Lots of y’all love our paper pom poms hanging in the bakery and I know I’ve sent some of you to the internet for instructions, so I thought I’d just make it easier and give everyone the inside scoop on how to make these!  They’re really pretty easy and inexpensive to make and they’re great for parties.

There are two different ways to make the pom poms:
1. go to Michael’s and buy the Martha Stewart kit for a lot of money.
2. make them on your own for not a lot of money by going to one of my favorite blogs, Deep Fried Kudzu, for instructions on how to make your own… riiiiight HERE!
The only change I make is to use ten sheets of tissue paper instead of eight.

Some great spots to buy tissue paper: Target gift wrap section, Blick art supplies, and PaperMart.  I got the floral wire from Michael’s and the fishing line from my brother. 

Happy crafting!

This fun image is by a really talented UK based illustrator named Hennie Haworth.  Isn’t it great?

Warning: this is a horrible story about how some people actually are horrible people; the dog doesn’t die, but it’s still awful… 

I sometimes encounter mean people (we all do), but today I witnessed someone not only mean, but actually completely without a soul.  I was driving down Central and witnessed someone hit a dog… on purpose.  I saw the dog in the middle of the road, clearly scared and deciding whether to turn back or keep crossing the street.  I saw the oncoming car, the driver, and his friends.  I saw them point at the dog and laugh.  I saw the driver swerve to hit the dog and I saw the dog go under the front left tire.  I saw the driver laughing while he sped away.

Amazingly enough, the dog, Max, survived.  A woman who stopped, Margarita, carried him to the sidewalk and a man tried calling the number on Max’s tag.  Max was yowling for a few minutes, but calmed down amazingly quickly and was so good through the whole process.  We couldn’t get hold of the owner, so Margarita put an old towel down in my car and I drove him to Central Animal Hospital, where he is currently.  Margarita was able to get hold of the owner and told her where I was taking Max.

We hear stories every day about people who do terrible things that we just cannot comprehend actually DOING.  This is the first time I’ve ever seen someone make a decision like that.  A normal person would have slowed the car or swerved to avoid hitting the dog; it’s hard to imagine that there are people who would go out of their way to run a dog over for fun.  Anyway, I needed to share…

Update: I just called Central Animal Hospital at 4:45pm to check on Max and he’s still stable and probably going to be okay.

A lot of you are familiar with Kiva.org, but in case you’re not here’s a quick sum-up:
Kiva is a non-profit that is focused on helping entrepreneurs! It’s not charity; it’s a loan. This allows these people to start and grow their small businesses without sacrificing dignity and it lets you be a part of that. I’m a huge fan!

Davlat is a baker in Tajikistan. He started a bread business, mostly selling a traditional bread called lepeshka. He and his wife work from home and have requested a loan of $1150 in order to grow their business and purchase flour wholesale. They are almost to their goal and only need $250 more.
If you’d like to join me in supporting a baker in Tajikistan, please CLICK HERE!

Thanks!

Ok, most people who know me know I love Star Wars.  A lot.

Check out what Paul Knipple, customer and food writer, found online!

This post it cartoon is by Doug Savage.  He has an entire website of post-it cartoons!  Check it out HERE!

I realize this isn’t bakery related, but I just found these so interesting…

Photographer Dina Goldstein has taken photographs featuring fairy tale princesses in scenarios that may have been more “realistic” in outcome; these princesses are facing the same harsh realities of addiction, weight gain, illness, etc that many women fae in their lifetimes.  It’s just such an interesting take on the whole thing!

Anyhoo, check it out HERE if you’re interested.

As requested, we’re doing another Muddy’s tee, this one mostly for the guys but I bet girls will like it too, and I’d like to do a quick informal poll about colors.

The image is the lumberjack right here, but we need help with colors. Click HERE to see available colors in American Apparel tees.

Could you let me know:
a) which color shirt you prefer and
b) what color ink you’d print the image with?

THANKS!!!

(kick-ass artwork by Anke Weckmann)

Today is Thomas’ birthday.  I’d like to take the opportunity to gush for just a minute about how lucky I am to have such a great guy.

This is a man who constantly encourages and supports me.  He pulls much more than his share of the weight around the house.  He spoils our two dogs rotten.  He spoils ME rotten.  He does all sorts of little wonderful things “just because”.  He has the best sense of humour, loves my family, is super-smart, and is pretty cute too!  He calms me down when I’m stressed out, he’s super-understanding when my job interferes with our plans, and he always encourages me to shine as brightly as I want. He’s a fantastic uncle (that’s him with some of the kids in photo)- everyone always loves to see him!

He has chosen to the non-profit sector for his career (MIFA) when he has the talent and education to do something more lucrative.  He also is a volunteer coach at White Station High School lacrosse, which takes up the majority of his free time during the season and a good bit of it in off-season in preparation.  Also, he makes me fresh coffee every single morning.  He’s a great cook, makes me laugh, and keeps my wits sharp.  He’s my very best friend and I’m so thankful he was born!!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY THOMAS!!!

A couple of educational 4th of July films for you…

First up, we have Will Smith and Jeff Goldblum’s (lesser known version of) INDEPENDENCE DAY!!!

And what would 4th of July be without the muppets? The muppets are, like, the most American thing ever, man…

Enjoy the 4th, y’all! I’m outta here to go make pie… and watermelon lemonade… and peach ice cream…