Reconfiguring

I’m reconfiguring my blog to be the place where I share recipes and other info that I find that is interesting and relevant for my business.  I will be using my website to display my Cake Gallery, which will also have my prices, flavors, a little about me, as well as contact information.  There will be a link to my blog from my website and my website should be up and running in the next few weeks.  www.joyfulvagabondbakery.com  

Here’s a recipe for this chilly (or should I say Chili? CLAYTON – you are rubbing off on me!) weather

Chili:

1 lb. ground beef
1 onion, medium dice
4 cloves garlic, minced
2.5 T chili powder
1 t. cumin
½ t cayenne
15 oz pinto beans (black beans if adding optional sweet potatoes)
14 oz crushed tomato
14 oz beef or chicken broth
1 large or 2 small sweet potatoes (optional)

Sauté onion and garlic until tender and add meat.  Cook through.  Add spices and all other ingredients and cook until sweet potatoes are fork tender, or if without sweet potatoes until cooked thoroughly. Top with cheese, sour cream, salsa, or anything else you desire.  *May want to increase spices a little with the addition of sweet potatoes*

Butterflies

Butterflies seem to be a popular girl's first birthday cake theme.  How could they not be when the cakes are so cute?

Really trying to pump up the business here!  Anyone in need of a delicious cake for a party or event?

two years

I let this rest for a little while as I pursued school and ended up getting married in the meantime to my wonderful husband.  I am now at a point where I really want to pick this back up and really get it off the ground.  My goal is to bake and sell quality products that would meet people's baking needs.  Gluten-free, dairy-free, peanut-free, egg-free, you-name-it-free.  Anything that has to do with allergies or a personal preference of what to/not to eat.  I really love doing wedding cakes and would really like to have more of those to do.  I want another aspect of my business to be offering in-home cooking classes.  All this revolves around cooking, I know, but maybe you're not getting the point: I love to cook!  I sell Pampered Chef also and I get to go into people's homes and cook for them and sell items that I love to use, and it is so much fun for me.
Ways you (yes, you!) can support me in my business:
1. Encourage me.  I am excited and nervous embarking on a new adventure, and it's a little scary at times and can get discouraging.
2. I really believe that networking is going to be key here.  Like Joyful Vagabond Bakery on Facebook, tell your friends, family, neighbors etc. about Joyful Vagabond Bakery.
3. If you haven't tried my carrot cake, I have references that say it is the best carrot cake that they have ever had.  So, maybe it's about time you order one?  (and yes, I can make it gluten-free!)


Wedding cake I made for my sister in law's wedding:

Back to it

Blogging hasn't been my number one priority for awhile... obviously.  Neither has baking.  School has been overwhelming and frustrating and disappointing.  For many many reasons that I won't go into right now.  However, I would really like to do more baking going forward from here and I am updating business cards! (with my married name and a picture of one of my cakes).
At the same time baking hasn't been completely nonexistent.  Because - in case you didn't know - I LOVE to bake! and decorate! and then watch people destroy it because it was the most delicious thing they had ever eaten.

Here's a picture of a cake I did last Spring.

Coming soon: more pictures of cakes that I have made this past year.  And hopefully more blogs of future cakes as well.  

Pumpkin Cupcakes and Cream Cheese Icing

Gluten free and dairy free!!!!! - oh yeah!

Birthday Cake

One layer of chocolate cake, and another of yellow with strawberry buttercream icing

Wedding Cakes!

Bride's Cake - Gluten free, bottom and top tier: lemon lavender, center tier: chocolate with vanilla buttercream icing
Groom's Cake - Chocolate cake, vanilla pudding and chocolate buttercream icing (basically, similar to Boston Cream pie but with chocolate cake instead of yellow).

Gluten Free!!

the top layer of this cake was lemon lavender, and the bottom was chocolate with a vanilla buttercream icing

Gluten Free & Lactose Free Carrot Cake

For Monica and Starsky's anniversary!

groom's cake

Princess Camp

boots!

Dr Pepper Cake!

I'm a Pepper, he's a Pepper, she's a Pepper, we're a Pepper, Wouldn't you like to be a Pepper too? I'm a Pepper, he's a Pepper, she's a Pepper, we're a Pepper, wouldn't you like to be a Pepper too? Be a Pepper, Drink Dr Pepper.

Ahoy, Matey!

cakes

fondant bow

,

two-tier chocolate cake with buttercream icing,

i also made all the flowers with royal icing

my elephant cake

i made this for a little boy's first birthday
without much of a template of any kind,
so it's not the most impressive thing, but it was fun!
 random bit of info: the tail is a chow mien noodle covered in frosting

gluten-free, sugar-free, yeast-free pizza dough

1 c.  soy flour
water
olive oil
1 t. italian spices
1/2 t. garlic powder
1/2 t. salt
1/2 t. baking soda


i didn't exactly measure the oil and water, but if you have done any baking at all, i'm sure you will be able to figure it out.  be sure to spray the pan with some oil before rolling out, because it will stick.  even though it may not be the best, i liked it.

a few of my desserts

brown butter almond cake, mascarpone mousse,
candied orange and wine plumped dried cherries

raspberry and blueberry tart

roasted pineapple, pina colada panna cotta,
homemade blood orange sorbet, with shortbread 
i called it the Tropical Trio

a few of my creations

none of these are specialty cakes, but i do like the way they turned out

a basket weave