...burnout...

holiday season was triumphant
jins exhausted needs a break
no more breads or cookies
no more truffles or cake*

many things to post about
hundreds of pics to upload
few customers from hell
tales to be told

but my bodys beat
and my mind needs a rest
be back in a few weeks
WISHING YOU ALL THE VERY BEST!!!


*this in no way means I shan't eat all of the above while I vacation ;-)

Scentsual

Ahhhh..... the scents that waft from a pastry shoppe kitchen are numerous, varietal, heart stopping & occasionally, scentsual. "Scentsual miss jin?" you inquire. Yes. Oh yes. Very.

I received an email from a distinguished area gent not too long ago. He was placing an order & what I found most jinteresting was his closing sentence, "Looking forward to seeing those pumpkin scones...I'm in a pumpkin mood these days it seems (pumpkin soup, pumpkin muffins, pumpkin grilled,...it all sounds good)." A tiny giggle escaped my lips.

Later that same day, I brought up the email with my very own Pumpkin loving gent who looked at me quizzically. I said, "You mean to tell me you don't know about Pumpkin?"

Do any of you know what Pumpkin means? I suppose I've known, ever since I was a wee legaljin, just what Pumpkin means, as I may have used it to my advantage on occasion. (Um, ok... maybe a bit more than on occasion. ;-)

Pumpkin is one of the top two most scentsual bouquets known to men. We're talking a wafting herbal Viagra here peeps. Don't believe me? Besides my word, which really should be sufficient *ahem*, there is documented research available for the nonbelievers amongst you. Click Here to go directly to a Google search of the most stimulating research available on Pumpkin + Men.

I'm not really much into savouring Pumpkin myjinself, but I have mastered the art of a wide variety of Pumpkin Desserts for the enticement enjoyment of men. Oh and ladies? That doesn't leave you out either... give it a try, it might just work... after all, you are women.




MMMmmm...... pumpkin.....

...and the winner is

Mr. Jay Ferris of Genius Pending!!!

Whoo-Hooo!!! You sir, made me laugh so hard I quite nearly wet my knickers. Your entry was very very erm... shall we say... ballsy (for lack of a better term ;-)

Your SWEETBOX is on the way & I hope you enjoy every last delectable morsel.

I'd like to thank everyone that shared & for making me feel really perfect about myself light-hearted & joyful. You all ROCK! I *heart* my Blogfans.

X's n O's
jinny

The jinfoolery Contest

Alright... enough is enough already!
I need to laugh (laughter being the best medicine & all...) & you know what?
Y'all are going to make me laugh.


Oh yes you are.
Really!
It's true!
Know why?
Huh?
Know why?
Huh?
Huh?
Huh?
Because!

He (or she) who makes me laugh hardest & longest is going to win themselves a SWEETBOX shipped directly to your home or office (must be located in the US or Canada) all on me! Wait- I mean the cost is on me. My treat. You can't actually eat the sweets on me. Oh stop groaning, like I'd give that away for free! Sheesh... where was I?

The Rules:
Leave me a comment (one entry per person please) describing the most embarrassing situation you've ever been in. You don't need to be a Blogger member, a Twitter fan, a FaceBook friend or any of that- anyone can enter! You must also leave a name- whether it's your first name, your internet persona or your pseudonym (just so I can keep track of everyone).

The Jincouragement:
Per chance you haven't already noticed, my sense of humour runs dark & I'm not much for censorship, so do feel free to let loose in the comment section. Go ahead & Make My Day; you know you want to.

The Detailz:
I will award one SWEETBOX prize valued at $45.00 (including shipping/handling) to be sent anywhere in the US or Canada. I will personally choose the pastry assortment you receive. I will decide who wins based merely on this criteria: the funniest, most embarrasing tale, in my opinion, which makes me giggle over & over again with twisted delight. Oh, don't worry, I won't be laughing at you, I'll be laughing with you. *ahem*

Contest starts now & ends on Sunday, November 8th. The winner will be chosen & prize shipped shortly thereafter.

Ready...

Set...

Play!

How Time Flies. . . . .

Busier than a Bee
most certainly that's me
Can't Believe it's so Cold Out
summer's gone see jin pout
Several Things to Share with You
but it's been tough for jin is blue
You See I've Lost Someone Close to my Heart
i jintend to type then don't know where to start
'Twas Not Expected & the Suddenness Burns
yet the show must go on as this earth still turns.

R.I.P.
My Beautiful Beautiful Brioche
November 9th 2005 - October 3rd 2009

No Bridezillas Here!

I am very lucky.
Truly.
My Brides are Amazing.
They really are!
These past several months have been filled with some of the most jincredible consultations of my career. Today I am featuring one gracious bride in particular that I have jintended to blog about for quite some time.

Kris & I first met some 14 years ago when she was working for the area newspaper & wrote a piece about my wedding cakes. When she came in earlier this year she told me that the day of my interview was the day she'd decided I would make her wedding cake & the time was finally here!

Before we get to the wedding & groom's cake we must start with her shower cake. That's right! Her friends knew just what she wanted & they ordered it from me.


A tier of Organic Coconut Cake alternately layered with Fresh Lime Curd & a tier of Toasted Almond Cake filled with Strawberry.


Next up, the Wedding Cake on the left was designed to closely mimic a photo she brought in & the Groom's Cake on the right was a surprise for the groom- a cake clone of their doggie Coco!


Coco was all cake- no styrofoam parts here! She was covered with dog-hair-textured-fondant to make for an uber realistic pooch. I heard the groom was thrilled! Yay!



Ahhh... now for the pièce de résistance! Alternating tiers of delectably flavoured cakes covered with a very thin fondant to add that silky smooth exterior. With accents of pearl dust the entire piece shimmered outside the reception hall. Ooh's & Aahs were heard from afar!

Best of all, the bride was ecstatic! Double Yay! She said everything was exactly as she had pictured it in her mind. Just another happy customer; it's all in a jinDays work.

Jin's LUV Pink!

I'd like to start off by sending you to an Awesome website called
PartSelect.com
Not only do they sell appliance parts for any of your needs,
they also happen to be hosting a Contest with some seriously jinApproved prizes!
It's in support of breast cancer awareness & they're donating $$$ for each contest entry they receive. All you have to do to enter is paint a pink ribbon on one of your appliances, snap a piccie & email it (or blog it, or tweet it, or post it on FaceBook).

Enter the Contest Here

Guess what?
I'm Blogging it.
Ohhhh... jinny wants to win that pink Kitchen Aid!!!
YESYESYES I do!
So here's my Ribbon

Here's me & my support... errr... I mean me supporting the cause


Here's a Pink Bunny Cake I created recently just because I feel it ties in with the whole theme. ;-)


A brief note: I truly do apologize for my lack of blog responses of late. jinMom has been going through a very difficult time with her health the past few months & it looks to be getting more intense. Please send good vibes our way, especially the next two weeks which are critical. Thanks for continuing to read & comment- I miss you all terribly!

Summertime

Ahhh... the Hustle & Bustle of a Pastry Shoppe in the Summertime. I do so love the din it creates. Yet when I think of serene warm summer nights whence nearly undetectable breezes waft through my long locks I always hear this song jinside my head.



Turn up the volume, sit back, relax & enjoy her undeniably smooth seductive voice whilst you read about a few of my favourite creative Bloggers & savour a tiny slice of my most recent pastry creation.

TIKI CAKE

CIRCUS TENT CAKE

GRADUATION POM POM CAKE

SHOWER GIFT BOX CAKE

CHOCOLATEY DOTTED SHOWER CAKE

...and the Dardos Awards go to:

John Donald Carlucci- Yes, JDC gets top billing. Am I biased? No way! ;-) Writing, Graphic Arts, Sculpture & Jewelery just to name a few. Wait, what's this... I think it's a film too!

Ruela- The most amazing talent I [n]ever met. If Portugal wasn't so far away I'd be at EVERY show his art is displayed in! I really would- the screen image isn't enough, I want to reach out & touch the pieces he creates!

Jared R. Byer- A brilliant photographer who sees beauty everywhere he looks. He is kind enough to share it with the rest of us on a daily basis. Peruse & enjoy.

Ted Warnell- aka /t. of Canada. I don't visit his cyberspace nearly as much as I'd like to considering each code poem of his is so very creative. An amazing talent. Do spend time playing over at his place, you won't be disappointed!

Rich of G3T FILMS- Known the world over for his incredibly entertaining short films. Known by me as a super cool human being with above average intelligence & a dreamy Aussie accent.

Evidently, I'm Astoundingly Awesome!

...or so I was told.
Ummm... in so many words.
;-)

A Grande Blogorary Award has been bestowed upon Moi
Courtesy of The Great Dr. Zaius.
It shall enter my sidebar as soon as I finish re-adding all my links!

The Dardos Award is described thus: An award given for recognition of cultural, ethical, literary, and personal values transmitted in the form of creative and original writing. These stamps were created with the intention of promoting fraternization between bloggers, a way of showing affection and gratitude for work that adds value to the Web.

Now
whilst I pass this honour to others
please help yourself to some Truffles & Lemon Cupcakes


Eat several...
...I like to watch.
;-)
MMMmmm-ing out loud is encouraged as well.
;-D

[Oh drat. I'm seriously exhausted & am falling asleep as I type... will you all forgive me if I edit the end of this post at another time? Ohhh, thank you ever so much! I will add my list of honourareees, err, awardees (?) ummm.... winners (?) asappy like... *YAWN* I told you I'm tired... am I even making sense anymore? I'll justttttttttt zzzzzzzzz.........................]

Please pardon the construction dust... I've a few more things to tidy up round here (like replacing all of your links!) then it'll be back to blogging as per usual.

Care for a Cup of Tea with Me?

Why... I can't seem to stop watching this video. Oh dear, might that be why I've not been posting regularly? Or could that possibly have something to do with the fact that any & all who know about my mad pastry skillz have been inundating me with orders for thousands of loverly delectables nearly every single day for the past two weeks straight? Oh I'm so giddy! I LOURVE my job!



Be patient with me peeps. I'm actually revamping jintrinsique & once that's fin you will have regular fabulous posting as per my norm. Promises!!!

I've Been Jinterviewed!

One of my most Fabulous BlogFriends
The Katie Schwartz
has undertaken a new endeavour
with two other Equally Fabulous Dames
who call themselves
"Three Dames With A Clue"
where they will feature all sorts of other Fabulous Dames
Including Moi!

Attitude of Gratitude

Goodness! I bet you've all thought I forgot about you! Not the case my darlings. Jinny's got her priorities & anyone who knows me, knows that I put my pastry shoppe before anything else. In a time when businesses are closing left & right, I am truly thankful that I am so busy. Plus, how lucky am I to be located in an area that appreciates the hard work I put into all of my hand-crafted high quality pastries?! Simply Fabulous!

Muffins sweetened w/Local Honey, Black Strap Molasses & a touch of Dark Brown Sugar topped with my very own Scratch-Made Butter & Cinnamon Streusel.

A Chocolate Cookie Lovers Dream Come True, created with 5 different types of Chocolate.

Lemon Berry Dreams (zoom in on the card for their description).


Don't worry about me everyone. I do take a break every now & again. My last afternoon away was spent hanging out at the coolest place I've been in a long time.

PERSIMMONS
Art & Vintage Gallery
314 North 8th Street, Manitowoc

JDC bought me a 'lil something. Look at how uniquely Persimmons Gal packages your purchases!

A jin scrambling to open her gift.

Oh, look! It's a reversible necklace with Tarot symbols on!

It suits me, don't you think? ;-)

Astounding Absurdity

Please enjoy perusing these droolicious photos
before being slammed
with the most asinine inquiry of the Millenium

Lemon Bavarian Cream Charlottes

Triple Chocolate Angelfood Cake

Banana Split Cheesecake


* * * * *

[Please Note: this is not a joke! The question was genuinely asked with sincerity.]

Upon eying my glorious display of pastries for sale the customer asks:
"Is all this for free?"

There's A Blogfan at my Door! The Holday Edition

I'm so late in posting this!
Where are my manners?

My most recent meatspace/Blogger collision
was a dude who flew all the way from Florida
just to meet moi!

You might know him as
PulpMonkeyBoy
(cause he's responsible for the ePulp mag Astonishing Adventures)
(shameless plug: Buy it at Amazon!)
or as
John Donald Carlucci
(cause that's his name)

We spent 11 fun filled days
eating
walking in snow
eating
walking in snow
eating
walking in... er- you get the picture

Oh Oh Oh
AND
he brought DVD's.
OMG
did we watch flix!
This boy owns tons of the weirdass type of films
that this here jin adores!
We had a blast.

What?
Oh!
You want pix?
Nosy 'lil buggers aren't you?!
Wellllll...
ok.
But just one.
This is me & PulpMonkeyBoy
in the Airport parking lot.

He was much shorter than I expected.



Pssssssst!
Yo!
Did you hear the rumour?
I heard
this MonkeyBoy dude
actually packed up all his stuff
got in his car &
set his navigation system to
Manitowoc Wisconsin!

I wonder if it's true?
I wonder if he liked my cooking?
I wonder why he'd do something like that if it is jindeed true?

Apologies

Posting shall resume soon.
Had some vacation time
jinterspersed with a Blogfan at my Door (11 days!)
and, most unfortunately, jinMom ending up in the ER.
I seem to be managing a zillion things at once
and blogging isn't making the cut!
Please send healing vibes jinMoms way as she's still in the Hospital.