Oh I know how hard it is to abstain from eating. We went to our parents house on Xmas for 1 wk. in South TX. Well, needless to say I ate everything under the son. We would go to Mexico and eat all the yummy stuff there and buy tripa and chicharron tacos pretty much on a daily basis. And of course, menudo, tamales and all the the traditional mexican fatty foods. I'm still having fat withdrawals. It's been so hard to stop eating. I decided to munch on a pear right now but I really want choc cake with a fudgy frosting.

And believe it or not , I'm not much of a gambler. It doesn't really entertain me. I know boring. I just don't like losing my hard earned money.

Anyway, I know we'll have fun.

hey everyone! well gee i hadn't ckd this post in forever cuz i thought we were doing most contact in myspace, hehe. i am fine with fort stockon. i have never been there or even know how to get there, but i lived in dallas so i am sure i can manage, lol!! i tell you what i got lost so much over there it wasn't even near funny. anyways so i am good with that location.
hope everyone is doing fantastic. sorry to hear you were sick kim.

Angela

What time is good for everyone?

anytime is good with me.

Anytime is fine...maybe early afternoon??

What about 2 pm?

I am open for ideas. I thought maybe BC and some of our secrets. Also perhaps smoothing or cake board decorating. What else?

Alright everyone. We are on for Saturday January 31st @ 2pm. PM/ email me and I will email/ pm address, directions, and contact info. I am SO looking forward to meeting everyone!

BTW- we are discussing cake boards and what else??? Sorry...I got sucked into the Officially Embarrassing thread.

Does anyone in the EL Paso area (or surrounding areas) know where I can find hi-ratio shortening (by this Friday)?

Tita - there is an Economy Cash and Carry on Paisano that, according to their website, has cake and icing shortening, which I am assuming it is the high ratio. But it looks like it is in 50lb containers, and I'm not recognizing either brand. Here is the link to their website. http://www.economycashcarry.com/ I've never been there, but DH went for me once, and said it was like a huge Sams or something.

There is a place up in Las Cruces, Create A Cake, http://www.yourcreateacake.com/ I haven't been there either but I remember emailing her a couple years ago on if she carried hi-ratio and she said they were working on it. HTH

Sorry I couldn't be more help. I've been a bit disappointed by the cake shops here and do most of my shopping online.

Two other places in town you might have luck with I've managed to find some things I need at both these places, sometimes :

Gallery of Flowers on Trawood: http://www.yellowpages.com/info-LMS57683538/Gallery-of-Flowers-Wedding-Cake-Supplies/maps?back_to=/name/El-Paso-TX/cake%3F

And a place called Grafton Cake Supplies at 1222 McRae (little shopping center near I-10) (915) 591-0852

Thanks Lanibird! Grafton's sucks! I think. I went in there and I didn't want to touch anything! I just found it to be very run down. I too am disappointed with the cake decorating choices in EL paso. I've never heard of tha cash and carry but I'm willing to try it. Are they open to the public or do you have to have a business?
I was thinking of going to Las cruces, but that drive is crazy for a few supplies. I like to do all of my shopping online too, but I need this like ASAP!

Thanks for the quick reply!

Hello everyone! Seems that everything has been set for a meeting. I wish I could make it! keep us posted on how it goes and when we can expect the next one.

Tita and lanibird- The Economy Cash and Carry store has a lot of great things used in baking and decorating in my opinion. You will find cake pans, cake mix, flour, sugar, spatulas, icing colors and other things. I have used the shortening that lanibird was talking about and personally I love it. I also think that the prices are reasonable. I've been there only once and I loves it!

I live out in the Far East, so I know about the drive to Cruces! my sister lives there, so I usually just ask her to check there for me, which is why I've never been to that shop.

Yes, the cash and carry is open to the public.

Lanibird, you are always so helpful by sharing your research with us!!

THANK YOU!!!

tita-I planned on actually going there today. Don't know if I will get around to it but if I do it will be around 4 this afternoon.

ok going to change the subject, but lanibird you mentioned you make pies. I was wondering if you make strawberry rubarb(sp) pies. I had someone ask me if I knew of anyone and I didn't at the time.

I just called and they said they won't have the icing shortening until friday! I need it before friday! HELP!!

How much do you need?

Tita - Did you try the place in Cruces yet? What other places did you call here in town? I know there are still a couple other places here in town, but every time I've called the person who answered the phone didn't speak english, and I barely speak spanish

waterlily - You are welcome, just happy to help when I can. As for the strawberry rhubard pie, I want to, I just haven't found a recipe I like yet.

I speak Spanish and I still speak to them in English because when I called instead of asking me if I speak Spanish, they just transferred me to someone else. No, "hold on" or anything, just click!
Anyway, I can't get out to Las Cruces because we only have 1 car and my hubby takes it to work. I need 6 cups. I was wondering if I could use a substitute for hi-ratio. Sharon from Sugarshack said I can use a trans fat shortening so maybe that'll do. Anyone have a good, smooth buttercream recipe? The one I make is too expensive to serve to strangers (that sounds mean but it's true). This cake is for a potluck.

Hey Tita, I use the Great Value shortening from Wal-Mart. It HAS trans-fat in it. I also use Viva BC recipe from here. Be sure to use HOT liquid with it to get better results.

I'm an SMBC convert, so I haven't tried this, but a lot of people like indydebi's bc:
http://cakecentral.com/cake_recipe-6992-0-Indydebis-Crisco-Based-Buttercream-Icing.html

HTH

Okay, thank you both for your suggestions. Sweetheart of a gal that she is, Waterlily is even offering to give me some of hers.

I've also heard that Bettercream is the real deal as far as taste is concerned. Does anyone in El Paso know if there's a store that sells it?

Glad to hear your got your hi-ratio!

That cash and carry might carry it, I never thought to ask DH to look. I've seen it mentioned that it can be found at SOME Super Wal-Marts, near the Cool Whip (I think). I'm a Target girl so I've yet to check this out. I think Melvira once said you can try asking the bakery counter at Sam's, and they might sell it to you there.

REMINDER!

Cake club meeting:
Date: Saturday January 31st
Where: Fort Stockton
Time: 2pm
Location: Fort Stockton Chamber of Commerce
Drinks and snacks will be available

On the agenda:
Meet and greet
Cake board tutorial
(and whatever else we want )

If you have questions or need help with directions (landmarks etc) let me know!!! I look forward to meeting and talking with everyone!

Let me know if you can make it!

Live the new avatar Diana!

Unfortunately, count me out. DH sold a pool yesterday (yay! we've really been struggling since the economy tanked), so he will have to work Saturday. *sigh* Such is life for small business owners.

Here's hoping for the next one!

lanibird, I am sorry to hear that you won't be able to make it. I am happy that he sold a pool tho! YAY! Sometimes you gotta take it where you can get it! Here's hoping for more pools selling!

Has anyone heard from or seen jjandhope? they haven't posted since November and am worried bout'em