Baby Girl Photo

Babies have to be the most precious image imaginable! This little one had a ready smile for 2 hours during a photography field trip. I wasn't allowed to take her home (I didn't even ask), but I am thrilled to have this precious image in my own portfolio. Thanks Little One!

Beautiful Baby Grimace Photo

A field trip with Emilie Decker and two great Mom's and their darling daughters gave me some baby photo experience. I loved it. A grimace never looked so cute.

Greek Cuisine - Part One - Baklava

It may have been Greek to me but not anymore. Louise made Baklava, and made it using layman's (errr laywomen's) terms. Louise is the epitome of loveliness - inside AND out. Her attention to details regarding every recipe she creates is rivalled only by her presentation of the creation. Watching her in the kitchen is a treat, as she is obviously in her element. I love this lady. I love this Baklava! Chef Louise

Here's the goal!


Here are the rest of the dishes we tasted that night. (stay tuned for the rest of this story). I used a wide aperature to photograph this, and the Baklava got all the focus! My subconcious knew it would be my favorite.


Tula's Baklava

Butter a 9 x 13 pan. Butter 5 layers of phyllo pastry dough (each layer is paper thin … cover remaining layers with moist towel so as not to dry it out) and lay in the bottom of a 9 x 13 pan. Sprinkle 1 C crumb mixture (recipe below) over dough. Repeat 5 or 6 times. Final layer is phyllo dough on top. Score in a diamond pattern, but do not cut all the way through the bottom layer. Bake at 325 degrees for 1 hour. Remove baklava from oven and immediately spoon sauce over it. Let cool. Do not eat for at least 24 hours. Serve in cupcake papers. This freezes well. Leave it uncovered as it gets soggy if it is wrapped up.

Crumb Mixture
4 C walnuts
3 C pecans
¾ C sugar
1 ½ C graham cracker crumbs
1 Tbsp. cinnamon

Sauce
1 C water
1 ½ C sugar
2 Tbsp. lemon juice
¼ tsp. cinnamon
Boil gently for 15 minutes uncovered

Now, feast your eyes and go try some for yourself. Louise will be proud.

Wedding Cake # ?

What's pink and green and smooth all over? A kek - for Ben this time.

Mission News for Jaiden

It's Jaiden, in the library, with the candlestick. No. Happily, It's Jaiden, in the seminary parking lot, with the letter! Elder Jaiden's call came the morning the young men were assembling at the Seminary to leave for their campout. What a great place to read out to family and friends that he is headed for California, San Jose, Spanish speaking These twins think he's pretty cool. They recently did this with big brother, Neil. It's great to have cousins to lead the way too.

Wedding cake and One for Fun

This one was for a lovely bride - Stephanie -who was once in my Young Women church group. Notice how there is painting on this one! Gotta love it - edible paint AND fondant! Deliciously pretty! How come Utah brides don't usually cut and share? I'm gonna try to change that - one bride (or rather, one mother-of-the-bride) at a time. Thanks for your fun help Bridget and Anna!

Detail of our 'Sisterly' fondant/rice krispie cake creation we made at our Sister Summit in British Columbia last month. We made it for Jana's charming store. Hopefully it is setting off some cake plate nicely.

Some Photoshop fun

Twinkle In living color (and vintage)

This summer anyway, she is known as "Twinkle" to her coworkers and camp girls she rides herd on during the week. She is not only fun to photograph, she's fun to photoshop. I think she's purdy in living color AND vintage.

McCall's Screamin' Cute Cake

McCall and Brady's black, white and yellow wedding was so striking. I loved being a part of it. Chocolate on the bottom, rice krispie in the middle and classic white on top all smothered with buttercream then smoothed with fresh handmade and rolled marshmallow fondant. This cake was screaming for a secret signature bumble bee, but there was no time for frivolity - it had to be transported from Manti to Layton. Mmmmmmmmm - pretty!