A Year of Amazing Cakes!

So far, my friends and I have had a lot to celebrate this year.  Unfortunately, Dax didn't get a cake on her birthday 'cause she was super-sick, so we'll be celebrating her half birthday in August! :)

My birthday cake this year was pretty awesome, though!

That's right... my friends call me Ma'am, and this year

I was wished a "Happy Bunny Birthday!" :)

Our friend, Sadie, had a baby shower last week and she was presented with an amazing cake by her husband Warrior!  It was done by "Cakes by Design Edible Art" in the Boston area.  Check out the little foot poking the pregnant tummy! Dax and I helped plan the shower.  She came up with the idea to get a "belly cake" and I came up with the idea to make it a little more flirty than the traditional matronly cake.  Warrior took care of the rest! :)

And yesterday, Fluffy celebrated a special anniversary all his own.  Fuzz told the bakers to "go crazy with color" and have "something kitty themed."  This is what we got back -- and everyone loved it!

Do keep in mind: this is a cake for a 39-year-old MAN.  LOL!

We aren't even close to being done celebrating this year -- in fact, we still have another 6 months of 2013 and we're still going strong!  I can't wait to see what we decide to come up with next. :)

Our Elegant Spa Party

Some friends and I have recently begun to host a monthly get-together where we all use our talents for the enjoyment of our guests (and their friends).  Between us, we have an asthetician who does waxing and other spa treatments, a hair stylist who does awesome cutting, a professional masseuse who's always very in demand, and a professional psychic (that's me!).  Since the spa and hair specialists are next door neighbors, we use their apartments and just keep the door open between the two of them.

I haven't made a lot of money at this gig, but it sure has been fun!  Since two of the ladies are hosting (and have to get everything ready), I've been given the honorary chef's hat.  Last month, I made stuffed mushrooms and a veggie sushi platter (which, unfortunately, I got nooooo good pictures of!), along with some luscious fruit skewers of strawberry, papaya, and kiwi.  But this month I really wanted to do something elegant.

My savory dish was mini-quiche in two flavors: Lorraine and Florentine.  They were very easy to do, and lent a very "elegant teatime" vibe to my vintage goodies tray.  (I used a Bisquick recipe, though substituted Jiffy mix; worked great!)  For the fruit portion of the spread, I decided to make parfaits with a fruit dip which was once said to "drive everyone mad with lust!"  I ordered plastic wine cups from Oriental Trading Company and they made wonderful little parfait glasses.

We also had some simple cheese and crackers -- some nice pepper jack and yummy Babybels paired with the most scrumptious rosemary crackers I've ever tasted.  Carr's rosemary crackers are amazing; if you haven't had 'em yet -- definitely pick some up the next time you get a cracker craving!  Another party guest brought some pineapple platters featuring a stunning array of fresh tasty crudites with two kinds of hummus.  My favorite is the garlic lover's, YUM! :)

All in all, it was a really fun afternoon!  If you live in the Boston area and want to be invited, feel free to let me know.  Our website is at http://www.DawnSoul.com and we always have room for another friend. :)

February's Body & Soul Party

My friends and I decided to throw a party this month!  We called it the Body & Soul Party, and invited ladies who needed some extra pampering.  Each of us had a skill -- between us, there was an esthetician, a professional stylist, a licensed masseuse, and me -- a professional psychic and gourmet cook!  I can make more than disco fries and choochacheechachoo, you know. ;)

We all used our talents to create a night of home-spun luxury, style, and general fabulousness.  The services offered ran the gamut from professional facials and waxing, to hair-cutting and styling, to spa-quality massages, to real psychic readings.  The party ended with all our guests feeling a little more pretty and/or handsome, as well as relaxed and rejuvenated.  A great time was had by all!

My biggest regret is that I failed to get pictures of my food platters!  I made stuffed mushrooms with lemon-herb filling, vegetable nigiri sushi, and fruit salad skewers with a myriad yummy things.  The rice could have been cooked a little better, but overall I'm pretty pleased with my cooking efforts.  We're already dreaming up new ideas for next month's B&S party, and I'm planning my next menu.

If you're in the New England area and you are interested in attending, feel free to visit our website at www.DawnSoul.com :)