Recap: DIY four dollar cake stands

    Remember that Seinfeld episode, The Frogger, where Elaine is subjected to birthday cake so frequently in the office that she becomes accustomed to her 3pm cake fix? Then she eats a $29,000 piece of royal cake to satisfy this fix?
    Well, I have become this Elaine. I love cake. I love eating it and making variations of cake. I buy a slice or two if it looks good in the Harris Teeter's deli. I have wedding cake and cheesecake in the freezer and we just finished some German Choc that I made last week. I need my cake. And I need to put it on something prettier than a glass dish.

Upgrade!

    I've been using our handmade wedding cake cakestands daily. Sometimes when we are low on cake I put fruit on them. It's just not the same, however.
    Wanna make your own for about five dollars? Ours cost four, and you could be so lucky, but lets throw in that extra dollar just in case your selection is low.
You will need
1. a plate.  I found some really nice round white ones at the Dollar Tree. They were about 11'' dia, and solid white. You may try thrift stores or antique stores if you want to go vintage. But mine was  a dollar.
2. A footed glass, or a candy dish. I found two pedestal dishes at Goodwill for two dollars each. I lucked out and found them at the same time! This is the part where I tell you DIY may not be easy or cheaper, but you have to enjoy the process. Ok? Done. Because it took some time browsing the thrift stores and discount stores when I could just have bout an Anchor Hocking stand for 8 bucks. But I like the challenge.

It's good stuff.

3. Epoxy. I still had some 5 min. epoxy from my woodworking days. I prefer System Three but its kinda pricey if you're just using it for this project. (Let me tell you, though, once you epoxy something, you won't stop). You can get some at Lowes for about 6, which comes in the handy injector.
4. Washable Marker. For marking your center, and four sides to get the placement of the rim right on the center of the plate.
5. Heavy Books. For setting the epoxy.
6. A toothpick, or popsicle stick and cardboard. For spreading the epoxy.


Instead of telling you the how-to, I'll just share this video, making it that much easier:
http://video.about.com/budgetdecorating/DIY-Cake-Stand.htm

(That Julie Edmonds is pretty handy).

So here's ours turned out:
In this pic, the top mini stand came from T.J. Maxx for $6. The bottom stand is handmade, and I have since broken it, so no other pic. No big loss there, right?

Photo by Nick Sanders

 In the photo below, there's another.

Photo by Nick Sanders. (The flutes from here.)

More cake pics because they are pretty. Maxi B's you are my hero.

Photo by Bob Laigo

Photo by Bob Laigo

Spring is herrrrrre

Hey, Ron Raines, guess what we did today?

Maybe some yoga in the park (in a TANK TOP).

Or did we enjoy some froyo (three flavors)

Perhaps some yardwork, a picnic, laundry on the line, and some guitar in the yard?

Yes, Ron, we did all that.

You are right.



and Feast your eyes on another baaad creation by the Mrs.

German Chocolate cake pops. The icing is homemade and from allrecipes. However, I toasted the nuts, (walnuts instead of pecans) and the coconut. And dyed the coconut pink because the birthday girl goes gaga for pink.

with a hole for the stick, the favor boxes from our reception house a pop perfectly.

Suckered

it's true!

Our Valentine's day was pretty awesome. Normally we try not to "celebrate" it, maybe a card or something, but definitely not dinner reservations anywhere. I always thought that was for chumps. Once, I served a table where a dude proposed to his girl on this holiday, and I really had to hold my gag reflex and throw on my best Vaseline-on-teeth smile, when he gave me the ring to put in her flute.

I never had a good one because I had never really been in love. And for all those singles out there who like to boo on St. Valentine, well, sorry, 'cause this day only truly rocks because you're in love. 

It used to suck.

Not anymore.

(Wait it out. There may be hope for you yet.)

Anyway, we treat it like just another day, just a little more special. And when we both work eight hours on a Monday, and have opposite schedules, we made breakfast just that much more special.

With pink belgian waffles

 

And coffee service. Notice our love wall's guest book plates? That's an everyday thang.

We are reminded everyday about love.

I think I just might color all my meals.

Not pictured here, but he enjoyed drinking OJ with a pinky extended.

Breakfast, that's how we keep things spicy.

If only we could do the same for the laundry.

P.s. We actually did get each other small presents. It's kinda fun to give when you totally love that person.

Everyday is the 14th

but...not everyday do we get to remember this song:

and eat treats such as these:

oreo cake pop bouquet

  (will post the how-to later!)

And the long awaited BHLDN line!

 The tiered tulip gown (reminiscent of Tuxedo bedding?) for $2400.

and the Aqueous Colum Dress, $800
we can still dream, right?

Now I gotta go make breakfast for my hubbs. He's pouting as I sit with my back towards him, blogging. Belgian waffles and turkey sausage, coming up.

Something for the rest of us

Shawn likes football.

Leilani likes Glee.

Today everyone can be happy.

Where were my manners?

  I just realized that my Facebook profile pic is one of Shawn and I kissing. Ew. How could I have not realized? It was our wedding day, so we were extra in love.

But to shove our loveyness into the faces of our friends and strangers, so rude.

Sorry. I changed it.

So, we're super in love, everyday. Needs no advertising.

(And I realized I am absent in all of his FB profile pics and got really high-horsey. Kicked him outta mine.)

(And I'll leave the lovey stuff here because you expect it but now ;p)

Food by the Hubbs: Tinola

I've made a Filipino of him.

Truthfully, the credit should go to my mom. She's a much better cook, who inspires Shawn to re-created the dishes she makes for us. In fact, on our last visit, the mister was pretty giddy on the ride down, thinking about all her delicious meals. I mean, I feel kinda bad that I don't feed him like this. Sometimes I don't make enough food, and he gets up after dinner and starts going through the cupboards for snacks.

It took me a while to realize this:
Cooking for two is really cooking for three. Especially if one of those two is a man.

Anyway, last week he made Tinola (Tinolang manok), a soupy dish characterized by its chicken, ginger, and green papaya or chayote. He'd been craving it since he first had it. At first I wouldn't let him make it, since I was going to be at work that day. I told him, You can't make it it without me. It's just not right! For some reason, I felt like there had to be a Filipino present? I don't know? Weird, right?

Then I realized how sweet it was that he loves the food of my peeps. And that it's just food.

So he made it. It was delicious. (Not as good as mommy's.)The ginger makes it an excellent choice if you're nursing a cold.

Her recipe is our secret but you can try this book:

The Philippine Cookbook, page 73.                                             Get it on Amazon here.

Queen of wasting time.

Well, instead of doing laundry and writing my self- evaluation for work on my day off, I changed this blog's colors several times. Good thing we don't have cable. I'd never leave the couch. 

Springy, eh?

But, if you're reading this, then it wasn't a waste!

Ahem, Queen of Self-Manipulation!

Don't give 'em any ideas.

Last week he tried to wake me up when I wanted to sleep in. 

Me: Leave me alone. I am not your toy.

I am grumpy in the mornings.

He: Yes, you are! You're my toy!

He has been calling me his toy for about a week.
If he weren't so dang cute and good to me, I'd be offended.