2011 in review

2011 has been a year of challenges and adventures!!  

In February, Richie and I made our first batch of fondant!  From there, we have made LOTS of cakes, and then started making cupcakes in September.  It has been an awesome experience!  We have made some pretty neat items, that I never would have thought I could do before!  

In March, I found out that my contract was not being renewed, and that I would not have a teaching job (in Osceola) the next school year.  It was REALLY hard to finish out the school year and have any desire to be there!  I however, did the right thing, and still went and did my job the best I could every day! 
In June, Richie and I celebrated our 1 year anniversary!!!  The last year flew by SO fast, but at the same time I feel like we have been married forever!  Richie is my best friend!  He is always so good to me and Ali!  

We had planned a summer vacation (before I found out I was going to be jobless), and we had paid for the majority of it...so we took the vacation of a lifetime this summer!!  We left on June 2  and didn't return home until June 26.  We drove 6,300 miles!  It was the most AMAZING experience ever!  We also took Ali on a Disney cruise while we were on vacation (that was a week of our time).  Check out my photo blog to see vacation photos!  

I started blogging this August!  It has been an experience!  I have a total of 4 blogs!  :)  (This one, a recipe blog, my photo blog, and my Cakes By Jen page) I thank all of my friends who actually read my stuff!!  You guys rock!!

This fall, I have been pretty bored at home!  I have applied for a million (or so it seems) jobs!!!  I have not been able to get even 1 interview!  :(  
This New Year's Eve, I get to spend with my best friend Mary at her wedding!  I am so happy that she's found a man that treats her great!!  

I'm hoping that the new year brings me good luck in getting a job!!  Here's to an excellent 2012!!  

Family and Fun

It really is a wonderful time of the year....I love it!  Wednesday I got to spend the day with Richie and Ali.  It was great!  I baked some cupcakes and had some of Ali's friends over.  Thursday, we spent the day with my in-laws.  We had a great dinner and spent some quality time with my hubby's family!  Friday...I didn't go shopping! This is the first time (in as many years as I can remember) that I didn't participate in 'Black Friday'.  It isn't because I didn't want to, but because money is very tight..and we had plans for this weekend!  Friday, Richie and I took off for St. Louis!  He always goes to watch the state championship games, so I decided to join him this year.  We got to St. Louis about 11 Friday morning and watched 2 1/2 football games.  I was done after that...so we went to our hotel, got checked in, and ate dinner.  Saturday....believe it or not...the hubby decided he didn't want to go watch football!! :/  This was so unlike him!!  We instead to advantage of the freebies that St. Louis offers and went to the zoo and then to Anheuser-Busch brewery for a free tour (and a free beer!).  Then we had a magnificent Italian dinner and went on a horse/buggy ride!!  It was raining and cold, but it was still so much fun!!!  Sunday...we stopped off in Columbia, MO to watch a Mizzou basketball game!  It was so much fun (other than the walk to Mizzou Arena).  Now...we are home, and reality is here!  I am VERY glad to be home with my lil love bug though!!  I missed her so much this weekend!

Cake Creations

So, since I have my blog up and going for Cakes By Jen, I decided it was time to do away with my Cake Creations page.  It was getting kind of difficult to update my facebook page, my Cakes By Jen page, and this one.  
You can still keep up with my cakes and cupcakes by clicking the link on the right side of this page.  
Thanks for everyone's support!!  I would not be able to do this without you!  :)  

Shutterfly House Party

I had an awesome weekend!!  My sweet lil’ girl performed at halftime of the SBU football game!  She did awesome!!  I am so proud of how hard she works, and that she doesn’t get scared to get up in front of thousands of people!!  The thought scares the hell out of me!  :/ 

Saturday night, after her performance, I had a houseful of great friends!!  I had invited them all over for a Shutterfly House Party!  Everyone came over and started making a photo book.  I had applied online through houseparty.com, and was selected to host this party!  It was my first time ever applying, and I got selected.  I felt pretty special…especially since I am addicted to making Shutterfly photo books!!!  This party was especially fun!  Each person got to make an 8” x 8” photo book and 10 photo cards FREE!!  You know that I love free stuff!  I also got the same freebies as everyone at my party!    

What made the party even more fun was the yummy food and drinks!  When I first found out that I was hosting, I began thinking about what I could fix to eat that everyone would enjoy…  I decided that I would make my favorite dips (Tastefully Simple Fiesta Party dip and Spinach Herb dip)!! YUMMY!  Then I thought a veggie tray would accommodate all those who may be on a health kick…lol!  And last but not least, I decided to use all my partygoers as guinea pigs to try my cupcakes.  I bet that really disappointed them…don’t you think??  We also had a meat/cheese tray and of course the variety of beverages! 

I have to share the variety of cupcakes… I knew I needed some simple ones, just in case someone really doesn’t like to experiment, so I made a white with buttercream and chocolate with chocolate buttercream.  Then I wanted to try some things that I had not tried before.  First up, peppermint!  I used a white cupcake, put in a couple drops of red food coloring (which didn’t work quite as well as I had hoped), then covered with peppermint flavored buttercream and adorned with a small candy cane and sugar sprinkles.  Next, I wanted to try my friend Misty’s Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough cupcake…It was a HIT!  It was a chocolate cupcake with a piece of cookie dough inside.  Then it was covered with buttercream and topped with a small chocolate chip cookie!  Then, Cookies n’ Cream Cupcakes…A chocolate cupcake with an oreo at the bottom, covered with buttercream with oreos blended in, and topped with an oreo of course!  The next cupcake was a Reese’s cupcake.  I used a chocolate cupcake, topped with peanut butter buttercream, and decorated with a mini Reese’s.  Lastly…I knew we needed something with cream cheese icing.  So, I decided on a carrot cake cupcake with cream cheese icing!  Delicious!  All in all…I made 6 DOZEN cupcakes!  After everyone finished snacking and I sent some home with others…I am down to less than ½ dozen!  I had a lot of great compliments, and boy does that make a girl’s day!!!!  Thanks to all my great friends!!   

Now I can FINISH decorating for Christmas!!  Yes…. I have already started!  

Swag Bucks

I absolutely LOVE Swag Bucks!!  Since I’m not working right now, I spend most of my day at home on the computer anyway, sooo….what better way to do it than earning FREE money!  J   I simply signed up for an account.  First: sign up here:  swagbucks.com/refer/JenFrazier .  You will earn bonus bucks for signing up, and so will I!  I thank you so kindly!  Then you need to install their toolbar (This should also give you 10 bonus swag bucks).  Secondly: I search using their search engine 2 to 3 times a day.  This is all you will get points for doing.  Sometimes, I have to search multiple times to get Bucks, other times…it’s really quick!  It will pop up a little window to tell you when you receive the swag bucks for searching!  Third:  Every day they have a Daily Poll which will award you 1 swag buck for answering; and you can click the NOSO tab to earn (usually) 2 more swag bucks.  You do NOT have to sign up for any offers under the NOSO tab, just hit SKIP or SEE NEXT OFFER!  You will then have to enter a code (that it tells you) to get these swag bucks.  Then:  In your swag mail (it's at the top, show an envelope), you will get emails daily to watch swag tv to earn swag bucks.  If you watch what it tells you to, then click the ad...then you just have to answer 1 quick question (about whether their link took you to the correct ad).  Sometimes there is no ad.  Just let the video play through (with the volume off if you aren't interested).  Lastly:  I take their surveys as often as I can.  I don’t always qualify, but sometimes you get 100+ swag bucks just for finishing a survey!  A good time to do this is when you are sitting in front of the TV!   I have also been known to sign up for a month free of an offer to get swag bucks (emusic) and then cancel before you get billed.  I have also signed up to get insurance quotes emailed to me.  No risk there! 

I know this sounds like a lot of work…but it’s really not at all!  I personally have earned $25 in Amazon.com gift cards each of the last 2 months!  That’s free money!!

Another thing, you can only get 2 of the same prize in one day, and you can only get 5 like prizes in a month!  This month (3 days in) I already have redeemed my 5 like prizes….5 - $5 Amazon.com gift cards!!  I am now saving for a $25 or $50 Amazon.com gift card.  Different amount=different prize! 
Prizes typically take about 10 to be sent to your account after you redeem and verify.  Right now they are offering a special, you can spend an extra 50 swag bucks to get your Amazon.com cards the next day.  I personally just wait for mine.  

Good luck to you, and I thank you so much for using me as a referral!!  

Online Bargains and Freebies!!

I have been addicted to finding deals on the internet since I don’t have a job now!  I’m trying to decide if it is really worth it though….sometimes I feel like I might spend money that I otherwise wouldn’t have, had I not been looking for great deals.  :-/  Today for example…I spent $1.03 on make-up.  Did I need it?  Well, no, not really!  Will I use it?  Someday.  A couple weeks ago, I bought 60 rolls of toilet paper (the kind we use too!) for $22.  It was a GREAT deal.  But, now we have to store them until we are ready to use them… LOL!!  Although, when I come across a deal to get free samples, that makes it completely worth it!!  Today, I scored free toothpaste (all natural) for Ali.  Not to mention all those Swag Bucks that I keep earning!!  I’m up to $25 in Amazon.com gift cards, and I already have about enough Swag Bucks for $15 in Amazon.com gift cards next month!!  J  That makes me VERY happy!!  And it will make Christmas possible on our very limited income!  I keep thinking that maybe I should take up couponing too???

Cakes By Jen

I’m SO excited!  This past weekend, into this week, was very productive!  I officially ordered cake boxes (PINK), cake circles, and business cards!!  That means that Cakes By  Jen…is official!  Of course, I don’t do it alone; my husband is a HUGE part of my cake making/decorating!  I have started receiving some of my items… but can’t WAIT for my business cards to arrive!  J

 

 I’ve been making cakes for several months now, but I recently started getting more orders.  This is GREAT news, but buying supplies at Wal-Mart and Michaels gets very expensive!  So, we broke down and ordered from a wholesaler.  I’m hoping that I can sell some cakes now!! 

I’ve set up a blog to showcase my cakes.  If you, or anyone you know, need a cake…please keep me in mind!  I would LOVE the opportunity to help you out (for a reasonable price of course).         

I Feel LUCKY!!!

It’s been quite a week!!!  I’m thinking that maybe I should play Powerball?!?! 

Sunday, we stopped by Sonic (in Butler) to get lunch and take food to my in-laws.  While sitting there waiting, we literally heard a transformer explode….and Sonic lost power!  L  I thought I may not get my cheesy-tots, and this made me sad.  Just a few moments later, a manager came out to say that our food was almost done, but they couldn’t make our drinks without power.  SO…they would cancel our transaction as soon as the power came back on!  FREE FOOD!! 

Monday, we decided to eat at Applebee’s before grocery shopping.  If you’ve been there recently, you’ve probably seen the QR codes on the edge of the table that you can scan on Monday’s during ESPN pre-game or the football game??....  Well, I decided to scan it, just to see what it was about.  It asked me to check in at Applebee’s via their link….and guess what!!  I won a $20 Applebee’s gift card!  THEN…Richie tried it with his phone…checked in…and he won a $10 Applebee’s gift card!  Needless to say, dinner only cost $1.97 + the tip!  This was more FREE FOOD!!!

Now…here’s what I’m most excited about!!!!  A few weeks ago, I had signed up online for a chance to host a Shutterfly house party.  Today, I found out I was chosen!!  Not only do I get a FREE 8”x8” photo book and 10 photo cards…..so do all of my guests!!!!!  MORE FREE STUFF!!!!

See why I’m thinking I should play Powerball….  Maybe I should listen to…I Feel Lucky, by Mary Chapin Carpenter.  J

I hope everyone is having a LUCKY week as well!!!  

First Date

Three years ago today I went on my very first date with my husband!  ♥  It’s honestly hard to believe that it’s only been 3 years!  It seems like we have always known each other.  I guess that’s what a good partner is for!  Since the day I met Richie he has put me and Ali as number 1 in his life!  He is just as good to Ali as he is to me!! 

Our first date consisted of me going to watch a football game that he was coaching.  Nothing to extravagant!  J  Since that night, we have been virtually inseparable! 

I am very much looking forward to spending the rest of my life with the most wonderful man I call my husband!!    He is the perfect match for me!  ♥♥♥

Family Weekend

What a wonderful weekend!!  I love to spend time with family!  ♥   My family is a very important part of my life!  Friday evening Ali and I went to my cousin Amanda's wedding rehearsal.  It was so much fun to take photos of the soon to be bride and groom.  Saturday was the big day….their wedding!  Amanda was the most beautiful bride!  Not only that, but I got to spend time with aunts, uncles, niece, nephews, cousins, my sis, bro-in-law, my parents, and of course my husband and daughter!  It was a great time!  I hadn’t been to a wedding….except mine!...in many years. 

I should tell you a little about my wedding!  Richie and I chose to get married June 5, 2010.  We had to wait until school was out and we had a little time.  We thought early  June would be decent weather, since we wanted to get married outside.  HA!  It was over 100° the day we got married!  Imagine…tuxes, big dresses, and the heat!  It was pretty miserable!  The day was wonderful, just the temperature was miserable!  We had decided to get married at Caplinger Mills, Missouri, because this is where Richie had proposed; and this was a place that we enjoy to spend time as a family.  Richie and I got up bright and early the day of our wedding and went to Caplinger Mills to set up the tables and chairs under the tent, and decorate everything.  By the time the guests arrived, I was already zonked!  This is why it was so nice to go to a wedding and just sit back and enjoy it!! 

Sunday, I wrapped up my cake order (you can see all the pictures of this cake and more in my Cake Creations tab) and then went to visit my in-laws.  They are wonderful people; I am very thankful that they are part of my life!!  My mother-in-law had surgery last week, so I am hoping for a speedy recovery for her!  Please keep her in your thoughts! 

I hope that everyone has a wonderful week!!  J 

My First Post

I was inspired to create a blog after reading a friend's blog.  I always enjoy reading Misty's blog.  So, I thought I would create one too!  :)  I honestly can't promise that anyone will enjoy reading it....but it's here anyway.