Happy 2nd Birthday Zachary!

Happy birthday to you, happy birthday to you, happy birthday dear Zachary, happy birthday to you!

I cannot believe another year has gone by, and how much Zac has changed!  He's certainly turning into a toddler boy.  Full of energy and fun!

He makes the best monkey noise, so we thought a monkey cake would be a great cake for his second birthday.  And fun to destroy after we've sung to him!

Just hangin' with his birthday monkey cake...

Make a wish!  Great picture of Zachary blowing out his candles with help from his Mommy and Daddy!

Happy Birthday Zac!  XOXO  And Happy Birthday Stephanie!  Zac shares his birthday with his Mommy, how neat is that?

Family Photos with Telltale Photography

I’ve been super lucky to have met some incredibly gifted people thanks to my business. When I started this adventure nearly four years ago I had no idea I would meet people that would become my closest friends. I met Melissa Keeley of Telltale Photography at a bridal show during my second year. Over the years we’ve become closer and closer and I am blessed to call her my friend. Not only is Melissa a super cool gal, but she is also an amazing photographer. And as a lover of dogs, too, she was not shocked when I asked her for this special request.

My family has four crazy dogs. Growing up we always had two dogs, and two was plenty. Until one day my sister, Chelsea, stumbled upon a Wire Fox Terrier at the Capital Area Humane Society, where she worked as a volunteer. As a family dedicated to Fox Terriers, she knew he had to come home to live with us. That was seven years ago. Riley came into our lives and it’s never been the same since. Seriously. Never. 

As a rescued dog, we’ve never known Riley’s true age. Ask my Dad and he’ll tell you Riley is one; just a pup! By the way, Riley is Dad’s pride and joy.

Riley has been battling a disease that paralyzes his spine, starting at his tail and working its way forward until he can no longer walk. He struggles to walk and unfortunately one day we’ll suddenly need to say goodbye to our best friend. Before that happens, we asked Melissa to capture the unique relationship between Dad and Riley.

She shot a few photos of the other crazy doggies, Oliver, Penny and Charlie. Oliver is my sweet boy!

Thank you Melissa. These photos are so special and they will always be treasured. You’ve made my Dad so happy.

If you or someone you know is interested in rescuing a Fox Terrier, please contact Wire Fox Terrier Rescue Great Lakes.  It is a wonderful organization.  Both Riley and Penny were rescued from there and we think very highly of Lynda, who dedicates her life to saving innocent animals. Thank you!

It's a Boy! It's a Girl!

We are always making cakes for happy occasions, and I cannot think of a more suspenseful occasion than finding out the gender of your baby!

For those of you who cannot wait to find out if you are expecting a baby boy or a baby girl, this is the perfect way to find out!  Not only will your cake reveal the gender of your baby, but you get to share this excitement with your family and friends, and you get to indulge in yummy cake!

Jonathan and Kyre brought me an envelope following their ultrasound and inside was the gender of their baby.  They did not know the gender, so it was quite the honor for us to know before the parents!  

We whipped up some baby blue buttercream, filled the bottom tier of their two-tiered cake and then decorated the cake for both a boy and a girl.  When they cut into their cake at their party the color of the buttercream would reveal the gender.  How fun is that?

We also posted a photo on Facebook for a little baby contest.  Jonathan and Kyre participated and made the announcement themselves!  Congratulations again!  What an exciting time for you!

I'm Back!

It has been over a year since I've posted on this blog.  My apologies!  However, I have been blogging, just not posting here.  You can read my blog posts here or on my website, www.apieceocake.com

Enjoy, and welcome back!

Kathleen & Trevor-Mackinac Island Wedding

Kathleen and Trevor were married July 30, 2010 on Mackinac Island.  For those of you not familiar with the island, it is in Northern Michigan.  There are no cars on the island, only horses and bicycles!  It is a popular vacation destination and a place that every Michigander has visited at least once.  It is a great escape from reality.  You arrive to the island by ferry from the mainland and suddenly you are in another world!  A trip to Mackinac is not complete without the purchase of fudge and a bicycle trip around the island.  If you have the chance to visit you really should, it is a truly unique place!

Kathleen and I grew up across the street from each other.  It was so special for us to be able to make the cupcakes for her wedding, as well as be there to see her marry Trevor.  Their wedding was one of the most beautiful I've ever seen.  Thank you Kathleen and Trevor for including us in your wedding!

We expected the delivery of over 100 cupcakes to be a challenge, and actually, it was a piece o' cake!  :-) Here are the pictures to prove it!  We had a wonderful time at their wedding and enjoying the island.

Saint Anne's Catholic Church.  A view of the church where Kathleen and Trevor were married from the water.

Our flag and our beautiful lake!

The ferry.  Our mode of transportation to the island.

Mom and Dad with the precious cargo!  Cupcakes!

  

My date for the weekend and best guy friend, Pat.  Coincidentally he was also my prom date senior year of high school!  Always a good date, and good friend!

 

Taking the cupcakes to The Inn at Stonecliffe via horse and buggy.

 

Mom and Dad with the cupcakes again.  They didn't trust Pat and me!

 

The Inn at Stonecliffe.  So beautiful.

A beautiful view of the bridge from the reception.  Michigan is truly such an incredible state!

 

Inside the tent for the reception.

Bright flowers.  The candles were made by the bride as favors to her guests.

 

The cupcakes made it!

 

    

With my awesome Mom!

 

 My awesome friend and date!  Or as he called himself, my knight in shining armor!

 

My wonderful parents.

With the bride and groom and their cupcakes!

  

Daddy-Daughter Dance.

 

Kathleen and Trevor listening to her father's toast.

  

First dance.

Kathleen, her Mom and me.

 

Kathleen's brother Kevin and his baby girl Stella.  Kevin and his wife own a great boutique in Santa Barbara, K. Frank.

  

With Laura, a friend from middle and high school.

Dad wanted a photo with Kathleen.  For years Dad drove the neighborhood carpool.  :-)

 

Emma enjoying her chocolate raspberry cupcake!

And finally, everyone has to have a tambourine at a wedding!  :-)  Thankfully Kathleen's Aunt brought hers along!

CONGRATULATIONS KATHLEEN & TREVOR!

Brian & Jolene's Wedding

Brian and Jolene are a sweet couple!  I first met them last August and I just knew their wedding was going to be something so special.  I love when couples are as enthusiastic about their cake as I am!  I'm delighted to share the process of designing and creating their gorgeous wedding cake.  But first, their rehearsal dinner golf themed cake and cupcakes!  Golf balls, divots, tees and flags.

 

A blank canvas.

Beginning the sugar paste draping.

Piping triple swiss dots onto ivory fondant.

Sugar paste orchids.

Sugar paste roses and hydrangeas.

Sugar paste flowers and draping.

Voila!

Some photos of their beautiful decor by Events to Rent.

I especially love the roses at each place setting.

Congratulations Brian and Jolene!  Thank you so very much for including me in your wedding.  Everything was absolutely stunning!