At Last... A GIVEAWAY!

Be sure to check back on Monday (eat your turkey, shop on black Friday) for a "Just in time for Christmas shopping for the in-laws" giveaway from See Jack Draw!

Christmas is Coming

Yes, yes, I know, it's not even Thanksgiving yet, but aren't you feeling the pressure? The decorating, the shopping, the entertaining... ahhhhhh! It's enough to make any Martha wanna-be scream.

What I've been thinking about lately, is what our family Christmas card will look like this year. Being a graphic designer and a fairly decent photographer (meaning I know how to use photoshop), I think there is some expectation that it really be a winner. I've got to hit it out of the park. It must be one for the books.

etc. you get the picture.

And to top it off, the past two Christmas cards have been pretty funny (if I do say so myself). Do I do a funny card again? Should I go traditional? Help me! I can't figure out my Christmas card!

Barnes Family 2006 (note my 2 dimensional husband)

Barnes Family 2007 (click to view this one a little closer, do you see me in this picture?)

Holiday Gift Guide

Thanks to Amy, over at Mom Spark! She has put together an extensive list of business owners, creators and inventors into one big Holiday Gift Guide. Take a look and see if you can find someone you know.

Dinner Party

yup, these are my cream puffs... yummy, huh?

I'm having the girls over for "Dinner Club" tonight, and I have to admit, I'm a bit nervous. I am not a cook.

Last month, we ate grilled shrimp and scallops with cantaloupe and black bean salsa at Brenda's. I am feeling the pressure.

If I can't wow them with dinner (how about sliders with grilled onions, sweet potato fries and salad?), then I'll wow them with what I can do… homemade Cream Puffs!

Thoughts?

School Carnival ~ Cake Walk

Last Friday, my daughter's school held their annual Carnival. One of the activities scheduled was a cake walk. One of my own fondest childhood memories, is of the Cake Walk from my grammar school carnival. You can imagine how quickly I jumped at the chance to make cakes.

From deep in the unused-pan-cabinet in my kitchen I found an unused mini-bundt cake pan that was probably a wedding gift. Who knew it would finally come in handy more than 13 years later? Smart and Final supplied the box-o-cake mix (sorry, I just couldn't do from scratch this time) I did make frosting myself and used yellow and orange sprinkles from Surfas.

How did I come up with this fantastic packaging you ask? Some small colorful paper plates (which were cut into smaller circles), curling ribbon and celo bags from Alin party supply.

How many did we end up with? Well, 36 was all we could manage, but it was enough for the Carnival. The Cake Walk made a good amount of money (to send our 8th graders to Washington D.C.) but more importantly the families had such a good time!

Desperately Seeking Cake?

Are you living in the Pleasant Hill, California area and in need of an AWESOME cake? Then look no further. My step-sister Maura Houston (also a graphic designer) has recently decided to broaden her horizons and branch out into cake making. Using her existing creative genius, she can make pretty much make anything you can dream up - including shaped cookies and themed cupcakes.

Just check out these recent baked goods she has produced...









Her website is still under construction, mostly because she is so busy making cake, so try her at: maura@persnicketycakes.com... your wish is her command.

Me on Mom Spark?

Look out people! Just when you least expect it... there I am.