12th Family Day (March 18)

Sunday, it was past six o'clock in the evening when we came over to the house next door. Noticeably, the parking space for Kumare's car was still empty. She had advised of coming a bit late, from a dinner at another friend's place. We opted to wait for her to arrive then we all had dinner together.

It was nice seeing Michelle wearing a summer dress. She's absolutely ladylike. I've never seen her so feminine than before.

Click link for photos: http://s929.photobucket.com/albums/ad136/sherylsantos31/12th%20Family%20Day/

11th Family Day (March 11)

Days go by so fast. It's Friday already, which means, five days have gone and I still haven't put up photos of our recent Family Day. As much as I want to be updated, I also have to perform some household chores. And I don't just upload these photos straight from the camera; I try to process/edit them when I've got time for better image quality.

Last Sunday, Ina Letty came to join us for dinner. It's been a while since the last time she spent an afternoon with us. The room is always filled with laughter and giggles whenever she's around. She's just so funny.

More often, it gives us a light feeling just laughing our heart out. For some reasons, it helps ease whatever anxiety crippling our emotions.

"Laugh your heart out, dance in the rain, cherish the moment, ignore the pain, live, laugh, love, forgive and forget, you only have one life to live"

Click link for photos:  http://s929.photobucket.com/albums/ad136/sherylsantos31/11th%20Family%20Day/

Jeraldine and Joel's Birthday Dinner (March 9)

On Friday night, we were invited to have dinner in two different places for two different birthday celebrations.

First stop was in Lorenzo Way. It was Joel's birthday on that same day and Marsha prepared some food. As always, everything on the table was superb in taste. The spaghetti was a hit. We also loved the battered soft shell crab and tempura that got us all nibbling even after we've finished our meals.

Second stop, Aurora Rise. Our Kumare Jeraldine's birthday. We can't afford to miss her special day. Together with her wonderful family and close friends, we were there to wish her more years of good health and blessings. She will always be the generous and fashionable woman that we've always loved.

Click link for photos: http://s929.photobucket.com/albums/ad136/sherylsantos31/Jeraldine%20and%20Joel%20Birthday%20Mar%209/

Project: Chanel handbag cake

For my lovely "Kumare" Jeraldine's birthday.

Cake is sponge which I bought from Woolworths.  This is the second time that I actually used a pre-made cake from the grocery store; the first time was for Andrew and Donna's post-wedding party.  I don't usually do, but because I've done three projects in a row, most of my ingredients have all been consumed.  

Chanel handbag cake

Coming home from work, I just changed then quickly worked on rolling out the fondant cover.  In over an hour I've finished it already.   

back detail

Project: D&G Handbag Cake

I haven't done any handbag cakes for quite a while. When this order came up, I got thrilled.  I miss the fun part of sculpting, putting together bits and pieces to finalize a design.

First of all, I love working on projects that makes use of my creativity.  Handbags are one of the those.  

Here's the end result.

D&G Handbag cake

the back of the cake

Adrielle Joshua Liwanag's 3rd Birthday Celebration (March 4)

Birthday and 10th Family Day. Two occasions in one.

We were invited to be a part of one wonderful celebration - our adorable inaanak AJ's third birthday celebration.  The party was held at their new house where they prepared great food most Kapampangans are known for. Brian and Anne were both very nice and accommodating to us and to all the guests. I also got a lot of good comments from the birthday cake (car racing theme) that I made for AJ.

Click link for photos: http://s929.photobucket.com/albums/ad136/sherylsantos31/AJ%20turns%203/

Project: Flowers and butterflies cake

flowers and butterflies adorned cake

This was ordered by a lady named Charli whom I made the sea turtle cake for.  If you try to read back my previous posts you will find the entry for it.  

I got a call from her a couple of weeks ago advising of a cake order.   I also found out that she is a daughter of Ester, used to be a co-worker of mine at Metro Inns.  And the cake she wanted me to make was for her mom's 50th. 

side detail of the cake

Couldn't help but smile when I finished decorating the cake.  The colors were soothing to the eyes.  The design itself was very simple yet oozing out with elegance.  Thanks to my creative instinct.  It does cooperate sometimes.

Project: Poker and Tong-its themed cake

First of the four projects I will have to make for the weekend.  A good friend of mine asked me to conceptualize a theme that shows off her husband's love for gambling.  Although that's an understatement.  Right away, I was able to work it out in my mind. 

Poker chips

Aces playing cards

Merienda for Jimboy's Birthday (March 2)

A short notice invitation for a simple merienda to celebrate Jimboy's 13th birthday. He is no longer a tweener. He has now crossed the border towards the onset of teenage years. At 13, his height and frame could be misleading to a lot of people. But to us who know him well, he is still a baby boy.

Click link for photos: http://s929.photobucket.com/albums/ad136/sherylsantos31/Jimboy%20Birthday%202012/

Project: Cake for 60th birthday

The client wanted a two-tier cake in white and blue and a bird perched on tree branch topper with a colorful, extravagant tail. 

This client is a regular as I have made five projects for her since I started.  And every time she orders a cake, she already knows what she wants and how she wants the cake to come out.  She would often give her own ideas as she has seen a particular design from somewhere.  I really do appreciate those little gestures.  That way, the whole planning scheme becomes less tedious for me.

Getting started, the first layer (bottom) made up of three 8-inch chocolate cake was covered with butter cream icing and hazelnut butter cream filling. 

even out all surface with butter cream

Then covered with rolled marshmallow fondant tinted with blue liquid food coloring.

first layer

Put the second layer right in the center of the bottom layer.  Before I placed the top layer, wooden skewers were inserted into the the bottom layer to support the weight of the cake on top. 

ready for detailing

like "vines" clinging around the sides of the cake

Finally, the finished product.

Project: Racing Cars themed cake AJ

Adrielle Joshua is one of our inaanaks here in Albany.  As a present for his third birthday, I came up with this racing cars themed cake.

racing circuit theme cake

Miniature cars completed the theme. 

I'm very happy the cake turned out just as nice as it should be. 

Castle cake for a 1st Birthday

This was ordered by my co-worker Brenda for her granddaughter's first birthday.  My third castle cake so far...

Full-size shot

the door

turrets

9th Family Day (February 26)

This an overdue upload from two weeks ago. I've just been so busy in the kitchen that I didn't even get the chance to sit down in front of my laptop like I normally do on my days off. I'm just so relieved that I've managed to survive and accomplish three projects over the weekend.

On this Family Day, we had a dinner packed with healthy variation of veggies, meat and seafood. Glad they loved the ginisang upo with prawns that I cooked. 

Click link for photos: http://s929.photobucket.com/albums/ad136/sherylsantos31/9th%20Family%20Day/