It’s Friday!  T. G. I. F.  Whoop.  I had a great week this week . . . worked two days, had a day off, worked one day, then worked a second with no students!  Who could ask for a better job?  Fabulous.

This week’s update:

I am fortunate for all of the friends that ordered Valentine’s themed cupcakes from Jenn’s Custom Cakery!  It was a huge success, I received great positive feedback . . . on all 16 dozen!  Well, that’s not true . . . I did not personally receive a thumbs up on 16 dozen.  You know what I mean 🙂

I’m fortunate for my first wedding cake order!  Thank you Nicole and David for having the confidence in me to put your faith in my baking skills.  I will not disappoint!  It’s going to be a three-tiered, three flavoured buttercream coated square cake with hydrangea flowers cascading down the side.  Yummy and beautiful!

I am fortunate that in this “One Horse Town” of Cranbrook, I managed to find candy sticks for cake pops, and a new decorating tip!  Yes, I am simply happy these days.

I am fortunate to have the opportunity this weekend to attend my first farmers market . . . as a vendor!  I’m taking 10 dozen cupcakes, cake balls, and icing shots with me.  Hopefully it all goes well!

Thanks for reading!  What are YOU fortunate for?

This week is easy!

I am so fortunate for friends that have made the opening of my unofficial bakery officially a success!  With four birthday cakes coming up, and dozens and dozens of cupcakes, I’m going to be a busy baker!

Thank you, thank you, thank you everyone.

If you are interested in placing an order, please let me know.  I will be posting a cupcake menu, and order form soon!

This week was an incredibly busy, but awesome week for me!

I started off the week spinning on Monday, hosted a “cleaning” party on Tuesday, then got my cake-on Wednesday and Thursday night, and finally headed off for a weekend of meetings in Vancouver.

My cake classes were awesome this week!  I’m so glad that I signed up.  I’m learning tons and having fun.  I decorated my first official cake, and made my first royal icing flowers.  I have a sore wrist and forearm.  Perhaps my icing was too thick last night?  Duh.  Rookie.

I’m fortunate for the genes that my 96 Grandma is passing me.  I got to visit her one day this week at lunch, and she’s still thriving.  I think I helped this out with her FOUR XL double-doubles (that’s coffee with two creams and two sugar) that I brought her!

I am fortunate for the existence of Vancouver.  How I love this city . . . and yes, I’m there now.  Such a beautiful city full of opportunity . . . and shopping . . . and good eats . . .

I’m most fortunate this week for the week I got to spend with Ruby.  As I was housesitting at my parents (they’re visiting baby Elsa) I got to hangout with Ruby (when I wasn’t busy!).  She is the best friend.

I am also fortunate for my dSLR camera, thanks AGAIN Paul. . . that I’m still learning how to operate.  Each day, I’m learning something new with it.

Here are some pics from this week.

Night Photography: Orion Constellation

Watch out! Here she comes. Left Paul in her dust.

Learning natural light and macro

I hope you had yourself a great week!  Let me know 🙂

Today my parents left to head to Minneapolis to see their new Granddaughter.  I am incredibly happy for their happiness.

I don’t think my mom has ever been this happy!

And my dad too of course, but he’s a man.   They don’t show those emotions 😉

I hope that the family, minus me, has a great time together.

I’m at home (had to move into my parents to look after that Pug of mine), looking after Grandma (real, 96 year old Grandma, not 63 year old Grandma).  I have a very busy week ahead: teaching spinning, hosting a party on a school night (**gasp**), and my cake classes on Wednesday and Thursday, and Thursday night, I’m off to Vancouver!   Oh how I love thee, Vancouver!

I’m fortunate that my family’s happiness is surrounding baby Elsa.

I’m fortunate that my parents are able to be a part of my baby brother’s first weeks of parenting.  I imagine that as a parent, it would be pretty amazing to see your child, have a child.

I have to stop.  I’m getting teary.

I’m fortunate to have such a great family.

Here’s one that’s not emotional:  I am fortunate that when I lent out my cupcake currier, I got it back!  On time!  Thank you for restoring my faith in people.

What are YOU fortunate for?

Fortunate Friday

I am an AUNTIE!

My brother and sister-in-law had the first grandchild in the family.

I’m pleased to announce that the new addition to our family is a precious little girl named

Elsa Joy

January 13, 2011.

5lbs 10oz

18″ long

I am so so fortunate!  Today of all days.

I am so fortunate my sister-in-law, brother and niece are all doing well.

And in blog news . . . this weekend is going to be a busy one!  Here’s what’s on the menu: Lime Margarita Cookies, Cosmopolitan Cupcakes, a 4 year old girl’s Princess cupcakes, and a 6 year old girl’s (yet to be determined theme) birthday cupcakes!

Friday.  Made it.  Do you know what that means?  NBC’s Dateline with Keith Morrison!  Is anyone else oddly attracted to the sound of his voice?  I find that it is very soothing.  I realize that is a slightly odd comment since he is normally reporting stories about murders, crimes and horrible, horrible things that happen unfairly to innocent people.  But every week, I go immediately to Dateline on my PVR, and I have to watch it!   There’s something about his voice that I find very intriguing . . . ????  Weird.  I realize that.

The first week back at work was a lonnng one.  Yay, it’s over!!!  Truthfully, it was a successful week . . . at least as far as New Year’s Resolutions go.  I actually ate healthy (well, healthier than I had been) and went to the gym four out of five days.

I am fortunate for improving will power.

I am fortunate for cross country skis that we utilized many times over the holidays.  They are helping negate my unhealthy habits!

I am fortunate that my mom and my friend Kelli, who recently had car vs deer, and car vs ice arguments are both still able to read my blog 😉  Seriously, I’m glad you’re both okay.

Have a great weekend everyone!  Watch for Baby Cupcakes and Cookies on Sunday!

Happy New Year’s Eve!

Fortunate Friday

• I am fortunate that my grandma was able to spend Christmas Day with her two sons, and four grandchildren, even at 96!
• I am fortunate that I was able to give presents to those close to me, and had amazing gifts given to me.  Thank you everyone, I was spoiled and am super lucky. xo
• I am fortunate that I have two sweet cousins that are willing to sleep on my couches in order to spend Christmas with me.

Since tonight is New Years Eve, I thought I would take the time to brainstorm things to look forward to in 2011.  I found this idea floating around on various blogs that I stalk/read and I traced it back to reverb10.com, a website that offers prompts for bloggers!  So neat.

Here is the prompt from December 11, 2010: What are 11 things your life doesn’t need in 2011? How will you go about eliminating them? How will getting rid of these 11 things change your life? (Author: Sam Davidson)

Here is my spin on things:

11 Goals for 2011

1. I am not going to gossip.

2. I am going to read (at least) one book a month

3. I need to learn to let go of things that I have no control over. Water off a duck’s back . . .

4. I am going to train to run a distance > 10k.

5. I am going to learn to be more forgiving and patient with others.  They are not me, I am not them.

6. I am going to learn how to work on Cookies, Cupcakes and Cardio while balancing my full time teaching job.

7. I am going to stick with a gym routine that works for me. M/W/F 6:00am+ spinning = gym routine!

8. I am going to learn to be less selfish.  This one is going to be difficult as I’ve been working this way for 32 years!

9.  I am going to learn to work my Sony Alpha 200 DSLR camera and take (amazing) food pictures.

10. I am going to learn how to decorate beautiful cakes.

11. I am going to learn to accept criticism.  Without hating the other person.

Here is a Fortunate Friday post ON TIME . . . some might say it’s early even!  Sure is early in the morning.  Why I am not still sleeping?

Today, I am very fortunate to be enjoying the first hours of Christmas Holidays.  Hours of baking and blogging await me over the next two weeks.

I am thankful to have the job that I do in order to enjoy aforementioned holidays.

I am fortunate to have a healthy family, and healthy friends.  Always said, but always important.  Thinking of you g and j at this difficult time. xo

I am fortunate that I didn’t have a gallbladder attack last night after eating an entire bag of movie theatre popcorn with butter, and white cheddar seasoning.  Phewf . . . got away with one there.  The smell was too tempting and as soon I got there I had to have it!

I am fortunate that there is a Winners <3 in Cranbrook so I can satisfy a bit of my shopping obsession weekly.  This weeks fab grab . . . the Wilton Cake Turn Table I’ve been coveting!  I literally let out a gasp in the aisle when I saw it . . . the lady next to me was like “Freak-o.”  It was exciting ok?  Don’t judge.

Have a great day everyone!