Connor and Sara

A while back, my daughter determined to fix her roommate up with one of her best friends she's known since high school.  Apparently, she has good intuition, because it worked out perfectly! Connor and Sara Weeks (#twoweeks cute, huh?) were married on Dec. 27th, and Courtney served as one of the bridesmaids.  They had a Kansas open house here this past weekend.

Connor's mom gave me a picture of what they wanted.  it is kind of a "modern, rustic" look.  They wanted red velvet cake with cream cheese frosting.  I added a faux vanilla mousse filling, just to lighten up the flavor a little.  

Here's the bare cake, just after assembly.

I usually work with a crusting frosting, and I have a recipe for a crusting cream cheese frosting, but a crusting frosting would not work with this technique on the sides.  Thank goodness for Cake Central!  Regular cream cheese frostings are too runny to frost and smooth a cake with, but this recipe has a secret ingredient that makes it light and fluffy, and a dream to work with: Cool Whip!  Oh my goodness was it good!  I gave away one business card, and Amy, Connor's mom, gave my name to several others.  

The finished product--lovely!

I have mentioned Casey Benedict before.  She is a friend from way back, and a spectacular florist.  She makes my cakes look so good!  I love to stay and watch her work her magic, after I have set up the cake.  She just talks and arranges the flowers like it's second nature to her. Im sure it is.  The hydrangeas make this look so full and finished, and the orange accents are a perfect balance.

A better view of Casey's work

The full display

Everything went so smoothly with this cake, and I was feeling so good about it, that I went home to change for the reception, and left the gift for the bride and groom on my kitchen counter! ;P

(Thank goodness for the USPS)

Congratulations, Mr. and Mrs. Weeks!