Fadedwords

Saturday I took photos for my friend Bre, who is expecting her second baby in April.  We had a lot of fun and a lot of laughs, and I got to practice this type of photography one more time:

I can’t post a link to that one, as the gallery is password protected and I only asked Bre if I could use the photos in a portfolio.  I can say that I am incredibly proud of how all of the photos turned out.

After I finished at Bre’s, I went to a barrel show that was hosted at the barn I ride at.  It was my first time photographing any sort of equestrian event, and when I got home I was so proud of the images I had captured.  I used all manual settings, and did no post processing other than cropping.

You can see all the photos from this HERE.  I was really upset yesterday because I got to the farm and realized that my memory card was still in my laptop at the house.  I had to leave, go to CVS, and get a new one.  I ended up missing Elizabeth, my instructor, riding.

Then today there was a second day of barrel showing at the farm.  Today I managed to remember everything I needed, and saw Elizabeth ride Missy!

You can see all the photos from today HERE.

I’m really proud of how the barrel show pictures turned out.  I did a lot of research about what settings I would need to use, because I knew I couldn’t just put it on an automatic mode and get crisp pictures.  I really think I did well at achieving crisp, clear images of something that is very hard to capture.  A good barrel horse can get ’round in 15-18 seconds, so you can imagine what that means for snapping a clear photo!

One day, maybe, I will be able to work events like this and get paid a little bit.  At least that’s the goal, once I’ve practiced and feel comfortable.

My parents have supported me at every turn in my life.  They helped me pay for college, which is something I am thankful for every single second of every day.  I would not have been able to go to school without their help.  When I wanted to go to a private college, a small school that was 3 hours from home simply because they had an amazing equestrian program… they helped make it happen.  I went there and always understood that my grades needed to be Bs or better, or if it was a math class I could squeak by with a C.  I understood that my parents were putting up financial resources for me to be at that school, and that quitting was not an option.  When I went to graduate school I made sure that I found a job that would pay 80% of my tuition.  My parents had already done enough.

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How much do I charge someone who wants me to bake about 10 dozen buckeyes, 10 dozen cake balls, and 10 dozen sugar cookies with royal icing for their son’s wedding?

I’ve never baked for someone like that, and I’m unsure what would even be a fair price to give someone.

*edit*

In my research so far, I’ve found that most places charge about .50 cents each for buckeyes.  It’s about the same for cake balls.  Cookies go anywhere from .75 cents to $1.50.  That would put the cost $180-$210.  I’m not sure if I should factor in the time it will take to do all of this into the cost.  Hrm.

I got invited to dinner at my friends’ house last night and wanted to make something to bring with me.  I was searching for something Valentine-y and found Bakerella’s website.  Perhaps I should’ve been on to this wonderful blog prior to now considering my love of baking.  She has very creative and beautiful ideas.  I will say that my baked goods taste great, but I’ve never made anything as pretty as she has!  In any case I decided to try to make red velvet cake balls.

Red Velvet Cake Balls
1 box red velvet cake mix (cook as directed on box for 13 X 9 cake)
1 can cream cheese frosting (16 oz.)
1 package chocolate bark (regular or white chocolate)
wax paper

1. After cake is cooked and cooled completely, crumble into large bowl.  (pretend there is a picture of this!)

2. Mix thoroughly with 1 can cream cheese frosting. (I used my kitchenaid stand mixer for this, but you could use your fingers.  It’s very messy… this is the bowl after I’d made quite a few balls).

3. Roll mixture into quarter size balls and lay on cookie sheet. (Should make 45-50. You can get even more if you use a mini ice cream scooper, but I rolled mine by hand.)

4. Chill for several hours. (You can speed this up by putting in the freezer.)  **Truly adhere to this.  If they are not fully set they will fall apart in the chocolate.

5. Melt chocolate in microwave per directions on package.

6. Roll balls in chocolate and lay on wax paper until firm. (Use a spoon to dip and roll in chocolate and then tap off extra.)

I do not like the toothpick holes in mine, and will have to come up with a better dipping system next time, or turn them in to lollipops.

I also made buckeyes!

1lb peanut butter
1 and 1/2 pound confectioner sugar
1 and a 1/2 teaspoons of milk
2 sticks butter (Softened)
1 bag chocolate chips
1 tablespoon shortening

1. Cream together peanut butter and butter until smooth.
2. Add milk and confectioner sugar.  Mix until fully combined.  (consistency should be like play dough)
3. Roll into balls (whatever size you like), and insert toothpicks.
4. Melt chocolate and shortening together either in a double boiler or in the microwave.
5.  Dip balls in chocolate, leaving about 1/3 uncovered.
6. Let set in refrigerator.

It took me 3 different recipes to find one that actually came out right with these.  Everyone who has had them has loved them.  I’ve even been hired to make them for a friend’s son’s wedding!

Today would have been my 4 year anniversary.

Instead, it’s just a reminder now of how screwed up everything is.

Happy Valentine’s Day.