Making Mama Moment: Realizing I'm not the only one in my kitchen

Let me set the scene of this discovery for you...

I woke up early, did my hair/makeup, got dressed in something other than pajama-like maternity clothes...

Peanut woke up, I got her dressed and braided her hair, we took a few pictures using the timer on the camera...

We went to my OB appointment and listened to tummy baby, then out to lunch...

After a busy morning, it was finally nap time for Peanut and I decided to get a head start on making her bday cupcakes...

I put on an apron, not wanting to get flour  on my belly that officially hangs over the counter, and started mixing up some white almond cupcakes...

Into my mixer bowl went all the dry ingredients, I gave em a quick whisk then in went the wet ingredients, including my last teaspoon of almond extract...

Just like I've done a hundred times before, I attached the bowl and plugged in my mixer...

Only to have myself, counters, floors, and entire kitchen covered in cake batter...

It was in my hair.

It was on my carefully picked outfit (I was already bummed that Michael and I were finally going to a Butler game and none of my BU shirts fit over the belly).

It was covering the floor, sticky as all get out.

It was caked on my counters, mixer, cabinets, fridge, and even my camera strap. 

The mixer was set all the way to 10...

I've never EVER used that setting...

But guess who loves to stand on a chair and "help" me cook lately...

You guessed it - my crazy Peanut. 

I could've taken a picture to show you, but you've all seen it on cartoons. I was shocked, upset, angry (at myself), humbled, and did I mention upset?

Not how I wanted to spend my free time and definitely not how I wanted my baking time to go.  Now I was left with a giant mess, no cupcake ingredients to start over, and limited time before Annalyn woke up and we had to leave for the game.  Michael of course had a dentist appointment so no help there for awhile. 

Grrr... Talk about a frustrating lesson to learn!

My Brother's Mario Groom's Cake

I just had to share a picture of the groom's cake I made for my brother, Travis's wedding last weekend.  The top two layers are fondant on cake boards, and the bottom layer is a white almond confetti cake with buttercream icing and filling (because my brother's awesome like that).  After it's fair share of issues, the cake actually turned out really cute. 

"you are my star; together we are invincible"

I couldn't think of a better way to tie in the Mario theme

to the marriage of my brother and his bride

 

We've been playing Super Mario since we were kids, so this cake is not only fun, but it also reflects my brother and a little piece of our childhood.  Because what's a wedding without tradition?

 



 

Of course, you want to see this beautiful bride and handsome groom, too!

 

 

And what wedding would be complete without an adorable flower girl ;)

I just couldn't resist a picture with my Travi - didn't he look great?!

Beautiful Disaster: Rustic Raspberry Peach Tart

Here's one of those creations that just keeps going wrong, but somehow ends up great - a beautiful disaster.  This recipe was born after promising my student and technician at work that I would make them a pie, only to realize I only had a single pie crust at home.  Sure, I could've made one, but I just didn't have the time or patience that day.  So, I decided to improvise and make a one-crust rustic-looking tart instead.  Aside from using a little too much peach filling, it was one heck of an improvisation!   I even got to use some of my freshly picked home-grown raspberries.  Here's how Mama makes it:

Rustic Raspberry Peach Tart

Ingredients:
- 1 pastry for 9" pie
- 1 c. can peach pie filling (slightly less than 1 can)
- 1/3 c. raspberries
- 1 T. honey