Cake Bake-Off

Every year there is a Catholic Community Picnic. All of the Catholic churches in the area come together to have a huge picnic full of games, dunk tanks, tug of war, tons of food, and a baking competition. One year it was chili, another pies, and this year cake. Mom and I had decided to enter this year and started planning our cake weeks ago. After much thought, we chose to create a cake based on "The Unicorn Song" by Shel Silverstein (recorded by The Irish Rovers).

A long time ago, when the Earth was green

There was more kinds of animals than you've ever seen
They'd run around free while the Earth was being born
And the loveliest of all was the unicorn

There was green alligators and long-necked geese
Some humpty backed camels and some chimpanzees
Some cats and rats and elephants, but sure as you're born
The loveliest of all was the unicorn

The Lord seen some sinning and it gave Him pain
And He says, "Stand back, I'm going to make it rain"
He says, "Hey Noah, I'll tell you what to do
Build me a floating zoo,
and take some of those...

Green alligators and long-necked geese
Some humpty backed camels and some chimpanzees
Some cats and rats and elephants, but sure as you're born
Don't you forget My unicorns

Old Noah was there to answer the call
He finished up making the ark just as the rain started to fall
He marched the animals two by two
And he called out as they came through
Hey Lord,

I've got green alligators and long-necked geese
Some humpty backed camels and some chimpanzees
Some cats and rats and elephants, but Lord, I'm so forlorn
I just can't find no unicorns"

And Noah looked out through the driving rain
Them unicorns were hiding, playing silly games
Kicking and splashing while the rain was falling
Oh, them silly unicorns

There was green alligators and long-necked geese
Some humpty backed camels and some chimpanzees
Noah cried, "Close the door because the rain is falling
And we just can't wait for no unicorns"

The ark started moving, it drifted with the tide
The unicorns looked up from the rocks and they cried
And the waters came down and sort of floated them away
That's why you never see unicorns to this very day

You'll see green alligators and long-necked geese
Some humpty backed camels and some chimpanzees
Some cats and rats and elephants, but sure as you're born
You're never gonna see no unicorns

Mom made all of the animals out of gumpaste while I baked all 9 of the cakes. On Saturday, we brought everything together and decorated and assembled! We used fondant to cover the ark, buttercream frosting and piping gel for the water. After all of the work we put into it, we ended up winning.

Singing With Peter

Just this past week, we have discovered Peter's love of music (not that we don't encourage it). Whenever I sit down at the piano and start singing, he sings along. At first we thought it was just a coincidence but he has done it every time! I used my cell phone to record the video, so it isn't too clear.

No Rise Pizza Crust

I love making pizza but when a crust has to rise, it takes so long! I have been doing some experimenting with different recipes, and so far, this is my favorite. It rises beautifully in the oven and tastes just like a crust that would take hours to make!

1 Tbsp yeast
1 cup very warm water
1 tsp sugar
1 tsp salt
2 Tbsp olive oil
1 cup whole wheat flour
1 1/2 cups white flour

1. Combine yeast, water, and sugar. Allow to sit for the yeast to activate.
2. Add salt, olive oil, and flours. Mix well.
3. Knead on a floured surface until smooth. (I do the entire thing in my Kitchen Aid Stand Mixer and let it do the kneading for me).
4. Allow dough to sit for 5-10 minutes.
5. Press onto large pizza pan or stone.
6. Add sauce and toppings. (I use an 8 oz can of tomato sauce and add basil, oregano, and garlic powder instead of buying an expensive premade sauce).
7. Bake at 425 degrees for 15 minutes.

I wanted to take a picture of the spinach and sun dried tomato pizza we had for dinner tonight...it disappeared before I could grab the camera.