Thursday, December 29, 2011

Brede Wedding

Finally pics of the Brede's wedding are up!  I've been looking forward to sharing these photos for a while!  This summer Jason and I (Ally) went to California for the wedding of our friends, Jaclyn and Justin Brede.  I actually went ahead a few days to work on the wedding and grooms cakes.  Jaclyn's mom baked the cakes and I assembled and decorated them!  It was challenging being in a different kitchen, but way fun!  Here are some of my favorite pics:



so many bridesmaids!





The wedding was in Anaheim at the hotel where we all stayed. Walking distance to Disneyland.
  
Jac's brother, a pastor did the ceremony.
a few of Jac's nieces were the cute flower girls.
Texas girls represent!!!
This spurred my obsession with yellow and gray.


Texas.



cake smash!

Weddings are so fun!
At the end of the reception, we all went out and watched the Disneyland fireworks!  It was beautiful.

Monday, December 19, 2011

PODCAST LOVE

If you've read some of our blog posts, you can tell that I'm (Amanda) a TV addict. I mentioned Project Runway and Cupcake Wars, and the list of recorded shows on my DVR goes on and on. UNTIL NOW. Nick and I decided to get rid of our cable subscription for three reasons: (1) To grow closer to each other (2) To grow closer to God (3) To save $$$. It has been a big life change, and so far - two weeks in - it's well worth it on all three levels! I'm not saying we'll never start it back up, but we needed the severity of a cold-turkey-quit to really make a change. Anyway, I say all of this to let you know about some great podcasts I've found to replace TV while baking.



The writer of the blog Joy the Baker talks on the phone to the writer of the blog Shutterbean. A baker and a photographer. You'd think there would be some great insight into baking and photography...and there's some...but mostly random convos between two funny ladies.



Another podcast by Joy from Joy the Baker. This one has some more substance when it comes to the subject of baking. She interviews some big names in the baking/blogging world. 

Both of those are sponsored by homefries.com and they have a few other podcasts that sound just as great: The Simple Mom, The Crush (wine), The Table Set and The Because Show. All centered around food and funniness. 



     
A non-baking related suggestion is Dave Ramsey's new-ish podcast about his leadership program, Entre Leadership. They play a segment of Dave's philosophy on leadership, then interview someone who's a leader in the business world. Some great interviews are Chick-fil-a's Dan Cathy, Zappos' Tony Hsieh and NFL coach Tony Dungy.
Watermark Community Church also has some great material up for grabs. You can search through tons of categories and listen to messages, workshops, Bible studies, etc. on various topics.



So that's my 2 cents on podcasts in case you're sick of the Christmas station on Pandora at work. I've been there. 

Wednesday, December 14, 2011

CHRISTMAS COOKIE CONSPIRACY

I don't think it's a coincidence that Santa's dessert of choice is Christmas cookies. He works all year-round making toys and squeezes down millions of chimneys in one night...sure, it's a lot of work. But I've decided his Christmas cookie demands are payback for everything he goes through. He knows how much time and detail goes into these tiny pieces of art - and he takes JOY in devouring them in every home he visits! Why do we give in to his cookie demands every year?!? We may never know. But here are some good ideas for your Christmas cookies this season. Eat it Santa! ....But really, eat it.


Cute shapes & tons of detail



Love the modern colors




Old school Christmas prints - Vintage perfection



I had to add this one because of the Santa diversification! Hilarious!
Merry Christmas Y'all!


Saturday, December 3, 2011

Harper's Birthday Party


It's not every weekend that we get to make a cake and eat it too!  But this weekend, Peyton and I walked down the street to our neighbor, Harper's first birthday.  Jason had to work all day, so just us girls went.  It was one of those gross cold wet days where you're thankful for the rain, but want it to stop when you're outside!  We got wet on the way home and had to run!

Here's the party room.  This house is exactly the same floor plan as ours, but just backwards. 
 Isn't it fun walking in your same house but it's just backwards?  Or am I the only dork who thinks that's fun?

Anna was the hostess with the mostess!

The birthday girl, Harper with her mommy and daddy, Chris and Anna.  

Yummy party favors

Yummy food!

Hmm, what am I supposed to do with this little owl?  Oh, shove it in my face and get really messy?  Yes please!












Present time!  


This morning, Peyton said "Go Harper's house please?"  She wants to go play with all her new toys!