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

Happy Thanksgiving!!!!!!

The Husband Tag

 

I decided to join in on the fun and film the Husband Tag!

I had my husband answer a series of questions regarding me and our relationship. It's interesting to see things from his point of view. It's also a really neat way to go down memory lane. Enjoy :)    

 

 

 

The Husband Tag Questions

1) Where did we first meet?

2) Where was our first date? 

3) What was your first impression of me?

4) When did you meet my family?

5) Name a weird habit of each other?

6) How long have we been together?

7) Do we have any traditions? 

8) An animal that resembles one another? 

9) What was our first road trip?

10) First thing you noticed about me?

11) What pisses him off? 

12) What is your favorite feature about each other? 

13) Name three things I am good & not good at? 

14) What do we argue about the most? 

15) Do I have PMS? 

16) Who wears the pants in the relationship? 

17) Do I have any weird obsessions? 

18) What nicknames for each other? 

19) What is my favorite restaurant? 

20) If I am watching TV, what am I watching? 

21) What is one food I do not like? 

22) What drink do I order when we go out to eat? 

23) What size of shoe do I wear? 

24) What is my favorite kind of sandwich? 

25) What is one talent I have? 

26) What would I eat everyday if I could? 

27) What is my favorite cereal? 

28) What is my favorite kind of music? 

29) Name my favorite sports team? 

30) What is my eye color? 

31) Who is my best friend? 

32) Something you do that I wish you didn’t do? 

33) Where am I from? 

34) What kind of cake would you bake me on my birthday? 

35) Do I play any sports? 

36) What can I spend hours doing?

 

 

November Love

I absolutely love November!!! Why? It holds my favorite holiday....Thanksgiving!!

This is the time of year my family goes all out. We usually have two different types of turkeys, a room filled with sides, another room filled with desserts, with everyone sharing in the cooking and cleaning duties. My mother started a tradition years before she passed . After dinner, everyone would express what they were thankful for. As my family grows, I find myself wanting to not only continue this tradition with my children, but also start a tradition of my own. So I asked myself, "How can I instill a heart of gratitude in my children?"
I though of the perfect, age appropriate project. I bought a pumpkin and decided we would decorate it as a family, covering it with gratitude. I know, it sounds weird so let me explain. Every day in November, I had everyone in my family (we improvised with Jase) write something on the pumpkin they were thankful for. Not only do you verbally express your gratitude, its a visual reminder as well. By the end of the month the pumpkin should be completely covered :)

Just A Thought

A Matter of Perception

     I woke up today feeling defeated. I felt lost, drained and just plain tired. I forgot how exhausting it is to care for a newborn. Between the feedings, diaper changes, and periodic checks to see if they're still breathing, I find myself going a little crazy. In one hand, I'm completely in love with everything about my son but on another hand, I find myself wishing he didn't need me so much.
     As I sit here at noon in my pajamas in full reflection, I'm reminded of the age old adage, "A mothers work is never done." And then it hits me. That's it...that's what's wrong!! I'm viewing my service to my child as work. As true as that statement is, its terribly one sided. Yes, motherhood is hard and yes it requires a great deal of work at times. But if my only perception is work, then that thought process will assuredly lead to frustration. With every good job, there is a defined work schedule, duties, and salary. But with motherhood, the schedule is always, the duties are extensive, and there is no salary.
     The adage, "A mothers love is never ending" is more applicable to my service for my child(ren). It is love, and only love, that will allow me to go over and above the call of duty, work without rest or repayment.  Love will allow me to view my duties as acts of love, even when my service leaves me in my pajamas at noon!

Just A Thought

Maternity Fashion

When I found out I was pregnant for the second time, I decided I did not want to look anything like I did the first time I was pregnant. I hated the maternity clothing I wore with my first son. I felt frumpy and unattractive every time I got dressed. I also decided that I did not want to spend money on a wardrobe that I was only going to use for nine months. I was able to go my entire pregnancy wearing my normal wardrobe, only buying two pairs of maternity shorts. The following is a video of some of the outfits I wore during my pregnancy. Enjoy!!

 

 

FYI: Jersey skirts, Maxi and Empire-waisted dresses are great because they stretch as you grow!!