And The Winner Is...

I have been thinking a lot lately about what I want to name my cupcake business. It just doesn't feel official without a name. I'm still debating between a couple names, but I wanted to reveal the winner of the free 2 dozen cupcakes. Thanks again for everyone's input! I feel very supported.

To prove to you that I did this fair and square I provided some pictures...

 Coco was waiting in anticipation!

CONGRATS KENZ!!! I'll be contacting you soon to discuss cupcake flavors :)

Be on the lookout for my facebook page and don't forget to order some cupcakes for Valentine's Day.

J.

First Official Delivery

I delivered my very first cupcake order this evening!

What better way to celebrate new life than with tasty cupcakes. Our good friends just welcomed a sweet little boy into the world and we dropped off some cupcakes for a friend (thanks again, Crystal). 

I made vanilla chai cupcakes with almond frosting and, of course, packaged the cupcakes with love.

Congratulations to Tyson & Sarah on their new baby boy!

5. Record Collection

No matter how fancy the ipod, or expensive the speakers, the sound of needle touching vinyl cannot be beat. Some of my best childhood memories go back to when my dad would throw on a James Taylor record and we would clean the house from top to bottom. (Sometimes, he would even let me press the button that made the record spin faster so James would sound like a chipmunk.) 

When I got a record player last year for my 20th birthday I almost wanted to cry. Not because I was now going to be officially hip and trendy, but because my dad was passing on a tradition to me that I plan on sharing with my children. Since then I have been slowly adding records to my collection (they can be so expensive!) and stealing records for my dad's collection (thanks, dad). 

This year I want to document it. Christmas ended the year with two very special records for Truman and I. Technically, they were both Christmas presents to Trums, but since the record player is in my room at the moment, I consider them gifts to me as well. We received the greatest hits record by the legendary Neil Young (angels practically sang when he opened that baby) and the newest album from the Avett Brothers. Somehow it's a lot easier to clean my room when I have a little help from these men...

J.

4. Buy Camera

I am so excited for this resolution to begin (I know, I'm way behind on my resolutions). Since I'm starting my own wedding blog and cupcake business, it's crucial that I take decent photos to look somewhat professional. My old digital camera from 2007 is just not cutting it anymore.

I have to confess that I know NOTHING about photography. I have a strong love and appreciation for great photography, but I have no idea what it takes to make it great. It will be a learning experience for sure... I'm overwhelmed by all of the different camera styles to choose from. I don't know what all the numbers on the camera mean or what lens works best with what camera. I have decided one thing so far--I'm getting a Canon. Next step, go to Best Buy and ask for help...

I've been saving since my birthday and I'm ready to make a purchase. Any feedback would be greatly appreciated. I can't wait to get started!

**On a side note, I have two orders for my Valentine's Day cupcakes already! If you're interested let me know**

Valentine's Day Special

Martha Stewart Cupcakes

Cupcakes have been weighing heavy on my mind lately. I have been coming up with all of these ideas/strategies to get my cupcake business rolling. Thanks to my good friend, I already have my first customer!

Anyway, it hit me that Valentine's Day is coming up soon (HUGE holiday for sweets) and I think this would be a great opportunity to get my name out there. I started to contemplate how I would go about it so people would give me a chance. Here's what I came up with...

Everyone loves to get a Valentine's Day surprise from loved ones, right? I especially love it when it's something tasty. So, I am going to deliver cupcakes in Grand Island for FREE on Valentine's Day. This year, the holiday is on a Monday so I'm thinking everyone will need a little pick-me-up to get the week going...cupcakes are the perfect thing! Since I'm a beginner, I'm not charging much for orders in hopes that people give me a chance and spread the word about my business. 

The prices are as follows:

(these are for standard-size cupcakes)

6 cupcakes: $9.00

12 cupcakes (a dozen): $14.00

24 cupcakes: $24.00 

Here are a few ideas to think about:

1. If you need to bring sweets to your child's classroom

OR

2. If you're a teacher and want to bring sweets to your students

3. You can send them to your loved one at work

4. You can send them to your loved one at home

5. Be the office hero and bring some to share with co-workers!

Flavor options:

1. Vanilla Chai with Almond Frosting

2. Peanut-Butter Chocolate

3. White Chocolate/Raspberry

4. Strawberry with Strawberry Frosting

5. Cappuccino 

6. Toasted Coconut

7. Almond Joy

8. Red Velvet

9. Caramel

**I can also do the classic Vanilla & Chocolate for those picky eaters out there :)

As of now I am taking orders! Email me at: jordy583@hotmail.com with orders or questions.

3. Meat

 

I have a love-hate relationship with meat.  I couldn't live without it (because I'm so dang picky) but I HATE having to make it myself. I was raised in a home where we had meat about every night- pork chops, burgers, chicken, and t-bone steaks. You would think I would have no problem tossing a slab of meat on the grill--WRONG.

It's cold, slimy, and messy and every time I attempt a meat-based meal the kitchen is a disaster. Then, once I actually get the meat in the pan I'm worried it won't be done and I end up over-cooking it. Ah!

But. I'm getting married in three, THREE (!) months and Truman loves his meat. I will be doing most of the cooking in our home so it's time I toughen up and start practicing. I REALLY don't want to, but I'm going to. I'm gladly accepting tips & recipes along the way. I'll post pictures of my progress if you promise not to laugh.

In order to motivate myself, I purchased a cute little apron at Anthropologie with matching hot pads. I figured if I'm going to do this I might as well do it in style!

Here I go...

1. Start Cupcake Business

 (Caramel, Caramel)

(Almond, Vanilla Chai) 

I used to be someone who was terrified of baking. Kal did most of the baking at home and I did most of the eating. Things changed this summer thanks to the coffee shop. I talked Jewel into selling cupcakes at the store and they were a huge hit. We had a lot of fun experimenting with flavors and designs. I became so fascinated by the way cupcakes were designed.

In order to save money, I decided that I would make the cupcakes for our wedding (I must be crazy). I started to toy around with the idea of starting my own cupcake business but it sounded ridiculous when I said it out loud. Since cupcakes are a big trend, I thought I could be somewhat successful for Nebraska weddings/events and most importantly I would be cheaper than what professionals charge.

I certainly don't plan on making a living off of this, but I am going to give it a try. It's kind of like the wedding blog--I could fail miserably, but I think I have enough drive to make it work...even if it takes a while. My test run will be my own wedding! That could be great promotion :)

If you have an event/graduation/wedding coming up, consider me! Since I'm a beginner I'll be charging close to nothing.

I'm also in need of some sweet name ideas!

J.

1. Start A Wedding Blog

I have to admit- I'm a little terrified of this resolution. It's a BIG goal. There are so many great wedding blogs already out there and I run the chance of becoming another wannabe. 

When I was a little girl, my mom would occasionally buy me these super-thick wedding magazines at the grocery store. Page after page was filled with wedding dresses and I drooled over the different designs (not kidding-I was probably about 7). I would take inspiration from those dresses and draw my own in my sketch book. I didn't fantasize about being a bride, I didn't idolize the beauty of the models, I just simply loved the creativity that went into weddings.

I think that says a lot about where I am today. I could spend hours finding new ideas and inspiration (I do spend hours) and I love watching people stray from trends. I want to encourage others to create a wedding that represents themselves--no more cookie-cutter stuff. I haven't lost sight of the real joy in a wedding, but I have grown a huge appreciation for the detail that goes in to them. Planning my own wedding has nurtured that appreciation. Frankly, I'm having a blast! So I got to thinking... there are so many wonderful wedding blogs out there, why isn't there one in Nebraska? We have a few, but they lack the style and creativity I'm talking about. Nebraska is still stuck in the roses, tiara, poofed hair phase and I'm ready to change that (or at least attempt to).

This may take me a while to get started since I'm focusing on my wedding, but when May hits I'll be in full wedding blog mode. For now I need to find myself a name. I'm taking suggestions :)

I hope to have full support of my fellow bloggers and readers. 

Wish me luck!

Hey, New Year

I'm so excited to share my resolutions for 2011. The list is much shorter than last year, but certainly not easier. Here we go...

1. Start a wedding blog

2. Start a cupcake business from my home

3. Conquer my fear of cooking meat (and cooking in general)

4. Buy a nice camera and learn the tricks and trades of photography

5. Focus on my record collection

6. Follow the Whole Living Action Plan

7. Research/make food from my heritage

Like I said, these are some tough goals...ones that will last longer than a year. I could fail miserably (and publicly) but I'm going to give it a shot.

J.

Goodbye, finally.

I really need to speed things up so I'm going to do a quick final re-cap on 2010 and say goodbye for good...

I had a lot of fun trying to tackle all of the resolutions this year (I'll admit, I had too many). Though I didn't live them all out equally, I feel that they helped shape me into who I am in 2011. That is the goal after all, isn't it? I developed a love for pastries, experience a deeper love for my sister, experienced nature in new ways, read some life-changing books, maintained a great friendship through letters, and studied a life of contentment (will never stop learning about that one). It was a good year.

 I wanted to share my favorite books/bible studies of 2010:

2011 brings huge changes for me. I'm leaving the nest for good and becoming a wife. Me. A wife!! I giggle every time I say it. I'm so excited and ready for the challenges it will bring.

I welcome you, 2011, with open arms. But if you could hurry it up to April I would gladly appreciate it.

11. Volunteer/ 12. Embrace Friendship

11. Volunteering at the Christian Pregnancy Center was a wonderful and humbling experience. I miss being surrounded by godly women who are joyful no matter what the circumstance.

12. Though I didn't push myself as far as I should have, I created (and re-created) some great friendships this year. The more I learn about marriage, the more I realize how similar a friendship is. In marriage, love is not always a feeling but a choice. To me, friendship is a choice--it's work. "Work" makes is sound less fun, but the older I get, the harder it is to keep friendships alive. That is what makes a friendship so much more meaningful! 

This resolution will continue into this year. I will make more time for friendships and less time for busyness because I believe companionship is one of the greatest gifts.

God has opened my life to many great people this year (you know who you are) and I look forward to the directions our relationships will take in 2011.

11. Buy/Support Music More Often

This was such a great year for music. Sufjan finally graced us with his presence and Band of Horses came out with another great album. My taste in tunes has really taken a turn since 2009 and I love where it's going. Rather than talking about every single artist I fell in love with this year, I decided to name the top ten albums that shaped me this year (note: not necessarily released in 2010).

The Avett Brothers: I And Love And You

The Avett Brothers: Emotionalism

Hem: Rabbit Songs

Junip: Fields

The Lower Lights: A Hymn Revival

Mumford & Sons: Sigh No More

Nathaniel Rateliff: In Memory of Loss

Neil Young: Greatest Hits

Ryan Adams: Easy Tiger

Sufjan Stevens: All Delighted People EP

Can't wait to blog about my 2011 music resolution! 

Happy new year, J.