The James Family
A smile happens in a flash...but its memory can last a lifetime.
Today was a church Primary activity about Creation and Ned was asked to do balloon animals for it. He made these cute hats and had the kids wearing them. Carson finally got to go to his first Primary activity! He was so thrilled. Unfortunately, his asthma was REALLY acting up from his cold he's had and he had a few meltdowns throughout the activity. But we are so proud of him and happy that he is now a big Primary boy. Tatum had a great time and Raegan napped in her car seat and enjoyed watching all the kiddos when she woke up. All in all, a great Saturday!
I think the only thing better than a good cupcake...is a great friend to give them to! I decided to be spontaneous this morning and make some fun flower cupcakes for my lovely friend, Trina. I just had to try this chocolate recipe again to make sure it wasn't a fluke! I think we found a winner, folks!!
I have recently decided to abolish cake mixes in my house. I figured since I'm soon getting paid for most of my stuff....the customer deserves a little better than a mix. This was intimidating seeing as how the two times I have attempted a homemade cake from scratch were not tasty. I did some research and decided to try a recipe. All I can say is....W-O-W. Sadly, I cannot divulge said recipe. Because if I did...than why would you need me to make you cupcakes?? However, if you live far away and are out of cupcake range...I will consider sharing it. : ) But joking aside...these cupcakes were AWESOME. So super moist. So chocolatey without being too overpowering. I made a mint buttercream and I felt it complimented it nicely. And yes...don't worry...I shared them. I only eat like one cupcake when I make them. The rest I had to find good homes for. Don't worry. They were well taken care of.
Ned's been brushing up on his balloon animal skills for a church activity this week. The kids love it when Ned's home to do balloon animals. The kids made this cute little zoo and took care of their animals for the better part of the morning!
How did I ever get so lucky to have the 3 most precious and sweet babies?!? 
So Raegan has had the worst cold EVER this past week. It's been tougher than other colds...I don't know why. But today, she seems to be on the mend. Yay for babies who can breathe!
Just another Sunday afternoon at the James house! My kids have learned to take sprinkles VERY seriously.
Last week Cassia watched Tatum and Carson for us so we could go on a date! Some friends of ours needed a ride to the airport, so since we were down that way we did a fun date night is Seattle/
Bellevue. I have been DYING to go to New York Cupcakes...a cute little
cupcakery that is just a couple minutes away from the Seattle Temple. The shop was seriously the tiniest slice of heaven. Everything was pink and happy. Ned humored me by getting a 6 pack of over priced but delicious cupcakes! Here are pictures of two that we
purchased. I also got Milky Way, Mint, and of course Red Velvet.
Why is my husband sooooo good to me? I am a lucky lady, indeed. We celebrated Christmas last week and MUCH to my surprise Ned got me a new camera. It has come in handy to support my blogging/food journal. I spent like WAY TOO MUCH TIME trying to get a "magical" Christmas ornament picture. This was the best shot. LOL I'm sure all the pro photographers out there are going...seriously...this is the best you could come up with? But hey, I will continue to work on it. In the meantime, here are some shots from the past week at the James House.
I did some cute little fondant cupcake toppers for a friend's baby shower and I thought I'd go a little wild....litterally. What better place for a baby monkey to sleep than inside a banana, right? If only I'd stopped there...
Banana Babies
I think this picture about says it all. It's been a fun week or so around here as our baby Raegan has been getting a top tooth. But she's still adorable!
Well Ned is finally home!
YAY! I know...he was only gone a couple of months this time. But wow, what a year or so we've had. He's been gone most of the past 15 months and during that time, I've moved, dealt with a pregnancy, had a baby and "recovered" from said baby all by myself. I'm tired and I'm just GLAD to have Ned all to myself for a little while. We picked him up on Wednesday, and celebrated our Christmas on Friday. The kids had a great time. I will post pictures of our festivities tomorrow. But for now, the only pictures I have on my computer is from Ned's welcome home cake. There's nothing that shouts home like a white picket fence and a vegetable garden, right? The back of the cake had a tree (yes, those are apples on the tree...) with our initials carved into the trunk. Because still I get butterflies when I see Ned...it's true what they say.
Absence makes the heart grow fonder. And it doesn't hurt that he's so good
lookin'.
Ok folks...some big news over here! A couple of week ago, I had stopped into this adorable candy store in Oak Harbor to get some chocolate rocks for a cake I was doing. The owner was so nice and sad that she would call me when they came in. When she called me the other day...I put myself out there and asked her if I could show her my work with cakes and cupcakes. I stopped by today and guess what? I am now going to be under contract for Popsies with cakes. I get my very own display in the store and we are both hoping that our businesses will cross promote each other. I have never been so excited and terrified at the same time! I'm sure business will be slow, but it's a start and a great one at that! I feel so excited to be "under contract". For the stay at home Mommy, that is pretty darn exciting!! And as hokey as it may sound...this is a little bit of a dream come true. Commercial space and a great venue for creativity! I can't wait to get started!!
WARNING: The following post contains a completely unorthodox use of bacon. Reader discretion advised as this may cause an intense need to break the rules!!!
So last week I came across this idea to put bacon in a cinnamon roll. I had been craving them for a while and decided to treat myself since it was Friday night. All you do is cook up some bacon to your liking. Don't overcook it, leave a little cook time for when it's inside the cinnamon roll. Then take any canned cinnamon roll ( I used the Cinnabon grands from Pilsbury) and then unroll each individual pastry. Lay the bacon down onto the strips and roll it back up. Put it in a lightly greased baking sheet and in about 20 minutes...the rest is history. Definitely not an everyday thing...but sooooo good!
Taste tested by tough critics, too!
