Here’s the transcript of a graduation speech I gave last night. Kind of a mixed reception.
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Welcome to all the teachers, parents, friends, and of course, the graduates! Hogwarts Class of 2011- you did it!
(Pause for cheers, nod)
It is a great honor to be…
The Sprinkle Bakes Sixlets Cake
Cake:2 boxes white cake mix
2 cups all-purpose flour
2 cups granulated sugar
1 ½ tsp salt
2 2/3 cups water
1/4 cup vegetable oil
2 tsp real vanilla
2 tsp almond extract
2 cups (16 oz) sour cream
8 large egg whites ½ tsp Wilton sky blue food coloring¾ cup multicolored jimmies (the kind you find in the ice cream section of the grocery store will hold up well in the batter)2 lbs. Sixlets candiesVarious and sundry sprinkles of your choosing for the top of the cake Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Grease five 7-inch cake pans and line with parchment. You may also choose to use four 9” cake pans. Place all dry ingredients in a large mixing bowl and stir together with a wire whisk. Add the remaining ingredients and beat on a low speed for 2 minutes until smooth. Remove 6 cups of batter and tint with the sky blue food coloring. Add the multicolored jimmies to the blue batter and fold gently to combine. Pour batter in pans, alternating blue and white batters. Pull a knife or skewer through the batter to create a swirl. Bake cakes for 40 -50 minutes, or until cake springs back when pressed in the middle. Icing:8 egg whites1 cup sugarPinch of salt32 tbsp. (1 lb. or 4 US sticks) unsalted butter, cubed2 tsp. clear vanilla extract
Set a saucepan filled 1/3 full of water over medium high heat and bring to a simmer. Whisk together egg whites, sugar and salt in a heat-proof bowl. Set over simmering water and whisk until mixture is hot and sugar has dissolved. Transfer to the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment. Beat on low speed for 2 minutes, then increasing to medium-high until stiff peaks are formed. Continue beating at medium-high speed until mixture is fluffy and has cooled. Remove whisk attachment and replace with paddle attachment Decrease mixer speed and add butter, a little at a time, beating until well incorporated before the next addition. Add vanilla extract. Beat until icing is smooth. Increase speed if icing is slow to firm.
AssemblyIcecakes and stack them, making sure the edges are as even as possible. Apply an even coating of icing to the outside of the stacked cakes using an off-set spatula, filling any gaps and crevices. Starting at the bottom of the cake, gently push sixlets into the icing. Create a line of alternating colors (or use a solid color, your choice!) To achieve the graduated swirl, use colors in the same order on the second line, but move the first color over one space to the right. Continue this pattern all the way up the cake. By the time you’re done, (about 1 hour 20 minutes) you’ll be in a hypnotic state from applying sixlets sprinkles. This process is very meditative – enjoy the zen! Sprinkle the top of the cake with various and sundry. Add a sparkler if you’re into pyrotechnics…which I certainly am!
Cook Tip #22
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Life annoucement: I move into my new apartment this week! WOOOOOOHOOOOOO! I’m actually only four days away, but who’s counting?
I honestly didn’t expect to find an apartment that I love so quickly, but I did, and here we are! My brain has been abuzz with ideas of how to decorate + what type of style I want to achieve. All I have to say is thank GOODNESS for my Pinterest boards, where I’ve been virtually prepping for this big move for almost a year.
My DIY Projects board is one of my favorites. So, today, I’m going to share a few of my favorites from this board with you…some of which I’m already working to install in my own new place:
- Rustic Dining Table
- Tree Brand Wall Art
- Refinished Nightstand with Tin Foil
- Crate Shelving
- Chic Wood Headboard
- Refurbished Mirrored Dresser
- Glitter Mason Jars
- Modern Wall Art
There were so many great DIY’s I wanted to share, so make sure you head over to my board to check them out!
Have you ever DIY-ed projects for your home? If so, I’d love to hear about your experience/results. Otherwise, I’d love to know which above project you think I’ve already chosen for my new space. Winner gets something…even if only street-cred.
Finally, happy Monday! Go ahead and get after this week. We’re already closer to the weekend!
also, if you like this post, I just KNOW you’re gonna love this one: DIY Home Bars. Enjoy!
Sew a travelling book case (or storage nook) for your back seat. I’ve always struggled with books for Wednesday (my daughter) in the back seat, now I can actually keep a small supply in the truck. :)
In this photo the organizer is hanging on the front seat facing the back seat, but in her inspiration photo the organizer is hanging in the middle of the back seat to be shared by passengers.
Harry potter must have moved out
My sister and I were in the car and she turned to me and goes Canada is 50% a’s then she says do you know how they came up with the name Canada they put letters in a hat and picked them out first was “c eh” then “n eh” then finally “d eh”