An Easter Holiday

So how was everyone's Easter weekend? My weekend started early with a Friday night dinner with Rod and Mary, my in-laws, who took us to a lil' country restaurant called "Around the Bend" I believe. Always wonderful catching up with them, after dinner they stopped home and saw "the kids," our dogs Barry and Leia...who were excited to see them (to say the least) but they were good sports and welcomed our pooches' affections with open arms :0)
Brad and I left home for Algona early Saturday morning, with Chocolate Season orders in tow for my loyal friends and customers in Algona. Also along for the ride...another cake! I've really been into making cakes lately, and I only hope to explore this wonderful art form more. This cake had dual purposes, serving as an Easter cake as well as a cake celebrating my brother Mike's birthday and my dad Ed's birthday. (we have a "birthday buddy" system in effect with the Berg family!)
It was a chocolate cake with whipped chocolate ganache and fruit preserves, covered in a layer of homemade buttercream and homemade marshmallow fondant. This was my first encounter with fondant...and wow...they should call it "Fun-dant"! (ok...that was cheesy...)
At home we had a fun time playing Mike's "Scene It" game, watching a movie (Berg tradition), as well as decorating eggs and having an indoor Easter egg hunt for my niece and nephew, Hannah and Ian. And it was super awesome seeing Amanda and Brad, my sister and brother-in-law...but sadly...we were missing one important family member...Sara. (miss you!) She's still in TX finishing her last clincal.
The weekend wrapped up with Easter service at First Baptist where Pastor Kevin's message is always inspiring and down-to-earth. All in all, a very fun and relaxing weekend and a great opportunity to see family once again...(thanks for hosting us mom and dad!)
I hope your Easter was full of Easter eggs and cookies, as well as family and friends, but lets not forget the real reason for Easter, which is to give thanks and rejoice in Jesus' resurrection and marvel at the sacrifice made so that we may have eternal hope and joy in our Savior!
Have a beautiful week!

Luck O' the Irish

With St. Patty's Day just around the corner, I had just the right inspiration when playing around with cake the other day. My mother-in-law Mary is Irish, and her sister Sherrie, and husband Frank had been on my mind a lot lately, so I thought I would make them a cake! Knowing that Sherrie is very proud of her Irish heritage, a fun lil' shamrock cake would be a nice surprise for them, especially since I needed an excuse to see their smiling faces at Mulhalls...(where they are both floral geniuses!!!!!)
So this was the end product of my creative efforts...something cute and casual...nothing to serious...just fun with a couple tips and some way-sweet buttercream on a chocolate cake filled raspberry mousse! (Hope you enjoyed it Frank and Sherrie! It was wonderful seeing you!!!)
Also thoughts about St. Patty's Day brought up the idea of "lucky" and how lucky I am to have two awesome, beautiful, fabulous lil' sorority sisters. Though I'm alum now, I still continue the journey of getting to know and appreciate my Chi Omega family. The closest to me in my family is Julie, and most recently, her lil' sis Felicia.
Both girls have incredible hearts and a willingness to laugh and learn and be supportive...all of which came in handy this afternoon when I was teaching them some ins and outs of The Chocolate Season.
There were challenges (curling the gold ribbon and "sculpting" cellophane) and triumphs (learning the correct "nesting" technique and packaging those darn pretzels!) But the whole afternoon theses girls did nothing but laugh and ask questions and had such a willingness to learn about this side of my life, my passion for perfection and for really putting your heart into every little detail :)
So even though I am BEYOND "lucky" (or I prefer the word "blessed") with beautiful friends and supportive family, this afternoon with my two little sisters made me appreciate the little moments in life even more...so thank you girls for all you do and I only we hope we can hang out more! (no ribbon work or nesting required!)

New & Exciting?!

I was able to experience a couple things this last week that were "New & Exciting!" I had the honor of "escorting" my sister Sara to her very last clinical in Texas. We met up with her friend Tara (fellow PT) and we caravaned to Oklahoma City. We spent the night and then finished the looooong journey to Abiline. Sounds like a smooth ride right? Well...there was one bump in the road.
Being 3 girls stuck in cars driving, we saw on the horizon a Dairy Queen sign...and had to stop. Pulled into a small town DQ and after talking a bit, we realized Tara's car was still running...and was locked. uh-oh. So after a call to the local police, we waited in the parking lot....sang the blues, played the guitar, sara hopped on her bike...you know, all the usual stuff you do when waiting for a locksmith. After a huge locksmith fee (poor Tara...) we got back on the road, blizzards in tow. *yum*
Once we arrived, my visit consisted of grocery shopping, a pizzeria, a southern Baptist church and an airplane delay...twice.
But a big "Thanks " to my two PT girls...I had tons of fun and wish you both luck in the next 8 weeks! :0)

Now, the second "New & Exciting" event this week....Artisan Marshmallows!!! These plush puffs of fun are made from all-natural ingredients and have been pre-released just for Easter. Our classic Vanilla Bean marshmallows are half-dipped in white chocolate, tinted with bright Easter colors...fun to nibble on yourself or stick in a loved one's Easter Basket.

Read the full description and see these sweet puffs here!
Special for March, the full line of flavors won't appear till the end of May...so snatch them up and try one before they're gone :)

I hope you all find something "New & Exciting" this upcoming week to spark your imagination or make a new memory...I sure did!