Did you notice? I took a 2+ weeks vacation from blogging. There are so many things I’d LOVE to post and write about from the past 2+ weeks, but where in the world has my time gone to do so… However, I have been joying my time with my son, husband, family and church. Yes, my passion (specifically for my super-duper-super-yummy cupcake boutique) is still there – I just need a boost of multitasking juice and maybe a few more hours in the day! But then… I came across this:

We place too much emphasis on ability when God looks for our availability to be used by him now, with whatever we have. –Sheila Walsh

She nailed it “…too much emphasis on ability…” I was focusing and putting the future first and setting aside the NOW. Growth and guidance is all through Him and I need to remember to trust in Him and all goes fine and dandy – and it usually does. Afterall, I’ve been blessed so far and I am loving this thing called life. And then again… I landed on this:

God knows what we need better than we do.  Sometimes he redirects our course, giving us a unique and unexpected treat – and meeting a need we didn’t even know we had. –Luci Swindoll

I guess sweet treats can’t always come from baking… I’ll end this one at that — Stay posted and feel free to say hello! Lastly…

To walk with him (God) on a path where we cannot see the end from the beginning requires total trust.  He promises a light for our path, but that light does not shine past the current footprint.  –Marilyn Meberg

For fun, here’s a visual treat for you… you’ll either hate ‘um or love ‘um! Yes, I adore them. If you know me, you know I have a slight obsession with Hello Kitty… I am 30 – so what?!?

Sanrio for Dr. Martens 50th Anniversary Collection.

I am so giddy. I love getting gifts, who doesn’t? What’s the best and amazingly interesting, is when something happens (such as receiving a gift) at the most perfect timing! Ok, ok – what did I get? I got what I need and it makes me so happy to own it. *drum roll please* A Confection Thermometer. Yes!!! …and I love it!

A big ‘thank you’ to: we’ll call her “The If Only Girl” who jump started, inspired and encouraged me to pursue my blog – for the lovely tool I get to add to my journey. Literally, as I accepted this wonderful gift – I felt a touch of my future of what’s to come. What an awesome feeling! I even learned a few things… Did you know the key to candy making such as caramels, relies on precise timing during the cooking process. A Confection Thermometer is your best guarantee your candy will be the perfect consistency after cooking, see how important it is… ”It’s all physics you know…” as she would say it. HAHA! Ms. LF, you my dear, are truly an angel (‘If Only’ you would finish setting up your blog…)

Check out my new toy – Cute isn’t it!?

Here, I made salted caramel sauce for the first time! (…before the thermometer came into my life. It still turned out good!)

Randomness… The main ingredients to almost all baking goodies. AND of course I have an image of some cupcakes ready to be baked – I somehow got into it so much that I didn’t even take any after photos. HA! I’ll learn.

But lookie lookie – ‘Tiger Butter Fudge’ I made the other night. Not just good – reeeeeeal gooood… Forget the diet, I’ll be making this often!

PS: Congratulations to me!!! This is my 20th posting!

Whoa… Almost 2 weeks of no blogging – I kinda felt a bit incomplete. I’ve grown pretty attached to my blog… Well, I’m back, just a bit overwhelmed… So many things to do – from church projects to miscellaneous researching for what’s to come in the future –> BAKERY.

Anyhow, aside from being inspired by the many postings some of my favorite bloggers have posted during the past ‘almost 2 weeks’ – Godiva takes the spotlight as of yesterday! I can’t stand the mall, but when we go – it’s only cause we specifically need something that happens to be at the mall… I’m glad we (my hubby & son) went, because I got a chance to see the delicious eye candy Godiva displayed at their storefront!

Their new Ice Cream Parlor Truffles & Treats… LOOKS SO YUMMY! So many ideas ran through my mind. This clearly proves that presentation is everything! From the colors, packaging and even the descriptions…

MMMmmmm – how I love cupcakes. EEeeeek – I’m gaining weight.

I am loving the spontaneous trips to local bakeries and cupcake shops. YELP is an awesome tool to follow – unfortunately they have been wrong with the reviews on some… Oh well, I just gotta try ‘um all. As I explore their atmosphere and there goods, I am learning so much… From ideas that influence me to most importantly the things to add to the no-no list (no offense)… Above all, I am sooooo inspired by these people who have followed their dreams and passion to pursue a career in owning a bakery/cupcake shop – I can’t wait. It’s going to be a long but enjoyable process!

There are so many things I want to know NOW – but schooling has to wait. My lil’ man and family come first. My time will come… And yes – I am accepting words of encouragement (HA!)

So you know, I have a list of specialty flavors I’ve been jotting down (22 as of today) - I made my first experiment this weekend and it turned out pretty well – BUT I must perfect it, bare with me fellow taste testers! I’m even starting to think of shop names! This my friends is called moving forward and having the drive to prepare and plan for what’s to come. I believe in God’s promises and I’ll say it again, He keeps me going…

Speaking of God’s promises – I fell in love with another blog! Whisk Kid – check out this amaaaazing rainbow cake she did! (Recipe is on her site too! I’ll attempt to make it one day, but if you do it before me let me know how it turns out!…Oooh I just got an idea – not telling though…)

I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you and watch over you. ~Psalm 32:8

The colors, the look, the packaging…the Macarons. I closed my eyes to see if I could taste it – well, it didn’t work. Linda, must you be all the way in Sweden???  Linda is another one to inspire & encourage me… These beauties from Holy Sweet come in Raspberry Rose, Chocolate Hazelnut and Vanilla Sea Salt. *drool*

This is proof that God provides people not just around you but all over the world to help you fulfill your voyage in life. Just continue to seek – take in all the blessings and opportunities that you come across… God is good – all the time!

W-O-W! Check out this great gift idea seen on Daily Candy – Garden Bon Bon and Garden Pops by Moulton. These look so deliciously edible, I think I’d totally eat this if I didn’t read the label – but don’t let clay and organic compost fool you… These are ‘garden truffles’ made for planting NOT eating. What a great idea! And what a tease…

Hey, my future cupcake bakery/boutique may be Parisian inspired but not technically with parisian baked goods – what do you think? Does that make sense? You know – the look and feel of it… Idea is NOTED. I love it! But I love a lot of other things too… Well, who knows in the long-run… I could have an expertise in fabulous parisian pastries! I realized my book (binders, that is) of highly inspired ideas will be huuuuge when the time comes. I guess that can be a good thing…or not. More to come on this idea, but in the mean time… I am honored to know one of the “lolli-ladies” who can NOT be excluded on my list of ‘inspirations’ – Lollipop Events & Design. They just did a French Circus style baby shower that was absolutely beautiful – can I have a baby shower with that theme, pleeeeease!? (But not anytime soon)

Visit HWTM for more photos. Vanessa – YOU and your talented lolli-ladies will guide me with my journey –  your ideas and creativity that you display are stunning!

“God’s ways are not our ways. When we try to figure out things on our own, we will fail; when we trust him and follow him no matter how things seem to us or those around us, there is amazing victory.” –Sheila Walsh (Beautiful Things Happen When a Woman Trusts God)

Sheila Walsh is an amazing and powerful inspirational communicator. I first heard her speak in 2008 at the Women Of Faith Conference. Since then, I look forward to participating every year to listen and learn from all the wonderful women, including her – who are involved with this conference. It’s like an annual reset and refresh button for my soul and I’m pretty sure for others who attend as well. We’ll be there again this September – can’t wait!

I love the way God uses people to share His word in a way He knows that person can fully grasp and comprehend His unfailing love.

Martha Stewart is pretty awesome – well, at least her creative team that she has is awesome! As I was browsing through the June 2010 issue of Living I made sure I marked some important pages to remember (which means folding the opposite-not-so-important page)… Yes, I am going to go old school with the tear sheets soon… BUT, in order to do so – I must have cute, stylish binders for them FIRST. Strange, I know… Anyhow, here are some things to add to my Gotta Have It & Inspirations list:

I officially adore twine. From Divine Twine that is… I can totally use this for everything and anything – I’m sure you can too! I love them… ALL OF THEM… Including their blog! By the way, they’re also eco-friendly twine, even better…

Next up are ‘striped vintage-like straws’ – Never knew I’d fall for straws… Look how cute these swirly striped straws are! These can be found on Kikkerland’s website. $3 for a box of 50 – that sounds pretty reasonable (these too are eco-friendly)… I got excited and searched striped straws and found that I am totally late on the vintage-like straw fad… The image on the left is from Sweet Paul’s blog – (which will also be a new blog to add to my list!) Look at those fine lookin’ straws… Makes me giddy!

Lastly in the mag, aside from all the recipes I’d like to try – check out this artist, Miyuki Sakai – Sewing Illustrator, in other words… Illustrates with a sewing machine using only thread! Wow – amazing! Here’s part of her work in one of the articles (illustrating a variety of plates) and another visual sample that I like found on her site. Super neat!

In other words, “Flower of Salt”… it’s the official premier finishing salt! All I know is, I love it when desserts are “finished” with it, from Salted Caramels to Salted Fudge Brownies – which is in my must-attempt-to-make files, after all, I am surrounded by taste-testers waiting to try some goodies before I become famous in 5 years! Anyway, you see, not only is salt important in main course dishes – it’s delicately, yet highly important in baking – don’t ask me what’s important cause I’m still reading/researching about it, but know that it is… HA! But if any of you pro-bakers/chefs can give me tips – feel free to comment away… And hey, look! I’m thinking of purchasing this baby, fancy lookin’ isn’t it?

Ok ok – Now, let’s get to the point on how this post started – I got a tooth extraction 2 days ago and I had to gargle ‘salt water’ – I couldn’t just write about that…Eeew! AND – being the foodie I am, I can’t write about anything yummy I ate cause I’m limited during my healing process – yes, I know… so, so sad…

Anyhow… Good night – to my fellow one ore two readers out there…

~ Matthew 5:13-16