Saturday, September 28, 2013

Simple Mine Craft Party Cake


Retro is turning 14 this weekend and asked for a Mine Craft Party.  My first look over the internet for cake ideas was sort of discouraging.  I do not have the time or interest to work fondant and that seems to be how most of the cakes were decorated.  Then I found a 'cake block' cake and knew we were in business.  It was simple, and didn't require an expert cake decorator.  I'm not masterful with a pastry bag, but I can do some basic piping and that is all that was needed for this cake.

I baked square 10"cake layers and leveled them off.  I used white buttercream in the middle to put the layers together.  Then I piped square shapes on the side with chocolate frosting and frosted the sides to the bottom using my small spatula.  I piped in the white squares next to chocolate on the sides and frosted the top also with the white.  I smoothed things out a little.  Then placed red *twizzler squares on top and piped a round edging at the bottom. 

*Twizzler squares are easy to make.  Put a red twizzler in the microwave for 6 -10 sec until it is soft, but not melted.  Roll it flat with rolling pin while still warm and cut into the squares the size you need. 

We are serving with vanilla bean ice cream cut into cubes. 


Saturday, March 2, 2013

Battered to Blue Beauty Night Table

A couple weeks ago we rearranged rooms and moved Retro and Mando into separate bedrooms.  Mando got the blue captain's bed and dresser, and Retro the queen bed and furniture that had been in the guest room.

Mando's room was looking pretty sparse.  He really needed a bedside table for a lamp and an alarm clock.  I looked in a few stores and on line for one.  Of course I couldn't find anything in the dark blue to match the captain's bed we bought 6 years ago.  And anything that wasn't pressed paper and plastic cost over $150.  Scratch that.  Off to thrift shops I went.   I found this little gem for $12.  It is all wood, no veneer.  Very Early American style, probably was used as a lamp table next to a couch at one time. It looks like it served as a TV stand too, because there has been a hole punched in the middle of the back for cables, which will actually be useful for us too.  The poor thing had been used hard and was very battered.  The flash in this picture actually makes it look better than real life.






I liked the size and how sturdy it was, so I bought it.  Mando was NOT impressed when I told him it was for his room.  I had expected that, and wasn't hurt by his lack of enthusiasm and went to work.  First I cleaned it inside and out.  There were lots of cobwebs on the underside and I didn't want to bring them into the house.  I removed the the Early American drawer pulls and metal decoration thing from drawer.  Next out came the sandpaper and sanding block and 130 grit sandpaper.  The sanding block worked well for the top, shelf, sides and drawer front.  Then I quickly hand sanded the spindles.  My goal was to get rid of any gloss and scuff up the finish so it would take paint better.





A quick trip to Lowes with the small dresser drawer from the bedroom set for color match was next.  I found a color chip that matched well and had it mixed in a latex enamel satin finish.  I used a sponge roller and brush to apply the paint.  I really like the Velspar signature line of paints, all took was one coat, with some touch up.  After the paint dried, I gave it a couple coats of spray-on clean acrylic for extra protection.  Seriously, this is going in a 10 year old boy's room. 

I used an egg carton and some wood skewers for painting and drying the new little 5/8" round drawer knobs.




And here it is, all done.  Blue Beauty Night Table.  Mando could hardly wait for the paint to dry to get it to his room.







Friday, January 11, 2013

Bath Tub Plant Shelf


It happens every winter.  I miss cooking with fresh herbs from the garden.  Each year we consider growing some herbs inside, but there isn't a good place in the kitchen for that.  In fact, the room  with the best light for growing plants is the master bathroom.  There is a large window over the jetted tub that is made from glass blocks.  It is on a south facing wall and gets sun most of the day in the winter months.  I have a couple house plants there.  We have considered putting shelves across the window, but I thought that might give the space a crowded feel.  The answer, use the tub.  Well, not the inside of the tub, but the tub sides.



Mr N cut me a piece of plywood to fit over the jetted tub.  I covered it in contact shelf paper to protect the wood from water and to make it look better.  Simple but effective.  It is small enough to not block the faucets, and easy to move if someone needs a good soak.  Now we have place to grow herbs and start seedlings during the winter months.  My first planting is going to be cilantro seeds.