is to make sure that you do not ever put non-edible ink into the machine.  The first ink that runs through the machine, must be edible ink. 

Edible Inks are a specially formulated food coloring mixture for printing onto icing sheets. The colors are matched with regular inks, then modified to hold their coloring better on the icing sheets.

We get our edible ink and edible paper from Icing Images. 

We have a step by step guide for you to watch on YouTube as well.  Check it out here. 

[Read more…]

PinterestShare
Filed Under: Cakes, Fortunate Fridays, Randomness Tagged With: cake decorating, cake decorating tools, Cricut Cake, decorating, edible image, edible image cake, edible ink, edible printer, fondant, gumpaste tools, tools

Fortunate Friday

September 2, 2011 by Jenn

Awhh shucks.  It’s the end of summer . . . technically, there are three more weeks, but for all kids and teachers, it’s BACK TO SCHOOL TIME!

On that note, I should start with the most important piece of fortune . . . I am fortunate for my teaching career!  It is the best job (next to caking of course) that anyone can have, and I love my little kindergarteners.  I’m looking forward to a new batch of kids coming in with excitement (from the kids) and trepidation and tears (from parents).

What I'm most fortunate for.

On a lighter note, this week Paul decided to fix up his Mom’s car that has been sitting in her driveway since a group of teenagers (hellions) filled the gas tank with sugar.  Clearly they had no idea how expensive sugar is!  So, I got to be the wrenching wench, and had to help him lower the gas tank so he could clean the sugar out, but while we were under the car, and Paul was pulling the jack out from supporting the tank (don’t I sound like I know what I’m talking about?) he realized that there was too much gas still in the tank and it would be too heavy for the two of us to lower on our own.  What to do?  Syphon!  Disgusting.

I didn’t think that he was actually going to do it, but, up went the hose to his mouth, then came the sucking . . . and then the disgusting mouthful of gas-spit that came bursting out of his mouth when the gas finally came down the hose.

Moral of the story: I am fortunate that I have a gas sucking boyfriend which means I will never have to do that in my life.  Ever. I swear.  It was THAT disgusting!

Vanilla cake, filled with Bavarian Creme, topped with Chocolate Ganache

I am fortunate for this cake.  SO delicious.  Not that I ate it, as I sold it at the Market, but I just knew.  I knew it was good.  So good, that I HAD to sell it, or I would have eaten the whole thing.

PinterestShare
Filed Under: Fortunate Fridays

Fortunate Friday

August 27, 2011 by Jenn

Are there any Big Brother fans out there?  I admit it.  I watch it.  I LOVE it!  Love to hate it, too.  ***Spoiler alert***  I can’t believe that they (Kalia) voted to keep Rachel, and voted out Jeff!!  WTF?  If you don’t watch it, you don’t get it.  I totally understand that though.  My eyes tend to gloss over when people start talking about The Bachelor, or The Bachelorette.  I can’t bring myself to watch these people “searching” for undying love . . . yet, I love to watch the ongoings of a bunch of weirdos locked in a house together!  From this bit of useless information, I have to say, I am fortunate, that a) I’m not locked in a house with Rachel, and b) I’m not searching for love on a TV show.

I am fortunate that I got posts out this week! You may think that that is not a big deal, BUT it was really weighing over me that I hadn’t had enough time to post in the last couple of weeks, and finally, I found the time (made the time). I think that I finally may be getting the hand of this “owning your own business” thing.  I am VERY fortunate for that!

I am fortunate for this recipe for Garden Zucchini Pizza Casserole I found on Brown Eyed Baker.  It made for a delicious dinner tonight.  Yummy AND healthy (I’m blocking out the cheese in my mind)!  Who could ask for anything more?  Well, Paul would say “Meat!”.  The original recipe calls for meat, but I didn’t have any in my freezer, so I opted for the vegetarian version.  Still good.

I am fortunate for this week’s TWO markets!  It is so fabulous to get out into the public and to be a part of such a great community.  Thank you to everyone that is close enough to come down to the market, support us (JJ’s Custom Cakery) and a special thank you goes out to the people who let me know they’re reading my blog!  Whoop!  Thank you, thank you.

Have a great weekend everyone . . . this little piggy is heading to the market . . . and to a dog’s birthday party on Sunday!  What are YOU doing?

PinterestShare
Filed Under: Fortunate Fridays

Super Late Saturday…Also Know as Fortunate Friday!

August 22, 2011 by Jenn

I haven’t been able to post all week (or even have any scheduled posts run) but I was determined to get something out before the week is over!  So I know it’s not friday, it’s Saturday night in B.C. well, it’s so late, it’s basically Sunday morning, but just ignore this fact.

I had a lot of goings on this week!  We kicked out a mere 400 cupcakes this week.  I know, pathetic right?  Bahahaha!  CRAZY!!  We are so busy and so lucky and so fortunate!  Thank you to every single person who orders a cupcake, a cake, a cookie, a crumb from us . . . we appreciate every single person that does.

I am also very fortunate this week for all of the helpers that we had in order to get the 400 cupcakes baked, iced, decorated and out the door!  Oh yes, and there was also a wedding cake in there somewhere!

This week was also a special week because a very special cousin of mine (the youngest cousin I have) is having her Sweet Sixteenth birthday.  Months ago, I promised her that I would take her to her favourite singer, Taylor Swift’s, concert in Edmonton.  But, now that the bakery is in full swing, I had no idea how I was going to deal with the eight hour drive, there and back, just for the one night.  My uncle, knowing this, totally bailed me out and flew me to Calgary.  I still had to drive to Edmonton and back, but I had Leah with me for company.  I was super appreciative of this!  Leah and I busted out T Swift songs the whole way there and back.  Lots of fun . . . especially when you’re 16!  Or 32.

INSERT SLEEP HERE

So now it is Sunday….this post keeps taking longer and longer!  But I’m determined to get it done!

Today Paul and I went out and went on a hike…that I will post about later…and despite our late start, it was great to get out!  I’m going to be sore tomorrow, but it lets me know that I worked hard physically!  There’s nothing like those endorphins.

Tonight, I am working on posts for the week . . . I have about 100 pictures to go through and edit for posts . . . until then . . . happy baking!

PinterestShare
Filed Under: Fortunate Fridays

Fortunate Friday

July 23, 2011 by Jenn

You know how it feels when you’re really tired, and you just want to head to your bed, get tucked in, and fall into lala land?  I’m there.  Right now.  Except . . . my day is not yet finished!  I have a printer head to unclog so we can get our last cake of the day ready for pick up in the morning.  I’m taking a break in front of my computer . . . mostly just so I can sit down.  Something I haven’t done today.  My poor poor feet!

I am fortunate to have an amazing lady to go to for pedicures!  Thank you Sarah!  I love the bright yellow sunshine toes 🙂

This week, I feel fortunate for the opportunity I have had to reconnect with some of my close friends.  Geographically, we all live in the same area, but due to our hectic schedules . . . a baby, a marriage, a business, we haven’t been able to chat like old times.  I am also fortunate for NEW friends . . . thanks for lunch Karen!

Now . . . into the meat (that was all fluffy) of this post:

I’m a teacher.  I have summers off . . . that was until the entrepreneur bug became nestled in my bonnet!

I am fortunate that I have the luxury of being able to pursue a “hobby” and turn it into a business, while working during my “vacation”.  I’m not complaining, seriously!  I love caking, but I’m not going to sugar coat it (haha) it is incredibly HARD being your own boss.  I used to say “I wish I was the boss of . . . (whatever I was currently involved with)”  but once YOU are the boss, there is no one to tell you what to do.  Think about that.  NO ONE.  Except YOU.  YOU have to figure out everything, solve all the problems, look to the future, make all the adjustments and pave the road ahead.

I am fortunate to have this “problem.”

What makes it worth it?  The excitement from the people when they get the perfect cake, the prettiest cupcakes, the tastiest treats!  Today, I had the fortune of dropping off FREE cupcakes to our contest winners that follow JJ’s Custom Cakery on Facebook (here).

I had woken up this morning, tired, with a million things to do, and doing the deliveries was something that I was not looking forward to.  I had a wedding to do, a huge edible image cake, and 200 cupcakes for the market to get ready!

Before I had even walked into the office where the delivery was for, I could see these two young women clapping through the glass doors. . . and it totally brightened my day!  I couldn’t do anything BUT smile (Yes, me, smile. I did.).

I wish I had done my hair for the occasion.

They were SO HAPPY to be getting JJ’s cupcakes, and you know what?  I remembered I was so HAPPY to be making and giving them.  Thank you KPI ladies for making my day today.   They told me that they read the blog, which is a HUGE deal to me, as I can never tell if anyone is really reading, unless they comment on my nonsense.  Nikki (happy young woman) and her friend (sorry friend, I didn’t get your name) have started their own blog, so obviously we will be BFF’s for life.  It’s all about salty and sweet things!!   Yum!  Good luck with the blog ladies, link to me, and thank you for making my day such a positive one.

I’m headed to bed, as soon as the printer ink head unclogs itself!  Have a great weekend everyone . . . this little piggy is off to the market in the morning.

PinterestShare
Filed Under: Fortunate Fridays

Fortunate Friday

July 1, 2011 by Jenn

I’m WAY behind on my Fortunate Friday’s!  It’s not that I haven’t been fortunate, it’s just that life has gotten in the way.

Excuses, excuses, I know.  I’m really good at excuses.  It’s my forte.

“It’s too cold out.”

“It’s too hot out.”

“I’m too tired” (no, not THAT kind of too tired!)

“I don’t have time right now.”

“I’m too busy.”

And I could go on, and on.  If you don’t believe me, just ask Paul.

Now that I have thought all about the many reasons why I don’t have time to do this post, the most important thing that I am missing, is I LOVE MY BLOG!  And no matter what time it is, where I am, or what the weather is doing, I LOVE to write.

I am fortunate that I love to write, and that it keeps me coming back for more 🙂  I have always loved to write, and often found it a source of comfort, especially in those dreadful teenage years.  I went back and tried to read some of the journals that I wrote way back when, but they were so embarrassing!  Filled with teenage angst, and drama, hopes and dreams.  Um, not much different from now, but replace “teenage” with “thirty’s”.

I am fortunate that I discovered the Hunger Games trilogy!  I’m onto audiobook #2, Catching Fire, and love it!  I turn it up really loud so I can hear it being read over the hum of my KitchenAid, and it sounds like I’m with someone and that we’re arguing!   Have you read anything really good lately?

I am fortunate to officially be on summer holidays!  Whoop!  As a teacher (by day), we work hard for 10 months of the year, and recuperate for the other two (without pay, I might add).  Some say that we have an easy, cushy job, summers off, and long breaks, but I invite you into my classroom, to spend 10 minutes there, and see YOU do it!  It’s way harder than it looks.  Teaching take endless patience, adaptability, confidence, kindness, empathy, and most of all, a love and respect for the kids.  I had a fabulous group of kids this year (including the one who peed in the middle of the school field), and I am truly going to miss them.  I’ve only said that twice in my career- my very first class of Grade Ones (who are now going into Grade SEVEN!) and to the kids this year.   I must mean it or something!

We have really had some good things happen this week with the Cakery.  I am fortunate and thankful for all of those events.  More info will come later…but now, it will bore you.

I am fortunate for these people’s genes . . .

Are they not the most beautiful people?  Inside and out.  By the way . . . I’m calling Mom, Steve, you stole the good looking genes in the family!   xoxo

I can’t leave a Canada day post without sending out a Happy Canada Day!  There are many things that I don’t agree with in this country, but we live freely (mostly…it would be really nice if we didn’t have to charge tax on cupcakes!), we are free to speak our minds (and write it in a blog) and we are free to associate in ways that fit ourselves (especially in Vancouver . . . riot much?).

Happy LONG weekend everyone . . . do you have plans?  What are YOU fortunate for?

PinterestShare
Filed Under: Fortunate Fridays

Fortunate Friday

June 17, 2011 by Jenn

This weekend we are making our official public debut in Cranbrook! So fortunate, fortunate, fortunate!

We will be at the Taste of Cranbrook all day Saturday, June 18. Every third weekend in June, our little city of Cranbrook celebrates Sam Steele Days! It’s like a small version of the Calgary Stampede. But, without the chuck wagon races, bull riding, calf roping, horse races, fair rides, and millions of people. Basically, it’s nothing like the Calgary Stampede.

But, Cranbrook’s ole Sam Steele Days, DOES have World Gym’s Strongman competition (shout out to the fellow employees at WG!), fair FOOD (come to our booth!), a PARADE that still throws out candy, a KIDS parade where kids get to dress up themselves and their bikes, a Wiener Dog race (WTF?), and the adult favourite of the events . . . beer gardens!! Many good times have been had at those beer gardens back in the day by this girl . . . can’t recall much of it, but I know it was FUN!

I can’t wait to see the people and see the other vendors on Saturday! Next weekend (June 25 . . . Happy Birthday Bestest) we will be at the first Cranbrook Farmers Market of the 2011 Season! Whoot!

And in other news . . .

I am fortunate to live near to a bird sanctuary called Elizabeth Lake.  These are some of the shots that Paul and I took when we were out one evening this week for a walk along the water.  I felt like singing “Oh Canada” while we were handing out with these stunning Canadian Geese.  Don’t you think the look very regal?  I even saw a muskrat!  I had no idea what one was . . . it looks like a cross between a wet rat and a beaver.

What are YOU looking at?

Any bird lovers know which kind of bird this one is?

I think I might be slowly starting to enjoy birds . . . they are not off my hated list just yet though.  It will take MANY more walks through the sanctuary in order to erase the damage of the chicken coop as a child.

Amanda, Kristy (aka Bestest), Christy, Kristen, Me, Jill

I am also so very fortunate for my girls . . . we missed you Kimmie.  Mwah!  This was taken at my friend Kristen’s bridal shower last weekend.

PinterestShare
Filed Under: Fortunate Fridays Tagged With: Cranbrook, sam steele days
Next Page »

Happiness is Homemade

Join Me On:






Subscribe

Tags

baking birthday birthday cake birthday cakes buttercream cake cake decorating cake design cake pops cake recipe cake recipes cakes cakes cranbrook candy candy cake chocolate chocolate cake Christmas cookies Cookies Cupcakes and Cardio Cranbrook cranbrook cakes cupcake cupcakes Cupcakes and Cardio dessert easter fondant Halloween homemade how-to how to make how to make cake Icing jenn johns jj's custom cakery No Bake peanut butter rainbow Rainbow cake recipe surprise inside surprise inside cake valentine's day wedding cake

Site Stuff

  • RSS Feed Sign-Up
  • Privacy Policy

Return to top of page

Cookies, Cupcakes, and Cardio© 2023 • Design by Simply Chic Blog Boutique