Life is a Vacation

Can life just be one big vacation?  I know everyone loves a good vacation, but I think it is as necessary as sleep, water, and a roof over your head.  When I plan my next vacation, my days are more vibrant and I have something to look forward to.  It breaks up the monotony of the daily grind and provides a much needed excuse to relax and indulge.

What do I love about vacations?  Lots of picture taking and plenty of new places to appreciate and enjoy.  This is from the Madrid metro.

Family time and smiles.  I don't get to see my family very often, and vacations are usually planned around who we will see and when.  

I love trying new food and people watching.  This little cafe in Madrid is well known for hot chocolate and churros.  It was great, but we actually had some for my sister in laws bridal shower that knocked my socks off!  

Did I mention castles, museums, and things you just don't have at home?

I am already dreaming up my next vacation.  This has been a good year so far.  

January: my girlfriend came to visit and it was like a mini vacation for me -we went sledding on Mt. Lemmon, hung out giggling, and caught up on good times

March: my mom came to visit - we had a fabric shop hop, ate fantastic food, and went on a great hike!

May: my husband and I went to Maine for a wedding and a relaxing vacation

July: I went to Germany and Spain for my brother's wedding and a great family vacation!  I got to spend a lot of time with my parents and my grandparents.  What a treat.  Who can say they have traveled Europe with each set of grandparents more than once??  ME!  

Next UP!  September-  Sedona???  :)  

I love planning vacation!

Wedding Cake for the

I was so happy to be able to make the wedding cake for my brother and his wife for their recent wedding in Spain.  It was a challenge baking in an unknown oven, with different ingredients, and in a short period of time.  I had a lot of fun and I think their cake turned out beautifully and fit with their theme really well.

Raspberry Buttercream filling and a Swiss Buttercream icing.

Each tier had 4 layers of cake and 3 layers of filling.

The Raspberry Swiss Buttercream filling was a huge hit.  The bride's mother made macerated raspberries with cinnamon sugar before I arrived and I mixed them into the buttercream for a fruity twist.  I also soaked the cake in the macerated raspberries to ensure it was extra moist and flavorful.

They had a garden themed wedding with their reception in her mother's huge backyard.  The garden was strung with lights and full of flowers, and this cake blended right into the setting.

The bride and groom requested a simple piping design with olive branches.

They had awesome cake toppers designed on Etsy, they were created to look just like them.  

The olive branches and the white frosting compliment each other nicely and draw on the simplicity and elegance of a garden wedding.

Congratulations Zach and Sara!  I was honored to make your cake for you and your guests.

To many years to come!

Back to Blogging and a WEDDING in Spain!

I have been away from the blog for a while, taking a break to refresh and renew.  A lot has happened since I have been gone. I went to Spain and Germany for a vacation and a wedding and I got a puppy! My brother got married in Spain and it was a beautiful ceremony full of family and fun times.  Our new pup is 10 months old this week.  A German Short Haired Pointer.  (plenty of pics to come soon!)

Lots of eating olives in Spain and cafes.

Tons of tasty bottles of wine.

A beautiful bride.

What a beautiful ceremony, exchange of books instead of rings...

More to come on the wedding festivities and vacation fun.