A Splash of One-derful Fun

A wonderful birthday is wished for a special little boy turning one! May his years be full of good health and cheer. The cake had a layer of red velvet and pineapple flavored cakes on each stack with cream cheese pudding in between. Rohan, hope you having a 'splashing' year ahead; go ahead and make waves...

Going on Twelve...

Eleven years of walking side by side, laughing together, sharing tears and watching each other 'grow' in many ways ... As we continue on this journey of life together I know not what the future holds for us. I can only hope and pray that the next year holds as much promise, love, trust and happiness as those gone by...

Dark Comfort

Today, I am another year older and another step closer to the dreaded 'over the hill' mark, as they call it.  The years are moving along and this time I am inclined to feel a little wiser.  That is, if wiser can be equated with being more informed from life's lessons.  

I have learnt a lot this past year.  

1. I have learnt that I have been blessed with an amazing family of loved ones, well wishers and friends.
2. I have learnt that fretting over anything only makes it ten times worse.
3.  I have learnt that doing the right thing does matter.  
4. I have learnt that patience and humility are immense virtues when it comes to raising children.
5. I have learnt that results are more amazing when the work comes from the heart and soul and not just the head.
6. I have learnt that you can never tell someone you love that you love them enough number of times. 
7. I have learnt that compromise and trust are the foundation blocks to a marriage. 
8. I have learnt that talking to and spending time with aging parents is the best gift you can give them.
9. I have learnt that the best way to teach your children something is to let them make a mistake first (only when it's not life threatening of course). 
10. And, above all I have  learnt that holding a grudge in life is more detrimental to health than this six layer chocolate truffle cake that I call 'dark comfort'.  

So for this coming year I am going to try really hard not to focus on the 'sour grapes' but to indulge in the juicy red ones (sometimes a glass of the fermented variety also ;) ).  I think I will do wonders for my heart and soul that way and you know what?  When I am happier the people around me are happier too; and that means the world to me!

Terrific Two with Elmo

A stacked cake frosted in buttercream and dressed in fondant decorations.  Each stack consisted of a layer of red velvet and a layer of pineapple cake with a cream cheese mousse filling in between.  Happy Terrific Two!

The Kilimanjaro Treat

Upside down mini red velvet cupcakes dressed with white frosting and sugar pearls to mimic the South African volcanic mountain that exhibits a snow capped peak.

Mini Delights, Big Hearts

Here's wishing everyone a very delectably delicious and an absolutely sweet new year 2012.

Every year brings with it new hopes, new desires and holds the promise of a fresh start.  Why is that so important? It's because as human beings, we are programmed to seek perfection in all we do.  We want to get it right and be right and failing that to some extent every year we find ourselves eagerly looking forward to the start of each new year.  What we perhaps need to understand is that a little bit of imperfection is just fine or the fact that every next moment can be a new start.  Nature in all its glory is asymmetrical and imperfect and yet holds captivating beauty and potential. 

People tend to make resolutions around health, fitness, money, travel, home and relationships.  I have long stopped making such resolutions. I try to wish for new beginnings and new adventures on a daily basis now.  A whole year is too long for me to envision.   To me, a new year is a milestone to explore new horizons, new ideas and be bolder than I have ever been in the past.  And if I must make a resolution this year, it will be to have a big heart in all I do and to strive and find inner peace (*I have a lot of water bubbles and fire balls to catch in my palms I guess...).

The above mini treats were made for my daughter and son's classmates to wish them a very happy new 2012 and may their big smiles and big hearts teach me to live life anew.

*Ref: Kung Fu Panda 2