CFAM [Heart]s You!

I remember the times as a kid when I'd to give out Valentine's Day cards to my friends at school.  Those early years were fun.  It was the only time of the year where you were "authorized" to pass notes in class.  And not only could you pass notes without being disciplined for it, you were also encouraged to include sweets.  Oh man, what fun that tradition was.

But then, as the years passed, they became awkward as kids formed crushes for each other (or lack thereof) and annoying.  As a boy in my early teens, I only wished they weren't reading into my message too much.  Be Mine?  Really?!

Ahh, the joy of growing up.  But, as I got older and matured, Valentine's Day has seemed rather silly.  Why am I being forced to show someone that I love or care for them?  Shouldn't I do that around the year?  Well, of course you should.  For me, it reminds me that I should love someone even if I don't like them right then.  I once believed love was a reaction; however, real love is truly a choice, given when you don't feel like giving it.  It is an action.  It reminds me to act and show someone that despite my feeling at the time, I should love.  But, that's just me.

How do you celebrate Valentine's Day?  Ooh, ooh!  I have an idea!  A succulent red velvet cake delicately wrapped with sweet cream cheese frosting is surely a great way to enjoy the evening.  This homemade goodness will certainly make it sweeter.

6" two-tier red velvet with cream cheese frosting

Happy Valentine's Day!

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Two Are Better Than One

We just received news yesterday that my wife's sister and her husband, already parents to two great kids (twins), are now expecting, oh yes, another set of twins this year.  We are so excited for them!

Last night, with a few orders coming due soon and my wife knowing that I have a few cakes already baked and not yet frosted, she suggests we just drive up to their home and surprise them with a cake.  "Really? Now?"  She's very good at surprises, especially surprising me too, but I'm glad for that drive in her.  She definitely knows how to recognize others and make them feel special.  So, in the midst of the excitement and the little time I had, I gave the effort she wanted in surprising them.  I especially knew this had to be done quickly since not only my girls and their kids were nearing the "outer rim" of their day (yes, on a school night of course), my brother-in-law also covets his sleep.  He makes the birds feel lazy by how early he gets up for work.

So, this is the cake that came together with what resources I had on hand already.  Three-layers of chocolate with cream-cheese frosting (as always, all homemade), the flavors are simple, distinct, and very good.  Since we don't know what they're having just yet, pink and blue find their way into every bit of the cake; the frosted layers are even separated in pink and blue.  If you think the decorating took more time than its construction, you'd be right.  The script "Two Are Better Than 1" comes out of Ecclesiastes 4:9 and is completely out-of-context.  Using a little freedom - I'm confident God will forgive me - it made for a good laugh.

Three-tier chocolate with cream cheese frosting.

Congratulations, Jeff and Amy!  We are so happy for you.

~Luke

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What's your Tradition?

Most of you probably already know this - that is assuming you've ever met me - that I cannot keep up with sports talk.  Oh, I understand most of the mechanics, rules, and strategies of nearly any American sport.  I just don't keep up with the current teams, players, who's great, who's not, and all the other topics in between.  But, what I do like doing, regardless of the occasion, is hanging out with friends, making new ones, and creating moments where we all can have a good laugh.  Even if some of it is at my expense, I still love it.

The Super Bowl is just another one of those great times to get together for me and not because of who's playing and how great one team is over the other, although I love a true underdog story; I just love the crowd.  My favorite memory of Super Bowl was back in high school and being invited to a party at the local Nazarene church in north Spokane (Washington).  Did you know that's where I grew up?  Anyway, this was back in the day where we didn't have High-Def LED, Plasma, LCD, or even big screen televisions in general - at least I hadn't really ever seen a big TV before.  But this church had a projector and boy did I marvel at the thought of a 30' image projected on a wall.  Add food and friends and there's no way you could keep me from that.  We slammed down pizza, Doritos, soda-pop, and other typical Super Bowl junkfood.  However, it was the cheering with my friends at great plays, laughing with them at the funny commercials, and making memories that made this day oh so grand.

Since then, I haven't really watched much of the games.  My wife and two little girls keep me busy in a great way and in whatever their lives want from me.  I'm not ashamed to say I cherish them more than a good game of football.  Today, though, we have the opportunity to make new memories.  New friends from church have invited us over to their house to watch the game.  "What would you like us to bring," I asked the wife.  "Oh, anything snacky,"  She replied.  "Would you like me to bring a cake?"  "Could you?!"  Well, it just wouldn't be proper to invite a baker and expect him to bring a bag of oily chips, although a good bag of Cheddar & Sour Cream Lays...never mind.

Football and Turf cake

Today, we're celebrating with a football and some turf [cake].  When I told my girls I was making a cake with a football on grass, the youngest was shocked.  "You mean....real...grass?"  Like I always do, I played along with it.  "Sure.  You're going to go outside and pick clumps of grass and then we'll layer it on the cake."  The oldest knew I was kidding and even the youngest could sense a joke in it somewhere, but she was still on the fence.  Like many of the cakes I've made, designed mostly out of inspiration, this is what resulted:  Sod is made of chocolate cake with a chocolate butter-cream frosting and green-colored butter-cream for the grass - yes, this isn't real grass just in case you're on the fence too.  Chocolate-coated candy rocks line the bottom.  On top, the football is a hand-carved four-layer marble with chocolate frosting and dark brown fondant.  I think my girls are more excited to show off my cake than I am...and I'm looking forward to it as well.

So before you leave, I have to ask:  How do you celebrate the Super Bowl?  What memories or traditions get you excited for the big game?

Thanks for following and supporting Cakes for a Mustang!

~Luke

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One Hundred "Thank You"s

One dream about owning or restoring an American icon with my Dad.  One hope to take my girls on road trips in it.  One generous couple letting me take my girls out in one very nice Mustang.  One cake given in thanks for the memorable ride.  With the help of friends, one idea was generated which has now become Cakes for a Mustang.

Thank you, thank you, thank you.  Without you, in just 4 months, Cakes for a Mustang wouldn't be able to say "we have just fulfilled One hundred orders!"

One 3-tier and Six 2-tier carrot cakes were just a few of the Thanksgiving orders.

May your family have a blessed Thanksgiving.  Thank you!

~Luke

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What's the Baker Been Up To? Pumpkin!

Ok.  I know I haven't written for some time now.  Does it feel like a friend's forgotten about you?  Yeah, yeah, I know that's pushing it.  Well, just because I haven't been penning the blog doesn't mean I haven't been baking.  This little adventure has been up and running for 4 months now and I've fulfilled more than 80 orders; the orders just keep coming in.  Yikes!  I never thought this would take off.  But if you want to know why I haven't been writing, the simple answer is I've just taken time off from writing.  Things have gotten busier and the more I write, honestly, the more I sell.  That's a good thing, right?  Not when you don't have time.  But, I've found the time again and I'm ready to continue on, especially now as the holidays are almost in full swing!

So, just in the nick of time, I've decided to try out Pumpkin cake for the holidays.  Almost in the same family as the ever-so-popular carrot cake, it sure thinks it can out perform the favorite.  I put it through a test run on "long lost" friends who just happened to be in town for the weekend.  They not only loved it, they requested to take the rest with them.  I guess that means it's good enough.  Nah, it's surely more than good enough.  It's light, fluffy, and still very sweet.  It's the sister the carrot cake never had.

6" Double-Layer Pumpkin Cakes

As always, the pricing will be the same for 6" double and 10" triple; however, this cake will only be available for a limited time (until December 24).

Thanks again for your support and I only hope I can keep up!

Luke

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My New Power Tool

The gals know they’ve touched a man’s heart when she comes home with a new power tool for him.  She's eager to show her man she’s thought of him.  He'll probably think, "What do I have to do in exchange?", but he still finds it impressive that you saved money while doing it too.  My wife, however, didn’t get this “power tool” at Lowe’s or Home Depot or Sears.  She actually found this at our local Meijer and the strings attached are ever so pleasant tasting.

So, as expected or unexpected, I'm in heaven.

Welcome the KitchenAid Pro 500

Do you know what today is? That’s right, it’s Friday, September 30, 2011 and pricing changes tomorrow.  So, have you placed your order yet?  Many of you have already put in orders, some already delivered today and many more to be delivered sometime in October.  Either way, this is the last day to get an exceptionally famous and tasty cake for either the $10 (6” double) or $20 (10” triple) price.  And remember, if placed today, you can push out delivery all the way to December 31.

Thanks again for all you do!

~Luke

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It's About Time

It's about time for what?  To open a bakery?  Not quite.  To go public (NYSE)?  I wish?  Nah...

I have had the pleasure of making many cakes and other delectable items - nearly 80 of them including samples these past 10 weeks - and I never would have guessed what the number one compliment could be:  "You aren't charging enough for your cakes!"  Thank you?  

Yes, I have had the same feeling.  In fact someone told me recently, "if you keep selling them at these low prices, people will begin to think they're...well...cheap."  I did think of that.  But, again, I never realized how much of a hit these would be.  I kind of thought this would be a fun joke to play, a test per se, to see if people would follow through with their dare:  "I'd buy your cakes."  Yeah, right.

You proved me wrong.

So here I am, turning into the baker I never thought I'd be.  I grew up on generic macaroni and cheese, peanut butter and jelly, ramen - ooh those college years.  Wow, what a good wife can do to a schlub like me.  My set of tools come in what looks like a tackle box, but would never be useful going fishing.  Inside you'll find food coloring, meringue powder, angled spatulas, pastry bags, and piping tips.  I can run through a recipe in my head - ingredients, oven temperature, baking time - and not flinch or hesitate to review its written form.

Why?  I have no clue.  I guess I just love to create.

If it makes you feel better, I do own a tool belt, two hammers, select power tools, can roof a house, do trim work, and perform auto repair.  I don't particularly care for sports so I guess my manhood has its flaws.  Nonetheless, I am very pleased with the past 10 weeks and the support you have given me.

So, where do we go from here?  You guessed it.  Prices are going up soon.  Ok, I don't want to scare you.  It's not like I'm doubling prices; I actually want to keep my customers.  I don't know what they'll be, but what I do know is the increase will be marginal and new prices will be effective October 1.

What does that mean for you?  You'll still get great tasting and looking cakes as usual.  I'll probably do more to prove your worth as a valued customer.  Without you, none of the this would be possible.  However, if you want to secure the cheaper price, you still can.  You are encouraged to place your order(s) before 11:59pm EST on Friday, September 30.  Your delivery date can be pushed out beyond October - in fact as far as to the end of the year - but only orders submitted before midnight October 1 will receive the discounted pricing.

Thanks for keeping me busy and many more thanks for letting me make you, and your stomach, smile through this venture.

~Luke

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