Sweet Baby Jasper

Talk about making things a little sweeter!! My new nephew, JJ ( Jasper Joseph), has recently decided to make us all a little more infatuated with him by flashing this heavenly smile. I was in Chicago on a business trip :) and finally had a chance to see my little nugget, face to face.  He is so darling and such a good baby.  His mom and dad are like old pros.  They are completely in love with him and adore every sleepless moment they get to share as a family.  

First, we chatted and got to know one another better.

      Next we asked Mom to go get some rest so we could bond a little.

Finally, he let me hold him far longer than he needed me to.  He just knew I needed a little baby love.

On my next post I will have pictures from my Chicago bakery/research tour.  For now, feel free to check back on this post whenever you need a little pick-me-up.  Being able to spend time with my sweet little Jasper has helped my days to be brighter.  I anxiously await the next time I will be able to hold him.  I hope he always let me hang on to him- for longer than I should :)

I added my sister's blog on my links.  You may just want to check up on this little cutie pie:)

Check this out! My amazingly talented friend needs our support.

A dear friend of mine, Phil Lawrence, is premiering his first film, “Numb,”at the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Film Festival. Although this is short notice, he has enlisted the help of his friends and family to help spread the word that tickets are available for this 1:15 showing this Saturday afternoon, at the St. Anthony Theatre, 125 S. E. 115 Main Street in Minneapolis.

If there is any way that you can join me in showing support of his very personal documentary, I would greatly appreciate it.  It's a great way to spend a couple hours on a rainy afternoon and support local talent.

Tickets can be purchased on-line for $10.  You can find out more about the film at the festival at  http://www.mspfilmfest.org/
If you look under Programs and Minnesota Made films, you will find “Numb.”

For more information about the film, you can view a trailer at http://www.numbdocumentary.com   


Thanks! 

Clay or NOT?

Hello the awesome OLIVIA is back and posting again. I know everyone's happy. Well anywho, back to what I'm supposed to be typing about. Like those pics up there? Yah, I made them, well except the teeny tiny little cupcake bites and the teeny tiny little donuts those were mom's. Otherwise it was pure OLIVIA! I mean who else can make a PERFECT replica of my mother's Lovely, Lovely Lemon Bread? And her delicious Romen Chocolate Cake? What about the Lime Chiffon Cake? (Which is purple because I ran out of white;P) Well, huh? Yah I know I'm the bomb. NEXT!

My brother on the other hand was in a green mood that day. Although I also made the Gummy Bear. Apparently he doesn't like making mini food. Well, he made A) a snake B) a baby with a silver head and C) a glass ball. They're actually kinda cool. Don't you think? NEXT!

Now this......mmm looks so good doesn't it? I mean who doesn't LOVE bacon cheeseburgers? Or french fries for that matter. Not talking about soda like that though cuz I know many people who don't like soda. I do though:). One day I was just taking everyone's orders on what they wanted me to make for them so my brother chose bacon cheeseburgers with french fries and soda.  OK NEXT!

So who's craving some pizza? My sister made this one.  I'm pretty sure she made this for my dad. He loves pizza. Everyone in my family loves pizza. Well, everyone except me. But that's not important, what is important is getting back to this. See she made this look so appetizing even I would eat it! (Remember I'm the one who doesn't like pizza.) YUM!!! NEXT!

Here is one of my favorites. I made it. It's............... SUSHI! Yup you guessed it. To make it I actually had to look at a picture of my mom's sushi cake. I made two little platters. One for my Aunt and one for my Uncle. Both of them love sushi. My mom thinks this is the "cutest" one I made. You have to admit it's totally awesome and tubular. I think so too. The funny thing about this is I don't know what anything is called other than the fortune cookie. But hey, who cares! NEXT!

Last but not least STEAK, PASTA, and peas. Now this is something I'll eat! Other than the peas. You know what's funny? My sister actually made this for me! Oh how nice, I know. I made her the cupcake in the first picture. Notice how she even made the T-Bone! The colors were perfect for steak too. Yah I know it's so cool. Well, it looks like I'm done posting so.......

PEACE OUT!

LIVER :)

How can you not just smile until it hurts looking at this?! This is my new little nephew, Jasper Joseph.  Here is the downside of all of this wonderful business, I haven't even met, face to face (only on Skype) this little blessing.  He lives in Chicago and well, I don't.  It hurts my heart not to be able to smell his sweet little head or hold him while doing the "mom bounce". I could just cry talking about it, but I know he understands and supports me anyway. Here's the proof.

This is what I woke up to on the day of my big roll out at Kowalski's.  I asked my sister how she managed it and she said after about 75 photos, they got one that worked! This is now my desktop picture and I could stare at him all day. Everday. Which I try to do.  Everyday.

So everything went great with my venture at Kowalski's and I thought I would share a couple pictures.  My sister, Jeanne came up with one of her sons, T-Dog and helped out.  I am so thankful to have such good helpers and taste testers in the family.  Now if I could get them to move up here...

We had many chickie cupcake pops to get ready.  Here they are before their debut.

As my dear, crazy friend Lori says- "Time to bag 'em!" (No she doesn't work for CSI, she just doesn't get out much.)  Isn't she a pro- look at that technique!  I am pretty sure she had no idea what she got into leaving her 6 kids and husband to help me out.  Strangely enough, we managed to laugh the whole way through. She's another one I keep working on to move up here.  I think I need to provide a steady stream of margaritas for her next visit to help seal the deal.

Here are the chickies awaiting their call to duty the night before we took them into Kowalski's.  The lighting is off a bit again, sorry.  I was trying for natural light, but at 3 am - there was none to be found.  And coincidentally, at 6 am there is far too much!

After many hours of sharing info on me and my products, it was time to wrap it up and get home.  My tivo was calling! 

I say that like I went home and watched tv, not so much.  But it sounded better than...

It was time to get home and figure out dinner, clean up my kitchen, color easter eggs and make sure my family had clean clothes for church.  See what I mean :)

LCS out :)

Lucky C's Sweets turns 1 and the party is at Kowalski's Market!

My products on display at Kowalski's Market. Oh my!

I have been very fortunate to have seen my business grow so much during our first year.
Well, one of the best stores in the Twin Cities has decided to carry some of my products.  Kowalski's Market.  It is my happy place.

I will be in the Woodbury store tomorrow and Friday to sample my Lovely, Lovely Lemon Bread and my Practically Perfect Brownies.  I will also have a basketful of Chickie Cupcake pops.  No, I don't sleep and yes, everyone around me thinks I must be crazy.  This is well worth all the hard work.  When I went in to the store today and saw my company name and product out- I really felt so proud.  That is big for me to say, because being a titch of a perfectionist, I rarely think what I do is great.  But today I felt great.  Now, what would make me feel even better ? (For those of you losing sleep wondering how to make me feel better) If all of you who live near here went to Kowalski's and cleaned me out! Shop around, get a coffee and enjoy. They have so many great products there and they also just opened a wine market too! Wine and sweets, who needs anything else to make a holiday weekend complete?

I do want to say thank you to everyone who has helped me and supported me throughout this venture.  I will try not to get too sentimental, but without my family and friends (you know who you are) love, I may not have been where I am.  We went through one of the most difficult years of our lives.  Loss of jobs, loss of a loved one, stress and pressure that seemed to way us down more than we thought possible.  I have always had a strong faith, but even that was tested.  My dear Aunt Kris kept repeating to me that "this too shall pass" and " you will find your way out because good things happen to good people and you are one of the best".  She is one of the best in my eyes and she was right.  If I have any knowledge to pass on to you ( and by you, I mean that to the two of you who read this, of course), it is to just keep going.  Look at what makes you smile and see if it is something that can help you move forward.  When you are motivated to make your family's life better and something starts organically- go with it.  Surround yourself with people who add to your life, not take from it.  Be thankful for the little moments and hold on to them when they are gone.  Wake up each day and let go of what got you down the day before.  Hug and kiss your kids any chance you get.  And eat sweets.  Lots and lots of sweets.  They have super healing powers and this I know to be true.

Happy Easter!

Lou's birthday treats, because cake alone is not enough!

I mentioned in my last post that my oldest just turned 13.  She wanted a day of shopping and hanging out with her friends.  The festivities culminated with a little dessert birthday table and movie back at our house. Because cake alone is just not enough! 

Really the only parameters I was to stick with (birthday girl rules on her day, you know) was keep it mostly pink.  Easy enough. 

So, on hand we had some chocolate sugar cookies with fondant decorations.

We also had various cupcake bites and some pops as shown at the top of the post. They were either red velvet, vanilla or chocolate fudge. If I had to pick my favorite, it would have to be...well, I think it would be, probably... Hmm, I guess I couldn't choose.  You'll have to try them all and make a call for yourself:)

Lastly, Lou brought out the cake. Yes, it was almost as big as her.  I love the look in her eye on this picture.  Like she can't wait to share it with her friends. Or she is about to enter into a sugar coma. One of the two.

I can't believe she is a teenager.  I know things will change but for now she is still like that little girl, I hold so close to my heart. For her birthday she wanted family and friends around her. She never makes too many demands and is always very accommodating.  She wanted to watch a G-rated Disney movie that day.  She could've cared less about what was for dinner, but was all about desserts. Like my dad always says, "the years can go by but the core of who you are never changes".  I love my Lou and her sweet, sprinkled little chocolately core! 

Happy Birthday Sweet Girl

Birthday cake-arama!

I have made many birthday cakes. Many different themes for various ages with a multitude of flavors.  This sushi cake was one of my favorites. 

I was inspired to post a bunch of birthday cake pictures, because we just celebrated one of my daughter's birthday.  I give you...birthday cake-arama!!

My oldest is now a teenager (tears falling and fear ensues). I can't believe she is not that pudgy, sweet, smiley little girl anymore.  She is really growing up and doing it with grace and beauty. Ok, don't judge what I said by this picture:) This was for a dance performance at a fashion show in Minneapolis. An award winning dance with outrageous hair and make-up.

Peanut butter cup arama was the request for this year. (Thanks Bakerella!)

This is a friend of the family, Grandpa Gyle.  He is a fisherman who also loves a pretty girl.  So, for his 78th birthday, we combined the two. Presenting... Miss Walleye. Funny, he ate the bikini first!

Even yoga instructors must eat cake.  This is my favorite yogi/torturer.  Wayne was so thrilled with this lime chiffon cake.  He said it was by far the most beautiful cake he had ever received. He has brought the beauty of yoga into my life, so I think it is a good trade. Although, I was hoping it would garner me a little leeway for when he comes around to raise up that leg in the bird of paradise. Not so much. Yowchhh. 

This one was for a client's 40th.  She likes to golf.  Must not have kids, is all I could think of.

A sweet 16 cake for a girlie girl.

My favorite C.W.'s daughter's cake.  Red velvet cake with cream cheese frosting and red velvet cupcake pops on top.  Seriously, can anyone get enough of the RV? Not me.

This one was for my daughter's BFF.  My Lou, designed it and I made it.  It was very fun to work on this with her and her friend loved it. A 13y/o girl can be tough to buy for.  Cake always works.  

Way better than another Aero shirt, right?

A special dancer we know, was turning 11 and her mom hadn't got a chance to get her a phone yet, but one was coming.  We thought this would hold her off a bit. Thank goodness my Livi was on hand to help me with the specs on this one.  She regularly searches for a phone of her own.  Poor delusional child. 

Not happening.

Our neighbor wanted a little something to do with golf for her son's 11th birthday. Golf theme, check.  Little, not so much.

Rock climbing party.  Gotta have a rock climbing cake, with a likeness of the birthday boy.  

An avid Twins fan.

This birthday girl was lucky to have a grandpa who wanted to surprise her with a sweet Hello Kitty cake.  Apparently, it was the hit of the party. 

(I must again apologize for my poor photography skills.  I am learning and Wendy B is helping me.  One tip to share with you- turn off the flash. Didn't do that on this one. Sorry if the glare is blinding you.)

This was for a darling little green eyed boy.  His mom gave me the invite, which inspired this one. The picture doesn't do it justice.  I don't often applaud myself, but this one was Super cute. 

Pun intended :)

This one was for a 2 year old who loves Sesame Street. Is there any 2 year old who doesn't? Or anyone any age that doesn't? The cupcake bites were the perfect companion to the cake.  The mom said the cake was for the child to dig into and destroy.  She knew the other party goers wouldn't want to eat the remnants, so we made the cupcake bites for the adults, err the other kids, yeah, it's all about the kids.

This is my little bubby.  He just wanted to decorate his own cupcakes for his birthday this year.  He said he would like us all to decorate the cupcakes as a family after his birthday dinner.  Instead of me being too busy in the kitchen and staying up all night working on a crazy custom cake.  He said spending time with me was really what he wanted that day. 

The guilt, oh, the guilt.

Actually, he gave me a gift that day.  I had 4 helpers making the cupcakes (that would be 4 more than usual) and then I just sat and watched them have so much fun decorating them.  

It was almost like a night off, almost.

Happy birthday to all of you out there that have just had a birthday or have one coming up. Hmm, well, I guess that means "Happy birthday to all and to all a good night!"