Just A Thought

                                  

Just A Thought

                                

Just A Thought

Four Quick and Easy Buttercream Piping Techniques for Cupcakes

Over the years, I have always been asked how I get my frosting on my cupcakes to look the way it does. I've come to realize that some tools and techniques cake decorators may know may not be common knowledge for others. So I decided to make a piping tutorial for cupcakes.

This video shows you four easy and beautiful techniques you can use to really make your cupcakes stand out. I hope this helps...Happy decorating!!!

                                  

1. The Swirl

2. The Rose

3. The Star

4. Multiple Stars / Bouquet 

What if I Fall? Oh Darling What if You Fly?

     This has be the topic of discussion lately in the Lopez residence. Let's face it, we all have dreams, ambitions and desires for our lives. Some dreams are as big as the sky, while others are as simple as a blade of grass. Deep inside every individual lies an innate desire to be bigger and to crave more than what we see in our present situation or circumstance. Deep inside every individual lies the innate ability to imagine a future with limitless possibilities.

     As a child, it was easier to "dream the impossible dream."  It was easy to believe I could be anything I wanted to be. So with an ambitious heart, I imagined my future. I carefully sculpted my soon to be adulthood. Boy did it look great!! I eagerly looked forward to each year and the chance to achieve my goals.

     As life went on, my dreams soon met reality. I found myself not achieving most of my goals, and when achieved it was definitely not in the time frame I set for myself. This was devastating to say the least. Consequently, I slowly began to stop dreaming and having desires. "Grow up and be more realistic," I said with clinched fists. Though necessary, realism has it's flaws. It's a good quality to accurately assess a situation and see it for what it really is, but it does have its down side. Realism allows you to live with levelheadedness and practicality. Where's the joy in that? Sometimes dreams are irrational and unpractical...but that's okay! It's good to have your head in the clouds sometimes and focus on something beyond you, beyond natural ability. It gives you a sense of hope. It gives you something to strive for!

     The truth is, most of what we desire will never come to past. Should we stop dreaming? Should we allow past failures to negatively affect our ambition, resulting in a defeated perspective? Of course not! The possibility of failure is always present, but the possibility of flying is present as well.  In the words of Martin Luther King Jr, "If you can't fly, run. If you can't run, walk. If you can't walk, crawl. But by all means, keep moving!"

Happy 4th of July!!!!!

                            

30 Day Abs Fitness Challenge

   As I was engaging in one of my daily Facebook scrolls, I came across an event titled,

"30 Day Abs Challenge." Most of my friends were joining, so I decided to see what all the

fuss was about. The challenge promised to tone up and boost core muscles while pushing

your body strength to the max. It consists of four different exercises: Sit ups, Crunches, Leg

Raises, and Planks. The time spent performing each exercise gradually increases day by

day, helping to slowly build core body muscles.

   Over the past thirty days, I followed the challenge chart and completed each exercise as instructed. To be honest, I did take a couple rest days early. I just made sure I continued exercises on scheduled rest days just so I would still end the program on day 30. It was definitely a challenge but I managed to push through it. To maximize my results, I decided to change my diet by decreasing my sugar and carb intake, while adding more fruits and vegetables to my family's daily menu. I did splurge on the weekends but not to much. In addition to this challenge, I also started jogging at least two miles on Tuesdays and Thursdays and I used my elliptical for 30 minutes once a week.

I used the following apps to help keep me on track toward accomplishing my goals:
30 Day Abs Challenge - Contains a monthly calendar with a daily check list. Each day lists the exact amount of sit ups, crunches, leg raises, and planks that need to be completed.
                                       

                                                                                       

My Fitness Pal - Helps you lose weight the healthy way by tracking your nutrition and caloric intake. It contains an extensive food database that makes it easy to keep your own personal food diary.

                                                      

RunKeeper -  Allows you to track your pace, measure workout distance, chart weight loss, and plug in what exact workout you're actually complete (ex: elliptical, walking, biking, etc..). It also allows you to link up with friends and you can see what activities they're completing as well.

                                             

I have to admit it was hard to do something basically everyday for a month and not give up but I am pleased with the results. It's taken longer the second time around to tone my stomach up, but this challenge really works!!!

                                       

                  My 30 Day Abs Challenge Fitness Vlog!!

                                              

Just A Thought

                                   

The Multi-tasking Mother

   As my kids play in the background and I walk around my messier than usual house looking for my work notes, I can't help but think about the age old question, "Can mothers really have it all?" Can mothers be 100% successful in business and 100% successful in their personal lives (friends, family, finesse, etc..)? I'm sure most women would laugh at the absurdity of this question and quickly answer, "Of course!" In theory, I would LOVE to utter the same words too! I would love to say I can do both extremely well. But that's just not true. I find the more I focus on one, the more the other suffers.

                                                    


   This brings me to a deeper question, "Is it really possible to do two things at once?" As I try to muddle through my never ending to do list of mommy duties, the thought of saving time and working smarter always crosses my mind. That's when I decide to multi-task!! Of course, why don't I cook dinner and clean at the same time...this usually results in the burning or overcooking of   dinner...lol.  Multi-tasking is defined as the process of performing  two or more tasks simultaneously . Research has shown our brains can only process one activity at a time. Our brains are just extremely good at rapidly switching from one task to another.


                                            

  I'm starting to realize that it's okay not to be 100% all of the time. Actually, research has proven, it's impossible to give your undivided attention on two things simultaneously. So why do mothers, like myself, continue to buy into this lie. Is it such a bad thing to prioritize??? NO!!! There are going to be times where family will demand our attention, superseding work and vice versa. One of the best lessons of life that I have learned is, you can never be your best when we try to be all things to all people at all times. We just weren't built that way. It doesn't make me unsuccessful or an inferior mother when I can't juggle everything, it makes me human.

Just A Thought

                               

Happy Memorial Day!!

John 15:13 Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. 

Tips to Make Scratch Baking & Decorating Easier

Over the years, I have had many conversations about baking and decorating cakes. Most people express to me their personal difficulties. The number one complaint seems to be lack of time. "I just don't have the time to bake." Even though I love baking, I too have uttered the same words every now and again. Between work, children, and attempting to have a personal life, most people can't afford to give away any more time than they already have.


Here are a few tips I personally use that help save precious time:


1. Pre-mix your dry ingredients for your cake recipe and store for later.
Store your dry ingredients (flour, baking soda, salt, etc...) in large Ziploc bags and add your wet ingredients (eggs, butter, oil, extract) when you're ready to bake!!


2. Make your frosting and store it in the freezer until ready to use.
Store frosting in freezer friendly containers and defrost the morning you need it.

3. Pre dye your frosting or fondant at least a day before you need.
Not only will this save on time, the color will deepen as it sets in.


4. Avoid baking and decorating in the same day.
If you bake earlier in the day or even the day before you can save on the time waiting for the cake to completely cool necessary before you frost the cake.




I hope this helps and happy baking!!

Just A Thought

Motherhood

I know it's been a while since my last post. I realize how incredibly hard it is to multi-task with two children while going back to work part-time. I decided to share a picture of how I have been feeling lately. I recently shared this on my Instagram, it expresses how I feel before and after work perfectly. Most mornings, I'm pretty much frustrated at the thought of all the things I need to do just to get out of the door. As well as, all the hustle and bustle that goes along with my job. But as soon as I'm done with my day, I feel like a weight has been lifted off of me. 

As I reflect on the past couple of months, I find myself with a new found appreciation and respect for mothers of multiple children and my mother in particular. I am one of FIVE children, yes FIVE. I have no idea how she had any sanity left. At all times you have to be aware of and fulfill the needs of all children while still maintaining your personal responsibilities. 

I recently accepted the fact that this new edition to my family also brought new realities on life. I will no longer always have things in order, the house cleaned daily, and every thing done according to my "To Do List." I'm going to have to be content with the times when only some rooms of the house are cleaned and only one thing is checked off my list. 

Motherhood has really taught me how to prioritize and ease up a bit. I have to learn how to give my self the same grace that I give my children. Focusing on what really matters :)

Just A Thought

For the Love of Minions!!

I wanted to share some photos of the minion themed birthday I had for my son's 5th birthday. All of the decorations are handmade! My husband and I had a lot of fun making everything while we watched two seasons of The Good Wife...lol. 

This year I decided to finally make a miniature version of a dessert bar with cotton candy, chocolate covered pretzels, cookie brownies, chocolate drizzled rice krispies, minion cake and cupcakes.

My suggestion is to enlist a helper. I asked my niece to help. She dipped and drizzled everything in chocolate and made the cotton candy. My husband helped with the fondant work on the big minion. The big minion took two 8" cake pans and one 8" domed Betty Crocker pan. I used twinkies to make the minions on the cupcakes.

The minion decorations and games were super easy to make. We had pin the goggles on the minion and decided to put a "J"  on the uniform for my son James instead of a "G."

I know this is a bad picture but I completely forgot to take pictures of the good and evil minion bags that we made. We used purple and yellow bags, construction paper, cut outs, and
markers (brown, purple, yellow, black, and silver).

 We used minion cut outs for everything!!

Finally we decorated our front door using a yellow plastic table cover, blue poster board and computer paper.

Just A Thought

Just A Thought

Crusting Vanilla Buttercream Recipe

I decided to post this for all of those that watched my "How to Make a Camouflage Cake"
tutorial. All buttercream is not the same. It can be made so many different ways that it can be confusing at times. Buttercream is divided into two main categories; crusting and
non-crusting.  The following is a crusting buttercream recipe needed for the technique I
used in the tutorial.

Vanilla Buttercream
4 cups of powdered sugar
1/2 cup butter
1/2 cup all vegetable shortening
1 teaspoon of vanilla extract


Directions:
Mix butter and shortening together well, add vanilla extract, add powdered sugar one
cup at a time, until all blended .

Ladies Lounge ~ Inappropriate Humor & Pet Peeves

Happy New Year!!!!

As I reflect upon the past year, I cannot help but feel grateful for all I have. May your upcoming year be filled with love, joy and blessings.

How to Make a Army / Milatary Camouflage Cake

 I recently made a camouflage cake for a friend and I was surprised how easy it was to
make! I decided to make a quick and easy guide to follow!!

Tools Required

1. At least 3 piping bags filled with different colored CRUSTING buttercream

FYI: Crusting buttercream is frosting that will dry to the touch.

 2. High density foam roller and offset spatula

Step One: Crumb Coat Cake 

 Step Two: Make abstract patterns on cake

Make sure the same color of buttercream is never touching

Once complete let buttercream dry for five minutes.Don't worry if some of the white crumb coat shows from underneath. It won't when you're finished.

Step Three: Roll cake gently with foam roller until smooth

Do not stay on one area of the frosting too long. Over rolling the cake in one area will result
in the oils from the cake rising out of the frosting, making the foam roller wet. It make also
result in bleeding of one color into another. 

Step Four: Finish with the border of your choice

 

 

Watch my YouTube video for more instructions

Just A Thought

Easy Holiday Cake Idea

Whenever I feel like baking something quick and easy, I always make cookie cakes!! It's a great addition to any party especially during the holiday season.

 

Ingredients

Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough

Whipped Vanilla Frosting

White Chocolate Chips

 

Instructions

Step One: Preheat oven to 325 degrees, Press 2 cups of dough into 10 inch pan, Bake for 15 to 17 minutes, Cool completely in pan on wire rack.

Step Two: Melt white chocolate chips on lowest possible heat, dip knife into white chocolate and drizzle over cookie cake. 

Step Three: Fill zip lock bag with vanilla frosting, twist bag, cut the tip of the bag.

Step Four: Hold bag at a 45 degree angle pipe a ribbon border around cake (u pattern)   

Optional: Make poinsettia by making two intersecting cross patterns, decorate center with sprinkles luster pearls, or shimmering sugar...Enjoy!!

 

 

Losing the Baby Weight!!!

   My son is almost 8 weeks old and I'm already thinking about getting this "baby" weight off. The plan was to take it easy for one month and then start working out. Lets just say, that didn't happen...lol. But even though I am losing weight because I'm breastfeeding, I don't feel like it's fast enough. It seems like every time I go on the Internet or turn on the TV, I see some movie star that has already dropped their baby weight five minutes after giving birth!! And I have to admit, even though I know its not realistic, it still delivers a blow to my pride.
   Why are so many women insecure about how they look especially after having a baby? You would think that after giving birth most women would ease up on the self hatred just a little bit and give their bodies time to heal. But no not us, especially not me. As I walk down the grocery store aisle I see so many diet aid products that further remind me that I'm not good enough.

And before you check out, you have to take the walk of shame past the magazines with all the perfectly "airbrushed" women!
   Secondly, when will this end? Do we change society or do we continue to allow society to change us? The only way women can raise proud and confident daughters is by first becoming proud and confident themselves. We can't effect a positive change in society with a negative perspective. We first must focus on the good, take pride in who we are and how we look.  Just a thought.....

Sharron's Take - Youtube Channel

I decided to start to vlog (video blogging) as well.

Check out my Youtube Channel sharronstake!

Please subscribe and comment....Thanks :)

 

Just A Thought

Gentlemen's Corner ~ What Men Think

Its been said, "Man are from mars and women are from Venus." This statement could not be more true for me and my husband. After six years of marriage, I have learned a lot about men and their seemingly strange quirks. But the biggest thing that baffles me isn't what men do, its how they think. So I decided to interview my husband, brother in-laws, and friend to get into the mind of a man. FYI: I really think this would be the perfect activity for a dinner party. Enjoy!!

Sweet Potatoe Cake Recipe!!

I decided to make a sweet potatoe cake for Thanksgiving this year. It turned out great so I decided to post the recipe...Enjoy!!

 

 

Ingredients

1 box of vanilla cake mix

1 1/2 cup of sweet potatoes

1/3 cup of brown sugar

1/2 teaspoon of ground cinnamon

 

Directions

Mash sweet potatoes leaving some small chunks, set to the side

Make cake batter as directed on box

Add cinnamon and brown sugar, then mix

Fold in sweet potatoes

Pour batter in a greased cake pan of your choice. I used a 10" bunt pan.

Bake until done. It usually takes 30 to 35 minutes.

Let cake cool completely then frost cake with cream cheese frosting.

 

Cream Cheese Frosting

1/2 cup cream cheese (4oz)

1/2 cup butter

4 cups of powdered sugar

1 teaspoon of vanilla extract

Mix cream cheese and butter together (room temperature)

Add vanilla extract

Add powdered sugar 

 

Just A Thought