The last time I checked in with a personal update was nearly a year ago!
Last September, I had a 2 month old, almost 3 year old, our 12 year old family dog just died, and I was adjusting to life with 2 young children. It was… heavy!
And now– suddenly it seems– our youngest just turned 1. Elise is crawling, teething, laughing, playing, pulling herself up, saying mama, and all the wonderful things babies and families get to experience in that first year. It’s been so exciting living these moments all over again, but in a new way because both girls are so different AND because our oldest is a big sister now.
I know you’re here for the baking, so let’s show off that 1st birthday cake. 🙂
1st Birthday Cake
I made a 6 inch banana cake, using my banana muffins batter. I added another 2 Tablespoons of milk to thin the batter out, used the melted coconut oil option, and sweetened it with coconut sugar. As far as desserts and baked goods go, this is a slightly healthier recipe. I divided the batter between 3 6-inch pans. (See my 6 inch cake recipes blog post for details.)
For the frosting, I used my cream cheese frosting recipe but removed 1/2 cup of confectioners’ sugar so it wasn’t quite as sweet. I added freeze-dried strawberry powder to half of the frosting. Remember this strawberry frosting? Same method. Grind a heaping 1/2 cup of freeze-dried strawberries into 1/4 cup powder, then beat it into half of the cream cheese frosting. I used regular strawberry frosting on my oldest’s 1st birthday cake too. It’s always a hit. I reused the same cake topper. The yellow cake stand is from Home Goods!
For the frosting, I used a large round piping tip to pipe rings of alternating frosting around the sides and on top. Then I used a bench scraper to smooth it all down. This look is called a “striped cake” but mine’s not quite as neat as most professional ones! It was very simple but fun, which was my goal.
I used these naturally colored sprinkles for decor. I LOVE THOSE! They make all desserts so much fun. My oldest loves the stars. We made drop sugar cookies with the same sprinkles, too. We’re celebrating again this coming weekend. Lots of fun!
Speaking of strawberry and cake, I discovered a new online bakery called Blondery. 100% women and minority owned, this virtual bakery is known for exceptional bite-size blondies. Owner and professional pastry chef Auzerais Bellamy reached out and let me know about the bakery’s newest summery sweet: an 11 layer strawberry cake and coinciding cake jars. They’re gluten free with strawberry blondies, chantilly cream, buttercream, and more. It was SUCH a special treat to receive one and each spoonful tasted like pure luxury. (Not sponsored, genuinely loved it!) Her menu is quite popular, but keep Blondery in mind when you need a unique and special treat for an occasion. You can follow Blondery on Instagram too!
Meet Simon
Another piece of exciting news! I’d like to introduce you to our new German Shepherd mix puppy, Simon. We adopted Simon from a rescue a few months ago and are so in love with this sweet snuggly boy. He came from a wonderful foster family with young children and another dog, so he fit right in here. He’s 6 months old and weighing about 50 lbs. He’ll be a big boy! He and Franklin, our 5 year old dog, are getting along wonderfully. Franklin was so sad when Jude died, but this has certainly got him on his feet again. They’re inseparable! And Simon is already bigger than Frank.
Slowing Down!
Things have been busy with 2 young children and now 2 wild dogs! I’ve never been great at work/life balance, but decided to be firm with those boundaries this year. For the first time in 10 years, I’ve finally taken the time to slow down! (I’ve been blogging for 10 years this December. Crazy!)
Another reason that I slowed down content and put a pause on various social media is that my team and I are working on something very exciting. We have a brand new website redesign coming out later this summer. It’s been nearly 2 years in the making as we’ve been taking in feedback from readers to improve the website’s functionality and overall experience. It’s finally coming together and I can’t wait to share more details soon! We’re updating many older posts, I’m refreshing old photos, and trying to make this the best site it can be for you.
One new feature already put in place: when you sign up for my email list, you’re automatically sent the most popular recipes & posts!
And Surprise! Cookbook!
And while I’m spilling all the beans today (thanks for listening/reading!), I might as well tell all of you wonderful bakers that I’m working on a proposal for my 4th cookbook!!!! That’s yet another reason I’ve been so quiet over here!!!! Slowing down and taking time off has not only been what I need on a personal level, but professional as well. Sometimes you need time and space to determine a plan, path, or goal. That’s what I gave myself this year and now I’ve never been more excited about a work project! And I’ve never felt more inspired.
Keep in mind that the journey to cookbook #4 will be a very long one because I need to actually finish my proposal before I can move to the next steps. (Including, um… testing all the recipes and authoring the entire cookbook.) Stay tuned because I will continue to share cookbook updates when I have them!
Some fun things to look forward to even if I’m not posting as often! I hope to continue updates like this, but I’m trying to keep everything just about baking. Thank you for being here and don’t forget about the July Sally’s Baking Challenge. Can’t wait to see all your turnovers!
Sally, you are one busy lady! Congratulations on everything and can’t wait to see what the future holds for you and your family!
Sally, thank you for the update! Such exciting things happening fir you and your family! I look forward to hearing all about it!!
Thank you so much for all of your hard work. I have loved your site for years! I just made the danish recipe (shortcut version) and they were phenomenal. I look forward to your updated site but mostly just wanted to say “thank you” You have made my baking experiences so much better!
PS happy bday to your little one. And omg the only thing better than cookies is puppies! Congrats on your new addition
Congrats on being able to take a break, plus have a baby, celebrate life and Plan a new book plus website. You have been BUSY! Love all of your recipes, always looking forward to new awesomeness.
Hi Sally!
So glad to hear from you! Thanks for always being honest and inspiring in all aspects of life! Can’t wait for your next book and more updates
Congratulations on the puppy! You sound like a happy homemaker with her priorities in the right places! Looking forward to all your updates!
Lots of exciting news Sally! Happy 1st birthday to Elise! Simon looks like he is settling in nicely. He is handsome. Congratulations on the cookbook. Happy baking!
Yay for all of this!! So excited for all the wonderful things happening for you and so excited for your new cookbook!!! I’ve been hoping for another one!
My husband and I have a German Shepherd mix rescue dog, too! We adopted him almost 8 years ago and feel so lucky he came into our lives. Thank you for sharing Simon and all of the other updates. My continued best to you and your family.❤️
I absolutely LOVE all of your recipes!!!! I use them in all my baking. Just made your cheesecake recipe this weekend and it was fabulous!!!!! Thank you for always having such great recipes.
So good to read your coffee break news. You are a busy woman. Take the breaks you need to keep yourself healthy and enjoy your family. I enjoy reading about family life.
You are my go to baker for recipes. Always come out perfect. Thanks for doing all the work upfront
Enjoy your babies. All of them. My human baby is newly engaged! It goes by sooooo fast.
You Rock
Sally, thanks for being a friend and my baking go to person. I am so happy to hear you are slowing down and putting up a few boundaries. You do a fabulous job for all of us! Take care of yourself!
So nice to get an update from you. Glad everyone is doing well. Congrats on the new cookbook!
Hi Sally, you are amazing and your recipes are amazing. If I have problem in baking I just go to your website…Boom! My problem is solve. Thank you.!
You certainly are a busy mother! I’ve enjoyed your recipes for many years so keep them coming!!! Stay well.
Sally,
Thanks for the coffee break! I love hearing all about your updates. The birthday cake looks lovely and I know from my friends that your strawberry buttercream with freeze dried strawberries is fantastic. I really enjoyed making the turnovers and they made my husband’s birthday weekend super special. Lots of love from Gensac and I cannot wait for more info on the cookbook!
Sally, for me personally, I don’t know how you have kept up with such a schedule. I got as far as the two children, two dogs (I was so saddened to read of the loss of your dog; that is always a heartbreaking moment and I truly feel for all of you), a blog, a cookbook—I was exhausted. I shall, indeed, look forward to whatever you have to offer in the future. It’s for sure that your site is not exactly lacking for wonderful recipes for me to choose from anytime I want to test out my baking skills (or lack thereof). My best wishes for all that you have planned for the future.
Hey Sally,
Great to hear all is well! Happy belated 1st birthday to your youngest!!
Looking forward to the makeover on your website and your book of course❤️. Have a great July
Love getting these updates! They remind me of past times in my own life when kids, pets and the outside world all demanded my time! I look back now and wonder how I (and you!) get everything done! And you always do it with a smile! God bless and best of luck for your new endeavors!
I was so ecstatic to get the email about a coffee break post! I’ve missed these. My babies are 3.5 and 1.5 and it still feels like I’m adjusting to life with two. You have so much on your plate right now! I can’t believe Elise is one, it feels like last year you were announcing your pregnancy with Noelle. And Simon is adorable. I’m so glad that, while hectic and swamped with things to do, things are all okay with you.
Thank you thank you thank you for rescuing Simon! I’m a huge fan of rescuing! You’ve saved a life and he’ll be forever grateful!! And…thanks for the update!!
This was a sally weekend, I made your cornbread (the best), your angel food cake (came out perfect) and finally Sally’s apple pie (always a hit)
Thanks for the update! I love having a peek inside my favorite blogger’s world Your recipes are amazing and I use at least one every week!!
Sally, Happy Summer fun! Your recipes are always my go to. Enjoy all the precious moments with your family, 2 and 4 legged. I am excited about the redesign coming out… I will be waiting for the next in a series of delicious recipes.. Happy Birthday to all…
Holy moly, you’ve been busy. I have twins, I know busy. Thank you for sharing. I started a blog last summer and have a hard time keeping up. I can’t imagine what you’re managing.
I haven’t looked into your cookbooks yet. I’ve got such a collection of your recipes saved in various places. I need to research. Maybe I can get one or two for my birthday. Cheers!
So excited to read the update. Happy birthday to daughter 2 and Simon looks right at home!
Boundaries are good.
As always, thanks for the amazing recipes.
Yay! A new cookbook! These news actually made my week. I can’t wait to buy it, read it and bake from it 🙂
Blondery looks incredible! So excited for the upcoming cookbook, and your new pup is so handsome ☺️
Sally,
Thanks for the update – it sounds like great things are to come! I cannot wait for the new cookbook, I have the first three and will absolutely be purchasing the fourth.