Apparently Excess Is Bad For You *Giveaway!*

BLAH.

BLERG.

GAAAAH.

Oregon Trail

You know what I'm sayin'?

Although my current state of feeling unda-da-wed-da *achoo!* could be contributed to my seasonal allergies and the fact that every morning a new layer of pollen, thicker and heavier than before, is brought down from the heavens laid gently devastatingly upon everything, I'm going to say it's a sugar sickness.

I've caught the sugar sickness.  Rest here and go hunting.  Caulk the wagon and ford the river.  It's a snakebite.

What I'm trying to say is, Cake Week might be killing me.  Make no mistake, I go happily, but I go nevertheless.  The icecream cake was made, *NOT* photographed, and then eaten appreciatively.  Sorry 'bout the photo part, I think the sugar sickness was starting to set in around that time.  Then the Lemon Pound Cake was made.  And photographed in really bad lighting.  And also eaten appreciatively by all in my office.  But you're going to have to take my word for it; I don't have the gumption or the moxie to do anything near ambitious as editing/posting pictures.  With sugar sickness, moxie and gumption are among the first to go.  Followed quickly by the desire to move. at. all.  

I'm assuming you forgive me, in light of my limited time remaining in this mortal coil.  

In case you don't forgive me right away, let me bribe you.  You're okay with that, right?  Up for grabs to you peeps, in honor of Cake Week 2012, (and possibly in honor of my untimely demise) we're giving anyone who has ever eaten cake the opportunity to own a piece of Cake Week 2012 memorabilia. 

That's right, I said "we".  Because Sharon from b.haven is back, and better than ever.  Whereas my gumption and moxie have fled, Sharon seems to have both in spades.  I swear, there's new stuff in her shop every time I look.  The worst part is, it's always cuter and cuter!

So here's the deal.  You enter to win, between now and Saturday, 4/14/12 @ 11:59, the official end of Cake Week 2012.  I draw a random number, and that person wins.  They win big.  They win a set of these darling things:

Here's how you get entries:

• Check out b.haven's shop, and tell me your favorite item, One Entry
• "Like" b.haven on facebook, One Entry
• Check out little Ms. b.haven's blog, and leave her a comment! One Entry
• Share this giveaway in some way (twitter, facebook, smoke signal, telegram...) One Entry

That's it.  You might say, it's a piece of cake.  You might say that.  Or I might have hydrophobie, on top of my sugar sickness.  It's really hard to tell.  Just pay for the Ferry, it's worth it every time.

Shoulda stayed in Jefferson City,

TFW

Two For One: Lemon Cake & American Cheese

(psst... I've posed a secret challenge to myself.  You're the witness.  Here goes!)

So, remember a while ago when I read about the Better World Shopping Guide?  Maybe you don't.  Brief recap, it's a book that lists the best and worst companies in terms of environmental sustainability, human rights, community involvement, animal protection, and social justice.  The good guys and the bad guys of the retail world.

Well, the big boys with the blue box were not listed favorably.  In fact, they come out as quite the villain.  This is a problem for me, as I lovelovelove cheese & cheese product.  Like, love it.

Bird Cake/Bird Brain

Hey kids.  

Baking in progress

How you doing?

Nah, How Yoo Doin??

I hope you're doing well.  I'm pretty sure I'm doing well, but I'm in the middle of a sugar coma right now, and there's not much that I'm certain of at this point.  Example: I spelled "of" wrong, three different ways. You might not think it possible, but I found a way.  It's my own fault.  Since breaking the sweets fast at 1AM on Easter Sunday with a slice (or two) of Grapefruit Cheesecake, I've had

• 2 more slices of cheesecake
• 1 doughnut
• 2 1/2 cinnamon rolls
• 1 jelly bean
• 2 York Peppermint patties
• 1 heaping helping of chocolate cake
• thin mint icecream
• 2 chocolate bars
• 8 left-in-the-freezer-for-a-month chewy chocolate meringues

And that was just  yesterday.  I'm eating carrots right now, trying to find some sort of balance.  It's not working.  

Today, I bring you the Bird Cake (adapted from blissfully domestic), of which I've had a few nibbles, on top of my morning cinnamon roll and smoothie.  

I'm going to try and do a food-bloggy thing, where you get some pictures, and a nice recipe to follow at the bottom.   I don't know if it will work, I'm not really sure of what I'm doing.  But by golly, it's Cake Week, and I'm going to give it my best shot!

The Players:

Laying everything out, measured and ready, is called Mis en Place.
The pro's do it, because they're cool like that.
I do it so I only have to think at the beginning of the recipe.

Cake Week Voting Day 6 - The Finalists WINNER

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The Winning Cake: Rainbow Cake

submitted by: Hannah

***

Winning Voter from Day 6: 

 

Congrats JB!  You've put in good work all week, and it finally paid off!

(psst... send me your address so we can get the awesome prize pack from Delicate Fortress Creations sent to you!)

**************

And that, ladies & gents, is how the voting ends.  Next week, I'll be baking and baking,  giving away some more of these super cute towels from  Sharon from b.Haven 

On Sunday, I'll be making a cake of my choosing, which I'll tell you all about as soon as I decide on it!  Then the rest of the week is as follows:

Cake Week Voting Day 6: The Finalists

Now, there's no actual "finalists" as there is no narrowing down of your choices.  All the previous cakes that you've chosen will be made during the following week.  But, I thought it added a little sumthin'sumthin to the whole todo.

Our Sponsor today needs very little introduction.  I'll give you an exerpt from their blog, as I think it says a lot about who they are and what they're all about:

We believe women shouldn’t be forced to relinquish or sell their children or themselves in order to allow for their survival.  

We believe in culturally appropriate opportunity, investment and advocacy.

We bet you do too.

So we bring you shopping with purpose.  Each item you find in our store provides dignity, livelihood and fair wages to female artisans all over the world.  We’re fighting for women and their children.  Come fight with us.

Uh, chya!  Isn't that just an awesome mission statement?   It makes you feel like, by buying from their store, you're engaging in a battle!  I love to engage in battle!  Especially on behalf of those who need some extra help.  So today, from Delicate Fortress Creations, we bring you the following prize pack:

It's a food-themed gift pack, just for us!
Citrus Zest & Cucumber Melon handmade soaps from Pure Eden, a Chicago IL group helping women in situations of domestic violence, addictive tendencies, and poverty.
Lip Smoothie lipbalm created by the artisans of Thistle Farms, fighting human trafficking, exploitation, and helping women with addictions in Nashville, TN
White Chocolate Soy Candle from the ladies of Pure Eden
Simple Jute Shopping Tote created by the artisans at Freeset, fighting human trafficking in India.

Better view of the shopping Tote
(flower not included, but I could make you one if you want!)

Now you want to win bad, don't you?  And not just for you!  No, you want to win in support of ladies everywhere.  Well, here's how you can do that, and spread the word about Delicate Fortress Creations!

• Leave a comment telling me which of our Finalists you're voting for - One Vote
• Check out Delicate Fortress's Shop, and tell me your favorite item - One Vote
• Pin your favorite item from Delicate Fortress's Shop, and tell me you did so - One Vote
• "Like" Delicate Fortress on Facebook or Twitter and leave a comment here telling me you did so - One Vote (each)
• Check out Delicate Fortress's Blog, and leave a comment there, then leave a comment here telling me you left a comment there... :)  One Vote
• Share this giveaway on Facebook or Twitter (#CakeWeek2012) and leave a comment telling me you did so - One Vote

And now, for the last time in the public eye, our Finalists!

Cake Week Voting Day 5: The Indulgences WINNER

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The Winning Cake: Caramel Fudge Brownie Cheesecake

submitted by: Dawna

***

Winning Voter from Day 5: 

Congratulations to Malisa from her website by the same name!

(psst - Hey Malisa, send me a message, I need your address to ship you the gift certificate from Garnish!)

**************

And now, we move on to the final round of Cake week voting.

*cue music*

Melodramatic as an artform,

TFW

Cake Week Voting Day 5: The Indulgences

I'm going to be honest here.  I'm a *wee* bit tired of writing the same type of post every day.  I'm a *wee* bit tired of focusing on nothing but pictures of cakes I'm not eating.  I'm a *wee* bit tired of trying to convince people that voting is cool and everybody's doing it.  Just a *wee* bit.

But pushing through when fatigue starts to set in, that's where character is forged.  That's what separates the mice from the men and the men from the boys.  And I'm all about that.

I'm giving myself a reward today.  If I can't eat the cakes, at least I can look at some pieces of the most indulgent cakes EVA.  They're so rich, so "heavy", so ... indulgent, that you would tell me "Oh, trust me, just take a small piece, it's a lot of cake" and then I'd simultaneously disgust and impress you as I proceeded to eat 1/3 of the entire cake in one sitting.  Have no doubt about it, I'm a champ.

I'm also in love with celebrating things.  I hold to a firm belief that everyone should have a birthday cake.  Or a birthday pot roast, depending on your persuasion.  But a birthday treat, and often cake. I'll make a cake pretty much for any occasion, because cakes make things feel special.  

Our sponsor today believes in making the everyday special, too!  Be it a picnic at the park, a barbeque with friends, or even just a packed lunch, our sponsor Garnish believes that it's the little touches that make each moment shine!

In honor of today's decadent indulgences, Garnish is providing one lucky reader with a $25-dolla gift certificate to their store!  I was going to pick the prize for you, but then I realized that it's all in what you want to celebrate!  Do you need some sweet straws for your party drinks?   Garnish has got that!

Do you have a new neighbor that just moved in, or a friend who could use a surprise?   Garnish has everything you need to leave them a basket of goodies, with no clean-up or give-me-back-my-casserole-dish-argument required!

Would you like to buy one of everything?  You can do that too, since Garnish sells their items in individual increments, so you don't get stuck buying 1600 8-inch skewers when you only needed 125.  Hypothetically, of course, don't look at the box on top of my refrigerator.  Personally, I think I'd get some big 'ole gable boxes, and other containers to hand out some of this cake I'm going to be making next week.  Not all of it, but some.

Here's how you can be entered to win, and heaven knows, you want to win this!

• Leave a comment telling me which cake you're voting for.  Leave your name too, just for kicks.  One Vote
• Visit Garnish's website, and come back and tell me what you're going to use your gift card on!  One Vote
• "Like" Garnish on Facebook, then leave a comment here telling me you did it.  One Vote
• "Follow" Garnish on Twitter, then leave a comment here telling me you did it.  One Vote
• "Follow" Garnish on Pinterest, and/or pin one of their items, then leave a comment here telling me you did it.  One Vote Each.
• Share this giveaway on twitter (#CakeWeek2012) or facebook, and link back to this site.  Leave a comment telling me you did it.  One Vote

Can't you just see yourself giving someone a nice slice of cake in one of their boxes, with a little bit of twine tied 'round?  And speaking of cake...

Cake Week Voting Day 4: Cakes formerly known as Cupcakes WINNER

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The Winning Cake: Lemon Cake w/Raspberry Buttercream

submitted by: Achieng

***

Winning Voter from Day 4: 

Congratulations to Tanya from FreeIsALark!

(psst - Hey Tanya, send me a message, I need your address to ship you the great prizes from Crafty Maiden and The Coin Laundry!)

**************

On to the next round! 

Cake on the brain,

TFW

Cake Week Voting Day 4: The Cakes formerly known as Cupcakes

Hehe... you get it?  You know, like

The artist formerly known as Prince?  Except I think he's back to being Prince now.  Someone tell me, this question will stay with me all day!

Makes me chuckle sometimes, these early morning jokes I have with myself...

But now for serious stuff, today is day four of...  *doo-doo-dah-doooo!*

And yes, our Cake contestants are all formerly known as Cupcakes. But we've also got some great sponsors, formerly known as... well, as great sponsors!  Let's hear what our readers can win, Johnny!

First up, we've got an artist formerly known as my creative sister, CraftyMaiden13!  

Specializing in mixed media and home decor, Crafty Maiden has got it going on over at her shop!  The things she does with crayons, I swear, it's like magic.  Her current favorite medium is BUTTONS, and in honor of that love, she is gifting us with this absolutely adorable Tea Tray!

Our second sponsor is the generous Jen from The Coin Laundry!

Gen Jen, as I like to call her just made up now, specializes in hand-done silk screened baby clothes and housewares.  Her inks & solvents are earth friendly, so you can love all of these awesome products with a clear conscious!  She is offering up today, for one lucky reader, this great kitchen-themed Tea Towel!

Jen also wanted me to tell you "You're Welcome" for getting that song stuck in your head.  So, You're Welcome.

To be the lucky winner of these two prizes (yes, that's right, you win BOTH of them!), you've got to enter.  And here's how you enter today:

• Leave a comment here telling me your favorite cake from today's contestants.  Your name would also be helpful. - One Vote
• Like The Crafty Maiden and The Coin Laundry on Facebook through their shops.  Leave a comment telling me you did so - One Vote Each
• Pin your favorite item from  The Coin Laundry and  The Crafty Maiden.  Leave a comment telling me you did so, and what it was - One Vote Each
• Facebook/Tweet about this giveaway, using #CakeWeek2012 and linking back to this post - Leave a comment telling me you did so, and I'll give you Two Votes

Now, I know what you're thinking.  "That's a lot of votes!"  And you're right.  But I'm a giver like that.  Plus, with these delicious looking cakes formerly known as cupcakes awaiting you just below, you're going to need all the votes you can get.  Feel free to split votes between different contenders, if you just can't decide!

And now, for your voting pleasure, the Cakes-formerly-known-as-CupCakes

Cake Week Voting Day 3: A Smattering WINNER

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The Winning Cake: Mocha Icecream Cake

submitted by: Jonah

***

Winning Voter from Day 3: 

 

Congratulations to Miss Hannah!

(psst - Hey Hannah, send me a message, I need your address to ship you the delicious Toffee from  Annie Bellum's Toffee Shop!)

**************

Now, if you didn't win, and that makes you all sad-faced and whatnot, 

I'm almost sad with you.

ALMOST.

But not quite.

Because...

CAKE WEEK VOTING ISN'T OVER!

There's more to win today!  

Winners all around!

TFW

Cake Week Voting Day 3: A Smattering

If you want to see yesterday's winner, click here!

Things are reaching a breaking point, over here.  I'm seriously wondering whose idea this all was.  I mean, for a girl who has vowed not to eat sweets, to be the official over-seer of Cake Week 2012...  I'd like to punch that person right in the mouth.

Please excuse me while I go try and punch myself in the mouth.  

(Don't fear for my safety, I'm a wimp when it comes to inflicting pain on myself.  It'll probably be just a love tap.)

...

Okay, I'm back.  And in addition to doing nothing productive, that shot to the kisser seems to have loosened some screws.  As a result, today's contestants have nothing in common with each other.  I hope that's okay.  I hope you can bear the randomness.  I mean, if you can't, just go ahead and leave, move on.  And believe me, it's not like I'm going to make up fake names and enter to win 27 times today, and then get today's prize and eat it all by myself.  No, it's nothing like that.  Trust me.  Just move along.  Nothing to see here...

Still there?  

Then I guess I'd better share with you the wonderfully fantastic sponsor we've got today, seeing as how I promised you all that I'd do so!

Our lovely grand prize is gifted to us today by none other than the Mr. Bill F out of Spokane, Washington!  Really, I feel like he's a movie star, being from Spokane and all.  But whether he's made his appearances on the big screen or not, he has done something that will impact your life today - Mr. Bill has made some D-E-Licious Toffee from Annie Bellum's Gourmet Southern Style Toffee that he'd like you to have!

Bill and his lovely wife are originally from the South, which definitely makes me love their confections even more!  I'm a firm believer that everything thing in the South is sweeter (the tea, the pies, the girls, you know!), and so their toffee must be AH-mazing.  See for yourself!

Are you drooling?
Because I'm drooling.
And you know how I don't like to drool alone.

Mr. F from Spokane has offered, to our lovely winner of Day 3, a POUND of either (winner's choice) Dark, Milk, or White Chocolate toffee!  Wouldn't that be a treat, to just have this sweet, crunchy, creamy toffee just show up at your doorstep?  (I'm going to go dream a little dream of that happening to me right now...)

Here's how your Toffee Dream can come true:

• Leave a comment on here telling me the cake you wish to vote for, and your name - One Vote
• Leave a comment on here telling me your dream toffee package from Annie Bellum's Toffee Shop - One Vote
• Comment on FB about today's giveaway, and include the link to Annie Bellum's Toffee Shop in your comment - One Vote (leave a comment telling me you did it!)
• Pin your favorite item from   Annie Bellum's Toffee Shop and tell me (in a comment) that you did it!  - One Vote
• Tweet about this giveaway, using #CakeWeek2012 and include a link to Annie Bellum's Toffe Shop - One Vote (leave a comment telling me you did it!)            [Example: "Awesome #CakeWeek2012 voting going on today at http://theefirewife.blogspot.com/2012/04/cake-week-voting-day-3-smattering.html!   I might win some toffee from  http://www.etsy.com/shop/AnnieBellumsToffee ! #Giveaway"]

And that's it!  It's Easy Peasy!  If you have questions, hit me up on FaceBook and ask away!

And now, without futher ado or personal injury, I have for you some lovely Cake Contestants!

Cake Week Voting Day 2: Fruit Is Good For You WINNER

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The Winning Cake: Lemon Layer Cake

submitted by: Dawna

***

Winning Voter from Day 2: 

 

Congratulations to Abby-Darling!

(psst - Hey Abby, send me a message, I need your address to ship you the great stuff you won from Krazy Lady Candles and Ktaadn!)

**************

Let's get our Cake On!

TFW

Cake Week Voting Day 2 - Fruit is Good For You

To see the winner from yesterday's voting, click here.

If you want to be a winner today, let's continue!

Yesterday, there was a lot of chocolate.  Like, keyboards everywhere are going in for repairs due to the excessive amount of drooling people did, lot of chocolate.  Today, while there is no chocolate, you are not safe from drooling.

But before we unveil our second set of cake contestants, let me once again introduce our sponsors!  We've got a team of two who are making today's prizes possible!  First up, we have Ms. Foshay, from Krazy Lady Candles out of Alberta, Canada!

Ms. Foshay specializes in soy candles and melt-able tarts that smell like you'd want to eat them!  For her, candle making is an art, and she loves to share her art with you!

Our second sponsor is a O & R from ktaadn, fresh out of Maine!  A background in graphic design leads these two to create fabulous kitchen & household linens, printed in their living room!

Now, you may be wondering what these two companies have in common.  I'll tell you, as I know you hate suspense: they both make AWESOME stuff.  And, above that, they both make pink things!  Today's giveaway is strawberry-themed, in honor of our lovely fruited contestants!  From Krazy Lady Candles, we have her makes-you-hungry-it-smells-so-good Strawberry Cheesecake Candle!

It's in a mason jar.
Makes me love it even more!

And from Ktaadn, to perfectly complement the lovely candle, is a set of linen tea towels.  They say they're so bright, they're almost dayglo (eek!!).

I love these.
I want these.
Can I win, please?

Now, for our final bit of information before the talent portion of our show, here's how you can enter to win today!  The ballot box didn't seem to work too well, so today we're all comments, all the time!  You can tell me which you've done in one comment, or several, either way counts.

• In a comment, tell me the cake you wish to vote for, and your name.  Easy-Peezy Lemon Squeezy!  One Vote
• In a comment, tell me your favorite item from Krazy Lady Candles, the scent you'd love to smell! - One Vote
• In a comment, tell me your favorite item from Ktaadn, the towels you'd love to have to complement the pink ones you wish to win! - One Vote
• In a comment, tell me that you "Like" Krazy Lady Candles on Facebook - One Vote
• In a comment, tell me that you "Like" Ktaadn on Facebook - One Vote
• In a comment, tell me that you Tweeted/Facebooked about this giveaway, using #CakeWeek2012 and linking back to this post - One Vote

And now, the talent.

Cake Week Voting: Day 1 - The Chocolates

Hello world.

It's time.

Time for the Pre-Cake Week VOTING to begin!

Today, our lovely contestants are all brought together by a common bond - chocolate.  We have no fewer than seven, count 'em SEVEN chocolate cakes that are all vying for your vote!  Some are light and fluffy, some are a *bit* heavier, but trust me, they have a great personality.  We've opted not to publish the swimsuit competition photos this year, but did give each contestant the opportunity to describe themselves in 5 words or less.  Unfortunately, they all picked only one: Chocolatey.  All are worthy, but only one can win.

Before we get to know the gals, I want to introduce today's sponsor, the perfect sponsor to kick off all things sweet, Have It Sweet Confections out of Los Angeles, California.  That's right, they're totally West-Coast-Cool.

Crafting fine artisan confections, this husband/wife/daughter team makes everything by hand, in small batches, to be sure they're bringing you the very best!  And although it was difficult to choose, we settled on the following gifts for one lucky voter today!

A half-batch of their amazing and fluffy Marshmallows!

And, because you're worth it, Fleur de Sel Caramel Bars!

Now that I've got your attention, here's how you can enter to win!  Every reader gets one vote, just for stopping by! Up at the top at the poll, pick the cake you like best, vote, and then leave a comment saying you voted!  There are a few other ways to win... four to be exact

•  Check-out Have It Sweet's shop, and then leave a comment telling me your favorite item - then Vote again in a comment!
• Pin an item from Have It Sweet's shop, and then Vote again in a comment!
• Like/Tweet from Have It Sweet's shop, and... you guessed it, Vote again in a comment!
• Tweet/Facebook about this giveaway, using #CakeWeek2012 and linking back to this post, and then, Vote again in a comment!

Feel free to vote on your cake, if it's featured today, or to spread the love & share the sugar!  The Poll is below this post.  If it doesn't allow you to vote multiple times, just leave a comment with your name & the cake you want to vote for!

And now, the lovely ladies in their evening dresses!

Cake Week 2012: An Interview

Hello Everyone!  This is Mariah Stephanolikus reporting from Thee FireWife's house!  I'm here today to interview TFW and get the skinny (or not-so-skinny) on Cake Week 2012 - How to enter, how to vote, and more importantly for our readers out there, How To WIN!

************************   

M: 'Morning TFW, that's some pretty ... uh, interesting hair you're sporting there.
TFW: Thanks M, I haven't combed it in two days.

M:  Before we get too far into your daily hygiene or lack-therof, let's steer this conversation towards Cake Week 2012.  What is it?  Why are we doing Cake Week 2012?
TFW:  The answer to that is twofold.  First, the goal of Cake Week 2012 is to celebrate life with cakes.  All sorts of cakes.  Because I gave up sweets for Lent, and I love sweets, Cake Week 2012 gives me something to look forward to!  Second, Cake Week is an online community event, where readers get to share their favorite cakes, vote on those cakes, and then see them made in a real, everyday kitchen.  The cakes will be photographed, eaten, reviewed, and most importantly, prizes will be awarded!

M:  Okay TFW, your readers want to know about Cake Week 2012.  It seems that your instruction on how to enter were a little unclear.  Can you help us with that?
TFW: Sure!

If you want to enter a cake into the Cake Week  Celebration, you can do one of three things:

1. Leave a comment on the post HERE telling me about the cake you want to submit. 
2. Leave a comment on TFW's new Facebook Page HERE 
3. Pin a pretty little pin of your favorite cake and mention me (@theefirewife) in the comments!  

M:  That sounds like an easy way to enter!
TFW:  The point isn't to make it hard.  And the best part is, you can add as many cakes as you want.  One reader has submitted 7 cakes so far!  Thats more than enough to win every day, if she's lucky!

Filthy With 'Em

This place

is filthy

with dogwoods

It's seriously becoming a problem here.  They catch my eye, my nose, lift my spirits to unbearable high places.  It is impossible to sit inside, in a bad mood, and see/smell these everywhere.  So if you've had enough of your funk, if you want to get rid of those doldrums, find a place (like here) that is just filthy with blooming dogwoods, and wave goodbye to you attitude.

Linking with WFMW

Dogwoods work for me!
and Tasty Tuesdays

And if those, by some stroke of misfortune, aren't enough to lift you out of the muck, let's think about cake.  Cake Week 2012 is nearly upon us.  We still need some more cake submissions on which to vote!  So here's how you can join in the festivities:

• If you have a blog, feel free to grab a button from over yonder ---> and share the sugar.
• If you have ever liked a cake, even just the look of it, leave a comment about such a cake HERE.
• If you are interested in baking along with me, come Cake Week, let me know.
• If you are interested in becoming a sponsor for Cake Week's giveaways, let me know.

Some sponsors that are already nailed down include Garnish, Have It Sweet, and Delicate Fortress Creations, just to tease you with possibilities.  Every cake that gets submitted has a chance to win!  Current entries are available to be seen HERE.

NOTE:  You do not have to have made the cake you submit.  All you have to do is think, "Gee, I really like this cake" or "Wow, that looks yummy!" or "This cake tastes awesome!".  That's it.  Then post a picture/description/link/recipe in the comments HERE.  

That's all for today's Cake Week push.  I just want you to have your cake & eat it too, is all.  Now get out doors and find some dogwoods to smell!  Spring has chosen to kiss this earth, and it's time we kiss back!  (Honestly, I don't even know what that last sentence means, I just got carried away with the perfume of dogwood blossoms in the air... it's slightly intoxicating.)

Drunk on Spring,

TFW

Cake Week 2012: Rules, Regulations & Submissions

First, and I tell you something?  Can I tell you that I wish we were all going to be together during Cake Week 2012?  Because (a) it's no not as much fun to eat cake by yourself in a dark room, and (b) I think we'd have a good time.  I'm just sayin'.

Can I tell you something else?  I think my brain is broken.  Or at least having a lapse.  While I was gathering recipes for the Cake Week Contestants today, I was ... well, I was doing this:

Writing a bit about the photo, inserting the photo into the blog draft, and then copy & pasting the link underneath.  In a word, pinning.  But here's the kicker, without using pinterest.  Because of trying not to?  Nope.  Because of an inability to get on pinterest?  No, I was pinning other recipes At. The. Same. Time.  Because it was just a quick thing?  Also not it, I copy/pasted over 25 cakes.  Because my brain didn't feel like being a full contributor?  Bingo, nailed it.

Without futher ado, before my brain decides that it's 5 o'clock somewhere, here's the skinny on Cake Week 2012:

• 6 of the Cakes will be chosen BY YOU.
• I choose the 7th cake.  Because I can.
• I'll make one cake each day, photograph, review, and thoroughly enjoy it.
• I'll probably share it with people too.  Neighbors, co-workers, bus drivers, whoever needs some sugar-coated love.
• There will be numerous (small) giveaways.  Just to make it fun.  More to come on this.  Just, trust me.  You want to be a winner.
• Cheesecakes can come too.

One of the ways for you to be a winner, right off the bat, is to have one of your cake ideas selected by your peers.  That can only happen if you submit a favorite cake in the comments on this post.  You can submit as many cakes as you like.  Be sure, however, to include a recipe, photograph (you can email me and I can post it, if that is helpful), a pin, or a link.  Something that can connect me to your cake.