Hot Air Balloon Cake From @Parenting

Today I made a hot air balloon cake that I got off of the Parenting website. I served it for my four year old daughter's birthday. The connection there is that her camp has a fun song that says "our air balloon is set, on a trip you won't forget..." So Kayla was excited to have an air balloon cake.
Here are the EASY instructions to construct this cake:
Step 1: Bake a white cake recipe in a pyrex bowl filled 1/3 of the way and a mini loaf pan. Flip them over when cool and position like this:

Step 2: Frost the cake with any white or colored frosting.

 

Step 3: Decorate as you want- I threw all sorts of sprinkles, sugars and candies. Use Rice Chex for the basket and licorice strings for the rope. I dropped a small candy on top of the ends of the rope to make it stick.

Serve and enjoy!

Texting and Driving

I  just watched this video commissioned  by AT&T about the perils of texting and driving. It is very powerful and moving and if you were not already aware of the dangers, it should convince you.
Please take a moment and watch:

Make a pledge not to text and drive. Your life isn't worth those few words.

An Ode to the Bread-machine***

Put in the flour, salt, and yeast,
Push the red button to prepare for your feast!

People are coming to eat your bread,
Which you have prepared twelve hours ahead.

The smell lets you know,
There can be no doubt.

The bread must be ready,
You must take it out!

You must use your mittens because of the heat,
Tap out the loaf--process complete!

The guests arrive with obvious lust,
For the bread with soft inside and crispy crust.

You want the last piece, which is your first,
But someone else grabs it--they shall be cursed!

After they leave, you know what to do,
Take out the recipe and start it anew!

In just four hours, your loaf will be done,
You will eat it all up, and share with no one!

***This was written when I was in elementary school with the help of my mother who is really a great poet. I have already posted my bread machine challah recipe. I am thankful for this amazing kitchen tool!