Franklin/Pogue Wedding

Congratulations, Paige & Codi!!

I made this wedding cake for a couple from our church this weekend. The frosting was buttercream with almond flavoring - yummmm! The ribbon around the bottom of each layer (which doesn't show up very well in this picture) is fondant. The flowers and petals were provided by the bride and were silk.

Can you tell the groom is really into Ford Racing? I made the emblems from color flow several days ahead to give it time to completely dry.

And the flower girl just happened to be my six year old granddaughter. I told her I wanted to take her picture and she struck the pose! You can definitely tell her mom is a photographer.

My First Canning Experience!

I just had to show you one of my late summer projects. Eleven pints of salsa made from tomatoes and bell peppers from our garden!! My grandma would be so proud!! You, too, Mom! I also did several quarts of just plain tomatoes.

Although I grew up with a grandmother and a mother who canned and froze everything they could get their hands on, it just never "took" with me. I think maybe I had to pick too many strawberries and cherries and elderberries and goose berries and peaches and apricots and apples (just to name a few) when I was a kid. So when I decided to can salsa, I had to call my little sister and my daughter for directions and advice. Sad, I know!!

But it was actually pretty easy and fun! I'll definitely be doing more of it next summer.

I also put some okra and squash in the freezer. I even froze some tomatoes! My grandma and mom always canned tomatoes, but a couple of friends said they freeze them. Ever hear of doing that? We'll see how that turns out when I try them this winter!

I'm one of those strange people who loves winter. But, boy, am I missing my garden!!