Fantabulous Fair?

     I'm sure we all know that well, fried foods and the fair go together! They go together better than cake and me! Mmmm! Well yesterday I took a trip on down to our yearly fair with my friend! This was the first year that I had gone without my parents! After a more than needed amount of planning my friend and I drove off to the fair grounds! I love the road to the fair grounds! It's wavy and just amazing, now the one thing I don't like, is, CONSTRUCTION! The signs say go 40 mph through it, no. I'm afraid that whoever is behind me will be going slower today. 
     
     Thankfully my lovely culinary arts teacher let her and I leave 15 minutes early, which gave us time to find some foods to sneak in! Needless to say, 20 minutes later we were on our way to the fair with food and packed ready to go. My plan was correct when we arrived because there was NO ONE in line for the fair yet! I despise the long line of cars to get in! We parked in the first row and after spending $33 we had our admission tickets and wristbands! Woo!

      After arriving we discovered that the rides didn't open til 3pm! We were there at 1:15pm. So we had just enough time to tour all the halls, buy a few things, scope out the good rides. Then sit in line for 20 minutes and complain about the never ending heat and dust of the Arizona Fair! You think with a line they would open maybe five minutes early. Nope. They opened the rides at EXACTLY 3pm. We had til 8pm to have fun and arrive home. We went crazy on all the rides for about 3 1/2 hours til my friend (Who had eaten bad food the day earlier) could no longer stand it. Then we spent the next hour being lazy and watching some odd acrobatic show and getting ice cream! Woo! We played a few games, won some toys and in the end had a great time!

     As we were leaving I bought some wood roses ($1 a piece, but the guy let me buy 3 for $2.50!), I picked up some kettle corn for my grandfather (great present), and continued homeward. My family has always given away our wristbands afterwards, so I continued onwards with the tradition. I ended up offering a lady my wristband and she looked at me like I was trying to sell her drugs! BAM free $30! Why not take it. Blah! So I gave it to another girl who just about worshiped me afterwards and onwards we were! 

     So in the end! Go to the fair! All of you! It's fantabulous! Look for the cheapest day (wristbands, discounted admission) and enjoy! I brought 80$ and left with no money, but some great pictures and an amazing time (also covered in dirt)! So stay tuned for more terrific tales brought to by this glamorous gal!

    

As the Cake Flour Settles...

      As the cake flour settles and the floors are mopped, it has come to this...The end! It is over! The catering event has now passed. It took a week to prepare the lovely cakes, and it was all over in two nights! Everything was gone in two nights! I had been looking forward to the catering event for three weeks for it to come and go as fast as my cakes (My cakes disappeared pretty fast)! We made lists of who was where and who was doing what. The tables were decorated and made beauteous. Tea was prepared, Uniforms were inspected, Hair was tied up and ingredients counted.

      Before the catering event I mixed up two different types of cake. I created a chocolate cake and a yellow cake (from scratch) then my friend and I mixed a vanilla butter cream with a hint of orange icing for the yellow cake and a chocolate butter cream for the chocolate cake both had an apricot glaze (magnificent)! We then created some amazing thought up question mark cookies to celebrate the murder mystery production out of shortbread with a hint of lemon! Then we coated them with either cocoa powder or powdered sugar!

      We had around 11 people catering both nights! The second night was easier to go through and I wasn't nearly as sore. When I got home the first night and sat on my bed, Immediately I thought 'Where'd my legs go?'. We had a staff of four as the waiters! My three fantabulous and friends and I! It was pretty great! The food was said to be amazing and one lady remarked that her baby loved my chocolate cake! Well all in all, It was fantastic! Everyone worked great and take this tip! When working with chocolate watch your sleeves!

Baking, Baking, and Wait..More Baking!

These uniforms get incredibly hot!

      Now the title is quite the understatement of my day. My day was spent fighting with a very large old angry mixer that does not enjoy my company! As lunch rounded the corner this morning the only thought that came to my mind was, Oh my goodness, baking. I then spent the next several hours on my feet and baking multiple cakes. I've never had to weigh out 7lbs of sugar, let alone 3lbs of eggs. That's a lot of eggs, a crazy amount. Then I discovered that an egg without the shell weighs about 1.1oz. Interesting right?
     
     I have to say, I dislike the large mixer VERY much. This mixer, hates me. I know that an inanimate object cannot hate you, but I swear it does. A while back while mixing a large batch of pizza dough it broke and from then on after it was fixed, it was out to get me.  So after mixing pounds and pounds of dry ingredients and moist ingredients, I managed to bake around 5 cakes from each batch, 5 HUGE cakes. So now we have quite the abundance of cake for this lovely catering event! We are stacking two together to make a two layer cake and tomorrow I am working on some fantastic frosting! We're doing a butter cream frosting for the vanilla cakes and a moose frosting for the chocolate cakes! I swear I could just gain weight by making it!

     Considering I am unable to be boring, not even for five seconds in life. I had to think of something cute to put on every slice of cake for the theater production which we are catering. So we're going to pipe cute question marks on every piece of cake because it's a murder mystery! Ha! Get it Mystery..Question Mark! It's going to be adorable! I'm so excited but oh goodness am I exhausted. Well onward with laundry! I need to finish it, everything I own was drenched in cake batter and everything that goes with it! So stay tuned for more Baking Bonanza!

The Interesting World Of Baking!

     I am quite the baking fanatic and I have to say, I just love it! I just bake all the time, whenever it hits me. I will spend hours and hours doing it. I don't need a reason to do it either, which causes other people to ask me why? Well I love it!  You can make art out of food and change it's colors as well! I am a lover of food-dye (Food gel is tons better!)! I've made rainbow sugar cookies, rainbow cakes, colored cupcakes, purple cake (my brothers birthday), well everything. The look on peoples faces when they see it too, is quite amusing! They look at it and it's like "Why's my cupcake blue?" This is especially a great idea for birthday parties, or parties in general. It makes it interesting, and not to mention little kids love the colors!

This is a cake my friend and I entered in a competition!

     Now with the cakes! There is an endless amount of things that can be done with a cake. There are yule logs/ roll cakes (Easy to make), Bunt cakes, heart cakes, tier cakes, They even have tons off odd cake molds in silicon formations, it goes on! I am a HUGE lover of ties cakes. A while back my grandmother bought me a lovely cake decoration kit and I received a huge cookie cutter set (Put me right in heaven)! I can't even tell you the things that I have been able to accomplish with these fantastic items! It's great!

     This week, I have a catering event and it's over two days. Since I am the head baker I get to start the designs on these 2 sheet cakes, I'll post pictures I promise! If you haven't experienced all the crazy things you can do with cake go try it all out! Where I get some really cool things, is the Good Will! They have tons of cool baking things and cook books! So keep warming up to this Gal and pop in later for more ideas!

Frosting Friday!

     Friday is literally RIGHT around the corner and guess what I suddenly made? 48 delectable cupcakes. Took a good three hours but their done, frosted, sprinkled and cuddled with love! Considering how much I love to bake, I don't have a taste for sweets. So onwards about these cakes in a cup form. I made 24 chocolate ones, and 24 strawberry ones. I took fantastic milk chocolate frosting (The best) and pretty good strawberry frosting and did them on a 24:24 ratio so their all mixed. I recently received this odd frosting dispenser that you can do designs with so I decided to finally break it out. I gotta say, it was really cool! I made a bunch of picnic designs on the cupcakes and fancy swirls. I love em! I actually have a real cake decorating set, but I'm busting it out on my brothers birthday!

     Now I faced a very large problem! Tomorrow (Friday) I want to take my lovely baked goods to school, as usual. So I went to the dollar store and bought four containers with lids on them and placed all my cupcakes inside. How am I supposed to carry these all the school? All four containers. No idea. I can't do it! So my grandmother helped me find one of those fabric bags and we managed to get three containers inside and I only have to carry one now! Woo! So stay tuned for more tantalizing tales from the talkative gal Ashley!

My Three Things.

     Currently in my little brothers school he is doing a project. He has to get three things that are the most important to him, put em in a box and write why they are important to him. Now I never really gave it much thought on what would be most important to me. I didn't realize how many things that we do on a daily basis that mean almost nothing to us. We wake up in the morning, get ready for school or work, maybe fill the car with gas, go to school or work, come home watch television or be on the computer and then what? Not much really. There are so many things that everyone does on a daily basis and if it came down to you only being able to keep three things, what would they be? Only three. No more, no less. Would you choose your car? Your journal? Your phone? That photo album that doesn't get looked at much or is still being put together? 

     
I've thought about this throughout the day and I can't even fathom what I would take. I mean, I would keep all my memories, but that's not a choice. Other than that I can't really say. I can't take my family, nor my friends. I don't need any fancy clothes, or a phone, let alone a vehicle (Of course if I didn't require it). So I have no idea. But one thing that I do know, is that now I see everything people take advantage of. They take advantage of their families, their friends, their cars, money, everything. So some of the only advice I can offer on this subject is be grateful for what you have. Don't keep fighting with that one family member, or friend. Don't be using someone or using anything wastefully, because one day you might not have it. Praise what you have and help those who you can, because in the end you might need them so don't lose them! I hope ya'll have some inspiring ideas so I'll leave you with a little question. What are you grateful for?

Wind, Wind, Go Away. Come again...Never!

     Wind, Wind, go away and come again...Never! Unless accompanied by clouds and rain. I think maybe! Or maybe not. Since I live in the desert I don't see much of anything, except sun. Oh the sun. Well when I woke up the day was good, decent weather, no wind, no clouds (sadly) and then BAM a very hours later the wind is howling like a hurt coyote! It only picked up from there. Now we don't get much wind, nor clouds. But when we do get wind, oh lord, DUST! Dust, Sand, Dirt everywhere and it just wreaks havoc on people with allergies!


Currently in my lovely backyard there is 1 palm tree and 2 scared dogs. The palm leaves now dead from Winter are RAINING down upon the house and the dogs! Poor things! I can hear them repeatedly hitting the roof and the dog that is scared of the wind Laine scratching the door. I hear the crazy wind picking up and down and the thump of wait Oh! Another palm leaf, lovely! This wind is going to drive me crazy! On my way out of leaving school my hair was everywhere! It was terrible. Wind and long hair don't mix. There goes the wind whistling again! Oh no!

  One thing I know from living in Arizona that somewhere right now something power oriented will go down. So I must hurry this post up! I do not like it. I do not like it all. Well Wind, I do not like you here, I do not like you there, I do not like you anywhere! Let alone in my hair! Why can't there be rain with this wind. Nope. Only dust. Endless piles of dust. EVERYWHERE! Well Grr! I am very frustrated with this madness! Stay tuned and Ashley says that you should have a wistful day and don't blow away!

Ashley's First Tennis Game!

     Yesterday afternoon, I attended my first tennis game in support of my friend. She has been nagging and nagging me forever about how I have yet to attend one. Well I did. Oh my goodness did I not understand anything. I had no idea how anyone gained points let alone could I tell where she was. She was dressed in the same colors as the other players and let's just say it took me a bit to pick her out of the group, but when I did she regretted it.  Now I am a very enthusiastic person and wanted to show her my immense support. Earlier on that day she was blind from stress! And let's just say that my singing while showing her and pushing her to finish her home work made it worse (I am a poet, and I didn't even know it, because I rhyme all the time)! 


      So after tutoring after school I drove over to game and watched. Well after picking her out next thing heard throughout the air was "GO BRITTNEY WIN IT FOR ME"! Well her father started to laugh and she looked over at me immediately and turned away. Now that I had successfully embarrassed her and doubtfully made her laugh made the game complete! All I have to say is I bet she won't be asking me to come to more games (Maybe I need a Megaphone and air horn!) She also plans on joined golf. Who wants to hear my golf clap? So stay tuned for more of the fantabulous Awkward Ashley Moments!

Ashley's First Multi-Cultural Luncheon

     Sorry that a post was lacking yesterday! I was busy working on cooking some fantabulous food for my first multi-cultural luncheon! I have to say that it was quite the feast today. The whole idea was from my American History class! My lovely teacher had us research our family tree's and then choose a culture and focus on it. I chose Piqua Shawnee a Native American tribe that I am part of. 

      Everyone did different foods for the most part, I made home-made Indian Fry Bread and a secret gravy type of sauce that goes on top of it that is godly! Now other people brought tons of things! Some people brought salsa and chips (lame!), one kid brought home made chocolate fudge with cherries inside, someone brought some cookies, potato salad, mashed potatoes, rice, cupcake cones (pretty good!), sauerkraut and bratwurst along with TONS AND TONS of other things! Talk about diversity! I had to make my food all on my own (with advice from my lovely grandmother) where as most people just had their parents make it! I say foul play no fair!

       Even though I did not try everyone's food, I only tried about 3 other plates of  food, it was pretty good looking. I was afraid of the idea at first because well, let's face it. Not everyone can cook and there are NUMEROUS things that can go wrong with food, cross contamination, mold, bacteria, burning, wrong ingredients, SANITATION, but it was pretty good. I can only hope that at school on Monday I'm not hearing horror stories about becoming sick! In the end it was completely fantabulous and a very good way of learning about other cultures! I give it a thumbs up! So stay tuned in for more from the girl with the knack for knowledge!

Your Desired Dollars!

     Everyone loves money right? I mean you basically use it in your daily life! So when you get money, don't you want to make the most of it, because I sure do! Now my grandmother taught me to say that I'm not cheap with money, I am conservative or frugal (sounds a lot better right?)! Well why not literally get the most bang out of your buck Honey? 
     
      One night as I was relaxing and laying down it hit me in the face like a boulder! Why spend money on things that I don't need and won't die without? Why should I buy that adorable elephant when I can save my money. I am a crazy saver of the money! Every month I get a check for $125 and honestly, I stick it all in my savings account (Best thing ever!). So when I see something I love I think "Am I going to die without this milkshake?"

No, No I am not. So I just don't buy it. Believe me, sometimes I do indulge in things OCCASIONALLY! But normally I don't because I'd rather put my money away for my future in case I come upon hard times!

     I grew up with my mom all over me on how the Good Will was terrible, the Dollar Stores were terrible, even though for some reason she LOVED Walmart. No sense. Then one day I asked my father to take me to the Dollar Store. Oh boy. I love it! If you go to the right one you can get name brand things for only one dollar! Well I shop at the Dollar tree. So everything is a Dollar and it is purely 100% Fantabulous! I am all over it. I can get balloons for birthdays, I can candy, food, drinks, lime juice, body wash, art supplies, cleaning supplies (literally, my favorite, I LOVE cleaning supplies) and just A LOT more! It never ends. After discovering the love of a Dollar Store I went to Good Will. Fantastic. I get my sandals there! They have some super cute pairs there. Another favorite thing I love to look for it

animal/fruit shaped candles! I love shaped candles (especially in the shape of an elephant, I love elephants, I would love a giraffe shaped one though!). I have tons. Honestly, I have too many.

      So Honey! If you haven't taken a trip to your local Dollar Store or Good Will GO! NOW! GO NOW! You don't know what your missing! Go! Well there ya go! Keep on romping into this blog for more information from the radical gal Ashley!

Tutor Time!

     Now that spring break is finally over I can tutor! I have a love of teaching people! I find it incredibly rewarding to teach someone something and help them understand it! I know how to make learning fun! I've noticed most people learn better one on one instead of one on 40! I really gotta say that I enjoy it! I love school! The break was fun, but school is even better! I once received a taste of learning and it stuck with me!
 
      In English 11, we started reading The Great Gatsby! It's fantastic. Other teenagers don't seem too into it, but I love reading. I find the authors voice very sophisticated and just fantastic! I love writing so I really appreciate someone who is a great writer! 

     I finally started working as a tutor after school too! It's great! Except this one kid, who decided that he will contradict every word I say and then while I am tutoring someone else he will stand over me and give the person I am tutoring invalid instructions. Honey! I am 3 years older than you and you failed two grades and you're in tutoring for a reason. The only reason he did this was because when my Russian teacher is sick, I substitute for her (Which is fantastic). He is in Russian one and doesn't like me because I call on him. God forbid that I call upon someone right? Anyway! Now onwards and off of my happy little rant! 

     All I gotta say is that I believe anyone who puts effort into learning will come out on top! All it takes is a little bit of work ethic and effort! Now I know High School is to learn AND develop Social Skills. I do have Social Skills, I am a very social person actually. Just one of the biggest pet-peeves I have is when people procrastinate or use excuses. I don't understand why people would rather push a paper off until that night, I would rather get it done in school so I can do other thing's outside of school. But it seems that people don't see the negative effect of not doing their work. You are effected by not doing it, instead of using that five minutes in class to do the work they would rather talk to their friends and lose 20 points! Nonsense! Nonsensical actions my dear! Absurd! Absolutely Absurd! Well there is my first day back to school rant! Stay tuned for more input from I, The tantalizing Tutor!

Are You Eggshausted?

 

 

     I gotta be honest! I am Eggshausted Honey! Originally I did not plan on much for Easter, Then my friend invited me to her family picnic! We made those adorable bunny cars and much more! The children sure tired me out, They ran me all over. First flying a kite (I did not remember how to fly it, needless to say we figured it out!), Then to the playground (It was a fancy playground with a spider web made out of rope that you could climb on, it was weird!), Then there was the endless dog park where my friend an I relocated under the only shady tree on a bench watching dogs play. I can't wait til the tree's start being green again! Now onto you! I bet you have  A LOT of extra Easter stuff right? You have all the eggs, that crazy green paper grass, plastic eggs, candy, candy, eggs, everything that comes with Easter! Boy, will I make your day. I have some FANTABULOUS ideas for you to use some of the Easter-Overs (Leftover Easter items)!

How to use your Easter-Overs

 

 

• Do you have a crazy amount of Easter Eggs leftover? Did you take a whole lot of pictures? Well then you'll love this Honey! Buy a picture frame (black looks the best) without a design, just a normal black one. Buy some paint on glue (The glue with a brush), Now! Peel off the multicolored shells off of the eggs and crush em up a bit. Apply the glue to small areas at first and then scatter them (Color side up) on it! Continue til it is complete and Fabulous! BAM! Easter day frame!  

• You can make some DELICIOUS hard-boiled eggs

• Now for all that candy! Hide it from the kids and you know what to do ;)

•  Now for that Pesky Easter grass, That is EVERYWHERE! You can use it as filling for a vase! You can get it in different colors I believe but I really like the vase filling! 

I hope ya'll had an eggcellent Easter even though it was quite eggshausting! Thank goodness no more words that start with egg!