We’re throwing Phoebe’s fifth birthday party in a dozen hours, and she has graciously requested a Christmas-themed party. I say “gracious,” because this allowed me buy most of the party supplies 1/2-price during after-Christmas sales and gave me a great excuse for procrastinating on the whole taking-down-of-the-decorations thing.
And how have I repaid her? By making her not one, not two, but three decorated Christmas cakes. How hard can it be? I’m a de-sign-er. Creative since birth.

Don't laugh.

Seriously, don't laugh at my mad skillz.

I can totally hear you laughing and it's not even funny.
If Martha Stewart saw this, she’d be huddled in a fetal position, rocking back and forth and muttering to herself. I have my talents, but I don’t think I’m gonna be getting that call from the Ace of Cakes anytime soon.
The best part? You see that snowman outline in brownish-grayish icing? Mixed the color myself. I was all, how do I make brown icing with my four little vials of Adams Extract Food Coloring™? Scratched my head, knuckled down, and put all that color wheel knowledge into action. Realizing only after the damage was done, that I was sitting next to a half a tub of chocolate icing.
D’oh! Brown = chocolate in food language.
I was going to fill the snowman’s hat with crushed chocolate grahams, but now I’m thinkin’ I’ll give myself a pass on that one before I eff it up even worse.
Today’s mantra: It’s made with love, baby.
Phoebe will love them! And I can’t wait to hear about the party. Have fun!
She’ll remember that her fabulous mother made her THREE beutiful birthday cakes! Made with love is right!
Happy birthday Phoebe! She will only remember how awesome her THREE CHRISTMAS CAKES were!
When I make a birthday cake, I limit myself to the star tip and the writing tip. I always practice what I am going to write on a paper towel ahead of time. And you cannot mess up the little stars.