Janice Hanna's Blog, page 23

Cakewalk, Day Fourteen: Aargh!

Welcome to DAY FOURTEEN of my August Cakewalk! Every day I’ve been posting a picture of one of my cakes and then talking about my new book, “The Icing on the Cake” (which has already released in print but will release on kindle tomorrow). Today’s cake photo is from a recent birthday cake for an eight-year-old who asked for a pirate ship. You probably don’t want to know how many hours it took to whip this one into shape, or how picky I was along the way. Didn’t turn out exactly as I’d hoped, but the birthday boy was pleased and so were his guests! The underneath (water) cake was white; the ship was dark chocolate. Yum! Well, I guess it was yummy. I didn’t actually get any! Dieting, you see…

If you’ve read “The Icing on the Cake” you know that Scarlet spends a l-o-t of time putting her cakes together. She also spends a lot of time putting her new business together! (Come to think of it, I can really relate to Scarlet!) She’s also a big fan of chocolate. The book is loaded with references to I Love Lucy, especially the chocolate factory episode!

If you’re looking for a tasty treat (one free from pirate attacks) pick up a copy of “The Icing on the Cake.”

Oh, and while you’re at it, why not get a free copy of my co-authored three-in-one, “Biloxi Brides” which is free on kindle today ONLY. 

Cakewalk, Day Thirteen: Mmm! Chocolate!

Welcome to DAY THIRTEEN of my August Cakewalk, where I’m celebrating the release of my latest romantic comedy, “The Icing on the Cake.” It’s all-things-cake this month, which is always fun…unless you’re on a diet like me.

Guess I’d better start this post with a confession. Last night I ate cake. Not just ANY cake, but a piece of that dark chocolate, devil’s food cake with rich fudge frosting, surrounded by Kit-Kat bars and topped off with M&M’s. *sigh* I’m not sighing because I feel guilty for blowing my diet. I’m sighing because I wish I’d had two slices instead of one.

Oh well. Since we’re talking chocolate today, I’d better go ahead and post another chocolate cake. The one you see here was made for my granddaughter Brooke’s first birthday. I made the little crown out of pipe cleaners. The sweet little decorations are rolos and kisses. Yummy!

If you’ve read “The Icing on the Cake” you know that Scarlet is always on a diet. She works extra-hard to lose weight, but it almost backfires on her at a very critical moment (on live TV, no less). I won’t give away too much, but I will say that sometimes a girl just needs a little nibble of cake. The sweetness keeps you from feeling deprived and everyone knows that dark chocolate is good for you…right? It releases endorphins. Makes you feel better. 

That’s my story, and I’m stikin’ with it. So, grab a slice of yummy chocolate cake and settle in with a good book. I just happen to know one you might love! “The Icing on the Cake” is available at amazon and other fine retailers.

If you’re interested in receiving an autographed copy from me, just shoot me an email at booksbyjanice (at) aol.com.

I hope your day is sweeter than chocolate!

Cakewalk, Day Eleven: Seasons

Welcome to DAY ELEVEN of my August Cakewalk! I’ve had so much fun showing off my cakes and sharing stories from my new book. Thanks for playing along!

If you’ve been following me on facebook for very long you know that my world is filled with little girls. Baking a baby shower cake for an expectant mama…well, I could pretty much do that in my sleep. I do have eight grandchildren now, after all. But the cake I’m showcasing today was for a different mama, not one of my daughters. A young woman at our church had been through a difficult season trying to have a baby and was finally having a precious baby…a girl! I made the (attached) cake to celebrate!

God works in seasons, doesn’t He? We don’t always understand His timing, but we usually figure out (sooner or later) that trusting Him in the hard seasons usually has its payoff in a brighter/happier season.

If you’ve read “The Icing on the Cake” you know that Scarlet goes through some tough seasons prior to the onset of the story. She often feels as if everyone else is getting their happily ever after…but she never will. (Ever feel like that?) Putting her trust in God is key. By the end of the story she meets the love of her life, runs the business of her dreams, and even makes a (rather wacky) appearance on the Food Network.

If you have read Scarlet’s story, it’s available in print version and (very soon) for kindle, as well. So, why not mosey on over to amazon to have a look? Have a blessed day, y’all!

Cakewalk, Day Ten: The Ultimate Mighty Machine

Welcome to DAY TEN of my August cakewalk, where I’m celebrating the release of my latest Bella spin-off book, “The Icing on the Cake.”

The cake I want to showcase today is one that I made for my grandson, Ethan. He’s into “mighty machines” (any and every sort of construction vehicle, basically) so I had to come up with a “mighty machine” cake. Talk about a challenge! I’d never done anything like this before. I started with rectangular pieces of chocolate cake, then stacked them (as you see here) and covered with fondant. Not an easy task, I tell you, but the kids seemed to love it. In retrospect, I might’ve done the backside a bit differently if I’d had more time. It’s a little too even-steven (if that makes any sense). The “dirt” portions needed to be messier, in other words.

One thing about mighty machines…they can handle a heavy load. Now, I don’t know about you, but there are times when I could use a few “mighty machines” in my own life to handle the “loads” I’ve been dealt.

If you’ve read “The Icing on the Cake” you know that Scarlet considers herself a heavyweight. She’s a bit on the fluffy/chubby side. (Hey, what cake baker/designer isn’t??? Hazard of the trade, I suppose!) On top of that, she often feels as if she’s been dealt more than she can handle. As the story progresses, she learns that God (the ultimate mighty machine) can sweep in and rescue her, lightening the load, both physically and metaphorically.

What about you? Carrying any heavy loads today? Give them to the greatest “mighty machine” of all. He’s standing by, ready to carry them for you.

Afterwards, if you’re looking for a way to escape life’s challenges even more, why not pick up a copy of “The Icing on the Cake” and take a big slice…compliments of the chef (i.e. me). I’d be tickled pink!

 

Cakewalk, Day Nine: The Carousel of Life

Welcome to DAY NINE of my August Cakewalk. I wish that I could say I had a wonderful picture of a cake I’d baked for one of my Montana grandbabies, but I do not. One of the hazards of living so far away…I never get to bake/decorate for them. I have those grandkids on my mind because I’m going to see them next week, praise the Lord!

Today I’m going to feature a cake that I made for one of my Houston-area granddaughters, Peyton. You might’ve seen this one come across you radar a few weeks ago. She celebrated her fifth birthday back in June and requested a “My Little Pony” cake. I ordered the ponies and concocted a plan in my head for how the cake would come together. Doing a carousel cake made since, so that’s the direction I went. I even put it on a stand that turns so the carousel would spin!

Each pony (it turns out) has his or her own name and personality, (this, according to Peyton). Multiple colors were needed for this special cake, of course. Lots of pizzazz! The final outcome made me so happy and the birthday girl loved it.

Merging a lot of different personalities is something my character Scarlet knows a lot about. If you’ve read “The Icing on the Cake” you know that she has to merge lots of VERY different people on her “carousel” of life. Aunt Willy (old sourpuss!), Armando (lover boy), Dad (local pastor), Mom (stable/solid), Rossi family (wacky), BFF/Hannah (frazzled bride-to-be) and many, many more. In the midst of such a colorful crew she manages to keep sane. Well, mostly. There is that one incident in the middle of the Food Network baking competition…

If you haven’t read Scarlet’s colorful story, why not give it a shot? If you would like to be entered in a special drawing to win an autographed copy of the book, leave a quick story about a carousel ride that you (or someone else) took. Have an awesome day, y’all!

NOTE: I can only mail to folks in the US. Thanks for understanding!

Cakewalk, Day Eight: Bonding Over Cake

Welcome to DAY EIGHT of my August Cakewalk. Today is my daughter Courtney Elizabeth Gillies’s birthday, so (in honor of HER) I’m going to share a picture of the cake I baked for her wedding. I always love it when I can use beautiful ribbons and flowers on a cake. Why? Because I don’t really excel at the actual “nitty-gritty” decorating part. My cakes are sometimes a little messy (like me) and require a bit of camouflage. The wide ribbon on this cake (along with the oversized flowers/leaves) gave me the perfect opportunity to cover up some rough edges underneath.

One of my favorite memories of putting this cake together? My niece Ashley was in town and stayed up through the night with me, helping. I don’t think she’d ever worked on a cake like this before, so she found the whole process mesmerizing. We had a lot of fun, and even got a little goofy as the middle of the night approached.

There’s a fun scene in “The Icing on the Cake” where Scarlet and Armando put together a wedding cake in the middle of the night. It starts out as a huge mess but comes together as the hours go by. Best of all, they spend the “baking/decorating” time bonding and sharing a common goal. There’s nothing better than a cake to bring people together.

If you haven’t read “The Icing on the Cake” why not venture over to amazon and pick up a copy? I think you’ll bond with some old/familiar characters, and some new ones too. Have a happy day, y’all!

Cakewalk, Day Six: Beaches, Kitten and a Designer Handbag

Welcome to DAY SIX of my August Cakewalk. I’m posting a story about a very interesting cake today, one I made for a very special birthday. My friend Dannelle Woody contacted me awhile back and asked me to make a cake for her mother’s upcoming birthday. She had three instructions: beach, cats, handbags. Okay then. Beach I could do. I had the molds to make shells, coral, waves, etc. Cats were a bit more difficult. I ordered cookie cutters to do the trick. But, the purse? Hmm. I’d have to think about that one!

You see the results of my labor. I gave each theme its own area on the cake. Had so much fun piecing together the ocean/beachy parts. Had a blast creating the little kitty cats. Worked like the dickens to shape and design a fondant handbag, which ended up being super-cute, if I do say so myself. Turns out the handbag was a dead ringer for one the birthday girl was given as a child, one hand-made by her uncle. (Cool, right?) She adored the cake and made me feel like I million bucks when I delivered it.

Several things about this cake remind me of my book, “The Icing on the Cake.” The story takes place in Galveston, near the beach. (Bottom layer!) Scarlet’s Aunt Willie is very wealthy, just the sort of woman who would carry an expensive designer handbag! (Top layer!) She’s also a big city gal who ends up moving to Splendora (the country), where I can picture her adopting cats and settling into her new pine-tree surrounded life.

If you haven’t read “The Icing on the Cake” I invite you to do so. I’ll even sweeten the pot by doing another giveaway here. Leave a story about a cat. I’ll do a drawing at the end of the day. The winner will get a free copy of the book.

If you HAVE read “The Icing on the Cake” would you be so kind as to leave a little review at amazon or B&N online? I’d be so grateful. Have a blessed day, all!

Cakewalk, Day Five: The Faith of Noah

Welcome to DAY FIVE of my August cakewalk. Today I’m going to share a photo of a cake that I baked/decorated for an auction at our church. It’s a Noah’s Ark cake. I’d seen a photo online of something similar (only, they didn’t use jelly beans). I decided to try it out myself. You can see the results…a little messy, but not too bad. I used some scrapbooking materials to make the topper, which was a lot of fun.

Life presents a lot of “Noah/living in faith” moments, doesn’t it? If you’ve read my book “The Icing on the Cake” you know that Scarlet, my heroine, has to step out in faith when she opens her cake shop on the Strand in Galveston. It’s tough to build your own business. (Ask me how I know!) Requires a LOT of faith.

Today, if you’re a self-employed businesswoman (ANY kind of business) PLEASE leave a little comment on my facebook page about your business and I’m going to put your name into a drawing to win a copy of “The Icing on the Cake.” I’ll draw the name at midnight tonight and make the announcement (and contact you personally). So, chime in, ladies. Did you have the faith of Noah to “build your boat/business” in spite of all obstacles? Are you like Scarlet…ready to take the world by storm? If so, I’d love to hear from you!

Cakewalk, Day Four: Tangy People

DAY FOUR of my August Cakewalk is coming to a close and I’m just now posting my cake story. Sorry about that! I’m battling a head cold and have been focused on resting this evening. The cake I’ve chosen for today is a lemon raspberry. I made it for Michella Upton’s high school graduation. I’ve always loved the tangy citrus of lemon mixed with the tart raspberries. This cake did not disappoint! Yummy layers of lemony cake were separated by raspberry jam, then topped off with a vibrant lemon frosting and luscious fresh berries. (Are you hungry yet?)

Life often gives us tangy/bitter and tart, all at the same time, doesn’t it? In my book “The Icing on the Cake” my heroine learns that one of the “tartest” people in her life, Aunt Willie, has a sweet side, as well. In fact, Willie discovers the raspberry to her lemon, as it were, when she falls in love with an unlikely fellow from Splendora. This sweetens the pot even more for Scarlet, who’s finding a love of her own. Her relationship with Armando Rossi is the proverbial icing on the cake. What joy!

Yep, life surprises us all the time. If you want to be surprised with a yummy cake, try lemon with raspberry filling and berries on top. You won’t be sorry. I’d also like to think that you won’t be sorry if you pick up a copy of “The Icing on the Cake”

Cakewalk, Day Three: All God’s Princesses

Welcome to DAY THREE of my August cakewalk!

The cake I’m going to feature today was made for my granddaughter Peyton on her first birthday. I found the idea for the turrets online and decided to go for it. Three cakes here: one strawberry, one chocolate (devil’s food), one white. I loved using the little Rolos to decorate, as well as the sprinkles on the ice cream cones. Oh, and the doors on the castle…? They’re made out of wafer cookies.

Peyton was a little princess then, and she’s a little princess now. In fact, we just celebrated her FIFTH birthday a few weeks ago. Maybe you saw the picture of the carousel cake. What fun! I love making the kiddos feel special on their birthday(s). Brings me such joy!

Girls love being treated like princesses, don’t they? If you’ve read my book “The Icing on the Cake” (http://tinyurl.com/mcn5zae) you know that the heroine, Scarlet, is hoping to find a fella who treats her like that. When she first meets Armando Rossi, her pre-conceived ideas about him almost convince her that he’s no prince charming. A little more time getting to know him proves otherwise.

Today, as you think about Peyton’s princess cake, be reminded that ALL of God’s girls are princesses in his sight. As his daughter, you are dearly loved. And here’s the good news…that castle cake I baked for Peyton? It doesn’t even begin to compare to the mansion you’ll one day live in when the King of all Kings sweeps you away to spend eternity with him. Now THAT’S a message sweeter than any cake!