Painful lesson learned in cupcakes.

Well today I thought that nothing could get any better. I had sold all 4 batches of the “nutty bunny” cupcake. I had business awards coming my way for fastest up n coming enteruprinurer of the year…not. The day started with diliveries. Oh, btw let me tell you that me and my family almost got in a huge accident. I have never been so thankful, thankful that we stopped when we did. The ladies in the two cars were ok, but the cars were thrashed. I also would like to share with you the very simple fact that the cupcake is different for everyone. Ok seriously, all of you have different needs when it comes to being satisfied with the little cake. VERY high maintenance people we are. I think we have all raised the bar on taste since the food network started to catch America’s attention. Ok, let me take you back to where I began…my day. I was finally delivering my last batch ordered from a good and loyal friend and a very wonderful supporter.:) Now this was a special batch, because she was going to take as a gift for an office staff. Imagine if you can the perfect “lookin” cake all whipped up into a frenzy. I had placed them in my special carrying case and I was ready to present the cupcakes. I got out of the car and out came the very excited client with of course, high expectations. After all, I had built them up quite a bit. She reached for the case as to take a highly anticipated peek and the bottom of the case dropped out. I’m sure you can guess that all the cupcakes hit the groud and the ground was covered with drit and PINE NEEDLES! Well, I am making a new order for her but WOW…really?????? I feel exhausted,slightly overwhelmed and excited at the challenge to please, in the way only the perfect cupcake can do. I have discovered this could take me my entire childhood and beyond as I eagerly watch the eyes and expressions of the reciepients who dig in and find there is more to pleasing their taste buds than meets the eye!

Signed,
Hope

What I like to call the Nutty Bunny!!!

This cupcake thing is awesome. You get this warm, fuzzy feeling when someone tries your cupcake. Yesterday I created this masterpiece called the Nutty Bunny. It is a carrot cupcake with cranberries, raisins, bananas, almonds and walnuts with a cream cheese walnut frosting!!!!!! It is so yum! People licked their liners clean when they tasted them. They are very homestyle and the cream cheese frosting people have asked for quadruple the amount!
Well this one is definitely out of the park!
Signed,
Hope

Sssssssooooooo sorry!

I am so sorry for the horrible delay. We have had a break from cupcakes. Technical difficulties have held me back from blogging. The cupcake competition went well but sadly, I didn’t win. What a wonderful event though and very inspirational! I am asking you to consider going to this event next year! If you are interested in more details leave a reply.

The next cupcake I am going to bake is the carrot- nut cupcake with cream cheese frosting. We have lots of home grown carrots to use and I am craving that.

Sorry again,
Signed,
Hope 😛

Wow.

Are you kidding me???? How long do you think it takes to bake 80 cupcakes? For us, it took us 10 hours. I am twelve years old and my feet are killing me! My friend MF, my mother, brother and I were in the kitchen all day. And tomorrow, we will put all 10 hours of baking and put it to the test. My neighbors/ judges came over and one of them said, “….. It paralyzed my whole body” the other said, “Everything was perfect. There’s not one thing that is missing.It’s exactly right.” regarding my cupcakes that I am entering in the benefit. We have scooped, mixed, lined, and cleaned! Clean, clean, clean! We are exhausted. Somehow I got to write a freestyle poem for today so here it goes:

Cupcake

Cupcake lives on 1234 Pastry Ave. In a box shaped apartment.
Cupcake wears all different kinds of skirts like zebra stripes or bright,bold colors.
Each day she goes to her work at Frostings R’ Us.
After work she goes to the Sugar Factory to fuel up on sweet sugar and crazy calories.
 She is individually made with love.
 Her mother is Sprinkles and her father is Batter.
Her brother is Compote and her sister is Flour.
Her grandfather is Ganache. 
 She is rich in personality but can be fresh and vivid also. 
She has her hair up high almost reaching the sky and usually has a hairband or clip.

Signed,
Hope

Last day of writing camp and petsitting.

Well today was the last day of writing camp and petsitting the guinea pig. I have been going to bed at 11 and waking up at seven every day for 10 days along with baking our heads off. It has been a tad rough but fun all in all. I enjoyed spending time with Daisy but honestly its not my thing.Messy.Partly smelly when it comes to the cleaning. And cute. Somehow someway a guinea pig is cute.
And writing camp has been quite enjoyable as I have been going for 4 years now. I recommend it to young writers. It is super cathartic and actually(wait for it) fun. Yeah I know. How can essays be fun? Well they can! And anyway, we are heading into the cupcakes for cancer event and tomorrow will be completely dedicated to baking. Lots and lots of it. Not to mention we still are going to bed at11 and waking up at 7. Ugh. Well it is just another adventure.
Signed,
Hope

The sun is shining today …… Literally and figuratively.

So I guess that intimidating reality cloud has passed over my head. Hallelujah!!!! Now we are at the Preparation Stage of this benefit, as we think, ponder, question and wonder how we can improve these pretty little cakes. A friend told me today that baking is precise. Cooking is casual but baking is a work of art.
We have worked so hard and I feel so happy with myself that I am sharing a bite of happiness with the world. Everyone has been so supportive. I would like to thank my aunt in texas for giving me all kinds of ideas especially the texas big hair meringue recipe, my neighbor for making me banana chips and giving me special advice, my grandparents who have supported me and helped me with Tia Maria suggestions and everything under the sun. And everybody reading this blog right now! You are the people who make me motivated every day.

Brainstorming: What we have learned in this baking ordeal so far.

1- bananas turn brown in a dehydrator with out lemon juice.- MW

2- Cream of disgusting Tartar solidifies eggs.- Web.

3- To infuse cupcakes with a filling, an old baby syringe for liquid medication can be used for an even amount.- Mom

4- Always preheat your oven before baking.-Mistakes

5- chocolate has to be soft when you grate or vegetable peel it to make
curls. I have not been successful with the veggie grater but have used one
made for cheese and I got more of a shredded look. Oh yeah and put it in
the freezer for 30 minutes to keep its shape.- Bristol Farms bakery guy

6- Never measure over bowl.-Mima

7- Some people don’t like chocolate ( hard to believe ). -Dad

Not all support is great, as some people feel that cupcakes have not only taken over our kitchen but also our lives.- my brother

Signed,
Hope

Wow, my heart is heavy in cupcakes today. What I mean by that is life hurts. as I am baking and baking and baking I am fighting tears and my throat is tight. I am listening to my mom pray for a friend of hers who is fighting to live from that stupid cancer. She has two kids younger than me and my brother. Then when I was at the store getting baking soda (how trival) I saw in the paper about a young guy that was in an accident and burned so bad he can’t be himself ever again, how do you say goodbye forever to yourself????? My Mima works for Hospice and lots of boys and girls are meeting tonight to talk about life without the parents they loved. How do you say goodbye to a mom or dad forever?????? Well, I know a cupcake won’t change a person back to what they used to be. Maybe a smile on a face (if there is a face) is all I can think of. I hope that each one of those kids at hospice will smile just for a moment when they eat their cupcakes tonight, but I know it won’t last long. Is it possible to change the world one cupcake at a time??????

Signed,
Hope