My attempt at Burning the Midnight Oil...

remains effortless thus far.

It's there, but I can't see it
I reach out, but darkness surrounds
Searching, and getting desperate
I seek, what can't be found

Happy 25th Anniversary!!!

.... To my Wonderful Parents!!!

Yesterday my parents celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary.

I was privileged to make their cake. I made a homemade champagne cake to eat and a two tier wedding replica similar to their original wedding cake for a centerpiece.

Notice the Precious Moments on top. That was special all in itself. They had a Precious Moments wedding couple on their wedding cake and this past year they both invested in getting themselves Harley motorcycles. I searched and searched the internet and finally found this one on ebay. It was discontinued 12 years ago and I was very fortunate to get it and have it shipped to me in time.

I had a lot of fun working on this one. It is a dummy cake, made from styrofoam. My first ever attempt at such a thing. I, myself, was impressed with how it turned out.

The days go by and my talents are again challenged and become more perfected all the time. It's fun. I love my job and am so grateful for my amazing boss and coworkers there.

See ya around,
Stephanie

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!!!!

A newborn's conversation with God

A baby asked God, 'They tell me you are sending me to earth tomorrow, but
how am I going to live there being so small and helpless?'
God said, 'Your angel will be waiting for you and will take care of you.'

The child further inquired, 'But tell me, here in heaven I don't have to do
anything but sing and smile to be happy.'
God said, 'Your angel will sing for you and will also smile for you. And you
will feel your angel's love and be very happy.'

Again the child asked, 'And how am I going to be able to understand when
people talk to me if I don't know the language?'
God said, 'Your angel will tell you the most beautiful and sweet words you
will ever hear, and with much patience and care, your angel will teach you
how to speak.'

'And what am I going to do when I want to talk to you?'
God said, 'Your angel will place your hands together and will teach you how
to pray.'

'Who will protect me?'
God said, 'Your angel will defend you even if it means risking its life.'
'
But I will always be sad because I will not see you anymore.'
God said, 'Your angel will always talk to you about Me and will teach you
the way to come back to Me, even though I will always be next to you.'

At that moment there was much peace in Heaven, but voices from Earth could
be heard and the child hurriedly asked, 'God, if I am to leave now, please
tell me my angel's name.'

God said, 'You will simply call her, 'Mom.'

Hello Peoples,

No pictures of my New Jeep YET... but for now I'll share a few other pictures. *grin*

Last weekend I spent with Tyler and his parents in North Liberty, IA. We ate at the Outback Steakhouse and I ordered Chicken on the Barbie, and look, it was a heart!

Last Saturday was also my sister Anna's 19th birthday.

Isn't she beautiful?
Here's the cake I made for her.

On Wednesday Tyler decided it was time for a summer haircut. He had a few other reasons to get all his lovely curls cut off, and one was to see if I liked it. Well, I have to say I miss his curls but I really find him handsomer than ever now. So, it's a catch 22, but I really do love it.

And now, for a few more cakes I've decorated recently.

Confirmation and 1st Communion cakes, we had a lot of those last week.
They wanted the colors to match the napkin. How did I do?

It's Alvin and the Chipmunks! heheh

I must say, I was pretty proud of myself with this one. Getting that swag to be even and beautiful can be tricky. We do lots of "pretty" cakes. So fun!

I think Tuesday was Teacher's Day or something. I got to do several dozen of these adorable cookies.

Isn't this cute? What a fun little 1st birthday cake for a little boy.

I'm thinking of doing something like this for my Mom's birthday next Tuesday the 13th. Hurray for beaches and sunsets!

And I just have to end with one of my favorite characters.... GARFIELD! haha

Ciao y'all!

So long Acclaim...

I'm back, just like I promised, with a few pictures. Yay!

I told myself end of last year that I was going to get a new Jeep vehicle for my 22nd birthday this spring. Well, my birthday came and went and I ended up choosing to pay off some other bills versus getting my Jeep. Besides, my little car was still holding on. Until.....

One day after work, in the rain mind you, it just decided enough was enough. This was about two weeks after my birthday and it simply refused to start. We had it towed and get looked at. Came out that the fuel pump was shot and to replace it would cost more than what I initially paid for my car. SO, I sold it to...

It was sad seeing my little car go to such a grungy place. I just hoped those smelly greasy men could maybe get it running and still get some use out of it. Funny of the day was when I went in to sign over my car, and my mom and two sisters went in with me, the man behind the counter said to the other guy, "I always knew this place would be a chick magnet." It was awkward, yet funny.

I was now car-less, but at least I didn't own something that would nickel and dime me to death. For you see, after the fuel pump next to go was a radiator leak causing trouble, and oil issues and and and....

I'll share pictures of my new ride after I get some decent ones taken. *grin*

I'll finish this with a few pictures I took last fall.

Sometimes I feel like a leaf blown into a pile of forgotten dead leaves on an old gravel road.

And lastly, a bit of color and viewpoint. Some things just strike me as, "neat."

Ciao~