Happy Solstice!

Happy Solstice Weekend, Yall! 

It's always a little bittersweet,
because I love summer, and solstice means that the days are going to start getting shorter,
and we're heading back towards winter.  I know that's how the cycle goes, and that's ok,
but I'm such a summertime person, I really miss it when its gone.
Hmm... it makes me want to bake something tasty in the shape of
the sun... something round like a... cake!
For history and ideas on how to celebrate Solstice/Midsummer/St. John's Day,check out the School of the Seasons.

The Nasty Namaste

Also, check out Alli Marshall's review of my friend
Julian's newly released CD collection of screamy,
raunchy poetry, the Nasty Namaste, on the Mountain
Xpress Blog. Click here
to read the review.
xo
jodi
my life in cake

Big Fun this Weekend!

OK friends, this is a big weekend!  Here's some things going on of note (ahem... that also involve cupcakes from Short Street Cakes)
On Friday: Asheville Fashion Conspiracy!

AFC is an organization "Taking Action for Fashion: Building Economy and Community by Marketing Asheville's Independent Designers" Check it out! And all weekend long:
Ashevillage Building Convergence

"ABC 2008 is the exciting inaugural three-day collaboration and celebration of sustainability for the city, the land, and the people of Asheville. ABC features: an Opening Celebration & Benefit Night with not-to-be-missed presentation, local music & finger food; an action-oriented Ashevillage Town Meeting with nationally renowned presenters and local pioneers; Ashevillage In Action Day, with 14 hands-on sustainability projects throughout the city; a summer solstice celebration, community potlucks, local music and arts,  closing ceremonies, and much more."

Saturday, the historic Shiloh neighborhood celebrates the completion of the community pavilion and garden from 12-4.

And on Sunday:

Everybody's Favorite Food (But Local) Pizza and Cupcakes!
Sunday June 22nd  5pm at the West End Bakery! 

This is an event organized by Slow Food Asheville.  I know the Joys of Pizza and Cupcakes- my two staple foods. Come out and support the work of Slow Food Asheville. Thanks to the very good people of the West End Bakery for hosting.
Also, two great businesses are having their opening parties on Sunday:

Custom: Hers and Home Boutique owned by my friends Michelle and Tammy Goni!

Custom will hold a grand opening on Sunday, June 22, at 7 p.m., featuring catered food, drinks, and a DJ.  Custom, located at 415A Haywood Road, is open Sunday and Monday from noon to 6 p.m., and Tuesday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Call the store at 257-4007.

And also on Sunday, the fabulous new Dragon Lady Salon, owned by my friend Erin Hardy, hosts its Grand Opening Party at 50 McCormick Place (just at the bottom of the hill off of Biltmore Ave).  Opening goes from 6-10pm.  There will be beer and wine,  catered menu, and a DJ.  And, of course, cupcakes. Contact Dragon Lady: 828.252.8022 or dragonl8y@gmail.com
Love,
Jodi

Something I Love

These Cupcake vintage-y fabric button bobby pins by Early Girl(no relation to the restaurant)
They showed up in my mailbox one day! Thank you Early Girl!
ps. I think her etsy shop is closed for the summer, so be patient
if you want to get the goods! [update: she will be at The Big Crafty, Grey Eagle, July 13]

Cake Shop Update

Hello Friends Far and Near!
I hope this lovely June finds you all well.
I am writing to give y'all an update on the status of the much-anticipated Short Street Cakes Cakeshop. As many of you know, I have been in discussion with the owners of the building at 428 Haywood Road in West Asheville for some time now about creating a cakeshop there, across from Harvest Records in the newly burgeoning neighborhood fondly referred to as "East-West Asheville." Well, friends, it is not to be. It turns out that it is just not the right fit for a food/coffee establishment, and I think it has been rented to a design company. But! Do not dispair! This is actually very good news. For one, I am really grateful for the experience and knowledge I gained from working hard to negotiate a lease. And for two, it means that the PERFECT spot for Short Street Cakes' Cakeshop has yet to be found! So- are you an East-West Ashevillian hankering for a cupcake? keep your eyes peeled for the perfect spot and give me a heads up! Or perhaps you think that the perfect spot is on Lexington? Or down by the river? Or right here at home in Montford? Where do YOU want a cakeshop? Let me know. I'm all ears, and I'm really excited to expand my capacity and have a shop to see all your lovely faces in.
In the meantime, its June, which means Wedding Season Craziness, so I'm actually a little relieved to not be working on a lease right this minute and to instead focus on making beautiful cakes right here on Short Street. And in July and August, as we look for the perfect spot, I'll be happy to catch up on some long-overdue work, like updating my menu with new and exciting flavors, putting pretty pictures and ideas on my blog, and maybe even taking a hike and a swim or two with Jasper and Duncan. Thank you, as always, for your love and support. Short Street Cakes started as a small creative project and now is a growing and thriving business! And I could not have done it without my family, my friends, my community, and my baker colleagues! Y'all are the best. I'm one lucky cake lady.
Much Love,
xo
Jodi
ps I've attached a picture of a wedding cake I did last weekend at Lake Lure. Floral design by Aria Floral Design Studio, www.blueridgeflowers.com. They're the best! This picture features one of their fabulous floral designers, Merideth Law.

Spring Engagement Party

Last night I got to spend a lovely evening at the home of some lovely friends, celebrating the engagement of their son. I also was hired to make some cake, so, I did. This one is a triple chocolate ganache:

And this one is Italian Cream Cake:

The flowers are from Jennifer at Fisher Branch Farm (find her at the City Market on Charlotte Street on Saturdays), and from my sweet friend Kari who brought over the little tea roses on the top of the chocolate cake. Both ladies saved my behind. Also, Michelle Bevans was there, from Asheville Face Painting doing some INCREDIBLE face painting:

Yeah, that's my pirate.
Thanks friends! what a great night.

Happy Mother's Day

Happy Mother's Day!
I'm feeling very special... as if it weren't enough that I have the coolest 2 year old on the planet to hang out with, and a babydaddy who's my best friend, yesterday said son and husband gave me my very own copy of Kill Bill Vol. I and II, and a gift certificate to Honeypot. And as if THAT wasn't enough, this morning I got my own little gift basket of mother's day love, in the form of Bake and Destroy gear. I also got to sleep in, take a long bath, and got pancake breakfast. No you can't have it. Any of it. Its MINE.
For those of you not familiar: Bake and Destroy is the blog/brand identity of Ms. Natalie Slater of Chicago, mama, writer, blogger, baker and destroyer. She makes cool stuff and sells it on Etsy. Check her out, give a mama some love.

And thank you so much, Duncan and Jasper. I'm one lucky lady to have you two in my life.

Also, I want to take this opportunity to give big love to my own mama, a wonderful Mimi to my son, and the lady who taught me how to bake, and send thank-you notes, as well as all those other important life skills like walking, talking, eating, using the potty- you know, the stuff your mom teaches you that you don't really think about. Thanks mom! We love you!