Santa Please Stop Here!

I had an absolute ball making these adorable cookies for John and Rhonda Pelham. I imagined that when I was a child, what I always wanted to sit out for Santa. These adorable cookies are a sweet sugar cookie with almond butter cream icing. These cookies are being served at a Reception at the County Executive Office on Saturday. There are several of the Senators and House of Representatives attending.

Santa would absolutely love getting these cookies on Christmas Eve. I bet his Ho, Ho, Ho will turn into Ho, Ho, Oh!

Orders for all of your Christmas needs are being taken.

No order is too big or too small!

The Over The Hill Cake-Rudie Is 50!

I had an absolute ball creating this cake! My friend Kathy and I talked Sunday morning at church about her husband's 50th birthday being Tuesday. Well that is all it took for my wheels and cogs to start turning.

Rudie is a HUGE Alabama fan. Well, he, MacRae, Big Dave and Mac went to the UT vs. Vandy game on Nov. 17th. While they were there, Rudie got his face spray painted orange and white with a big #1 and the power T on each cheek. Now, for a HUGE Alabama fan, we couldn't let this slip by. Big Dave took a picture of him and sent it on to me. I couldn't resist. This entire cake, tomb stone and all is eatable. It is tuff seeing the writing from the picture, but it says: Rudie O Thomsen (the T is like the power T) Converted to a Volunteer on 11/19/07. Rest His Soul. He just about died laughing!

A lot of people don't like black icing because it is bitter, but my recipe is not bitter at all. Very, very sweet!

I can do any type of shape, free hand or pan cake. I really enjoy working on the cakes that I can free hand and use my imagination!

Christmas in the Park

Every year since John Ryan was a baby (20 yrs. ago) we started going to the Christmas in the Park. The Junior Auxilary does a wonderful job organizing this. I will never forget the first year we went and it was so cold. The Bell Ringers from First Baptist Church was there performing. It was beautiful! I remember that we kept John Ryan in the truck with us all wrapped up good and warm with the heater running. He was so little. Now he is a big as me. A few years ago, Katie's Girl Scout Troop sang Christmas Carols and she performed with Ms. Paula's Dance Team as well. Last year Katie was the featured dancer in Ms. Paula's window.

This year I am going to have a food booth there. Come by and see me for hot food and something hot to drink. I hope to see you all there! You never know what you will find when you come by.

Fun and Fancy

These two cakes are absolutely to die for. Classy, elegant, timeless are just a few words to describe the beautiful white wedding cake. For the baseball lover, this big boy is a double chocolate with the Yankee's logo is great for a grooms cake. Just two examples of beautiful cakes to celebrate that wonderful day!

Painting the Nation Orange!

I just wanted to share an article that was in the paper in Knoxville a little bit ago. John Ryan was in from college over the Thanksgiving holiday and shared this with me.

It is amazing how paintball is picking up all over the nation. John Ryan, Dillon, and Katie all enjoy playing it. We have a speed course in the back field and we have had several church groups, adult and kids, come and play. There are occassions that people will just call and want to play. From someone who has dibbled a time to two playing, it sure is a stress relief.

We were excited when the boys from UT came back with the World Cup Victory!

Happy 1st Birthday Miss Julia!

How sweet of a creation! Misti at Tennessee Title Loans requested this precious cake for her daughter Julia. I had a ball making this cake! She is absolutely adorable! I hope that Julia enjoys it!

Misti wanted a special little cake for Julia to have all to herself! I made her a precious heart shaped cake, delicately decorated just with Julia in mind. She is going to dive right for this, I just know!

Thank you Misti!

Happy 1st Turkey Birthday Sarah Kate!

I did not realize how hard it was finding Minnie Mouse. She was retired several years ago. I had the divine parting of the clouds (this is something that my friend Robin Bell says) when it came to this cake. This big girl size cake is 14 inches across and is homemade white with homemade vanilla buttercream icing. Minnie is a second layer all it's own. Tanera is such a good mom! I hope that they have a ball at Karen's when they let her blow out that precious Minnie Mouse candle. Happy 1st Birthday Sarah Kate!

Gift Certificates and More!

With Christmas just around the corner, and sometimes it is hard to find that "special" gift for a friend, family member, teacher, or secret pal and this year I am offering my Gift Certificates. Give me a shout and I will just fix you right up! They are good for one year from date of purchase. Last year Diane Stanely was one of my many customers who purchased gift certificates for several friends. Some of my customers from last year used them for The Lunch Lady and some of my customers wanted cakes, pies, and trays delivered to a special person!

Guys remember that all ladies like to have a special little something every once in a while. A tray of chocolate dipped strawberries or my delicious cookies 'n cream truffles on a beautiful serving tray are always a hit! Last year Bruce Carr sure did give Donna a wonderful suprise by doing this! She did not have a clue! When I delivered it, she was speechless! Even Santa has been known to have special little treats for those who have been "nice".

Santa's secret hot line is 212-7303.

2007 Regions Craft Fair

The 2007 Craft Fair has come and gone. I am overwhelmed with comments about my booth and from my blogspot! Thank You to everyone who helped me and all of my customers and future customers!

I hope that everyone enjoyed their samples of the Wedding Cake, Red Velvet Cake, and Coconut Cake. I had a ball making them and was so excited to share them with you! For those of you who missed them, I had a beautiful white wedding cake with white almond butter cream icing. I could not believe that I gave out over 200 sample pieces. On Saturday, I had the Red Velvet cake with vanilla butter cream icing along with some absolutely mouth-watering coconut cake with the most creamy seven minute frosting.

I got so tickled at everyones sounds and facial jestures as they ate. I got so tickled at Pat Grissom and Dewey Gay. Pat got on the phone and called Debbie Dunham and Ms. Debbie came up and told me that Pat told her that she needed to come right then and pay me a visit. Thank you Ms. Pat!! I love you! Dewey is a deacon where we worship. He got me so tickled when he and Ms. Dean came up. He got a sample of cake and then wanted a piece of my Chocolate Chip Pie. He and I talked about how Ms. Johnnie Walker had the best recipes!

Oh my goodness, I got so many orders for Thanksgiving and am still taking more orders. I have room for more orders and am excited about getting everyones orders completed and delivered! I will be taking orders all through the holidays. Just give me a ring or an e-mail and I will take the worry out of the holiday rush just for you!

Happy Thanksgiving! In Him, Joy

What Am I Thankful For?

Well, one year my husband asked what we were thankful for? We went around the room answering this question. Some said for their spouses, some said for their family, some said for their kids, and so on.

I want to share with you what I am thankful for.

First, I am thankful for having such a wonderful Heavenly Father! God has blessed us with more than we could even imagine. He gave his son to die for our sins. I can't imagine giving one of my children for everyone else! What love he has for us!

Second, I am thankful for having such a wonderful set of christian parents! My father has been passed away for over 14 years. I miss him so much! My mother is the backbone of our family. She has been such a wonderful christian example for me and for so many other people. I love my mother very much!

Third, I am thankful for my best friend, my husband John. He is my support system. I am so blessed to have a man to love me as much as he does! Most of all, I am blessed to have a man who loves God like he does!

Fourth, I am thankful for my three precious children. I have been blessed by having them be part of my life. I don't remember what life was before them. Sometimes I get all caught up in running from point A to point B all the way to point Z in a day. One thing I can always count on is my children being my cheerleaders. They are always there cheering me on in whatever I am doing.

Fifth, I am thankful for my Christian family at Westwood. When Dillon broke his hip in May, they were there for us-All the way! Our Elders, Deacons, Coy, Bettye Ann and the entire congregation gave us encouragement and lifted us up when were so unsure of tomorrow. David has been so good for our kids. He has made Dillon feel so alive for Christ!

And I could go on all night with more, but finally I am thankful for my friends. Through the good, the bad, and the ugly, you have stuck right beside me and held me up at times. 2007 has been a trying year for our family. When Dillon almost died in January, John Ryan's surgery, Dillon's accident in May and two surgeries and long recovery, & John's two surgeries, you were there for us. The prayers, visits, phone calls, cards, and words of encouragement helped us get through these hard days. Each one has a special place in my heart and I love each one of you very much!

I hope that everyone has a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday!

What A Bunch Of Good Boys!

In a post from Saturday, I talked about John Ryan's team from the University of Tennessee winning the paintball tournament in Chattanooga. My hansom son is on the front row, far right side. The entire write up is on www.utpaintball.com web page. These boys went from fourth to first. What's funny, the black was the "varsity" team and the organge team was the "jv" team. The "jv" team beat out the "varsity" in the semi finals to beat Florida.

We've hosted paintball tournaments at our home for over a year now. It is really a fun sport to watch as well as play. Some of us gals have even played. One thing that was funny last Saturday was when one of our boys shot one of Florida's team mates and he wouldn't declare himself out. So, our fella went over and made sure that he was out. (He shot him about 20 times straight) He made sure that he was out. Ouch!

My how time flies! John Ryan will be 20 on the 24th of this month. I blinked and he's an adult. He went from diapers to a sophomore at UT. Now that's painful! God sure did bless me and John when he gave us John Ryan, Dillon, and Katie!

My Dream On Canvas

I was so excited this morning when I checked my friend Brandi's web page and saw my two signs completed and posted! I am very blessed by knowing Brandi and by calling her my friend. She and her husband Mike are what southerners would consider "Good People". As a child growing up, I had heard my parents say that about someone that they considered a true, honest, genuine, hardworking christian person. I consider this wonderful couple "Good People". What more can you expect when they come from "Good Families". Brandi was so sweet to talk about how she enjoyed my lunch's that I have delivered to her at Bobby Ray Elementary . Mike is the principal at Irving College Elementary. They are regular customers of my other business: The Lunch Lady Catering. My husband was tickled to death over them just as much as I am!

Thank You Brandi for your beautiful art and Thank You for just being you!

Stunning Silver

Over the years when I have attended family or friends weddings, I have always been fascinated with the cake topper. Of course I love the traditional Bride and Groom, but I love this beautiful topper. The silver single initial is absolutely stunning. A single initial or the Bridal Couple's initial with the bride and grooms first names initial on each side. This is a stunning timeless statement. This is one of many toppers to choose from.

Sitting On a Pedistal

This beautiful cake is absolutely a fun, young, and timeless. Roses, Baby Carnations, Orchids, Gerber Daisies are just a few types of flowers that can be used on this cake. Each layer can be a different flavor or for the traditionalist it can be classic white. This fun cake can be the center piece to a beautiful table.

Paintball Time In Tennessee!

Today we went to Chattanooga to see our oldest son John Ryan play in a paintball tournament for the University of Tennessee (Knoxville). There were 17 Universties represented as far west as Kansas to Virginia Tech to Florida State. We were so excited when they announced that John Ryan's team was in the Top 4. As the day went on, the teams were getting thinned out with their losses. I am so happy to share with everyone that they WON!

If you have a child or a teen that you care for, stop today and tell them how proud you are of them and that you love them! We are so proud of all of our children!

"Bunch of Buzzing Bees"

Wow what a week! This week is almost over and I am still buzzing like a bee around the kitchen.

With a big lunch on Tuesday, Ben Lomand Rural Telephone's November Board Meeting Dinner Party on Wednesday, big lunch on Thursday and Basketball and Ballet this afternoon I just had to post a comment that I received from a sweet customer who loves the sweets. Jamye Jaco sent me an e-mail that just made my day! "WOW!!!! That chocolate cake is the best!! I ate it as soon as I got it! Thank You!"

I want to say Thank You to all of my customers! New and the faithful regulars each week! Thank you for all of you wonderful words of encouragement! 2007 has been a most unusual year for our family. Lots of you may know about Dillon's hospital visit in January and his quarantine for 7 weeks with that horrible "Super Virus". Then in May when he broke and dislocated his hip. Two hospital visits and two surgeries in two days. Thank you for standing behind me and my product!

On my route with "The Lunch Lady Catering" I delivered to Stephanie Eden Photography. I took her a piece of John's Grandmother's classic Jam Cake. I just wonder if she shared any of it with Emily?

I will have lots of cakes, pies, cookies, truffles, fruited tea, and samples of my wedding cakes at the Craft Fair on November 16th and 17th at the Civic Center. Come on up and visit me in the balcony. For all of those future brides, I will be having a drawing for some special things for an upcoming bridal party. It is not too early to book your Rehearsal Dinners, Wedding Receptions, or Bridesmaid Luncheons.

Orders will be taken for all of your holiday needs. Teela Mason has a standing order that has been on reserve for weeks now. I have done several things for Teela over the summer. She is a super friend!

Creating a Memory

My friend Mona, who lives in Kaneohe, Hawaii and her mother-in-law (Grandma Fujimoto) grow these beautiful orchids in their gardens. I can almost smell the sweet fragrance from these exquisite orchids. When we visited Grandma Fujimoto's home, she sent beautiful orchids back with us. I truly cherish all of my flowers and plants that we brought back from this magical trip. If tropical flowers is your fancy, these beautiful flowers can be shipped overnight from a florist in Honolulu. If you fancy other types of flowers, they can be used instead. What a beautiful way to celebrate the first day of the rest of your lives together or as an anniversary celebration.

The Craft Fair!

I almost forgot to tell you all about my booth this year at the Craft Fair. This year the Craft Fair will be at the McMinnville Civic Center on Friday, November 16th and Saturday, November 17th.

My booth will be in the balcony. I will have all types of cakes, pies, cookies, fruited tea, and lots of other goodies for sale.

I will also be sharing with everyone samples of my wedding cakes. Come by and visit with me and enjoy a wonderful piece of cake.

I will also be taking orders for all of your holiday needs. From pies and cakes to your family dinners and Christmas Parties. Make your reservations with me asap.

Simply Joy Catering

Every little girl dreams of her wedding day. My goal is to give the Bride her every wish and dream.

From the beautiful Wedding Cake to the Grooms Cake, Ice Sculptures, Mouth Watering Cream Cheese Mints, Chocolate Fountain with Fabulous Fresh Fruit, Beautifully Arranged Vegetable Trays, Finger Foods, Beautifully Lit Fountain for any type of Beverage to a Sit Down Meal.

From Simple to Elegance in One Step.

November's Cake of the Month

I chose this beautiful cake for November's Cake because of it's Simple Elegance. This cake can be created just for that special Bride who wants the traditional classic wedding. I can customize this cake for the Bridal couple.

If you are a true "chocolate lover" you would absolutely love this cake. I made this cake from scratch and it is filled with the sweetest homemade chocolate buttercream icing. Norma King (who I just love dearly) said it was wonderful. I made this cake for the Fall Ladies Brunch at Westwood Church of Christ. This mouthwatering cake is a wonderful addition as a Grooms Cake, Birthday Cake, Anniversary Cake, or a cake to take to that special gathering during the holidays. I can also fill this cake with sweet strawberry or raspberry filling. This cake can be made bigger and used as a wedding cake.