Taking a Nana Break!

Going through some pictures, I

found a few favorites

from the

last few months.

Of Our

Grand kiddos!

You know how we Nana's

are...

Braggers every ONE!!!

Yes, we are!

I'm pretty sure we actually

have braggers rights! :)

Here's one of Lulu at my

Dad's 80th. Birthday party,

she's a little peeved because

Sportz our dog, is hot

on her trail, hoping she'll

feel pity on him, and feed her

the two meat balls and chocolate

chip cookie she has on her plate!

~too stinkin' cute~

~Audreys Princess cake for her 5th. Birthday~

~our little monkeys~

Trevor & Lulu were taking turns riding

and pushing

each other around, he has his monkey

mask up on his head, but earlier

they both were wearing

monkey masks...

Laughing hysterically!

Until...

~plumb tuckered out~

Sweet Dreams Trev!

~Our snow bunny Audrey~

Doesn't it look like she has a winter crown

on her head?

Loving those adorable pink cheeks!

~Audrey checking out Lulu's Birthday cake~

I think she's planning what kind of birthday cake

she'll be asking Nana for!

~Audrey hugging Santa~

This was very special, Lulu & Trevor had

both sat on Santa's lap, but Audrey was

a little apprehensive,

but finally,

she ran up and gave Santa a

GREAT BIG HUG!!!

~sitting in Grandpa's chair~

They were having a blast sitting in

Grandpa's chair watching a movie!

~The guys~

Trevor waiting patiently while Grandpa

raises his training wheels!

~baby Angelo~

~Mama spiked his hair~

(He'd just had his first haircut)...no lie

This little one, is such a joy.

A happy go lucky little guy,

that

loooves laughing

at his big sissy

Lulu!

Thanks so much for visiting my blog,

 I really appreciate it, and 

looove all of your

comments!

Don't forget to follow!

Always, Debbie~

A Castle for One of 'Our Little Princesses'

One of our Granddaughters is having a birthday

(December 11th.) I told her Mom I'd make her

birthday cake! I've made a couple of doll cakes

and since she'd chosen 'The Little Mermaid'

for her birthday theme, I thought how fun to make

a Little Mermaid cake.

Then her Mom told me that aprox. 16 children

were invited and because it was going to be at

Alfy's Pizza, their folks would be staying too! I

had to come up with a far bigger cake than just

a doll cake.

Finally, I decided to make her a

Little Mermaid Castle!

I looked online and found gorgeous cakes!

So between three of my favorites and a couple

of wonderful crafty people on Etsy,

(for their lovely die-cuts)

 I made one!

I'm not a cake decorator for sure, it wasn't easy and

I had a complete miss on my first attempt at baking a

turret!

Cake mix #1

I was thinking castle...BIG right?

WRONG!

I used

a LARGE chicken broth can...

and it was too BIG!

Tossed it!

Cake mix #2 (white cake)

I used a small sized

chicken broth can.

made two turrets

and one 6inch layer.

...and they were just right!

Cake mix #3 (chocolate)

9x13 for the bottom layer!

Cake mix #4 (strawberry)

for the middle layers 8in.pan!

Cake mix #5 (white)

I made the last two turrets

and the second top 6 inch layer

and had enough to make another

6 inch layer...however I didn't

use the last 6in. layer or the

4th turret!

I was really happy with the placement of the turrets

and how it all was coming together at this point...

Notice the top turret is on the back of

the cake?!!!

Do you notice the middle blue layer

leaning?!!!

Which meant the top layer was too

and sadly the top turrit was

really truly ready to

take a dive!!!

Now notice the placement of the top

turret!!! Still leaning...UGH!

Yep, I moved it towards the front

and caused it to list sideways

towards the front now....

Ignorance is BLISS! I threw myself into

this project without the slightest

knowledge of how to build a

sturdy TALL cake!

Sooo, I did the next best thing!!!

I speared it!!!

I sure did, I used skewers from the top,

through the sides...anyway I could!!!

It had to make it to Lulu's

party!!!

I even tried fondant, I had a ball,

and even though I didn't know

what the heck I was doing, it

was a kick!!!

AND

Lulu loved it!!!

~ceramic shell corner pieces~

~the cutest Little Mermaid die-cuts~

and more fondant....

~almost done~

~I'm not even sure if anyone noticed the listing~

I learned a lot with this cake and I know

I have a long way to go...

I truly encourage you all to try a

cake that you've wanted, but

were afraid to tackle...

If I can do it, so can

YOU!!!

Please visit as many participants of

these parties, you'll love

how CrEaTiVe they are!

I looove 'ALL' your

comments and I

would be

truly honored

if you'd

follow

me!

Always, Debbie~