Sick Day
Well, Honeybark is closed today because I am couped up in bed. Blech. Getting sick is really not for me. Although, the perks of it is that I actually lie in bed with my laptop and shop online for totally unnecessary items and with the power of the credit card, poof! It's at my doorstep in no time at all! Right, so just a word to the wise, hide your wallet when you are under the influence of a cold remedy. Yup.
Here's something cute that I found at Hallmark.com though. It's adorable and highly recommended for treats.
http://www.hallmark.com/wcsstore/HallmarkStore/images/products/gifts/dptwopleasetreatjar_xxl.jpg
The cutest little treat jar ever!
By the way, the treat of the month for December is going to be Cran-Beary Bears! Cute little bear shaped cranberry treats for your dog.
Sunday, November 25, 2007
Thursday, November 08, 2007
Poo
It's a subject that I have to bring up because it's something that is around day in and day out. For dog owners, it's an issue that needs to be addressed three times a day sometimes. Luckily, not for me and Katie, it's only twice a day for her. Anyhow, I wanted to discuss the options out there for discarding this task of dreaded doodoo. I was picking up after Katie this morning and thought about how these baggies accumulate and perhaps there might be a better option, something biodegradable because the contents are basically fertilizer anyhow. How fantastic would it be to be able to discard your poochie poop so that you could allow it to be used/recycled as fertilizer?
Then the poop mobile would come in. This would be the vehicle to transport the poop to wherever it was needed. Once deposited, there would have to be poop packers or poop plotter who would put the poop on the property where it was needed. Yikes. I sound like a Dr. Seuss book. The poop packages plotted on the property of propagation? Yowza.
So I came across this site that actually sells biodegradable poop bags.
http://www.poopbags.com/index.html
Yup. That's where you can get the 'green' bags.
Not to be outdone, this is unbelieveable. There is actually a website created to discuss #2.
http://www.poopreport.com/
No way...
Enough!
Yes, enough on that topic. I shall move on to another warm mushy topic. Sweet Potato!
Yes, I have created the Yammy Bears:) These are my new mini treat and they are fantastic! Katie loved them. It's pure yammy goodness with golden honey. Not much because the taters are sweet on their own.
November's Treat of the Month is yummy Yammy Bears!
16 oz of Yammy Bears for $12.00.
It's not posted on the website yet because it's THAT new. Right. The recipe is hot outta the oven and it's the best way to celebrate Thanksgiving and all that warm fuzzy stuff with your dog.
Get some of this treat now.
It's a subject that I have to bring up because it's something that is around day in and day out. For dog owners, it's an issue that needs to be addressed three times a day sometimes. Luckily, not for me and Katie, it's only twice a day for her. Anyhow, I wanted to discuss the options out there for discarding this task of dreaded doodoo. I was picking up after Katie this morning and thought about how these baggies accumulate and perhaps there might be a better option, something biodegradable because the contents are basically fertilizer anyhow. How fantastic would it be to be able to discard your poochie poop so that you could allow it to be used/recycled as fertilizer?
Then the poop mobile would come in. This would be the vehicle to transport the poop to wherever it was needed. Once deposited, there would have to be poop packers or poop plotter who would put the poop on the property where it was needed. Yikes. I sound like a Dr. Seuss book. The poop packages plotted on the property of propagation? Yowza.
So I came across this site that actually sells biodegradable poop bags.
http://www.poopbags.com/index.html
Yup. That's where you can get the 'green' bags.
Not to be outdone, this is unbelieveable. There is actually a website created to discuss #2.
http://www.poopreport.com/
No way...
Enough!
Yes, enough on that topic. I shall move on to another warm mushy topic. Sweet Potato!
Yes, I have created the Yammy Bears:) These are my new mini treat and they are fantastic! Katie loved them. It's pure yammy goodness with golden honey. Not much because the taters are sweet on their own.
November's Treat of the Month is yummy Yammy Bears!
16 oz of Yammy Bears for $12.00.
It's not posted on the website yet because it's THAT new. Right. The recipe is hot outta the oven and it's the best way to celebrate Thanksgiving and all that warm fuzzy stuff with your dog.
Get some of this treat now.
Tuesday, November 06, 2007
Yamtastic!
Oh boy. I've been dreaming about Thanksgiving since...oh well, perhaps LAST Thanksgiving?! I love this holiday. It speaks of delicious food, warm hearts, being with family and creating a precious moment of blissful satiety. It's delicious. Yes, Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday of all.
Well, in honor of Thanksgiving and all this meal provideth us...November's Treat of the Month is Yammy Bears! It's a sumptuous sweet potato-licious treat. Made from organic whole wheat flour, yummy yams, golden honey, canola oil and ha, that's it! What a great treat. Katie loved hers. They are adorable little bear shaped Yammy cookies. I gotta show you how cute and golden they are.
I baked a bunch of birthday cakes for dogs this Fall. It's been busy here at The HB. I'm working on new recipes, as promised. The Apple peanut butter treat is yet to come to fruition but I am working on December's Treat of the Month which is Cranberry Bears. My new favorite cookie cutters are my mini and big bear shaped cutters. So you will be seeing a lot of the bears before they go into hibernation! Haha:)
Ok, I gotta get up early so I am off to bed now. Any special requests for doggy treats, send them to me at geri@honeybark.com
Hugs and very special treats to all your furry friends!
G
Oh boy. I've been dreaming about Thanksgiving since...oh well, perhaps LAST Thanksgiving?! I love this holiday. It speaks of delicious food, warm hearts, being with family and creating a precious moment of blissful satiety. It's delicious. Yes, Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday of all.
Well, in honor of Thanksgiving and all this meal provideth us...November's Treat of the Month is Yammy Bears! It's a sumptuous sweet potato-licious treat. Made from organic whole wheat flour, yummy yams, golden honey, canola oil and ha, that's it! What a great treat. Katie loved hers. They are adorable little bear shaped Yammy cookies. I gotta show you how cute and golden they are.
I baked a bunch of birthday cakes for dogs this Fall. It's been busy here at The HB. I'm working on new recipes, as promised. The Apple peanut butter treat is yet to come to fruition but I am working on December's Treat of the Month which is Cranberry Bears. My new favorite cookie cutters are my mini and big bear shaped cutters. So you will be seeing a lot of the bears before they go into hibernation! Haha:)
Ok, I gotta get up early so I am off to bed now. Any special requests for doggy treats, send them to me at geri@honeybark.com
Hugs and very special treats to all your furry friends!
G
Thursday, September 20, 2007
Delivery Options
I'm exploring further delivery possibilities because Honeybark is reaching all parts of the U.S. and my cakes are not getting there. Sad. True. Recently I've gotten requests for cake as far as CA! How is this possible? Where are these people coming from or how did they find me? I have no idea. But I must solve this problem because our cakes are so great and dogs love them.
Natural colors
Finally found some really cool natural food coloring for writing on cakes. But, it's EXPENSIVE! I am now searching for a more cost effective food coloring.
Pretty Pretty
Pampering Katie is becoming a regular thing and just as I was brushing my pretty girl, I realized I am in a dire need of a haircut myself. My lovely little lady looks gorgeous, her hair looks amazing and I am looking like a...well, let's not go there...because Katie, the dog looks fabulous. So I am off to the hairstylist to get fixed up.
Katie the "Watch" dog
I woke up really early yesterday to go to work. 5AM is not a normal time to be up and about in my house. Katie rose sleepily and accompanied me to the kitchen and observed me stepping into a freezing cold puddle of water that was seeping from the bottom of my fridge. Lovely. I screeched. She yawned. I hopped around the kitchen on my dry foot trying to pull that awful freezing cold soaked sock off my nice warm, fresh outta the bed footsie. Yowza. Not to mention I had just put on one of my new EXTRA SOFT SUPER CUSHIONED socks. I have to say, if you ever need to double duty your socks, use your super absorbent socks to soak up kitchen spills. It works wonders. Katie is a great watch dog. She watched the whole event, satisfied that I was not actually leaving the house, turned and went back to sleep on the floor.
My new favorites
Celestial Seasonings Wild Berry Zinger tea makes a great iced tea. No sugar needed. It's yummy!
Pretzel Crisps are so crunchy and satisfying.
Haagen Dazs new Dark Chocolate Pomegranate ice cream bars (NOT FOR DOGS!) only for people. It's delish.
Stila Lipglaze in Cinnamon
L'occitane Lemon Verbena L'eau de toilette
iPhone
Activia vanilla yogurt and Bear Naked Heavenly Chocolate granola
That's all for now.
Enjoy your treats!
I'm exploring further delivery possibilities because Honeybark is reaching all parts of the U.S. and my cakes are not getting there. Sad. True. Recently I've gotten requests for cake as far as CA! How is this possible? Where are these people coming from or how did they find me? I have no idea. But I must solve this problem because our cakes are so great and dogs love them.
Natural colors
Finally found some really cool natural food coloring for writing on cakes. But, it's EXPENSIVE! I am now searching for a more cost effective food coloring.
Pretty Pretty
Pampering Katie is becoming a regular thing and just as I was brushing my pretty girl, I realized I am in a dire need of a haircut myself. My lovely little lady looks gorgeous, her hair looks amazing and I am looking like a...well, let's not go there...because Katie, the dog looks fabulous. So I am off to the hairstylist to get fixed up.
Katie the "Watch" dog
I woke up really early yesterday to go to work. 5AM is not a normal time to be up and about in my house. Katie rose sleepily and accompanied me to the kitchen and observed me stepping into a freezing cold puddle of water that was seeping from the bottom of my fridge. Lovely. I screeched. She yawned. I hopped around the kitchen on my dry foot trying to pull that awful freezing cold soaked sock off my nice warm, fresh outta the bed footsie. Yowza. Not to mention I had just put on one of my new EXTRA SOFT SUPER CUSHIONED socks. I have to say, if you ever need to double duty your socks, use your super absorbent socks to soak up kitchen spills. It works wonders. Katie is a great watch dog. She watched the whole event, satisfied that I was not actually leaving the house, turned and went back to sleep on the floor.
My new favorites
Celestial Seasonings Wild Berry Zinger tea makes a great iced tea. No sugar needed. It's yummy!
Pretzel Crisps are so crunchy and satisfying.
Haagen Dazs new Dark Chocolate Pomegranate ice cream bars (NOT FOR DOGS!) only for people. It's delish.
Stila Lipglaze in Cinnamon
L'occitane Lemon Verbena L'eau de toilette
iPhone
Activia vanilla yogurt and Bear Naked Heavenly Chocolate granola
That's all for now.
Enjoy your treats!
Friday, August 10, 2007
Superbaddog!!
Katie had her visit to the vet today. What a doozey of an experience that was. She knew it was coming because I was really buttering her up for it last night. She got a little treat her, a bellyrub, brushed, washed, etc. It was quite the pamperfest. However, this morning she was very wary of all the activity in the house including the gathering of vital documents, records, poop sample collection etc. She knew it was coming along because she was going somewhere and it's been quite some time since Katie has taken a ride in el minivan. Right. So of course I got lost on the way to the vet because it has been a year hasn't it? Longer? I dunno. I tend to block out all those bad experiences and horror flick type moments in my life. Yup.
We finally got to the place and it looked different and not just that, there were cats around and Katie is a fraidy cat of sorts especially around cats so she wanted to leave immediately. This began the horrible wrist wrenching pulling that she so very much loves to do in public. Blah. Especially with the horror-stretch leash she has, I forgot the straight leash this time. Stupid move on my part. She wanted out so we went outside in the drizzling nasty rain and she proceeded to pee on every patch of grass around the vets office. Then she went to investigate other dog's poop. At that point, I put my foot down. Not on the poop, thank goodness but I got her away from that business, or rather some other dog's business, right away. Toot sweet...y'know?
So we get inside and the vet is new. She is one of those super smiley but really not genuinely smiley but kind of psycho, Cunningham Muffins type smiley. This is not boding well at all. Katie wants to get out of the room immediately. The vet proceeds to try to examine Katie and I think that Katie really senses how I'm feeling because I am terribly uneasy with this creepy vet woman who is feeling up my dog. So what does Katie do when she is crabby and wants out? NIP! Yeah, you betcha. She nipped the vet. Ugh. That sucked. The vet then called Katie "a dog with a mind of her OWN huh?" Yeah. She knows she doesn't like you. I guess you might say she knows THAT much huh? Well, then she had to drag Katie out of the room to give her the big old stick in the butt. Yow. I heard her yelp from through the wall. I think they heard her in Kansas. It was loud and frightening. I have not heard Katie yelp like that in a very long time. That made me mad. Then when she came back into the room, she was coughing like she swallowed a giant hairball. I cannot blame the vet but really, Katie never had issues with the other vet.
So what did I do when we got home? I made a cake and I gave Katie a cupcake. Can't show the photos of Katie with the cupcake because she ate that thing so fast it was like her life depended on that little thing. The cake came out great. I will post photos of it soon. The frosting was again delicious and the lettering came out better. I need to practice more though.
Katie is sleeping now. Too much excitement.
Katie had her visit to the vet today. What a doozey of an experience that was. She knew it was coming because I was really buttering her up for it last night. She got a little treat her, a bellyrub, brushed, washed, etc. It was quite the pamperfest. However, this morning she was very wary of all the activity in the house including the gathering of vital documents, records, poop sample collection etc. She knew it was coming along because she was going somewhere and it's been quite some time since Katie has taken a ride in el minivan. Right. So of course I got lost on the way to the vet because it has been a year hasn't it? Longer? I dunno. I tend to block out all those bad experiences and horror flick type moments in my life. Yup.
We finally got to the place and it looked different and not just that, there were cats around and Katie is a fraidy cat of sorts especially around cats so she wanted to leave immediately. This began the horrible wrist wrenching pulling that she so very much loves to do in public. Blah. Especially with the horror-stretch leash she has, I forgot the straight leash this time. Stupid move on my part. She wanted out so we went outside in the drizzling nasty rain and she proceeded to pee on every patch of grass around the vets office. Then she went to investigate other dog's poop. At that point, I put my foot down. Not on the poop, thank goodness but I got her away from that business, or rather some other dog's business, right away. Toot sweet...y'know?
So we get inside and the vet is new. She is one of those super smiley but really not genuinely smiley but kind of psycho, Cunningham Muffins type smiley. This is not boding well at all. Katie wants to get out of the room immediately. The vet proceeds to try to examine Katie and I think that Katie really senses how I'm feeling because I am terribly uneasy with this creepy vet woman who is feeling up my dog. So what does Katie do when she is crabby and wants out? NIP! Yeah, you betcha. She nipped the vet. Ugh. That sucked. The vet then called Katie "a dog with a mind of her OWN huh?" Yeah. She knows she doesn't like you. I guess you might say she knows THAT much huh? Well, then she had to drag Katie out of the room to give her the big old stick in the butt. Yow. I heard her yelp from through the wall. I think they heard her in Kansas. It was loud and frightening. I have not heard Katie yelp like that in a very long time. That made me mad. Then when she came back into the room, she was coughing like she swallowed a giant hairball. I cannot blame the vet but really, Katie never had issues with the other vet.
So what did I do when we got home? I made a cake and I gave Katie a cupcake. Can't show the photos of Katie with the cupcake because she ate that thing so fast it was like her life depended on that little thing. The cake came out great. I will post photos of it soon. The frosting was again delicious and the lettering came out better. I need to practice more though.
Katie is sleeping now. Too much excitement.
Thursday, August 09, 2007
Nutrition and Allergies
I've received quite a few requests for allergen-free products. I do have treats that contain ingredients that are somewhat accessible for those poor allergic dogs such as Beggin for Bananas. It's got oats but no corn, no egg.
I'm trying. Really. I have experimented with some treats to try to create a completely gluten/egg/milk-free treat but it turns out to burn badly or not be palatable to Katie. I would show you the photos of those treats but it's simply not something I want to show and honestly wish I hadn't seen them myself! Blech. Katie just wanders in to check out what I'm doing periodically. Sometimes she lays down on the floor and just watches me mixing and rolling dough. She will oftentimes creep very quietly over to the cooling area and lie under the trays of treats while they are cooling. I know she is waiting for the day that one of those trays miraculously falls off and she gets showered with treats. Dogs do dream too.
Cold Cereal
I had the idea to create a cereal for dogs but then I remembered that their dogfood actually does resemble cereal already. Oops.
Pawps
Then I got the idea to create some big treats that could be like a "big cookie." I haven't got the right cutter for that but it's coming.
Birthday Bash!
Wow. I'm getting cramps from doing the writing on these cakes. I like the decorating part but is there no better way to write on a cake? I've explored the different decorator guns that resemble those crazy rayguns that the alien invaders in those crazy sci-fi movies carried. They actually look like a caulking gun. I might regrout my bathroom this weekend so perhaps I will practice some writing with caulk and see how things go.
I've received quite a few requests for allergen-free products. I do have treats that contain ingredients that are somewhat accessible for those poor allergic dogs such as Beggin for Bananas. It's got oats but no corn, no egg.
I'm trying. Really. I have experimented with some treats to try to create a completely gluten/egg/milk-free treat but it turns out to burn badly or not be palatable to Katie. I would show you the photos of those treats but it's simply not something I want to show and honestly wish I hadn't seen them myself! Blech. Katie just wanders in to check out what I'm doing periodically. Sometimes she lays down on the floor and just watches me mixing and rolling dough. She will oftentimes creep very quietly over to the cooling area and lie under the trays of treats while they are cooling. I know she is waiting for the day that one of those trays miraculously falls off and she gets showered with treats. Dogs do dream too.
Cold Cereal
I had the idea to create a cereal for dogs but then I remembered that their dogfood actually does resemble cereal already. Oops.
Pawps
Then I got the idea to create some big treats that could be like a "big cookie." I haven't got the right cutter for that but it's coming.
Birthday Bash!
Wow. I'm getting cramps from doing the writing on these cakes. I like the decorating part but is there no better way to write on a cake? I've explored the different decorator guns that resemble those crazy rayguns that the alien invaders in those crazy sci-fi movies carried. They actually look like a caulking gun. I might regrout my bathroom this weekend so perhaps I will practice some writing with caulk and see how things go.
Monday, August 06, 2007
Happy Birthday! Oops!
Man. I forgot to take a photo of the last cake I did. And, it was probably one of the nicest ones I've done and the writing was in blue. This I wanted to post because it looked really cute. Blah.
The treat bags were a hit. I did a variety of six treats in there and combined large and small sizes with a pretty ribbon and a tag. Cute all around. $3.00 a bag.
Found a nice lady to promote my treats. She is a dog walker and she has so many clients and she is a Long Islander so it's local business as well. Nice.
Treat of the month went out and it was Cinnabark Sweet Blossoms. Adorable.
Working hard at the FT gig. It's taking a bit out of me but no worries. Rainy day today so it looks like I'll be baking instead of going to the driving range and whacking balls into the horizon tonight.
Weird post. Still reading that Starbucks Experience book. I'm seriously 30 pages from done. Fell asleep with it on my head and it fell on the floor which will probably take me back five pages since I forgot what I read last night. Oopsy.
Also enjoyed the hype of Vitamin Water lately. That is my drink of choice to date. Love the XXX and the Focus. Also the Citrus one is yummy as well.
Later!
Man. I forgot to take a photo of the last cake I did. And, it was probably one of the nicest ones I've done and the writing was in blue. This I wanted to post because it looked really cute. Blah.
The treat bags were a hit. I did a variety of six treats in there and combined large and small sizes with a pretty ribbon and a tag. Cute all around. $3.00 a bag.
Found a nice lady to promote my treats. She is a dog walker and she has so many clients and she is a Long Islander so it's local business as well. Nice.
Treat of the month went out and it was Cinnabark Sweet Blossoms. Adorable.
Working hard at the FT gig. It's taking a bit out of me but no worries. Rainy day today so it looks like I'll be baking instead of going to the driving range and whacking balls into the horizon tonight.
Weird post. Still reading that Starbucks Experience book. I'm seriously 30 pages from done. Fell asleep with it on my head and it fell on the floor which will probably take me back five pages since I forgot what I read last night. Oopsy.
Also enjoyed the hype of Vitamin Water lately. That is my drink of choice to date. Love the XXX and the Focus. Also the Citrus one is yummy as well.
Later!
Saturday, August 04, 2007
The icing on the cake
My passion is clearly in the decorating, though I enjoy very much the creation of the cakes. I love making frosting. Now, I've got it down to a little throw of this and a shake of that and it's done. The cinnamon/vanilla/honey frosting is amazing. It's so yummy. I just did a cake for a birthday party tomorrow and it looks great and the frosting is delicious. yummmmmm-o.
=
My passion is clearly in the decorating, though I enjoy very much the creation of the cakes. I love making frosting. Now, I've got it down to a little throw of this and a shake of that and it's done. The cinnamon/vanilla/honey frosting is amazing. It's so yummy. I just did a cake for a birthday party tomorrow and it looks great and the frosting is delicious. yummmmmm-o.
=
Friday, August 03, 2007
It's getting HOT in HERE!
Oh my. Baking is not supposed to be about slaving over a hot oven. Oh wait, it is. Isn't it? Yes, indeed it has been super hot here out on Long Island. It's hot sweaty humid heat and it ain't fun to work in this type of condition. But there is one wonderful side of it all, my little AC unit is blasting full force today and I am on administrative duties right now. No, I'm still baking but I'm doing comp work right now so I happily bask in AC goodness at this moment. ahhhhhh....
I'm putting together little gift baggies for a party this weekend. Packed away a multitude of orders this week and got supremely nauseous because of the heat and the liver treats. Blah. Normally, the liver doesn't bother me but try baking in a hot area. blech...
I gotta go check the cookies. I've been calling them cookies lately. I don't know why.
Later!
Oh my. Baking is not supposed to be about slaving over a hot oven. Oh wait, it is. Isn't it? Yes, indeed it has been super hot here out on Long Island. It's hot sweaty humid heat and it ain't fun to work in this type of condition. But there is one wonderful side of it all, my little AC unit is blasting full force today and I am on administrative duties right now. No, I'm still baking but I'm doing comp work right now so I happily bask in AC goodness at this moment. ahhhhhh....
I'm putting together little gift baggies for a party this weekend. Packed away a multitude of orders this week and got supremely nauseous because of the heat and the liver treats. Blah. Normally, the liver doesn't bother me but try baking in a hot area. blech...
I gotta go check the cookies. I've been calling them cookies lately. I don't know why.
Later!
Thursday, July 19, 2007
YouTube Mania!?
Yes, my family posted a video that was done ages ago of me creating treats for Katie. This was way before I even started the business officially. Now it seems so long ago because the treats are made differently now. That was me making an experimental treat for Katie at the time that was made of cheese and liver.
Check it out on YouTube as Katietreat or here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rPUAtLeDZXo
It's really cute so check it out!
Yes, my family posted a video that was done ages ago of me creating treats for Katie. This was way before I even started the business officially. Now it seems so long ago because the treats are made differently now. That was me making an experimental treat for Katie at the time that was made of cheese and liver.
Check it out on YouTube as Katietreat or here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rPUAtLeDZXo
It's really cute so check it out!
Tuesday, July 10, 2007
About last night...
I baked a lot. I'm tired. WAH WAH...such a Debbie Downer type of statement but truthfully I am tired. I'm the kind of tired that you get after doing something really fun like biking a long and winding road, hanging out all day with a good friend or shopping in one of those mega outlet centers. Impossibly happily sore and tired. BUT, I am absolutely delighted to announce that Banana Bliss, Granny's Apple Pie and my mini chicken snaps were all perfect. Just wonderfully perfect. I slept well.
I gave in...
Oh wow. I decided finally that I have been a little silly. I decided to listen to my customers and I made a cake that was decorated with a delightfully adorable Robin's Egg blue writing on it. It was absolutely adorable. This cake, a mini, made for a cute little pomeranian's birthday, had "Happy Birthday Chorong 2! on it. In blue. I know, my cakes are all natural but I used just a touch of food coloring and the frosting was still my delicious creamy creamy cheese, cinnamon, vanilla and honey indubitably delicious frosting. It was really cute.
and I cheated one more time...
I made the cake slightly bigger than promised and I hope that it is alright that I made this cake bigger than the customer had asked but I simply could not write very much on the tiny cake, so this cake being slightly, well...1 inch wider than the other cake was able to have the whole shabang written on it. Happy Birthday Chorong, enjoy your cake and your second year of life!
Katie had a little something too...
Yes, I did save some cake from the shaping for Katie. She also ate the rest of the frosting too. As for the rest of the blue frosting? Katie ate that too...she had a little blue tongue for a while and I wish I took a photo of it but alas...no.
Broadway Barks is this weekend so don't forget to go!
I baked a lot. I'm tired. WAH WAH...such a Debbie Downer type of statement but truthfully I am tired. I'm the kind of tired that you get after doing something really fun like biking a long and winding road, hanging out all day with a good friend or shopping in one of those mega outlet centers. Impossibly happily sore and tired. BUT, I am absolutely delighted to announce that Banana Bliss, Granny's Apple Pie and my mini chicken snaps were all perfect. Just wonderfully perfect. I slept well.
I gave in...
Oh wow. I decided finally that I have been a little silly. I decided to listen to my customers and I made a cake that was decorated with a delightfully adorable Robin's Egg blue writing on it. It was absolutely adorable. This cake, a mini, made for a cute little pomeranian's birthday, had "Happy Birthday Chorong 2! on it. In blue. I know, my cakes are all natural but I used just a touch of food coloring and the frosting was still my delicious creamy creamy cheese, cinnamon, vanilla and honey indubitably delicious frosting. It was really cute.
and I cheated one more time...
I made the cake slightly bigger than promised and I hope that it is alright that I made this cake bigger than the customer had asked but I simply could not write very much on the tiny cake, so this cake being slightly, well...1 inch wider than the other cake was able to have the whole shabang written on it. Happy Birthday Chorong, enjoy your cake and your second year of life!
Katie had a little something too...
Yes, I did save some cake from the shaping for Katie. She also ate the rest of the frosting too. As for the rest of the blue frosting? Katie ate that too...she had a little blue tongue for a while and I wish I took a photo of it but alas...no.
Broadway Barks is this weekend so don't forget to go!
Thursday, July 05, 2007
Apples
I changed my mind. I tried to use Macintosh in the apple treats and my treats resisted. The result was a lovely tray of soft treats but not quite the typical fare. I have to stick with Granny Smith apples because of a lower water content. I now know that the softer apples have more water and thus I need to adjust the baking time as well as the additional wet ingredients in my recipes. Too complicated. I will stick with the recipe next time.
4th of July
Happy stars and stripes, it's the new treat of the month time! Treat of the Month for July is Say Cheese Mini Stars. It's our featured treat because July is a patriotic star spangled month and the little stars are made with all natural, American Cheddar Cheese and apples. What better treat could there be?
Little men
My Everything Nice men are looking good these days. I've been noticing more people are getting them. It's a great little spicy treat. It's just got enough spice for Katie to stop and eat it, smell it, eat it, smell it, then eat the rest. She really likes it. Though, the Say Cheese stars recently had her following me everywhere. I have only tripped over her 3 times in the past two days so it's not that bad...well, yes it is! She's either getting shorter or more stealth. I can't hear her little paw nails clicking on the wood floor anymore so I think she is trying to be a little sneakier.
Do I smell bacon?
Yeah, I gotta go...my breakfast is ready!
BROADWAY BARKS!
July 14, 2007 at 3:30PM in Shubert Alley in NYC!
Check it out here:
http://www.broadwaybarks.com/
I absolutely must remind everyone that Broadway Barks is a great cause to help promote adoption of shelter animals. It was a really great success last year as in previous years and I encourage anyone who is looking for a pet to go and check it out. You can find some fabulous dogs and lots of information about animal adoption there.
I will be having a promotion of sorts, for every bag of Say Cheese Stars sold this month, I will donate an equal amount of treats to a shelter in addition to my normal donations.
I wish I could give more sometimes.
I changed my mind. I tried to use Macintosh in the apple treats and my treats resisted. The result was a lovely tray of soft treats but not quite the typical fare. I have to stick with Granny Smith apples because of a lower water content. I now know that the softer apples have more water and thus I need to adjust the baking time as well as the additional wet ingredients in my recipes. Too complicated. I will stick with the recipe next time.
4th of July
Happy stars and stripes, it's the new treat of the month time! Treat of the Month for July is Say Cheese Mini Stars. It's our featured treat because July is a patriotic star spangled month and the little stars are made with all natural, American Cheddar Cheese and apples. What better treat could there be?
Little men
My Everything Nice men are looking good these days. I've been noticing more people are getting them. It's a great little spicy treat. It's just got enough spice for Katie to stop and eat it, smell it, eat it, smell it, then eat the rest. She really likes it. Though, the Say Cheese stars recently had her following me everywhere. I have only tripped over her 3 times in the past two days so it's not that bad...well, yes it is! She's either getting shorter or more stealth. I can't hear her little paw nails clicking on the wood floor anymore so I think she is trying to be a little sneakier.
Do I smell bacon?
Yeah, I gotta go...my breakfast is ready!
BROADWAY BARKS!
July 14, 2007 at 3:30PM in Shubert Alley in NYC!
Check it out here:
http://www.broadwaybarks.com/
I absolutely must remind everyone that Broadway Barks is a great cause to help promote adoption of shelter animals. It was a really great success last year as in previous years and I encourage anyone who is looking for a pet to go and check it out. You can find some fabulous dogs and lots of information about animal adoption there.
I will be having a promotion of sorts, for every bag of Say Cheese Stars sold this month, I will donate an equal amount of treats to a shelter in addition to my normal donations.
I wish I could give more sometimes.
Tuesday, May 22, 2007
Thursday, May 17, 2007
Homebodies
http://www.hgtv.com/hgtv/pac_ctnt_988/text/0,,HGTV_22056_50805,00.html
I found this information on pet friendly decorating hints and it helps to guide your taste in furniture and floor coverings too!
I have finally established the best Ruffy Road! Yay!
Why am I awake at this odd hour? I'm still reading Seth Godin and thinking about my first year anniversary specials! Can you believe it has been a year already? Amazing.
I've received email questions about the "biscuit business." Unfortunately, I cannot answer all the emails I get so I will instead post the information that I received from my MBA program friends.
Go to the SBA website. It helps a lot. Read a book like, "The Smart Women's Guide to Entrepreneurship or Running Your Own Business." These are very helpful. I'm not great at emails but I will occasionally post some info that might be useful.
It's a "Ruff" Road or is it "Ruffy Road?" Hardly worth a second thought if you enjoy what you do and have passion. I love what I do and it's been fun even with all the high volume baking and events/parties I've done. Even decorating a cake 3 minutes before a pick-up is scheduled is fun when you like what you do. I do. Do you?
Good luck with it!
http://www.hgtv.com/hgtv/pac_ctnt_988/text/0,,HGTV_22056_50805,00.html
I found this information on pet friendly decorating hints and it helps to guide your taste in furniture and floor coverings too!
I have finally established the best Ruffy Road! Yay!
Why am I awake at this odd hour? I'm still reading Seth Godin and thinking about my first year anniversary specials! Can you believe it has been a year already? Amazing.
I've received email questions about the "biscuit business." Unfortunately, I cannot answer all the emails I get so I will instead post the information that I received from my MBA program friends.
Go to the SBA website. It helps a lot. Read a book like, "The Smart Women's Guide to Entrepreneurship or Running Your Own Business." These are very helpful. I'm not great at emails but I will occasionally post some info that might be useful.
It's a "Ruff" Road or is it "Ruffy Road?" Hardly worth a second thought if you enjoy what you do and have passion. I love what I do and it's been fun even with all the high volume baking and events/parties I've done. Even decorating a cake 3 minutes before a pick-up is scheduled is fun when you like what you do. I do. Do you?
Good luck with it!
Wednesday, May 09, 2007
Dogs in Art!
Goodie bags will be given out there including The Honeybark Bakery Treats!
I'm going to be there for the festival with Katie in tow. Gotta go briefly because we're taking mom out for some food and fun too.
Who let the dogs out?!
The dog theme gets out of control sometimes. My dad sends me everything "dog" related including the following. It's a cute video but I've seen it before and they are actually singing the Banana Boat song...Enjoy.
http://www.kg51.org/zb/view.php?id=bbs&page=1&sn1=&divpage=5&sn=off&ss=on&sc=on&select_arrange=headnum&desc=asc&no=32867
and here are the words if you want to sing along...
http://www.lyricsondemand.com/onehitwonders/wholetthedogsoutlyrics.html
Wait, this is a funny video...
http://www.metacafe.com/watch/216872/who_let_the_dogs_out/
I gotta go...I'm watching my boys play ball tonight. Go Doug Mienkiewicz!! Go Yankees!
The Locust Valley Dog Festival is this weekend.
Mother's day Sunday, May 13, 2o07 at 12PM -4PM.
Mother's day Sunday, May 13, 2o07 at 12PM -4PM.
Goodie bags will be given out there including The Honeybark Bakery Treats!
I'm going to be there for the festival with Katie in tow. Gotta go briefly because we're taking mom out for some food and fun too.
Who let the dogs out?!
The dog theme gets out of control sometimes. My dad sends me everything "dog" related including the following. It's a cute video but I've seen it before and they are actually singing the Banana Boat song...Enjoy.
http://www.kg51.org/zb/view.php?id=bbs&page=1&sn1=&divpage=5&sn=off&ss=on&sc=on&select_arrange=headnum&desc=asc&no=32867
and here are the words if you want to sing along...
http://www.lyricsondemand.com/onehitwonders/wholetthedogsoutlyrics.html
Wait, this is a funny video...
http://www.metacafe.com/watch/216872/who_let_the_dogs_out/
I gotta go...I'm watching my boys play ball tonight. Go Doug Mienkiewicz!! Go Yankees!
Sunday, May 06, 2007
Time Goes By So Quickly
It's May already! The sun is shining and we are having some seriously great weather out here on Long Island. Wow! Today was basically an inventory day for me and doing research on some new cake pans, new treat ideas and still working on the new recipe. The batch was too soggy and I had to add a ton of flour to compensate for the liquid part so now I have to do it over again tomorrow. Oh well. I'm still thinking about some other treat ideas but for now my most popular by far have been:
Chicken Snaps
Beef Snaps
Nuts about Bananas
Granny's Apple Pie
Peanut Butterflies
Peanut Butter & Carrot Cake is so...yummy
I gotta stop eating the peanut butter cake. It's so good though. Plus, I love the way the whole wheat flour makes the texture of the cake kind of grainier than a normal soft cake made with pastry flour. So...yummy. Oh man, I gotta get more peanut butter because I baked a lot of cakes recently and I'm going through my peanut butter stock like crazy since Spring started.
I AM considering grinding my own peanut butter. I've got it here and the peanuts so I might very well do it. I have no problem with doing it but it's the clean-up that makes me hesitate.
Seriously, I would love to bake all day, all night, all day long. I love rolling the dough out and cutting the treats and mixing and measuring. That stuff is all good and the treats and the cake is just fantastic. The clean-up really stinks. It's just boring.
Mother's Day is coming up! I guess I should do a special but my brother is away so the website is just kind of static for now.
Special Mother's Day Cake with mini heart shaped treats, 3" size for $10.00 with an extra special bonus heart shaped treat as a gift of love to celebrate this special day!
What am I doing now?
Looking into all natural food coloring. So far, I've been sticking with the carob icing for decorating the cakes because I love the deep dark brown color that contrasts so nicely with the cinnamon/honey/vanilla cream cheese frosting. It's just a great looking cake.
I also want to announce that Tracie Hotchner is doing a great party for dog lovers in Southampton on Thursday, May 17th at Allison's Restaurant. Check out her website and her book, The Dog Bible. I'm sending treats to her for the party so if you are there, be sure to get some!
Here is the link:
http://www.dogtalktheradioshow.com/poochparties.htm
I hope the North Shore Animal League's Adoptathon went well this weekend. As it always does, I'm sure lots of dogs and cats found loving homes.
Best wishes to all involved in that great event!
It's May already! The sun is shining and we are having some seriously great weather out here on Long Island. Wow! Today was basically an inventory day for me and doing research on some new cake pans, new treat ideas and still working on the new recipe. The batch was too soggy and I had to add a ton of flour to compensate for the liquid part so now I have to do it over again tomorrow. Oh well. I'm still thinking about some other treat ideas but for now my most popular by far have been:
Chicken Snaps
Beef Snaps
Nuts about Bananas
Granny's Apple Pie
Peanut Butterflies
Peanut Butter & Carrot Cake is so...yummy
I gotta stop eating the peanut butter cake. It's so good though. Plus, I love the way the whole wheat flour makes the texture of the cake kind of grainier than a normal soft cake made with pastry flour. So...yummy. Oh man, I gotta get more peanut butter because I baked a lot of cakes recently and I'm going through my peanut butter stock like crazy since Spring started.
I AM considering grinding my own peanut butter. I've got it here and the peanuts so I might very well do it. I have no problem with doing it but it's the clean-up that makes me hesitate.
Seriously, I would love to bake all day, all night, all day long. I love rolling the dough out and cutting the treats and mixing and measuring. That stuff is all good and the treats and the cake is just fantastic. The clean-up really stinks. It's just boring.
Mother's Day is coming up! I guess I should do a special but my brother is away so the website is just kind of static for now.
Special Mother's Day Cake with mini heart shaped treats, 3" size for $10.00 with an extra special bonus heart shaped treat as a gift of love to celebrate this special day!
What am I doing now?
Looking into all natural food coloring. So far, I've been sticking with the carob icing for decorating the cakes because I love the deep dark brown color that contrasts so nicely with the cinnamon/honey/vanilla cream cheese frosting. It's just a great looking cake.
I also want to announce that Tracie Hotchner is doing a great party for dog lovers in Southampton on Thursday, May 17th at Allison's Restaurant. Check out her website and her book, The Dog Bible. I'm sending treats to her for the party so if you are there, be sure to get some!
Here is the link:
http://www.dogtalktheradioshow.com/poochparties.htm
I hope the North Shore Animal League's Adoptathon went well this weekend. As it always does, I'm sure lots of dogs and cats found loving homes.
Best wishes to all involved in that great event!
Saturday, April 28, 2007
Year of the Dog
I have two complaints, I went to the movie and the movie itself was kind of ruined because:
A. The frame was messed up for the first ten minutes of the movie and the manager was unable to be located by the movieviewers and when it was restarted, most of the beginning had been missed already.
B. A fly or some other bug flew onto the lens and died right in the corner of the movie screen and so for the rest of the movie, about halfway through, there was the shadow of a dead but, legs up and everything in the bottom right corner of the moviescreen. Grosssssssss!
The review
The movie was...so-so. I never say that. I can't bring myself to say it was bad because I love Molly Shannon and I think that the story itself was good but it could have ended sooner than it did, the last scene was useless to the story and there was some editing that could have made it better. There were too many scenes with the same idea. I think in terms of Indie Flicks, this was thought provoking, worth a discussion and had some really funny parts.
I give it a B-though and that's just not normal for me to rate a movie that way.
I have two complaints, I went to the movie and the movie itself was kind of ruined because:
A. The frame was messed up for the first ten minutes of the movie and the manager was unable to be located by the movieviewers and when it was restarted, most of the beginning had been missed already.
B. A fly or some other bug flew onto the lens and died right in the corner of the movie screen and so for the rest of the movie, about halfway through, there was the shadow of a dead but, legs up and everything in the bottom right corner of the moviescreen. Grosssssssss!
The review
The movie was...so-so. I never say that. I can't bring myself to say it was bad because I love Molly Shannon and I think that the story itself was good but it could have ended sooner than it did, the last scene was useless to the story and there was some editing that could have made it better. There were too many scenes with the same idea. I think in terms of Indie Flicks, this was thought provoking, worth a discussion and had some really funny parts.
I give it a B-though and that's just not normal for me to rate a movie that way.
The American Cancer Society Dogswalk Treats
Finally, the Yankees win. Not that I was able to watch the game, some of us gotta bring home the bacon right? Especially on Saturdays, I work the weekend and I'm proud to say that I do. Well blah, I am sad that I missed the winning of my favorite baseball team after that heart/gut-wrenching losing streak that was turning my hair even more gray than it already is...(Yes, thank goodness for L'Oreal:)
I digress once more...
So here I present to you, the wonderful treat that I have created for donations now. It looks remarkably like that little doggie for the American Cancer Society's Dogswalk that was...oh yeah, today! What a gorgeous day too. I'm happy that they were able to have such fine weather for this fun event. Sad that I missed it but I was definitely there in spirit and our treats were donated to the cause so they made it there:)
The treat made just for the American Cancer Society's Dogswalk 2007.
(a.k.a.- The bonus treat to be sent to anyone who orders a pound of treats in May as well!)
Finally, the Yankees win. Not that I was able to watch the game, some of us gotta bring home the bacon right? Especially on Saturdays, I work the weekend and I'm proud to say that I do. Well blah, I am sad that I missed the winning of my favorite baseball team after that heart/gut-wrenching losing streak that was turning my hair even more gray than it already is...(Yes, thank goodness for L'Oreal:)
I digress once more...
So here I present to you, the wonderful treat that I have created for donations now. It looks remarkably like that little doggie for the American Cancer Society's Dogswalk that was...oh yeah, today! What a gorgeous day too. I'm happy that they were able to have such fine weather for this fun event. Sad that I missed it but I was definitely there in spirit and our treats were donated to the cause so they made it there:)
The treat made just for the American Cancer Society's Dogswalk 2007.(a.k.a.- The bonus treat to be sent to anyone who orders a pound of treats in May as well!)
Alright, so that is pre-wrapping and pretty bow tying and hole punching and card attaching. Yeah, so my little assembly-line, Henry Ford is the greatest inventor, routine was starting to get really OLD by the time I finished the last treat. Oh my aching joints! Thank goodness for Aleve...But boy were they purty:))
One down, 149 to go...when am I going to hire someone to help me?!
Yay! I'm finished!
One down, 149 to go...when am I going to hire someone to help me?!
Yay! I'm finished!What more to say except, it's the actual packaging part that is the hard part. I have come to terms with bow tying and pretty package making. It's all part of the drill. Well, at least I can have a good job tying shoelaces someday...
You laugh but...
I kid you not...Happy Barkday is the most common phrase these days...
You laugh but...
I kid you not...Happy Barkday is the most common phrase these days...Seriously though, it's pretty isn't it? I know I showed you this one but I was just going over cake designs and I realized how much I love the Peanut Butterflies border. It's just adorable. Plus, the peanut butterfly cookie is very popular with the little dogs. Especially the Poms and the Pugs. Oh right, yeah, Pugs do eat just about anything but my little pug meetup group did enjoy these little peanut butter treats the best I think.
I lied.
Yes, I know I was supposed to debut the new flavor for this event but I couldn't. I really didn't have time to experiment with it enough and the combination is really kind of tricky. It really isn't that tricky but I do need to tweak the recipe before I expose it to the general public. I realized something though that my Peanut Butter Banana treats can be absolutely perfect if done in just under the time that I was previously baking them. Yup. They come out utterly perfect and beautiful. Unfortunately, that means I was really overbaking the previous batches and that made me a little sad. I hate realizing that something wasn't quite perfect when I thought that they were. I feel like I owe my customers a freebie. In fact, I will offer the free bag of Nuts About Bananas to customers who have purchased it in the past only because I do guarantee satisfaction with all purchases and if your dog ain't happy, neither am I. Truth.
I've blabbed or rather blogged enough.
Ciao bellies:)
I lied.
Yes, I know I was supposed to debut the new flavor for this event but I couldn't. I really didn't have time to experiment with it enough and the combination is really kind of tricky. It really isn't that tricky but I do need to tweak the recipe before I expose it to the general public. I realized something though that my Peanut Butter Banana treats can be absolutely perfect if done in just under the time that I was previously baking them. Yup. They come out utterly perfect and beautiful. Unfortunately, that means I was really overbaking the previous batches and that made me a little sad. I hate realizing that something wasn't quite perfect when I thought that they were. I feel like I owe my customers a freebie. In fact, I will offer the free bag of Nuts About Bananas to customers who have purchased it in the past only because I do guarantee satisfaction with all purchases and if your dog ain't happy, neither am I. Truth.
I've blabbed or rather blogged enough.
Ciao bellies:)
Tuesday, April 24, 2007
Dogswalk Against CancerSaturday, April 28, 2007 at 11AM
in Flushing Meadow Park, NY
The American Cancer Society is having their Dogswalk at Flushing Meadow Park this Saturday, April 28, 2007 from 11AM-3PM.
Here is the link for more information and how to participate.
http://community.acsevents.org/site/TR?fr_id=3180&pg=entry
I was there last year with my cousin and I had donated a huge amount of treats for this amazing event. All of the proceeds go towards the cause. I'm looking forward to our newest treats being enjoyed by all the participants this year.
We hope you will be there to support the cause.
For Driving Directions:
http://www.mapquest.com/maps/map.adp?searchtype=address&country=US&addtohistory=&searchtab=home&formtype=address&popflag=0&latitude=&longitude=&name=&phone=&level=&cat=Flushing+Meadow+Park&address=&city=flushing+meadow&state=NY&zipcode=
Friday, April 20, 2007
I found it!
Cake cake cake...
Unfortunately, although I love how this cake came out, I still need much practice with my cake writing. But the letters did look nicer here.
Notice the Peanut Butterflies on the edge of the cake. The cakes lately have been getting a lot of treats around the edges, hence the reason for the price increase recently. But they look really great and the dogs love the extra treats!
Mini Mega Cupcakes!
So this is what I'm talking about! The huge cupcakes that I made for a recent party, they were topped with creamy cinnamon vanilla and honey frosting and topped with Granny's Apple Pie Mini Bones. They were adorable! Plus, I found these great platters to put the cupcakes on for the party and those adorable little flowery cupcake papers. I was actually so happy with the presentation of these cupcakes. I heard the party cakes were a huge success and the dogs gobbled them off the table!
So cute and festive on the platters! These mini cupcakes were a huge success.
This is an example of my smallest barkday cake. It's supposed to be a 3" cake for miniature dogs and it is really actually very cute. The treats I used to decorate it were Granny's Apple Pie and Ruffy Road Dots. The cake was 2" high and so it was a tall cake and I managed to write on the cake but I didn't charge extra for it because I wasn't sure how it would look. Now I know I can write on my smallest cakes too!
Yes it has been a busy time since Spring started. It's party cake after party cake. I have even done emergency orders on the same day but that is really hard because I have to let the cake cool before I frost it. Since I work fulltime, I cannot do that all the time. I can only do it on my day off so if you plan on ordering a cake, please please please give me 2-3 days notice or at least 1-2 days notice so I can bake the cake and frost it with enough time and care to make the best cake possible for your dog!
Cake cake cake...
Unfortunately, although I love how this cake came out, I still need much practice with my cake writing. But the letters did look nicer here.
Notice the Peanut Butterflies on the edge of the cake. The cakes lately have been getting a lot of treats around the edges, hence the reason for the price increase recently. But they look really great and the dogs love the extra treats!Mini Mega Cupcakes!
So this is what I'm talking about! The huge cupcakes that I made for a recent party, they were topped with creamy cinnamon vanilla and honey frosting and topped with Granny's Apple Pie Mini Bones. They were adorable! Plus, I found these great platters to put the cupcakes on for the party and those adorable little flowery cupcake papers. I was actually so happy with the presentation of these cupcakes. I heard the party cakes were a huge success and the dogs gobbled them off the table!
So cute and festive on the platters! These mini cupcakes were a huge success.
This is an example of my smallest barkday cake. It's supposed to be a 3" cake for miniature dogs and it is really actually very cute. The treats I used to decorate it were Granny's Apple Pie and Ruffy Road Dots. The cake was 2" high and so it was a tall cake and I managed to write on the cake but I didn't charge extra for it because I wasn't sure how it would look. Now I know I can write on my smallest cakes too!Yes it has been a busy time since Spring started. It's party cake after party cake. I have even done emergency orders on the same day but that is really hard because I have to let the cake cool before I frost it. Since I work fulltime, I cannot do that all the time. I can only do it on my day off so if you plan on ordering a cake, please please please give me 2-3 days notice or at least 1-2 days notice so I can bake the cake and frost it with enough time and care to make the best cake possible for your dog!
The Year of the Dog
Ooh. A new movie with Molly Shannon, The Year of the Dog, looks promising but I have yet to find it in my area.
A couple of sites that describe the movie in detail.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0756729/
http://www.suntimes.com/entertainment/movies/349771,WKP-News-dog20.article
Boxes and Bags
My usual issues with packaging have been coming up more and more because of the fact that I simply cannot find a bag that I really like. It's almost like shopping for a purse or a handbag because I need to really know that I love the bag in order to commit to it. So I found some nice ones and ordered them but I had to send them back because they looked like industrial bolt or hardware bags and putting my pretty little dainty gourmet treats in a heavy duty big old boot slugging type bag simply would not do. Goodness do I sound like a pretty prissy or what?! But seriously, I had to send those back and get on the phone with the C.S. operator to order what I really wanted, which I wasn't even quite sure I wanted until she described it AND sent me a link to locate on the website. So now I've got the right bags...yay! It's the little things that make me so happy:)
But back to the boxes now, I've got so many box issues it's ridiculous. I have a lot of varieties of sizes for my cakes and unfortunately only one big old box. I ordered these fantastic boxes and I love them but then realized, duh...that my teeny tiny little bitty cakes for miniature dogs literally SWIM in these boxes. So what do I do? I put tape on the bottom of the cake plate so the cake would survive it's journey home. As of yet, I have not heard a single complaint of destruction of these small wonders of a cake creation. Yes, I haven't posted any recent photos of my cakes because I cannot find the cord to connect my digi camera to my computer. Ugh. It's so...frustrating. Technology is so great yet so annoying all at once.
I created some really great little cakes but I think that I made them a lot bigger than I previously had made them so now the mini cupcakes look like small tennis balls and the top of the cake puffed out like a superdome. Seriously. I came back to take them out of the oven and literally did a Minnie Pearl, "Oh my goodness!" Yep. I'm turning into an old country baker...what the heck. That can't be too bad for the treats but my friends have been laughing at my "Oh my goodness!" and "Oh darn!" exclamations. If I start talking like Ned Flanders, please someone stop me...yikes.
Delivery
I've got an issue with deliveries. My aim to bring gourmet treats to the world has been squelched somewhat by the fact that I don't like to drive a whole lot and I like baking more than driving and yes, I will admit...I am really really bad at directions. I can give directions but when it comes to following someone else's directions I really need a lot of Yahoo Maps or Mapquest assistance in addition to an hour of poring over the satellite images of wherever it is I am going. Yes, it is sad. I know that but I have a terrible fear of getting lost. I've always had it. Ever since I was a child and my mother never let me ride my little red bicycle beyond our Dead End street, I've always had an issue with being a little bit wary of exploring new territories. Is that a real fear? I have heard from many friends and peers that they too have this fear of getting lost. "I'm afraid I will get lost!" Is an extremely common statement amongst my women friends. I hate to categorize or generalize or put a gender label on it but I do find that my men friends do not have this fear or do not vocalize it. Ever. In fact, men seem to be the root of all "getting lost and into big trouble" type situation movies as in the latest movie, "Vacancy?" Yes, Luke Wilson, one of my favorite eye candy actors is in that movie with the lovely Kate Beckinsale and ooh what a doozy of a theme. It's very scary but I might very well go and see this one because it just looks intriguing. Oh, but I digress. I wanted to say that I am so...happy that people are willing to travel from near and far just to get cake from me. It's just heartwarming...brings a little tear to the eye. Makes me think...hey, you know maybe my cakes are making a difference. Cool.
I like that.
Ooh. A new movie with Molly Shannon, The Year of the Dog, looks promising but I have yet to find it in my area.
A couple of sites that describe the movie in detail.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0756729/
http://www.suntimes.com/entertainment/movies/349771,WKP-News-dog20.article
Boxes and Bags
My usual issues with packaging have been coming up more and more because of the fact that I simply cannot find a bag that I really like. It's almost like shopping for a purse or a handbag because I need to really know that I love the bag in order to commit to it. So I found some nice ones and ordered them but I had to send them back because they looked like industrial bolt or hardware bags and putting my pretty little dainty gourmet treats in a heavy duty big old boot slugging type bag simply would not do. Goodness do I sound like a pretty prissy or what?! But seriously, I had to send those back and get on the phone with the C.S. operator to order what I really wanted, which I wasn't even quite sure I wanted until she described it AND sent me a link to locate on the website. So now I've got the right bags...yay! It's the little things that make me so happy:)
But back to the boxes now, I've got so many box issues it's ridiculous. I have a lot of varieties of sizes for my cakes and unfortunately only one big old box. I ordered these fantastic boxes and I love them but then realized, duh...that my teeny tiny little bitty cakes for miniature dogs literally SWIM in these boxes. So what do I do? I put tape on the bottom of the cake plate so the cake would survive it's journey home. As of yet, I have not heard a single complaint of destruction of these small wonders of a cake creation. Yes, I haven't posted any recent photos of my cakes because I cannot find the cord to connect my digi camera to my computer. Ugh. It's so...frustrating. Technology is so great yet so annoying all at once.
I created some really great little cakes but I think that I made them a lot bigger than I previously had made them so now the mini cupcakes look like small tennis balls and the top of the cake puffed out like a superdome. Seriously. I came back to take them out of the oven and literally did a Minnie Pearl, "Oh my goodness!" Yep. I'm turning into an old country baker...what the heck. That can't be too bad for the treats but my friends have been laughing at my "Oh my goodness!" and "Oh darn!" exclamations. If I start talking like Ned Flanders, please someone stop me...yikes.
Delivery
I've got an issue with deliveries. My aim to bring gourmet treats to the world has been squelched somewhat by the fact that I don't like to drive a whole lot and I like baking more than driving and yes, I will admit...I am really really bad at directions. I can give directions but when it comes to following someone else's directions I really need a lot of Yahoo Maps or Mapquest assistance in addition to an hour of poring over the satellite images of wherever it is I am going. Yes, it is sad. I know that but I have a terrible fear of getting lost. I've always had it. Ever since I was a child and my mother never let me ride my little red bicycle beyond our Dead End street, I've always had an issue with being a little bit wary of exploring new territories. Is that a real fear? I have heard from many friends and peers that they too have this fear of getting lost. "I'm afraid I will get lost!" Is an extremely common statement amongst my women friends. I hate to categorize or generalize or put a gender label on it but I do find that my men friends do not have this fear or do not vocalize it. Ever. In fact, men seem to be the root of all "getting lost and into big trouble" type situation movies as in the latest movie, "Vacancy?" Yes, Luke Wilson, one of my favorite eye candy actors is in that movie with the lovely Kate Beckinsale and ooh what a doozy of a theme. It's very scary but I might very well go and see this one because it just looks intriguing. Oh, but I digress. I wanted to say that I am so...happy that people are willing to travel from near and far just to get cake from me. It's just heartwarming...brings a little tear to the eye. Makes me think...hey, you know maybe my cakes are making a difference. Cool.
I like that.
Wednesday, April 04, 2007
Bubble Cakes
Look at the cutest little box I found! I had a cake to do today, a little one for a cute little dog, a Yorkie. I baked about seven cakes today in advance, to be frozen for the weekend cakes. This cake was a new design as you will see below. I had to limit the lettering to the two letters, "HB" which conveniently stands for both "Happy Birthday" and "Honeybark Bakery" cool marketing ploy eh? I didn't even think of that when I created Honeybark so it was just a wonderful coincidence.
Adorable mini cake box I found.
A mini cake with HB on it.
Notice the paper under the cake to easily get the cake out. Nice touch eh?
The cakes came out "bubble-tacular" today. I don't know why. Maybe it was the weather but they ballooned to the sky with such a magnitude that it was really dome shaped. I was watching them bake as I always do and it was just bizarre. Like a little alumninum Jiffy Pop popper, those little cakes all did a bubble dome thing. Well, the cake itself was marvelously successful as per my little cake tester. Katie came stumbling down the stairs to my little bakery area out of a sleepy nap state and then sat staring at me while these cakes were baking. typically, she will wait patiently for me but this time, she paced, she drooled, and she poked me with her big wet nose until I finished decorating the cake that was ordered for today. I gave her a cake and she took it in her mouth and went all the way to her special spot and ate the entire thing then searched feverishly for the crumbs or even a memory of the cake. Wow. That was impressive. I was cleaning up the kitchen when I turned around to see her waiting for another piece of cake. Yeah...NO. See, I am okay with Katie getting a treat or two but with cake, she gets maybe two pieces of the small mini cakes per day at most. So this was just too much. She sat while I cleaned and then followed me, poked me several times and is still waiting for cake right now as I type my blog. I think this cake was a hit.
Am I breaking the rules?
I normally stick with my guns about the 2-3 days notice rule. I have turned down customers who have called requesting a cake one day before because I just did not have the time. Today I had a day off from work and was doing errands when I received a call from a nice young lady who needed a cake for her dog's first birthday tonight. Luckily, I was almost done doing all my busywork and driving in this horrible downpour and flooded road conditions. I was soaked to the bone and chilled as well but I did manage to crank out the cake. And as you can see, it was a cutie. It was a mini cake, 3" diameter, decorated with Granny's Apple Pie Mini bones and the same delicious creamy cheese, cinnamon, vanilla, honey icing. The "HB" is done in carob/peanut butter frosting. I love the mini cakes but the big ones are more fun to decorate because of the amount of room to write a message on top. I am developing a new script for the cake writing so I can't wait to work on this weekend's cakes.
Look at the cutest little box I found! I had a cake to do today, a little one for a cute little dog, a Yorkie. I baked about seven cakes today in advance, to be frozen for the weekend cakes. This cake was a new design as you will see below. I had to limit the lettering to the two letters, "HB" which conveniently stands for both "Happy Birthday" and "Honeybark Bakery" cool marketing ploy eh? I didn't even think of that when I created Honeybark so it was just a wonderful coincidence.
Adorable mini cake box I found.
A mini cake with HB on it.
Notice the paper under the cake to easily get the cake out. Nice touch eh?The cakes came out "bubble-tacular" today. I don't know why. Maybe it was the weather but they ballooned to the sky with such a magnitude that it was really dome shaped. I was watching them bake as I always do and it was just bizarre. Like a little alumninum Jiffy Pop popper, those little cakes all did a bubble dome thing. Well, the cake itself was marvelously successful as per my little cake tester. Katie came stumbling down the stairs to my little bakery area out of a sleepy nap state and then sat staring at me while these cakes were baking. typically, she will wait patiently for me but this time, she paced, she drooled, and she poked me with her big wet nose until I finished decorating the cake that was ordered for today. I gave her a cake and she took it in her mouth and went all the way to her special spot and ate the entire thing then searched feverishly for the crumbs or even a memory of the cake. Wow. That was impressive. I was cleaning up the kitchen when I turned around to see her waiting for another piece of cake. Yeah...NO. See, I am okay with Katie getting a treat or two but with cake, she gets maybe two pieces of the small mini cakes per day at most. So this was just too much. She sat while I cleaned and then followed me, poked me several times and is still waiting for cake right now as I type my blog. I think this cake was a hit.
Am I breaking the rules?
I normally stick with my guns about the 2-3 days notice rule. I have turned down customers who have called requesting a cake one day before because I just did not have the time. Today I had a day off from work and was doing errands when I received a call from a nice young lady who needed a cake for her dog's first birthday tonight. Luckily, I was almost done doing all my busywork and driving in this horrible downpour and flooded road conditions. I was soaked to the bone and chilled as well but I did manage to crank out the cake. And as you can see, it was a cutie. It was a mini cake, 3" diameter, decorated with Granny's Apple Pie Mini bones and the same delicious creamy cheese, cinnamon, vanilla, honey icing. The "HB" is done in carob/peanut butter frosting. I love the mini cakes but the big ones are more fun to decorate because of the amount of room to write a message on top. I am developing a new script for the cake writing so I can't wait to work on this weekend's cakes.
Sunday, April 01, 2007
Note the similarity in style of writing between the cake above and this one.
Nothing like a box waiting to be opened. Look inside!The dilemna now is whether I should be block printing or practicing my calligraphy for the cakes. My birthday cakes have been coming out much better than the original ones lately. Though, the cake recipe itself and the frosting is basically the same, my handwriting or rather cake writing has become much much better. But, lately I've been printing on cakes and I don't know if I just started doing it because I wanted to try to change it up a little or if the icing that I've created for the cake writing is a little more liquid and less of the chunkier thicker frosting that I was originally using that would blob a little bit on output. Plus, I've found a great decorating device that I will share as a tip...squeezeable ketchup bottles that you can find in any kitchen supply store. It's no big secret really, it's been used by decorators and for plating for years but I finally broke down and stopped using my decorator tips to do the cake writing because I kept getting spurts of frosting that would create a blob of frosting in the middle of a letter just like those old Papermate pens that I used to use in school, the kind that would make a really great, medium point type line when you wrote with it but also ended up all over your hands after you had done your homework. Ah, the good old days...when you actually had to write with a pen and looseleaf paper rather than doing it on your laptop. Ah, but I digress...just take a look for yourself at one of my original cakes and then one I did recently and tell me whether you think the writing should be block print or script. I think the pretty script is the way to go. Which means for me, practice, practice, practice....
Script writing back in the day.
Block print is a little bit plain in my opinion though I love this cake style.Okay. I think I get it. The original cake writing was really much better. I looked at the cake again and although I really loved the cake itself, the mini bones along the sides were just an adorable little touch to the cake. That was extra treats but well worth it because it looked just so cute.
I'm thinking of a new recipe for cake now. It's called, the flourless birthday cake and it is an alternative to a wheat flour cake. It would be essentially the same cake only with soy flour. For those dogs with allergies to wheat, this would be perfect.
Rain
Ugh, my joints are hurting and so are Katie's. The rain is the worst for me because I get really bad joint pain. It used to be just one knee, now it's not my knees, it's my fingers. They get really achey and tight when it rains and my shoulder, the right one will just throb. I can bake and roll out treat dough but it just really slows me down. Ah boy, is it time to hire someone to help me? No, I'm really just a one woman show here. Other than my brother, the PR/web guy, I'm just doing a little bit here and there. I've got another cake to do early this week and one at the end of the week too. It's nice to get regular cake orders because it does keep me busy on my days off from work. Now if it would only just stop raining, I could be a little bit more productive.
Sad about the pet food scare.
I was watching the news and saw that there's more problems with processed foods for pets. Ugh. I could see it coming because we are just relying so much on others to make our lives easier and for what? Why can't you just make your pet something to eat when you cook too? Really, like Christie Shaver is doing with her company, one should really just cook and eat healthy. So what's my problem? I've got a slow metabolism and less time than I'd like to exercise. But I try to eat healthy and keep Katie's snacks healthy. Since I use organic ingredients in the treats, I feel much better that Katie is not being subjected to too many chemicals in her diet. The same goes for my cake recipe. I stick with as many organic ingredients as I possibly can and then the rest of the stuff is either low fat or no fat and all natural.
I just wanted to say that I'm really happy to be able to do what I do. I love baking and I love dogs. Is what I do a little over the top? You bet. I'm happy to be the one to be able to make these celebrations possible for all dogs everywhere.
It's a piece of cake.
I'm thinking of a new recipe for cake now. It's called, the flourless birthday cake and it is an alternative to a wheat flour cake. It would be essentially the same cake only with soy flour. For those dogs with allergies to wheat, this would be perfect.
Rain
Ugh, my joints are hurting and so are Katie's. The rain is the worst for me because I get really bad joint pain. It used to be just one knee, now it's not my knees, it's my fingers. They get really achey and tight when it rains and my shoulder, the right one will just throb. I can bake and roll out treat dough but it just really slows me down. Ah boy, is it time to hire someone to help me? No, I'm really just a one woman show here. Other than my brother, the PR/web guy, I'm just doing a little bit here and there. I've got another cake to do early this week and one at the end of the week too. It's nice to get regular cake orders because it does keep me busy on my days off from work. Now if it would only just stop raining, I could be a little bit more productive.
Sad about the pet food scare.
I was watching the news and saw that there's more problems with processed foods for pets. Ugh. I could see it coming because we are just relying so much on others to make our lives easier and for what? Why can't you just make your pet something to eat when you cook too? Really, like Christie Shaver is doing with her company, one should really just cook and eat healthy. So what's my problem? I've got a slow metabolism and less time than I'd like to exercise. But I try to eat healthy and keep Katie's snacks healthy. Since I use organic ingredients in the treats, I feel much better that Katie is not being subjected to too many chemicals in her diet. The same goes for my cake recipe. I stick with as many organic ingredients as I possibly can and then the rest of the stuff is either low fat or no fat and all natural.
I just wanted to say that I'm really happy to be able to do what I do. I love baking and I love dogs. Is what I do a little over the top? You bet. I'm happy to be the one to be able to make these celebrations possible for all dogs everywhere.
It's a piece of cake.The fact is that I like putting treats on top but then I can't write anything on the cake. Oh it is such an artistic dilemna to just want to decorate but also to have that blank canvas to write on. I like them both. I think Katie could care less as long as she can eat her frosting first and the save the cake for last. She still does that. It's cute.
It's like a proud parent or something...
I love this cake so much I wanted to share the edges with you. Notice the flower and leaf border around the edge of the cake? This was made from mini chicken snaps and minty kisses. I also did a dot border around the top of the cake. It was just an added detail but I did like the effect it had of highlighting the writing on the cake. Unfortunately, the "d" and the "a" decided that they should kiss and so the letters ran into each other before I could allow it to set and dry. I always need help with blocking out my letters. I always think I am going to run out of room and then have to start all over when I'm writing the word "birthday." That's why I like writing "barkday" because it's shorter. Not by much, but it's enough to keep the word from causing much angst when I am writing it on the cake.
It's like a proud parent or something...I love this cake so much I wanted to share the edges with you. Notice the flower and leaf border around the edge of the cake? This was made from mini chicken snaps and minty kisses. I also did a dot border around the top of the cake. It was just an added detail but I did like the effect it had of highlighting the writing on the cake. Unfortunately, the "d" and the "a" decided that they should kiss and so the letters ran into each other before I could allow it to set and dry. I always need help with blocking out my letters. I always think I am going to run out of room and then have to start all over when I'm writing the word "birthday." That's why I like writing "barkday" because it's shorter. Not by much, but it's enough to keep the word from causing much angst when I am writing it on the cake.
Wednesday, March 28, 2007
Birthday Cakes for Dogs 101
I've finally figured it out. Baking a simple cake is not so simple when it is your own recipe. I've whittled this cake recipe down to the bare necessities and still it is a perfect cake. I love it. The peanut butter was just screaming out to me and I had to take every inch of my being NOT to eat any peanut butter and put it all into the cake. Blah. I mean, YAY for the cake! Haha...no, seriously I am very happy about how the cake came out and I decorated it with bones this time, the Granny's Apple Pie Mini Bones went around the edge of the cake and it looked really good. I haven't done this design so yet so this is a premier cake unveiling for me. I'm waiting for the digital photos to develop because my digital camera is currently MIA. I haven't the foggiest notion where it went. I had to borrow dad's.
I made a major purchase today, cake boxes again. There is a huge selection of cake boxes available and the world wide web makes it easier yet so much harder to choose. I finally went with my old box company. They've been awesome with all my shopping bags and treat bags. I love the fact that they deliver practically in the next day too. There is nothing like great customer service.
More cake PLEASE!!
Yes, the cake orders are rolling in again. It was the summer when I had all those cake orders last year and so again, the warm weather means...bring on da cake! Everybody and their neighbor wants one for their special furry buddies. Katie's owner is no different. Katie has a bag of mini cakes frozen for her on demand basically. She loves her mini PB & C (peanut butter and carrot) cakes. I do too...but shhh, that's between us. Also, the frosting I have concocted is unbelieveably good, but why would I brag? Because it is AWESOME! It's a Cinnamon, honey, vanilla frosting made with cream cheese and yogurt. It's also lowfat and so your dog can consume his cake and enjoy the benefits of a lowfat lifestyle. Hahaha...ahem, but I am serious about that healthy cake thing. I like the idea of indulging once in a while but if you can eat something yummy and healthy too, why not?! I'm doin' it for the dogs. Yup.
The Baker needs a break...
Coffee break that is...I have decided to cut down on my caffeine consumption in the afternoons. I am now down to a nice healthy dose of decaf past 3PM. Alright...it's not that big of a deal but for me, it's a lifestyle change. I love my coffee! So today, I am drinking French Caramel Creme Brulee something or other but DECAF. It's alright. No, it's better than alright but I miss my little jolt of lightening to keep me productive for another 6 hours before bed. Oh well...such is life.
Treat of the Month for April (No foolin'...)
Ooh. It's time to think of the next treat of the month. Wow, April already? Sheesh. It seems like time really does fly. Ok, I shall say that in honor of the beautiful Springtime weather, April's Treat of the Month will be...Peanut Butterflies! Yes, they are so cute and adorable and Katie just loves peanut butter. Watch the drooling begin when you break these little treats out!
One pound for $10.00 and get a free variety bag bonus!
I've finally figured it out. Baking a simple cake is not so simple when it is your own recipe. I've whittled this cake recipe down to the bare necessities and still it is a perfect cake. I love it. The peanut butter was just screaming out to me and I had to take every inch of my being NOT to eat any peanut butter and put it all into the cake. Blah. I mean, YAY for the cake! Haha...no, seriously I am very happy about how the cake came out and I decorated it with bones this time, the Granny's Apple Pie Mini Bones went around the edge of the cake and it looked really good. I haven't done this design so yet so this is a premier cake unveiling for me. I'm waiting for the digital photos to develop because my digital camera is currently MIA. I haven't the foggiest notion where it went. I had to borrow dad's.
I made a major purchase today, cake boxes again. There is a huge selection of cake boxes available and the world wide web makes it easier yet so much harder to choose. I finally went with my old box company. They've been awesome with all my shopping bags and treat bags. I love the fact that they deliver practically in the next day too. There is nothing like great customer service.
More cake PLEASE!!
Yes, the cake orders are rolling in again. It was the summer when I had all those cake orders last year and so again, the warm weather means...bring on da cake! Everybody and their neighbor wants one for their special furry buddies. Katie's owner is no different. Katie has a bag of mini cakes frozen for her on demand basically. She loves her mini PB & C (peanut butter and carrot) cakes. I do too...but shhh, that's between us. Also, the frosting I have concocted is unbelieveably good, but why would I brag? Because it is AWESOME! It's a Cinnamon, honey, vanilla frosting made with cream cheese and yogurt. It's also lowfat and so your dog can consume his cake and enjoy the benefits of a lowfat lifestyle. Hahaha...ahem, but I am serious about that healthy cake thing. I like the idea of indulging once in a while but if you can eat something yummy and healthy too, why not?! I'm doin' it for the dogs. Yup.
The Baker needs a break...
Coffee break that is...I have decided to cut down on my caffeine consumption in the afternoons. I am now down to a nice healthy dose of decaf past 3PM. Alright...it's not that big of a deal but for me, it's a lifestyle change. I love my coffee! So today, I am drinking French Caramel Creme Brulee something or other but DECAF. It's alright. No, it's better than alright but I miss my little jolt of lightening to keep me productive for another 6 hours before bed. Oh well...such is life.
Treat of the Month for April (No foolin'...)
Ooh. It's time to think of the next treat of the month. Wow, April already? Sheesh. It seems like time really does fly. Ok, I shall say that in honor of the beautiful Springtime weather, April's Treat of the Month will be...Peanut Butterflies! Yes, they are so cute and adorable and Katie just loves peanut butter. Watch the drooling begin when you break these little treats out!
One pound for $10.00 and get a free variety bag bonus!
Friday, March 23, 2007
Spring time means party time at The Honeybark Bakery!
Yes! Spring has finally arrived and it's time for all the great birthday parties to be had. Yes, dog owners all over Long Island will be celebrating special occasions and I'm happily going to oblige by providing cake. Cake is definitely one of my favorite offerings at the bakery. I just love the creation of it. It's a chemical reaction making cake and then the actual icing and decorating to me allows me to bring out a little creativity in design for these fun and special occasions. I put a lot of love into these cakes. I just really am happy to provide a yummy and healthy cake that looks nice too.
So I have some new photos of the recent cake I did for Abbey, a little Yorkie on Long Island. It was a single layer birthday cake, decorated with treats and as you can see, it is cute. I really enjoyed the decorating part and I'm getting better with my writing though, I think I need to create a template of all my letters. My handwriting is nice but I change styles and with a cake, you have to have some semblance of consistency with the writing.
The icing is made with cream cheese, yogurt, honey, vanilla and cinnamon. The writing is a carob icing. The treats are minty kisses and mini chicken snaps.
Check out my website for more birthday options. I did do some treats for a dog out in California recently. Unfortunately, I still haven't figured out how to ship a cake safely from Long Island to anywhere else in the country without having it become a horrible gunky mess. I may try sending a cake out to CA to my friend and her new puppy but I haven't even got the beginning of a notion about how to do that. More to come when my brain figures it out. If you have any ideas or suggestions, send them to me at geri@honeybark.com
Thanks and have a great day!
Yes! Spring has finally arrived and it's time for all the great birthday parties to be had. Yes, dog owners all over Long Island will be celebrating special occasions and I'm happily going to oblige by providing cake. Cake is definitely one of my favorite offerings at the bakery. I just love the creation of it. It's a chemical reaction making cake and then the actual icing and decorating to me allows me to bring out a little creativity in design for these fun and special occasions. I put a lot of love into these cakes. I just really am happy to provide a yummy and healthy cake that looks nice too.
So I have some new photos of the recent cake I did for Abbey, a little Yorkie on Long Island. It was a single layer birthday cake, decorated with treats and as you can see, it is cute. I really enjoyed the decorating part and I'm getting better with my writing though, I think I need to create a template of all my letters. My handwriting is nice but I change styles and with a cake, you have to have some semblance of consistency with the writing.
The icing is made with cream cheese, yogurt, honey, vanilla and cinnamon. The writing is a carob icing. The treats are minty kisses and mini chicken snaps.
Check out my website for more birthday options. I did do some treats for a dog out in California recently. Unfortunately, I still haven't figured out how to ship a cake safely from Long Island to anywhere else in the country without having it become a horrible gunky mess. I may try sending a cake out to CA to my friend and her new puppy but I haven't even got the beginning of a notion about how to do that. More to come when my brain figures it out. If you have any ideas or suggestions, send them to me at geri@honeybark.com
Thanks and have a great day!
Wednesday, March 21, 2007
Ode to Peanut butter
Alright, I have a special place in my heart for this sticky substance. Baking cake with it is just a fun and fabulous treat for me. Got up early this morning to do a cake for a special dog, grated carrots, mixed up the magic goop that comprises The Honeybark Happy Barkday Cake and voila! It's done.
I wish everything in life could be so easy. For me, baking a cake is much akin to making music. I remember back in the day when I played the violin in the school orchestra. The combination of the cellos and the violins, the violas, the brass altogether was just quite beautiful when everyone knew their place in the music. It was magical to be in the midst of something that came together in such a way to evoke that flutter of happiness inside. I always felt so satisfied after a concert or a good rehearsal. I walked away feeling elated. Now, I mix the cake, bake it, walk away to do some other tasks and 'ding!' Upon opening the door to the oven, my cake is presented to me like a performer taking a bow after the curtains have been pulled aside. I applaud you little cakes. I applaud your aroma, texture, beauty and health benefits. You, little cake, are made from those wonderful ingredients that make you so powerful and yummy. But my reverie is disturbed only momentarily because my little taste tester is here. Uh oh...here comes Katie...and she's sniffing for cake...
Alright, I have a special place in my heart for this sticky substance. Baking cake with it is just a fun and fabulous treat for me. Got up early this morning to do a cake for a special dog, grated carrots, mixed up the magic goop that comprises The Honeybark Happy Barkday Cake and voila! It's done.
I wish everything in life could be so easy. For me, baking a cake is much akin to making music. I remember back in the day when I played the violin in the school orchestra. The combination of the cellos and the violins, the violas, the brass altogether was just quite beautiful when everyone knew their place in the music. It was magical to be in the midst of something that came together in such a way to evoke that flutter of happiness inside. I always felt so satisfied after a concert or a good rehearsal. I walked away feeling elated. Now, I mix the cake, bake it, walk away to do some other tasks and 'ding!' Upon opening the door to the oven, my cake is presented to me like a performer taking a bow after the curtains have been pulled aside. I applaud you little cakes. I applaud your aroma, texture, beauty and health benefits. You, little cake, are made from those wonderful ingredients that make you so powerful and yummy. But my reverie is disturbed only momentarily because my little taste tester is here. Uh oh...here comes Katie...and she's sniffing for cake...
Sunday, March 18, 2007
Sunday, March 11, 2007
TREAT OF THE MONTH!
March 2007
Ruffy Road O's
(Buy 2 dozen and get a free bag of mini treats)
In honor of Saint Patrick's Day, O'So Delicious and O'So good and a bonus too!
Check it out http://www.honeybark.com
March 2007
Ruffy Road O's
(Buy 2 dozen and get a free bag of mini treats)
In honor of Saint Patrick's Day, O'So Delicious and O'So good and a bonus too!
Check it out http://www.honeybark.com
Where have you gone?
My father has betrayed me. He stole my baking partner, my Kitchenaid mixer. He said it was only for a short time. He needed it to make his special meatballs. "It'll be right back," he said. He lied. It's really not very nice at all. Unfortunately, I cannot say ANYTHING to him because A. He gave me that mixer, and #2. It's his mixer to start out with and he technically loaned me the mixer and C. I love my dad, and I'm glad he has a hobby, cooking, which he does every once in a while, and OH yeah, his special meatballs are really, really good. Oh, but I digress. I'm mad at him because he gave me his industrial Kitchenaid, which is an "industrial mixer" that he had used when he had our store, long long ago. So this old jobby is an antique. It's still functional but it makes a really funky happy kind of humming when it mixes, unlike the newer one. This one definitely has a style of it's own but I like the WHITE one (now I'm getting whiney so I'll stop...).
This goes back to a long playful animosity I have for my father. Is that an oxymoron? My dad and I both like to cook. I think I acquired that gene from him. My mother, not so much a cook at all. She is more along the concept of "...and EVERYTHING tastes better if you didn't have to cook it!" So my father and I scold each other for stealing equipment from each other. "Where did the wisk go!" or "Did anyone see the BIG BOWL?!" We both know that it's either in one kitchen or the other so it's really just a matter of asking the other person but it's become a formal announcement of "inconsiderate behavior," to the rest of the household. Which consists of my mother, and Katie. Katie doesn't care but she pretends to listen to my father, he's the alpha and also a terrible spoiler of Katie as well.
Let's talk about loyalty now...
I have come to realize that being the O.P. (original purchaser) of Katie, I still have absolutely no allegiance from her except the fact that I also have the title of being the official T.M. (Treat Maker) or G.G (Goodie Giver) to her. My father is the A.D. (Alpha Dog) as well as P.F.G.G. (People Food Goodie Giver), which of course takes all precidence over the mere G.G., which is me. I hate saying it but, "What-ever..."
Bakery Hand
My father has betrayed me. He stole my baking partner, my Kitchenaid mixer. He said it was only for a short time. He needed it to make his special meatballs. "It'll be right back," he said. He lied. It's really not very nice at all. Unfortunately, I cannot say ANYTHING to him because A. He gave me that mixer, and #2. It's his mixer to start out with and he technically loaned me the mixer and C. I love my dad, and I'm glad he has a hobby, cooking, which he does every once in a while, and OH yeah, his special meatballs are really, really good. Oh, but I digress. I'm mad at him because he gave me his industrial Kitchenaid, which is an "industrial mixer" that he had used when he had our store, long long ago. So this old jobby is an antique. It's still functional but it makes a really funky happy kind of humming when it mixes, unlike the newer one. This one definitely has a style of it's own but I like the WHITE one (now I'm getting whiney so I'll stop...).
This goes back to a long playful animosity I have for my father. Is that an oxymoron? My dad and I both like to cook. I think I acquired that gene from him. My mother, not so much a cook at all. She is more along the concept of "...and EVERYTHING tastes better if you didn't have to cook it!" So my father and I scold each other for stealing equipment from each other. "Where did the wisk go!" or "Did anyone see the BIG BOWL?!" We both know that it's either in one kitchen or the other so it's really just a matter of asking the other person but it's become a formal announcement of "inconsiderate behavior," to the rest of the household. Which consists of my mother, and Katie. Katie doesn't care but she pretends to listen to my father, he's the alpha and also a terrible spoiler of Katie as well.
Let's talk about loyalty now...
I have come to realize that being the O.P. (original purchaser) of Katie, I still have absolutely no allegiance from her except the fact that I also have the title of being the official T.M. (Treat Maker) or G.G (Goodie Giver) to her. My father is the A.D. (Alpha Dog) as well as P.F.G.G. (People Food Goodie Giver), which of course takes all precidence over the mere G.G., which is me. I hate saying it but, "What-ever..."
Bakery Hand
I've got to do something about my hand. As you may not already know, each and every one of The Honeybark Bakery treats are rolled and hand cut by me. My beloved Kitchenaid mixer and I made a lot of treats today, three huge batches and then it happened again. My hand looks like it has been pummeled by a mallet or run over by a car. Yeah, it's bad. It is sore too. It's only my right hand. The left is fine. But that does me no good because I can't really do much with my left hand. I've tried to cut treats with my left hand but it takes longer, less coordinated, I don't know why. So my father wants to invent some device to help avoid "bakery hand" and increase my productivity. He has yet to produce this incredible device but I know it's on his "To Do" list that is a zillion miles long, like mine.
Bite me
Check this out. In Bangalore, the people are suffering from a serious crisis of dog bites. Apparently, they have a special dog catching team specifically to address this problem. Stray dogs are biting people and they don't have the rabies vaccine to give although they do have tetanus vaccines. According to Dr. Devaki, a member of the expert dog catching team, "We have overcome the crisis period now and the number of complaints have come down from 600 a day to 60 a day." Yowch...
Here's the article if you want to see it:
http://www.hindu.com/2007/03/10/stories/2007031024050500.htm
The Ultimate Poop Scoop?
England says that they are nowhere near the dog fanatics that Americans are however, they are quite fastidious in their ability to clean up after their pooches. Having a device called the ultimate poop scoop, the K92 (Get it? K9=dog and #2=poop, cute catchy name), among other things available at this event makes them really look like they are catching up with us. The testimonials page is something you should check out. It's really amazing how happy dog owners get when a device like this comes out. Truly, the only disgusting thing about having a dog is the poop. It's a natural bodily function but still...it's poop and really, nobody likes to deal with, nor think about it for very long. If anyone knows what a Dogue de Bordeaux is, you would definitely understand that comment about how that owner would be "lost" in poop without the ultimate pooper scooper. But wait, why will Lock Keepers, Bank Staff and Customer Service Operatives find this especially useful? That part needs some explaining to me.
Just take a look. It's hysterical.
http://www.thek92.com/testimonials.php
Here's the article about the event at Crufts:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/frontpage/story/0,,2030784,00.html#article_continue
Wednesday, February 21, 2007
Being thankful
I am so happy today. After going through a period of being really under the weather, (Whew!) I am all better now. I've been thinking about a few new treat ideas and shapes. As well, our new packaging will be coming out this Spring. It's all good stuff.
So excited to be working hard again and will be getting out to more dog events when the weather gets more temperate. Gotta love New York though...for all it's worth, our streets were neat and tidy, our walkways were cleared and today everything just looks like a really nice wintery day outside. It's not too cold and walking is perfect in this kinda New York day.
Today is the first day of Lent, February 21, 2007 starts Lent and it ends on April 5, Holy Thursday in the evening. I'm not a religious person in the sense that I do not go to church every Sunday, but I do have a special place in my heart reserved for these rituals that I believe are quite important in our everyday life. The very concept of Lent is what draws me to it. It is the discipline and self-sacrifice which brings about a greater awareness in general. It is a time for reflection. I like that. Take the time to reflect on yourself, your life, how you treat others and how you treat yourself. It's meditation and heightened awareness which we should practice each day. I also get to thinking about those dogs that need a home. See, it all comes together now...because I really was just looking at Katie today and thinking how lucky I am that she came into my life and how I wish that other dogs, shelter dogs, will be so lucky as to find a loving home and bring joy into the lives of their families. That is what I reflected on today.
I'm giving up ice cream for lent. Yikes. Can I do it? I think so...wish me luck!
I am so happy today. After going through a period of being really under the weather, (Whew!) I am all better now. I've been thinking about a few new treat ideas and shapes. As well, our new packaging will be coming out this Spring. It's all good stuff.
So excited to be working hard again and will be getting out to more dog events when the weather gets more temperate. Gotta love New York though...for all it's worth, our streets were neat and tidy, our walkways were cleared and today everything just looks like a really nice wintery day outside. It's not too cold and walking is perfect in this kinda New York day.
Today is the first day of Lent, February 21, 2007 starts Lent and it ends on April 5, Holy Thursday in the evening. I'm not a religious person in the sense that I do not go to church every Sunday, but I do have a special place in my heart reserved for these rituals that I believe are quite important in our everyday life. The very concept of Lent is what draws me to it. It is the discipline and self-sacrifice which brings about a greater awareness in general. It is a time for reflection. I like that. Take the time to reflect on yourself, your life, how you treat others and how you treat yourself. It's meditation and heightened awareness which we should practice each day. I also get to thinking about those dogs that need a home. See, it all comes together now...because I really was just looking at Katie today and thinking how lucky I am that she came into my life and how I wish that other dogs, shelter dogs, will be so lucky as to find a loving home and bring joy into the lives of their families. That is what I reflected on today.
I'm giving up ice cream for lent. Yikes. Can I do it? I think so...wish me luck!
Thursday, February 15, 2007
Prayers for Bob
Katie and I are both very sad to have learned that Boston Bob met an unfortunate end after what appears to have been electrocution. The article is here:
http://www.nydailynews.com/news/local/story/497690p-419529c.html
Con Ed is investigating the situation. As you may recall, last year a woman was electrocuted and died while walking her dogs on a city street. The dangers of walking the city streets are limitless...Seriously though, I've seen boots that perhaps could protect both you and your dog from electrocution. Rubber soles for your dog and for yourself, so fashionistas out there...just wear those ugly boots or a pair of Uggs with rubber soles and protect your pooch as well.
The sad story about Jodie Lane is here:
http://www.thevillager.com/villager_38/couldpolicehave.html
The salt that we spread to help melt the ice on our sidewalks and streets actually will conduct electricity better and therefore the exposed or corroded wires will pose an increased risk of electrocution for this reason.
Here is the safety information from Con Ed regarding "Street Safety"
http://www.coned.com/customercentral/streetsafety.asp
The hotline to call for any sort of dangerous electrical condition in NYC is:
1-800-75-CONED (1-800-752-6633)
I would put this number in my cellphone along with 911 emergency because you never know when you need to just hit it and get help.
Stay warm and safe.
Katie and I are both very sad to have learned that Boston Bob met an unfortunate end after what appears to have been electrocution. The article is here:
http://www.nydailynews.com/news/local/story/497690p-419529c.html
Con Ed is investigating the situation. As you may recall, last year a woman was electrocuted and died while walking her dogs on a city street. The dangers of walking the city streets are limitless...Seriously though, I've seen boots that perhaps could protect both you and your dog from electrocution. Rubber soles for your dog and for yourself, so fashionistas out there...just wear those ugly boots or a pair of Uggs with rubber soles and protect your pooch as well.
The sad story about Jodie Lane is here:
http://www.thevillager.com/villager_38/couldpolicehave.html
The salt that we spread to help melt the ice on our sidewalks and streets actually will conduct electricity better and therefore the exposed or corroded wires will pose an increased risk of electrocution for this reason.
Here is the safety information from Con Ed regarding "Street Safety"
http://www.coned.com/customercentral/streetsafety.asp
The hotline to call for any sort of dangerous electrical condition in NYC is:
1-800-75-CONED (1-800-752-6633)
I would put this number in my cellphone along with 911 emergency because you never know when you need to just hit it and get help.
Stay warm and safe.
Saturday, February 10, 2007
It's all about location
I just stumbled across this article today about locating devices on shoes. GPS for people. I've had this idea for a long time but well, as technology always does, it found it's way to a market.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070209/ap_on_hi_te/gps_sneaker
We have microchipping for dogs so why not microchip kids? They could have it removed when they are adults but we could consider this for safety considering the number of children who are abducted or attacked year after year. I'm not saying that we must know where our children are at all times but I do believe that this may be the answer to a problem that has long existed in a society that has enough knowledge to stop such heinous crimes against children.
As well, there are many of us who don't care who knows where we are and have no secrets to hide. Why not microchip yourself? Maybe this might hold up in court that perhaps someone was somewhere at sometime and not at a crime scene? Have you ever been somewhere remote, driving along thinking, "If I got stuck here...I'd have to walk miles to find help. Nobody would know where to find me..." That's a scary thought. But if you have a microchip that conveys a signal and let's "People Finder!" know where to find you, you have an emergency service that will save the day. Well sure, for you skeptics the thought is...well why not just put some locator on your car? Well no. Because then the car and you are two separate entities right? You walk to find help and poof, you're off the radar.
Ok, this is getting outta hand
I just got my copy of a little dog supply catalog, Doctors Foster and Smith and came across this little ditty, doggie slippers.
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?pcatid=15350&Ntt=dog%20slippers&Ntk=All&Ntx=mode+matchallpartial&Np=1&pc=1&N=0&Nty=1
I think there is cute and then there is "too cute." By "too cute" I don't mean, "Oh that itty bitty teensy weensy cutey pootie has adorable slippers on!" No. I mean, "That's just over the top man." Whoa. I mean, what are slippers for? Aren't they to keep your feet warm? Well, let's get this clear. Dogs have paws. They already have their slippers on. This is just a way to provoke laughter, embarassment or just make a dog look cute waddling along in his ducky slippers.
Oh boy.
Katie bit me today. It didn't break the skin or anything but she meant business. What happened? She's a great dog. Still is. I love her but this was weird. We were just sitting on her chair and I reached around her to scratch her chest, she normally lets me do this but today, she let out a growl and then whomp! She just closed her mouth on my right hand! Whoa. That was freaky. So I pulled my hand out and jumped up. She didn't bite to break skin but she definitely meant that she wanted to show me some dominance. That scared me a little so I did yell at her. I let her know who was boss. Then she looked sad and remorseful. Sheesh. Talk about a real Long Island dog. Well, then she followed me around with her tail between her legs and then wagging in little friendly wags. I don't know what that was about. I checked her for lumps or something that might cause her pain but nothing showed up. She might be mad at me because I yelled at her this morning because she was just barking and howling at the garbage men. My yelling is not yelling yelling though. It's just me being as stern as I can with her and telling her not to bark. I guess I gotta go consult The Dog Bible now...be back later with the info.
I just stumbled across this article today about locating devices on shoes. GPS for people. I've had this idea for a long time but well, as technology always does, it found it's way to a market.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070209/ap_on_hi_te/gps_sneaker
We have microchipping for dogs so why not microchip kids? They could have it removed when they are adults but we could consider this for safety considering the number of children who are abducted or attacked year after year. I'm not saying that we must know where our children are at all times but I do believe that this may be the answer to a problem that has long existed in a society that has enough knowledge to stop such heinous crimes against children.
As well, there are many of us who don't care who knows where we are and have no secrets to hide. Why not microchip yourself? Maybe this might hold up in court that perhaps someone was somewhere at sometime and not at a crime scene? Have you ever been somewhere remote, driving along thinking, "If I got stuck here...I'd have to walk miles to find help. Nobody would know where to find me..." That's a scary thought. But if you have a microchip that conveys a signal and let's "People Finder!" know where to find you, you have an emergency service that will save the day. Well sure, for you skeptics the thought is...well why not just put some locator on your car? Well no. Because then the car and you are two separate entities right? You walk to find help and poof, you're off the radar.
Ok, this is getting outta hand
I just got my copy of a little dog supply catalog, Doctors Foster and Smith and came across this little ditty, doggie slippers.
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?pcatid=15350&Ntt=dog%20slippers&Ntk=All&Ntx=mode+matchallpartial&Np=1&pc=1&N=0&Nty=1
I think there is cute and then there is "too cute." By "too cute" I don't mean, "Oh that itty bitty teensy weensy cutey pootie has adorable slippers on!" No. I mean, "That's just over the top man." Whoa. I mean, what are slippers for? Aren't they to keep your feet warm? Well, let's get this clear. Dogs have paws. They already have their slippers on. This is just a way to provoke laughter, embarassment or just make a dog look cute waddling along in his ducky slippers.
Oh boy.
Katie bit me today. It didn't break the skin or anything but she meant business. What happened? She's a great dog. Still is. I love her but this was weird. We were just sitting on her chair and I reached around her to scratch her chest, she normally lets me do this but today, she let out a growl and then whomp! She just closed her mouth on my right hand! Whoa. That was freaky. So I pulled my hand out and jumped up. She didn't bite to break skin but she definitely meant that she wanted to show me some dominance. That scared me a little so I did yell at her. I let her know who was boss. Then she looked sad and remorseful. Sheesh. Talk about a real Long Island dog. Well, then she followed me around with her tail between her legs and then wagging in little friendly wags. I don't know what that was about. I checked her for lumps or something that might cause her pain but nothing showed up. She might be mad at me because I yelled at her this morning because she was just barking and howling at the garbage men. My yelling is not yelling yelling though. It's just me being as stern as I can with her and telling her not to bark. I guess I gotta go consult The Dog Bible now...be back later with the info.
Friday, February 09, 2007
Mail Call!
I have to remind my wonderful customers to provide the correct shipping address when placing an order. I just had a terrible time trying to gets treats to one of my customers because she had supplied her home address and is virtually never at home.
All of my other customers have supplied a shipping address if different from the billing address by emailing me or calling. I love to hear from customers and I will oftentimes get emails just specifically to make sure the treats are going to a certain mailing address. Oh well...I've been an online buyer for years so I know exactly what must be done to make sure a package gets to me. I am therefore stressing that the MAILING ADDRESS be clearly stated on all orders.
I thank you...Katie thanks you and your dog will thank you when your treats arrive promptly and safely.
I have to remind my wonderful customers to provide the correct shipping address when placing an order. I just had a terrible time trying to gets treats to one of my customers because she had supplied her home address and is virtually never at home.
All of my other customers have supplied a shipping address if different from the billing address by emailing me or calling. I love to hear from customers and I will oftentimes get emails just specifically to make sure the treats are going to a certain mailing address. Oh well...I've been an online buyer for years so I know exactly what must be done to make sure a package gets to me. I am therefore stressing that the MAILING ADDRESS be clearly stated on all orders.
I thank you...Katie thanks you and your dog will thank you when your treats arrive promptly and safely.
Wednesday, February 07, 2007
It's been a while but I'm back!
Yes, the cold weather has got me back into the baking swing. It's been a slow couple of months despite the holidays. I guess people have been spending on themselves more than their dogs? How sad. But anyhow, I have been working on new recipes that should be ready for the Spring line up. Yay! Today was a beef treat kind of day and Katie really enjoyed it. My improved beef treat is crunchier and Katie loves it.
Funny way to incorporate a dog in a video
I just found this on You Tube as suggested by a funny guy...check this out.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KybdTGD6v3U&mode=related&search=
I think the dog is a Sheltie...actually from the speed and the cuteness factor, I'm certain that the dog is a Sheltie. I loved this. Laughed so hard.
Yes, the cold weather has got me back into the baking swing. It's been a slow couple of months despite the holidays. I guess people have been spending on themselves more than their dogs? How sad. But anyhow, I have been working on new recipes that should be ready for the Spring line up. Yay! Today was a beef treat kind of day and Katie really enjoyed it. My improved beef treat is crunchier and Katie loves it.
Funny way to incorporate a dog in a video
I just found this on You Tube as suggested by a funny guy...check this out.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KybdTGD6v3U&mode=related&search=
I think the dog is a Sheltie...actually from the speed and the cuteness factor, I'm certain that the dog is a Sheltie. I loved this. Laughed so hard.
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