So I’m being lazy. I wrote this “101 Things…” as a post… my second “new” post after starting this blog (I imported lots of “old” posts from my other blog). Anyway, at this time (as I still work on this new blog), I don’t have the time (ie., I’m too lazy to…) write a really smokin’ “About” page, so for now, I’m just cutting and pasting the post. Is that okay with everybody? Good!
A long time ago I saw something like this on another blog and it intrigued me. I made myself a note to one day have my very own “101 Things” page. You might think it’s dumb (I hope not) or way too long (it is!), but if you’re curious about me, here’s your chance to learn some totally cool, interesting (maybe boring) and totally useless!
Well, these are mostly about me, but not totally. They are not in any particular order of importance… just how they rolled out of my brain. Oh, and I squeezed extra sentences in everywhere, so there’s really way more than 101. Anyway, here’s my list…
- I’ve been married to Richy, my college sweetheart, since 1996. I was 20 when we got married… he was 24.
- He makes me laugh, is a great snuggle-er, a fantastic Daddy, my best friend, and I love him more now than ever.
- We have 6 kids… they’re all mine and his… biologically. You wouldn’t believe how many people ask that… or assume that we’re a blended family … we’re not. Have you seen them? They all look just.like.him. Just sayin’.
- Five of my kids are boys. The other is a girl. She’s in the middle, sort of. But not exactly.
- My favorite “fancy” dessert is Tiramisu. It’s an Italian dessert. On very special and rare occasions, my husband makes it for me and I want to marry him all over again.
- My best friend in the whole wide world is Kathy (other than Richy, that is). She lives in Italy and is married to an Italian. She made me Tiramisu once but forgot to drop it by my house (oops!)… one day she’s gonna bring me some more. Or at least that’s what I’m hoping for. Are you reading this, Kathy? Hello?
- My favorite non-fancy dessert is Homemade Chocolate Chip Cookies. My son Joshua makes them for me often. He rocks!
- I sold my first cake on December 31, 2009. It was this one. Before that, I only baked for my own kids and occasionally a close family member.
- I’d have never dreamed I’d write a blog – especially about cakes. I started with a blog about saving money a couple of years ago… and I’m also writing my diary about losing weight. Oh, and I’ve taught coupon classes. Fun stuff!
- I’ve dreamed of doing cakes since I was 13 when I asked for a cheap-o Wilton decorating set (like this) for Christmas. My Mama got it for me and it’s finally paid off… nearly 20 years later.
- My favorite cake flavor (at least this week) is Dark Chocolate with Chocolate Chips. I dream of filling it with Whipped Ganache and piling on some Cream Cheese Frosting. I’ve never made this combination – I just imagine it and that it would be my favorite. Maybe I’ll try it one day and post about it. In the meantime, these Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Cupcakes are pretty fantastic too!
- Yes, I’m crazy.
- I collect cute socks. Lots and lots of cute socks. So many that I have to trade them out of my sock drawer based on the season because there’s not enough room for them all.
- I’ve never owned a pair of Thanksgiving socks. (sad face)
- I like to watch NFL football. I like to watch it with my sweetheart. I like to watch HIM watch it – he gets excited and animated and that makes me smile!
- I like Sushi. Next to Italian, it’s my favorite thing to eat. I’m experimenting with making it at home… no success yet.
- I live in the country. Seven (7) miles from the nearest town. A tiny town. A town with only 2 stoplights, 2 dollar stores, and no chain stores or branded stores. No Walmart, Kroger, McDonalds, Wendy’s, 7 Eleven. You get the idea. I’m at least 35 miles from any of “those” places.
- We own chickens and we eat fresh eggs. We’ve eaten one fresh chicken – killed by accident. Maybe one day I’ll tell you that story.
- We have 2 cats – Cowboy and Sapphire. Sapphire is not a blue cat. She does not have blue eyes. I have no idea why my kids picked that name.
- My kids names are Joshua, Caleb, Sarah, Noah, Christian, and Asher. They were born in years ranging from 1997 – 2011.
- My kids were born in 3 different states: Idaho, Mississippi, and Louisiana.
- Richy and I (and our kids) have lived in 3 different states: Idaho, Florida, and Mississippi.
- We’ve had 9 addresses in 15 years of marriage. Moving is not fun.
- I hate any form of cardio exercise. I hate to sweat.
- I like to lift weights, but I never do it.
- I want to lose weight and get healthy. And be a cake decorator. This is not a good combination of wants.
- I like to use ellipses….
- I like to read. I like to take bubble baths. I like to read while taking bubble baths.
- My favorite fiction book is “The Notebook” by Nicholas Sparks. “The Mountain Between Us” by Charles Martin is a close second.
- My favorite flower is a tulip. Pink or purple or yellow or white… pretty much any color. I love tulips.
- We homeschool our kids. Not one of them has ever stepped foot into a public school. Except to visit their MawMaw (my Mama) – a public school teacher.
- I was not homeschooled. I was valedictorian of my class in 1993. I skipped the 11th grade and graduated one week after my 17th birthday. When you get to be an adult, no one cares about that sort of thing.
- I attended 4 colleges.
- I have a Bachelor’s degree in Mathematics from Mississippi University for Women.
- At MUW, my GPA was 4.0. Another thing that doesn’t matter when you get to be a grown-up.
- There were men in my classes.
- I love math and sometimes do algebra for fun, but other than my own children, have ZERO desire to teach it. I also get to do math when doing cakes… and that’s fun to me!
- I wish I had gotten a degree in baking. Is there such a thing? MUW offered a degree in culinary arts… they made great Cream Puffs at that school… from scratch. I have the recipe.
- I have never taking a baking or cake decorating class. Anywhere. At All. Ever. I’m completely “self-taught”.
- I am not athletic at all.
- I don’t like to play sports.
- I don’t like to be hot. EVER. I wish it was spring and fall and winter year round. Any season except summer. I don’t like to sweat, remember?
- I love the mountains and snow. And cabins in the mountains and snow.
- I don’t love the beach and summer time.
- I live in southern Mississippi. Go figure.
- I like to burn candles.
- I like to burn candles while taking bubble baths and reading.
- I like to play with fire. So does my son Noah. He’s my wild child and that worries me.
- We own two houses – not as a luxury, but because the economy tanked and we can’t sell one of them. It sucks. I don’t like it when my kids say “sucks”.
- I’m slightly claustrophobic.
- The house we live in has 3 bedrooms.
- Did I mention we have 6 kids? Do the math on that one.
- All of my children except Caleb (my second boy) have blue eyes. Caleb’s are brown. Like mine.
- I like to alternately nibble on some form of chocolate and some form of cheese. Such as M&M’s and Cheetos. Are Cheetos considered a form of cheese? I think so.
- I love Diet Dr. Pepper. And Diet Coke with Splenda. And I’ll drink Diet Pepsi if the other two aren’t available. It’s my morning “coffee”.
- I do not like coffee.
- I love coffee ice cream.
- I love the smell of coffee.
- Tiramisu is a coffee flavored dessert.
- I have big, cushy, red couches. They’re stained and worn, but hubby says we can’t replace them until the children are grown, so I’m sort of stuck with them… forever.
- Pink is my favorite color. But I also like red and purple a lot.
- I’ve visited/driven through 40 states (I think). I should recount one day.
- I’ve never been outside the United States. One day I will go to Italy (God-willing).
- I love things that smell good. Sweet Pea is my favorite scent (especially from Bath & Body Works). I also like the smell of vanilla a lot.
- I have had chronic headaches since Junior High School.
- I have had chronic neck & shoulder pain since I was in a wreck in 2002 (I think that was the year). Chronic pain sucks stinks.
- I minored in Art in college and used to love to draw with pencils, chalks and charcoal. I think I still would love it if I ever made the time to do it.
- I think I’ve only drawn one picture since college. It was for Kathy.
- I am a Christian. A Bible-believing, born again, Jesus died for my sins, Christian.
- I don’t really like to claim a religion, but we are currently members of a Baptist Church and we love it. We’ve also been members of non-denominational churches, a Church of God Church and an Assemblies of God church…. and loved them all.
- I am a night owl… not a morning person. I like to stay up late and sleep late. Those are bad habits. But not my only bad habits.
- I am not a good housekeeper.
- I don’t have a (house) decorating bone in my body. Cakes on the other hand….
- I dream of being a minimalist.
- Mostly I’m a clutter-bug.
- I have 2 brothers and 1 sister. They and my parents all live within 7 miles of my home. We’re a really close-knit family.
- I have purple running shoes. I’m trying to learn to like to run. For now, I mostly walk. Running = sweating. I don’t like sweating. Oh, I already said that.
- I am not fashionable at all. My sister is very fashionable.
- I love to hear my husband play trumpet. He plays at church on Sundays and it’s awesome!
- I like most kinds of music – pretty much everything except rap and metal.
- We have a 1967 Convertible Mustang and it is purple. It hasn’t run since we were dating, but one day…
- I waited tables at Pizza Hut when I was in college and loved it! I’ve also worked in a Justice Court Clerk’s office, a library, a tire shop, and as a private math tutor… just to name a few.
- I love to ride motorcycles. I used to have one when I was a teenager.
- I want to sky-dive and/or parachute one day. My husband says “not!”.
- I hate going to the dentist, or any doctor really, and I often deliberately miss appointments.
- I have to sit down if anybody’s bleeding so I don’t faint.
- My next-to-youngest son Christian got the end of his finger off when he was about 20 months old and had to be taken by ambulance to the children’s hospital in New Orleans to have it sewn back on. If we hadn’t been at a friend’s house who also happened to be a nurse, I’m quite sure I’d still be passed out on the floor.
- I can’t play any instruments but I dream of playing piano. I took lessons briefly in college, but didn’t get very far.
- I have a semi-fancy camera and mostly don’t know how to use it. I’d love to take a photography class.
- I’m not allergic to anything.
- I like bananas but hate banana-flavored anything. Asher (my baby) loves bananas!
- I love strawberries and I love chocolate milk. But not together! That would be gross.
- My favorite pie is Key Lime Pie with fresh whipped cream on top.
- I was born in 1976.
- I read frugal blogs (I mentioned I have one!), money/finance blogs, baking/cooking blogs, diet/weight loss/health blogs (I have one of these too… sort of), and a few other inspirational, funny and just plain entertaining blogs!
- When I was a young girl, I always wished my name was Marissa and I had curly hair – my daughter does. Have curly hair that is… her name is not Marissa, it’s Sarah.
- I hide M&M’s from my children so I don’t have to share. I don’t like hard candy but I love chocolate candy and candy bars. Baci is from Italy and it’s a favorite (Kathy brings/mails it to me when she can)… along with more common things like Andes Mints, Mr. Goodbars, Dark Chocolate Reeses, Symphony Bars, Twix… you get the idea. Oh, and I love Oreos. But that’s not candy or a candy bar.
- I watch too much TV. I am a news junkie and I like crime/mystery shows and some dramas. I’m not much into all the latest reality TV shows, but I do love American Idol and So You Think You Can Dance? I also love to watch cooking, baking and cake shows… bet you’d have never guessed that, huh?
- I love the Anne of Green Gables movies. My Mama got me the DVD set for Christmas this year and I’m working my way through watching them again right now.
- I love breakfast foods… eggs, grits, bacon, sausage, biscuits, pancakes, cereal, Pop-tarts, hash browns… everything except oatmeal. Unless it’s an oatmeal cookie. But then that’s not really breakfast, huh? Waffle House is one of my favorite places to eat.
- I don’t consider myself a writer, and yet I choose to blog and love it!
Congratulations if you made it all the way through my very long list!! Did I miss anything? Something you’d like to know about me? Leave a comment and I’ll answer if I can! Want to keep up to date with all the new stuff happening on Rose Bakes? Be sure so sign up for my FREE email newsletter and like Rose Bakes on Facebook!









Rose,
I just have to tell you that I really enjoyed reading your 101 things! I have JUST started decorating cakes for anyone other than family and am having a blast. In reading your list, I realize how much we have in common! I do have a quick question for you …. again, I made my first cake for my son’s (who is 4 now) first birthday. It was quite the undertaking with fondant 3D animals, multiple tiers, etc. It turned out OK but I have learned a bunch since then! I would like to think that I am you with less practice :) My current issue that I have been unable to resolve is how to get perfectly straight, level tiers on tiered cakes! I did one yesterday that turned out great but required quite a bit of damage control to do so …. is there a secret to leveling? I have tried cores, the bake even strips (which worked for a few uses then managed to burn up) and both of the wilton leveling tools …. any suggestions? Thanks a bunch!
Sarah
Hi Sarah!
Congrats on your cake work… it’s hard stuff, I know! For leveling, I bake with wet towels (did you see my post here: http://rosebakes.com/how-to-bake-a-level-cake-for-cheap-works-for-me-wednesday/). I’ve used those towels for a couple of years and they work great!! I also use a cheapy wilton leveler but not with alot of success… sometimes I put my cake back in the pan on top of 2 cardboard rounds so the top sticks out. Then I use a long serrated knife to cut across and level it that way. Then when I stack them, I do a frosting “dam” between layers of cake, add the top layer use a level to check for level again. When I add a second tier (I stack with bubble tea straws), I check for level on the top of the second tier… if it’s off a bit, I cut a new straw taller/shorter to level it that way. I do this for each tier! I’m hoping to do a tutorial on this soon.. I hope this helps!
Rose
Enjoyed reading about you Rose!
I found you through pinterest and am your newest follower! :-) I LOVE #65! :-) ANNDDD i live within 4 miles of my brothers and my parents! :-) Super close too! :-) Anne of Green Gables was one of my favorite movies/books growing up. . . we watched it so much my dad even loves those movies! :-) LOVE your 101 things! :-)
Awww, thanks Elizabeth! Glad to have you here. Please feel free to always ask questions, comment, or just say Hi!
Hey Rose,
Just stumbled upon your website! Nice. I love your recipes but unfortunately, since I live in a small travel trailer, I don’t have a proper oven. Maybe my granddaughters & I can make some of these things at their house. God Bless.
Hi Rose ,
I liked your work a lot
If you please,,, I want to know how I making gum paste
What are the ingredients and method for making gum paste???
What is the Alternatives the Tylose powder ( Gum text ) i haven’t like it in my city ??? what should i do ???
I hope you reply
Thanks a lot :)
I’m sorry – I’m not aware of a recipe for gum paste that doesn’t have tylose. :-(
Can i use corn syrup for soft paste to cover cake ???
thanks for your reply :)
Hi Liz! WhAt a beautiful family ! I’m having tousles keeping up with just my 2 kiddos! I wanted to ask how you made the antennae for your oh so sweet
Ladybugs so cute!
Denise
For the smash cakes? I used floral wire and I cut tiny hearts out of fondant and “glued” them onto the wire with sugar glue. If you’re referring to a different ladybug, let me know and I’ll get you an answer!
Hi Rose:
It´s very nice to meet you and know that we share some things in common (we homeschool our children and love cooking)
Thank you from Mexico :D
PILY
Thanks for visiting Pily!!
Hi Rose,
I came upon your site looking for some instructions on a 3D truck for a customer. Yes, I coulda figured it out but don’t like to waste time or supplies if someone out there has done it and I can clone it! I hope you don’t mind me doing that…I assume thats why you have it here!
ANyway….Love love love your site!!! it’s now bookmarked and I have spent most of my day looking at it! ( and I thought figuring out a 3D cake was a waste of time! ha well…your site is not a waste of time, thats not what I meant! But it is a lot more fun then trying to make a 3D cake!)
I am all the way from Ontario, Canada!
I dont really know what else to say but wanted you to know you have a fan from other country and someday I hope to make a Canadian site like yours!! So thanks!!
Awww, you’re so sweet Vanessa!! YES – I’m thrilled that you used my tutorial and site to help you do a cake! I’d love to see a picture if you do one! Please come hang out and visit any time… and if you have questions, let me know! xo
Hi Rose!
Enjoyed looking at all your recipes…
Well my cousin is turning 1 in December and we our planning a LadyBug theme party. If you could contact me for some more great ideas and recipes!
-Thank you, Destinee
Thank you! I have lots of ladybug cakes and some cookies, cupcakes, and cake pops posted here on RoseBakes.com! If you search and browse, maybe you can find some inspiration!
Hello Rose!
I am so pleased I found your website! I was looking for ideas for a birthday cake, and found you! I live in country South Australia, about 7 miles from my closest town too – which is a very small town! We often tell people, if they drive through it, and blink, they will miss it! So many things in your 101 list I could also relate to. It is a lovely idea to list things about yourself. If people you don’t know find them fascinating, how much more will your kids love to know these things about their Mum one day! Take care and thanks for the inspirational ideas for cakes and everything else. God bless, Annie.
Aww, it’s so lovely to meet you Annie! I’m glad you found my site and I hope you’ll come back, visit, and comment often!! :)
I clicked over from “I Am Baker” for the pecan pie cookies. Yum! Pecan is my husband’s favorite pie, so I’ll be making those for sure.
I , too, hate coffee but LOVE coffee ice cream! My husband doesn’t like either one. I can also get into tiramisu, etc. I used to adore the JAMOCHA shakes at Arby’s, but I haven’t had one of those in quite awhile.
Welcome to RoseBakes.com! Mmmm, I need me a Mocha Java from Sonic right now ;)
Hi, I absolutely love your Hello Kitty Cake! I am going to recreate one for my best friend for her 22nd birthday. Thanks for the inspriation! :)
Wow!! I love your list!! This is a great idea and I can’t wait to read more of your blog…
Hi!
I found your blog through pintrest! So far I LOVE IT! I have loved to bake since i was a small child. I never pursued my love for baking, but now I am slowly trying to teach myself the art of cake decorating. I read your 101 Things. All I have to say is i think either we are related or a clone of each other! I had my husband read them also and he said ok that’s you minus/plus a couple things. I have bookmarked this blog and will enjoy reading it in the future!!
Awww, thanks for stopping by Catherine! I hope you will come back often! You can also subscribe to my free email newsletter here!
Hi Rose, came across your page looking for a paste to use with the cricut cake. can you tell
me please how thin do you roll your paste before feeding it through the machine. Great page by the way.
Honestly, I’ve only used my Cricut a few times because it just doesn’t seem to work well for me. But when I do use it, I roll my gum paste thin enough to see through!