I hope everyone had a fun and safe Fourth of July yesterday. My house was super quiet as I worked on cakes and frosting. Of course I got bored after a while and headed out for some shopping while the stores were still open. Then it was back home to get the wedding cake knocked out. All I have to do now is stack all the layers and add the icing decorations. Then comes the stressful part of driving the cake to the reception location...that is always a very tense drive. This is the last big cake order I have scheduled for the summer. I think I'm going to keep it that way.
Now let's get to the top 10 things and instagrams that caught my eye in the last 2 weeks.
1. We took a day away from all work and went to the Michigan Dunes. The weather this year has been crazy cool, but it didn't stop our kids from getting into the freezing Lake Michigan water. It was a fun day of hiking up the sand and playing frisbee. We need more days like this.
2. Have you heard of Kizmos?
They are a kitchen tool company that specializes in affordable cookware in bright happy colors. I adore cute fun kitchen items, especially products that are fun AND functional. You can't help but smile back at the tools when you see them. I absolutely love the fun colors that everything comes in. My youngest has already claimed them as "his" tools for baking. My favorite things so far are the colanders. They have different sizes that are great for rinsing fruits, veggies, or pastas.
3. There is just something about an ooey gooey s'mores that makes my heart thump wildly. How absolutely amazing do these Strawberry S'mores from Baked by Rachel look? I am dying over them!
4. JoAnn Fabric has the cutest summer stuff right now. I have been there a few times picking up fun things to use. This week I bought these cute ice cream cups and spoons. You know that means ice cream recipes will be coming at you soon right?
5. I saw these cute glitter clothespins on Pinterest and now all I can think about is making cute mini donuts and putting them in adorable bags with glitterized clothespins. The best part is that I think I have everything on hand to make these...everything but the donuts that is.
6. I finally finished my wall art that has been sitting on the office floor...for oh, I don't know...a year or more. It is such an easy craft/art project to do. I found all my embroidery hoops at Goodwill at different times. Then I spray painted them all white and filled them with a fabric that coordinates with our bathroom. I really should have gotten a pic of the art on the wall. The room still needs curtains, so I will work on that and then show the finished room, ok?
7. These Grilled Cheeseburger Wraps from Life as a Lofthouse are going on our dinner menu. I love easy dinner ideas like this. They are perfect for hot summer days.
8. Avocados are one of my all time favorite veggies. I have been eating them on everything lately. This week it was in quesadillas and burgers. What is your favorite way to eat them?
9. I want to seriously take photography lessons from Darla!!! She amazes me every.single.post. Yes, I blog stalk her and drool over all her pictures. I mean come on, check out how gorgeous this Lemon Blueberry Coffee Cake looks!
10. Have you seen this new Jif Whips? I found it at Walmart the other night and bought the peanut butter and chocolate one. Bad idea to open it and sample it with a spoon...I seriously couldn't stop eating it. It is so creamy and fluffy!
Have a fabulous weekend enjoying the summer weather. Hopefully I won't be holed up in the kitchen too much longer with this wedding cake. Then it is play time with the kiddos. What fun things do you have planned for your weekend?
Mandy's Recipe Box
I am jealous you've had a chance to enjoy some cooler weather! We are melting up here is Idaho at 105. I stay inside all.day.long. You never cease to amaze me with your cake decorating skills. Beautiful!
Jocelyn Brubaker
Yikes, I'm sorry you have such icky weather!! I like hot weather, but not melty hot!! Thank you so much!!! 😉
Becca @ Crumbs and Chaos
Those strawberry s'mores had my heart thumping too! They look amazing 🙂 I must have...ahem...missed your call when you came all the way to Michigan this week 😉 so glad you had a relaxing time...hoping to enjoy ice cream or coffee...or coffee ice cream with you someday!
Jocelyn Brubaker
You know what...I actually thought of you when we were driving up there. But it was such a quick day trip! We definitely need to meet up for coffee AND ice cream one of these days 🙂
Michelle
Great. Thanks SO MUCH for introducing me to yet a few more FAB blogs. I just don't read enough as it is. Sigh 🙂
Jocelyn Brubaker
Haha, it's hard to keep up with all of the ones I love too!! 😉
Vicki Bensinger
Wow you have so many fun ideas. I didn't know you made wedding cakes. I will have to search through your blog to see if I can locate some of your photos. How fun! Hope you have a smooth ride delivering it.
Jocelyn Brubaker
Yes, I've been doing cakes for years now!! Just not all of the time. Mostly for family and people I know. The cake made it there in one piece, thankfully!! 😉
Faith @ Pixie Dust Kitchen
Those Jiff Whips look so good! I need to go find them, I'm already thinking of so many great ways to use them in recipes!
Jocelyn Brubaker
Yes, me too!!! 😉
Dorothy @ Crazy for Crust
I love Kizmos! I have so much of that collection, it's awesome!
Jocelyn Brubaker
Yay for happy faces!! 🙂
Reba- Not So Perfect Life
Jiff whips? I need that in my life! I am obsessed with avocados. I love making spicy sandwich spreads with it. BTW I'm finally making your Strawberry Shortcake Fudge this week. I had a hard time finding the Duncan Hines icing flavoring, its going to be discontinued 🙁
Jocelyn Brubaker
Yes, find the Jif Whips...so good just with a spoon! And spicy sandwich spreads from avocados? I seriously need to do that! And the DH flavor is being discontinued? Oh sad day! I guess I should make a note in the recipe. Thanks for letting me know. I hope you enjoy the fudge 🙂
Marcie
Those grilled cheeseburger wraps are such a great idea! I need to do that soon. I saw the strawberry s'mores and love the idea of eating a s'more with fruit. Why didn't I think of that?! I could go on and on about my love of avocados. Guacamole is a favorite, but I'll eat them almost everywhere!
Jocelyn Brubaker
Avocado in a smoothie is a favorite of mine!! You can't even tell its in there because of the mild flavor! 😉
Tris Butler
My mother taught me to eat avacado sandwiches when I was little. Shes gone now, but I think of her everytime I see or eat avacados. 2 slices of bread, a little mayo and sliced avacados with a little salt and a little more pepper. I have to have the pepper or I can't eat it, the same with tomato sandwiches. Thank you for the memory.
Jocelyn Brubaker
I don't know if I could eat a plain avocado sammie, but with a little cheese it might be good!! 😉 And you're so welcome!!!
Averie @ Averie Cooks
Didnt know about Jif Whips. Wow...sounds like PB + Cool Whip is now being sold pre-made. I've been doing that on my own for awhile. Bad idea to have around at midnight 🙂
Have a great weekend!
Jocelyn Brubaker
Mmmm pb and cool whip is delicious!! I'm with ya, I always need a sweet snack late at night!!
Eat Good 4 Life
Beautiful family and yes that blueberry coffee cake loos amazing. The pictures too 🙂
Jocelyn Brubaker
Thank you so much!! 😉
Tieghan
Have a great weekend!! Good luck with driving you cake. That would be SO stressful!!. Yikes!
Jocelyn Brubaker
Thanks!! Thankfully the cake made there in one piece!! Yay!! 😉