Giving Thanks: Golden Honeycomb and Mini Pumpkins Spray

It's been a tough month.

Trips in and out of hospitals. Hand holding and crying.

Giving love and saying goodbyes.

Questioning life and fighting with answers.

Honestly it's been one of the hardest months of my life.

In fact this year has been beating me back.

Loss, hostility, anger and rage. These are things that keep popping up more often than not.

I've been struggling. I don't mind saying that. It's something everyone goes through.

However, thanksgiving was just over a week ago, and despite the bad times I'm going through I have a lot to be thankful for.

This cake challenge is one. A small one, but one that keeps me excited to continue.

My cats. (Insert eye roll here.) I get snuggles no matter what. I always want snuggles. Stop judging me.

My family. We are not close, but we come together when needed.

My friends. Again, not that close, or not as much as we used to be. People evolve, get their own families and lives. But again, when needed we are there for each other.

My husband's family. I'm pretty sure we won't really know each other like family should. Maybe that's a reflection on my own family, but we won't get into that. They are there no matter what, however. They know what matters. They will hug and hold on until they know you're ok. Even if you're not, they will hold on for a few seconds more to let you know that they are with you. That's something I really have needed this year, and for that I am very grateful.

My husband. The wonderful Mister. We don't have a perfect marriage, it's really just beginning, but he's by my side, even when I'm so full of rage I can't help but scream. I wish I could share more good times, and can only hope that those times are coming. Until then I know he will be with me every day, good and bad.

There are my big ones. The things I'm most thankful for.

So let's move out of this mushy stuff and get to the fun stuff, right?

You only came for cake anyways.

It's a cake!
And what a cake!

I had a blast doing this cake. It was suppose to be taken to Thanksgiving dinner with the Mister's family but I made the mistake of buying the crappy chocolate for the wrap. (FYI it's best to stay away from the Bulk Barn white chocolate squares with the handwritten 'F' on it. It's disappointed me too many times.) Instead the Mister's family got pepita brittle instead.

Pepita means "little seed of squash"

I was originally going to top the cake with the brittle, but I hate showing up empty handed and I'm glad that I did the cake as it was.

This brittle was DELICIOUS. Not too sweet, I used dark chocolate as oppose to milk to help balance it out. And it was really fun to make. First brittle I've ever done, but very easy and only a little scary.

How can you not like
dipping stuff in chocolate?

If you'd like to try for yourself I learned from Just A Taste (who you should follow for great recipes.) And click here to get right to the recipe. Kelly does a great job with her recipes and explanations so please show some love for her and subscribe to her email newsletters or Pinterest.

Sprinkle sprinkle

Don't be scared to make the brittle, just read the recipe throughly a few times and prep everything before you start and you'll do great! Makes a great gift too (for that time that we are not ready to talk about yet.)

Who knew patio chairs could make
such a cool background?

Back to this beauty. It was finished the day after the Mister's family dinner, which meant I had to find a new dinner to go to. Wasn't hard though, not too many people would turn down a free cake.

My bestie ended up taking it to her family dinner. She was helping out with photos while I was trying to complete and fight with the bad white chocolate so it was good payment for that. She also gave me additional photos to use (she has the fancy lens that makes things look amazing) that make me look a lot better than I am.

Honeycomb effect

If you're wondering how the heck I got this cool texture on the outside the big secret is...

Bubblewrap!

No, the cake isn't wrapped in bubble wrap. Don't be silly.

We put chocolate on the bubble wrap, then put it on the cake.

Chocolate covered bubble wrap

Still think I'm crazy, then watch this and see. Damn I wish I'd thought of this first but it's awesome that the cake community is awesome and likes to share (another thing to be thankful for.) It's simple and easy to do (when you have good quality chocolate) and really brings another dimension to your cake.

Pumpkins and blossoms and berries.
Oh my!

All the gumpaste decorations are a different story. I'm becoming more at ease working with it but I know I have a long way to go until I'm really satisfied with the quality and detail of gumpaste decorations. Luckily it's cheap to make gumpaste so you can't feel too guilty doing experiments. Like the little pumpkins, which I totally love. If I had more time I'd do a number of items for decorations sake (and technically edible, but you'd probably break your teeth on the gumpaste or wire...)

Copper pumpkins are so fetch!

Again, my decorating may not be top notch but my flavours are on point. This was a Amaretto cake with honey swiss buttercream. The only thing I'd do if I made it again would be to add cranberries in there to give it some tartness and a pop of colour. But my mom loved the scraps from torting the cake. She was eating them like canapé for a few days. I don't apologize for ruining peoples diets momentarily.

Another shot from the BFF

Also gold. Gold is so in right now, so gold made it onto the cake. Gold luster on the outside and gold flake sprinkled on the piped top. Look close, you can see that 24 karat gold flake.

I gotta stop staring at this thing.

Thanks for reading along and looking into my dark side.

I really need to get to work on my halloween stuff...

More to come, stay tuned, if you dare!