Baking for "Cake Boss"

Here's what happened last week, starting on Feb 13:

Jeremy- Hey, SarahLynn. I forgot to tell you that we got a wierd letter in the mail.

SL- Really? Where is it?

Jeremy- I put it in the bedroom. I don't really know who it's from.

SL (upon inspecting)- Hmm. Well, it's addressed to both of us. It's either covered in mud or chocolate. And it looks like your handwriting.

Jeremy- No! That's not mine... Do you recognize the return address?

SL (squinting)- Hoboken, New Jersey. It's from Cake Boss!

(If you've seen the TV show, you'll appreciate what "Cake Boss" wrote to us).

Dear SarahLynn and Jeremy,

Ahh! Sugar! Sugar!

Look, we're really SWAMPED at the bakery this week with Valentine's Day coming up and all. I need yous guys to make a cake to fill one a our orders!

So here's the deal...this really nice couple--and I mean REALLY NICE couple-- is celebrating their 5th Valentine's Day together as a couple. And I just think thas really special, ya know. I mean, not many couples have had five years together for Valentines day and are still THIS NICE.

So here's my vision for this cake...IT'S GONNA BE AWESOME!! We gonna start with some pound cake, multi-layered with some filling, then yous gonna dirty-ice it and add more layers. This things gonna be freakin YOUGE! Then you's gonna cover it in fondant and add some etching, some piping...whatever it takes to really get that romantic kind of classic Valentines feel. Then yous got to cover it with WHATEVER yous guys want. It's like the more you add, the better it's gonna look! Ya know?

Thing is, I need you to start and finish dis thing tomorrow (Feb 14). And make sure yous guys talk wich your families tomorrow, too, cause that's what life is all about, ya know?

Aright, get dis done tomorrow and cousin Vinny will be der to pick it up.

You the best,

Cake Boss

So we didn't quite succeed in Cake Boss' vision. We didn't use fondant or special iced etchings, and I ended up ruining the part with red velevet cake because the box wouldn't let me be creative enough. But we were still able to have fun with a few layers of chocolate cake, fruit and frosting. Thank you Jeremy for a very creative and fun Valetine's Day. I love you!!

Guess Who

We've been learning about a special person. See if you can guess what country he is from based on his circumstances:

1. His nickname is David and he is 11 years old.
2. When he was 7, his dad was murdered.
3. He lives with his single mom in a home with one bedroom. He has eight brothers and sisters. Since his mom cannot work, she is currently making money by renting a corner of their family room to another family with 7 kids. The space is separated by a sheet hanging from the walls.
4. He sleeps on a couch with his brother. Sometimes he falls asleep listening to one of the neighbors getting beaten by her husband.
5. He likes basketball, but can't play at the park near his home because there is too much violence. "My brother's told me that if I go there, I will get shot."
6. He doesn't know what TIVO is and he's never been in a jacuzzi.
7. The school he goes to is only in session four hours a day.
8. His mom cannot work and they don't have a car. Sometimes he does the shopping for his mom.
9. He listens to a lot of rap music and watches the Family Guy.
10. His two older brothers are currently in jouvenile hall for gang violence. His home is surrounded by gang violence and drug dealers.
11. He signed up for "Big Brothers, Big Sisters" because he wants to know what it is like to have a normal brother.

You might not guess he's from America until the last few clues. David is actually from Orange County.

A few months ago, Jeremy volunteered to be a big brother for "at-risk" youth in Orange County. He finally got his new little brother a few weeks ago. Jeremy has played basketball with him, taken him to the beach and arcade, and gone swimming with him. They are becoming really good friends. David keeps saying "this is the best day ever" when they are together. He even drew Jeremy a picture of the Sacramento Kings.

It's amazing to hear the stories that Jeremy tells of this little boy and all the things he goes through. I'm fascinated with the two very different worlds that Jeremy and David come from, yet, they only live 15 minutes away from each other. I love Jeremy for his desire to help make a difference in this boy's life. It's so attractive, don't you think? But I can also tell that David is making a difference in Jeremy's life, too. I hope they become lifelong friends.