The Mischief Maker

I have to say I was positively THRILLED when my last minute guest "other Alex" brought his date Imani to the house. SO much fun was had. I loved every second of it. We hung out here. I called and got them a spot on the couch on the roof Dudley's On Short . And they invited me back out after 😂. I just love how the universe provides just the right thing exactly when you need it ! This is my favorite part of having the B&B — people arrive as strangers and sometimes the whole thing turns into an adventure.

Also thank you to Christie Angel for the fun B&B graphics ! And yes, if you swipe all the way through, there’s a little more Mischief at the end including my digital, on-demand Signature Cake & Buttercream Class. 🎂

Coming to Lexington? Come stay with me.

I realized recently that I’ve been sitting on something kind of ridiculous.

Years ago, I filmed myself teaching the cake recipe I spent YEARS developing for The Mischief Maker — and then basically left it sitting on the internet.

The entire reason I developed this cake was to solve a problem: I wanted a cake tender and flavorful enough to make people’s eyes roll back in their heads, but sturdy enough to stack, carve, sculpt and actually build with.

It started with my Appalachian Granny’s White Buttermilk Cake, and over the years it became the foundation underneath so much of my work.

And somehow I filmed the whole thing.

My White Buttermilk Cake, Swiss Meringue Buttercream, soaking syrup, and the techniques I actually use — condensed into about an hour in my kitchen.

The Mischief Maker Signature Cake & Buttercream Class is now $47 and available digitally, on demand. — link in bio. 🎂

Come bake with me. 🎂

https://maria-s-school428.teachable.com/p/signature-cake-buttercream-class

I realized recently that I’ve been sitting on something kind of ridiculous. Years ago, I filmed myself teaching the cake recipe I spent YEARS developing for The Mischief Maker — and then basically left it sitting on the internet. The entire reason I developed this cake was to solve a problem: I wanted a cake tender and flavorful enough to make people’s eyes roll back in their heads, but sturdy enough to stack, carve, sculpt and actually build with. It started with my Appalachian Granny’s White Buttermilk Cake, and over the years it became the foundation underneath so much of my work. And somehow I filmed the whole thing. My White Buttermilk Cake, Swiss Meringue Buttercream, soaking syrup, and the techniques I actually use — condensed into about an hour in my kitchen. The Mischief Maker Signature Cake & Buttercream Class is now $47 and available digitally, on demand. — link in bio. 🎂 Come bake with me. 🎂

I realized recently that I’ve been sitting on something kind of ridiculous.

Years ago, I filmed myself teaching the cake recipe I spent YEARS developing for The Mischief Maker — and then basically left it sitting on the internet.

The entire reason I developed this cake was to solve a problem: I wanted a cake tender and flavorful enough to make people’s eyes roll back in their heads, but sturdy enough to stack, carve, sculpt and actually build with.

It started with my Appalachian Granny’s White Buttermilk Cake, and over the years it became the foundation underneath so much of my work.

And somehow I filmed the whole thing.

My White Buttermilk Cake, Swiss Meringue Buttercream, soaking syrup, and the techniques I actually use — condensed into about an hour in my kitchen.

The Mischief Maker Signature Cake & Buttercream Class is now $47 and available digitally, on demand.

Come bake with me. 🎂

Sugar dahlias, nicotiana, and tomatoes among other fantasies. Reflecting back today on Vannah and Alexis's wedding cake. Here are a bits of the sugar dahlias in progress and the design coming to life.

A sugar ball dahlia being painted.

One of the other dahlias. I love making these in sugar !

Sugar ball dahlias. Not painted.

The brides and their sugar flower cake.

A sugar cactus dahlia before getting dolled up with its final color.

The whole sugar cake in completion.

Mamaw reading something on the sugar flower breaks.

Sugar dahlia.

Two sugar dahlias.

This shoot by Rosandichdesigns and Beyoncé inspired part of the color scheme for this cake. Alexis wanted dark and moody. Vannah wanted cheerful and happy.

Floral and color inspirations I used to merge together into one design.

Sugar flowers.

The top tier was rainbow to cut. Except actually just a slice of it was rainbow. I think food coloring affects the taste of the cake so only the area they cut was done in rainbow as I wouldn't want the guests to taste food color.

Coloring in the sketch.

The design.

Tomato core at its best. 🍅

Worked out the start of a permanent dried arrangement last week for the dining room chandelier that will eventually be stuffed with fresh flowers when needed.

Had David and his daughter Sunny for one night while we worked away! His wife is a landscape designer who loved the garden, so we ended up talking gardens, flowers, and ideas. We had already cleared several feet around the garden before the dinner, and David even offered to carry armfuls of cuttings to the trash without gloves. I was shocked. It didn’t seem to bother him a bit. As I said, helpful, helpful guests.

Thank you again for the wonderful review, David and Sunny. I hope to see you back in Lexington someday.

It's not every guest that will say, let me help! I needed to paint extra chairs for a dinner party and my guest Juliana who is Colombian, but in from Montreal for conference, said that it would help her unwind. There were supposed to be a huge treacherous storm in the city and State both put out advisories for it so I moved all the chairs inside. We had a great conversation, conversations and coffee at six or 7 PM which only a Colombian would do. 😂. I loved seeing her drawings and hearing her opinions. Some things are a gift from the universe. Juliana Mejía

I decided to tackle the dining room book shelves last week! I was stubborn about finishing them for a long time, because they were originally supposed to be built in. But I figure if they're going to sit there, they might as well be painted! I made two custom colors for these and talk some about my theory of making custom colors in slide 5. They probably need a few more coats here and there, but having with how these turned out.

What a WILD ride. Amber just left the bed and breakfast after a two week stay. I have to say I hate to see her go. 😢. I will miss our girl dinners with Gilmore Girls in the evenings. I'd never seen it. I started a painting project on the dining room shelves on week two and just got the first coat on last night. It's like mystery date here at the house on a weekly basis. You never know who is going to walk in the door or what's going to happen, but I have to say this was the most fun one! We vibed on every decision at every turn. Good to shake things up every so often. Go different places, do different things and see things in a whole new way.

Getting it done vs. Over preparing
Some thoughts on getting it done 💪 New article up on the Substack newsletter. Some thoughts on getting it done versus over preparing. There’s always a time in a place for a drop cloth, taping off things, and a super preparation and then there are times when you just need to get it done. I think that this thought of absolute over preparation, kills people from doing things in their house or otherwise. Is it ideal to paint without a drop cloth and then have to use dawn dish soap and water to get everything up? No of course not. But sometimes it’s better to have a finished project than absolute perfection. …The rest is on Substack if you’d like to read it. Link in bio.