Red Velvet Cake Balls

Last week I tried my hand at cake balls for the very first time. As Kabir was moved to a new room in his daycare, I wanted to do something for his old room teachers as my way of saying THANKS. I don't have enough words to express how grateful I am for all the teachers at his daycare. I just love them. 

I got the idea of making cake balls from Bakerella. The recipe asked to use the red velvet cake box mix, which I did. Normally, I would have used my favourite recipe for making Red Velvet cake, which can be found here, but this time, I really wanted to try a box mix. What actually prompted me to use it, was a comment on pinchmysalt.com that box mixes are as good, which I knew was not true, but still wanted to try it out. So, the cake balls were serving two purpose.

I got the Duncan Hine's cake mix, and followed the instructions on the box. When I tasted the cake, I knew my hours spent in making cakes from scratch, were not wasted. It tasted like any yellow cake, and had no flavor of red velvet cake. Next time, I will be using my favourite recipe without any hesitation. Cake balls tasted very good though, as once the cream cheese frosting was added, the mixture did not taste that bad. And the chocolate dipping made it taste like heaven. After giving it to the two teachers, I had plenty left at home. So, I took a few to my office and they were all gone by lunch.  Kabir and I ate the rest :-)

I can't wait to try these balls again with my favourite recipe for cake.

Cupcakes for Ryan

Last weekend we went to the surprise picnic that Jodie had organized for Ryan. I baked these chocolate cupcakes for it.

For those who don't know about Ryan, he is my colleague from office who met with an accident exactly one year before, and suffered spinal chord injury. This picnic was to celebrate the progress he has made since then and to make good memories for the day instead.

Those who want to read more about Ryan can go to below 2 sites or just read the open letter Jodie wrote to the teenager who is totally unapologetic for her doings here:
http://www.clausingfamily.com/pages/dear-teenage-driver.php.

www.clausingfamily.com
http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/ryanclausing

Wishing Ryan, Jodie and kids well.

Big Boy Room Planning

Last couple of weeks have been so busy. We are setting up Kabir's Big Boy room(Jungle/Animal theme), and thats all I have on my mind these days. We are converting our 2nd floor kitchen into his bedroom. The renovation and painting is complete, and this is how it looks now. I wish I had some before pictures to show. 

It had to be blue and green, as those are Kabir's favourite colors. Went with yellow for one wall and roof, to brighten up the room. Though these days he has developed a liking for orange as well. So planning to incorporate that color in the form of fabric appliques on wall.

 
Initially, this was to be a sunroom, and so we put in 4 huge windows, and somewhere in the middle of renovation, Rohit and I decided to make it Kabir's room. Now, I have to make black out shades for total of 6 windows.I am super excited to make these shades. That deserves a whole new post, but for now, here is the fabric. It has been finalised after much research by Kabir's Mom, Maseeji and Kabir's Dad (names in the order of involvment in choosing fabric) 

Kabir's Big Boy bed would be arriving soon, but he won't be able to use the room without shades. It has to be pitch black in his room while he sleeps. The only thing between me and shade making is the sewing machine, which I ordered couple of weeks back, and has still not arrived. Hoping it to come by tomorrow so I can make couple of shades this weekend. So hopefully, my next post would be of a ready product and not just ideas:-)