A Knight's Castle Cake Tutorial

I am almost finished putting together the post from my son's Medieval Birthday Party, but first I thought I'd post a quick "tutorial" for his cake.  (Birthday morning post: Hear Ye, Hear Ye!)  I wasn't planning on posting this at all, but since I had a few requests (a couple moms who would like to make it for their sons, and another mom who would like to use it for an End of the Year Blue Knights Party next year - which is a great idea, by the way!) here you go.

I was really just winging it, when I made this cake... Plus I didn't even get started until 9pm when I ran to the store for a couple last ingredients - which explains the really dark pictures - but my kids all LOVED it (especially the birthday boy) and it was worth the effort!

Supplies:

2 - 9x13 Cakes

1 batch of Rice Krispie Treats

Buttercream Frosting 

Black Color Mist

Sugar Cubes or Mini Marshmallows

Green and Blue Decorating Frosting

Blue Sparkle Gel Frosting

2 StackerMallows

12-18 Pretzel Sticks

Milk Chocolate Rocks

Large Cake Board or Platter

Safari Ltd Knights and Dragon Toob

Stack two 9x13 cakes, trimming the 4 corners at an angle. 

Prepare one batch of Rice Krispie Treats, spreading evenly on a large cookie sheet.   When slightly cooled cut in to 4 equal pieces, rolling the rectangles into 4 round "towers."

Frost the Rice Krispie Towers and Cake, attaching the towers to the 4 corners of the cake.  Here is the recipe that I used for this cake, which was just enough:

Buttercream Frosting

1 c. butter
1/2 c. shortening
1/4-1/2 tsp. salt (to taste)
2 tsp. vanilla
2 lbs. powdered sugar
1/2 c. water

Cream first 4 ingredients until well blended (3 minutes) on medium speed. Add sugar and water; beat until well blended. Keeps indefinitely in refrigerator.

* Please ignore the bamboo skewers sticking out of a couple of the towers... I thought about placing flags on each tower, and then changed my mind! ;)   They would be perfect for a Blue Knights Cake!

Spray the cake with Black Color Mist, creating a stone like appearance.  I only had one can of mist, and for this cake two would have been much better.   You could also just opt to dye your frosting grey to keep things simple.  

I was really starting to worry at this point, since it wasn't looking too great! lol! 

Add Sugar Cubes around the top of the cake and towers.   Mini Marshmallows would work great too, but I wasn't sure how the grey color mist would stick to them, so I opted for the sugar cubes.   (These were not eaten, by the way!)  The color mist was sticking nicely... at least until I ran out! 

Next I created doors with a couple StackerMallows and chocolate cookie icing, and a "moat" in front of the castle with Green and Blue Decorating Icing. I added a little Blue Sparkle Gel to the top of the water as well.  Using Pretzel Sticks I created a little bridge across the water. 

I then placed Milk Chocolate Rocks around the rest of the castle.  Aren't they so cute?!   They are delicious as well!!   (I found mine at WalMart, but it looks like Amazon carries some as well.)

All that left was adding some Knights and Dragons, which of course were "fixed" in the morning by my boys...

...in addition to adding a couple more little "decorations,"  like this ladder for example! :) 

Links for August :: Month Dedicated to the Immaculate Heart of Mary

Monthly Dedication ~ The Immaculate Heart of Mary

• In Honor of the Immaculate Heart of Mary (2008)
• In Honor of the Immaculate Heart of Mary (2013)
• The Catholic Child and The Blessed Virgin (2013)

August 4, Feast of St. John Vianney (New):

• The Year for Priests (Summer with the Saints - 2010)
• The Year for Priests Lap Book (2010 - includes book suggestions) 
• Teaching Children the Liturgical Colors of the Church Year (2010) 

*As a little gift, since I never was able to finish some sets of these to sell as a fundraiser for my Little Flowers group, here is the Fiddleback Vestment Pattern I created!  Happy feast of St. John Vianney!! 

August 8th ~ Feast of St. Dominic (New):

• Highlights from "D" Week (2009 - Alphabet Path)

August 11th (New) and August 12th (Trad) ~ Feast of St. Clare:

• Feast of St. Clare (2008 - Coloring Pages and Eclairs)
• In Honor of St. Clare of Assisi (2009 - Painted Peg Doll and Picture Books)  
• Little Flowers Girls' Club ~ Joy/Mirthfulness (2009)
• St. Clare Tote Bag (2009)
• On the Eve of the Feast of St. Clare (2011)

August 12th ~ Feast of St. Jane Frances de Chantal (New):

• Little Flowers Girls Club ~ Love of Our Neighbor (2008)

August 14th ~ Feast of St. Maximilian Kolbe (New):

• Celebrating the Feast of St. Maximilian Kolbe (2008)
• On the Feast of St. Maximilian (2009)
• A Costume for St. Maximilian Kolbe (2009)
• Celebrating the Feast of St. Maximilian Kolbe (2013)

August 15th ~ Feast of the Assumption (New, Trad):

• The Feast of the Assumption
• Ideas for Celebrating the Feast of the Assumption
• Celebrating the Assumption (2009)
• Celebrating the Assumption (2013)

August 18th ~ Feast of St. Helena (Trad):

• Highlights from "H" Week (2009)
• Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross (2008) 

August 21st ~ Feast of St. Pius X (New):

• Feast of St. Pius X

August 22nd ~ Feast of the Queenship of Mary (New):

• Our Cookie Crown Cake (2008)
• Honoring Our Lady (2009)

August 23rd ~ Feast of St. Rose of Lima (New) and August 30th (Trad):

• Highlights from "R" Week (2010)

OTHER RESOURCES:

• Catholic Cuisine : Recipes for August ~ Month of the Immaculate Heart of Mary
• Painted Saint Dolls :  An Alphabet of Saints

An Online Curriculum Sale Blog Hop!

~ Rules for Posting ~ 

• Create a blog post with your gently used curriculum (and any other books/items) that you'd like to sell or pass on to another family, with pictures if possible.
• Add a link to your post, referring back to this post, so that others can find the link up. 
• Using the linky below, enter the direct link to your post. 
• Thank you for participating!

Note:  This linky is for friends/visitors of this blog (Shower of Roses) to sell their own books and materials - please, no resellers or small businesses.   The linky will remain open until next Monday, so be sure to check back for new links! 

Happy Shopping! 

Organizing the School Room :: A Used Book Sale #2

As I mentioned a couple weeks ago, I will be hosting a Used Book Sale Link-up here at Shower of Roses today!! The last Used Book Sale I had really motivated me to continue sorting though our books and I have come up with the items pictured below, to pass on to other homes where they might be used a little more. The embarrassing thing is, even with all the books I've boxed to sell, I still have quite a few baskets of books that do not have a home, in addition to all the books that are stored in my closet! (I'm starting to think that the solution, at this point, might just be a couple new bookshelves, since we really don't have all that many!)

If you are interested in purchasing any of the books listed, please leave a comment with your email address and I will send you your total, with shipping, along with my PayPal info. (If you'd rather not leave your email address, you can email me directly at jessica(dot)showerofroses(at)gmail(dot)com.

Shipping will be $3.50 for 1-2 items and $5.00 for 3 or more, to cover the cost of packaging and media rate in the continental U.S. If you end up ordering a lot of books, or you would like the books mailed elsewhere, I will get back to you with the actual shipping costs.

Thank you for taking a look, and be sure to check the link-up for even more online used book sales!

UPDATE 8/2:  Thank you all for your purchases!  Everything that has been purchased so far has been marked sold and packaged for shipment.   I also just went through and reduced the prices on some of the remaining items.


UPDATE 8/15:  I am no longer updating this post.   You can see all the remaining items available, discounted even further, here.   

• Simply Grammar: An Illustrated Primer by Karen Andreola, Asking $10.00
• Writing Road to Reading 5th Rev Ed: The Spalding Method for Teaching Speech, Spelling, Writing, and Reading (Harperresource Book), like new, Asking $10.00 (Sold)
• First Language Lessons for the Well-Trained Mind (Vol. Levels 1 & 2) (First Language Lessons), Asking $10.00 (Sold)

I purchased this Sound Beginnings Program and never did end up using it.  It is all in like new condition.  I would like to sell the whole set all together for $67.00 (it totals $87+ shipping if purchased new). (Sold)

• Sound Beginnings: Parent/Teacher Manual ($38)
• Sound Beginnings: Worksheets ($6)
• Easy Reader's Bible ($17)
• Sound Beginnings: CD ($8)
• Sound Beginnings: Composition Notebook ($6)
• Sound Beginnings: Phonogram Cards ($12)

I purchased these Music Book & CD combo's from Nova Natural.   "Mary Schunemann’s lilting voice can get toddlers active with the most important instrument of all — their voices."

• Sing a Song of Seasons, like new, Asking $20.00 (Sold)
• This is the Way-We-Wash-a-Day, like new, Asking $20.00 (Sold)

Hardcover Catholic Picture Books by Inos Biffi and Home Catechesis Manuals:

• The Sacraments by Inos Biffi, Out of Print - ex library book, Asking $5.00 (Sold)
• An Introduction to the Liturgical Year by Inos Biffi, Out of Print - very good condition, Asking $15.00 (Sold)
• The Ten Commandments (My First Catechism) by Inos Biffi, Out of Print - very good condition, Asking $7.00  (Sold)
• Home Catechesis Manual for Ages 3-5, by Moira Farrell. Finally, a home-based program of religious education in the Montessori tradition! This spiral-bound manual offers thirty-two scripted presentations for children ages 3 to 5. Also, patterns, ideas and directions for making all the necessary hands-on materials. Topics include: items used at Mass, parts of the Mass, biblical geography, Advent, Christmas, Lent, Easter, Parables of the Kingdom, Baptism, Creation, and others. like new (retails for $40+s/h), Asking $35.00   (Sold)
• Home Catechesis Manual for Ages 6-9, by Moira Farrell. These spiral bound pages offer twenty-seven scripted presentations for chidlren ages 6 to 9. Topics include: Solar Calendar, Liturgical Calendar, Advent Wreath, Jesse Tree, Annunciation, Visitation, Epiphany, Zacchaeus, Bartimaeus, Palm Sunday, Last Supper, Eucharistic Presence of the Good Shepherd, Seder Meal, Parts of the Mass, etc. Includes patterns, ideas and directions to make the hands-on materials to accompany these presentations, like new (retails for $40+s/h), Asking $35.00 (Sold)

I have extras of both of these and decided to list them as well.  We use them every Lent and Easter season!

• The Garden of the Good Shepherd: A Sticker Calendar to Count the Fifty Days of Easter, new,  2 available Asking $15.00 each  (Sold)
• Forty Days and Forty Nights (A Lenten Ark Moving toward Easter), new,  2 available Asking $15.00 each  (Sold)

These Father Lovasik Picture Books are all duplicates of ones on our shelves, and all in brand new condition.  These are currently sold at Amazon in packs of 10 for around $11.70 per package.   I am asking $1.00 per book. 

• Great Women of the Bible, 3 available (Sold)
• Blessed Kateri Tekakwitha, 2 available (Sold)
• Mary My Mother, 5 available (Sold)
• The Immaculate Conception, 1 available (Sold)
• Our Lady of Guadalupe, 1 available (Sold)
• The Our Father and Hail Mary, 3 available (Sold)
• I Believe in God, 3 available (Sold)
• Great Men of the New Testament, 2 available (Sold)
• St Martin de Porres, 2 available (Sold)
• Saint Peter the Apostle, 1 available (Sold)
• Saint Paul the Apostle, 3 available  (Sold)
• Saint Francis of Assisi, 5 available (Sold)
• Saint Patrick, 6 available 3 available
• The Parables of Jesus, 1 available (Sold)
• The Sacramentals of the Church, 3 available (Sold)
• My First Catechism, 8 available 4 available
• The Works of Mercy,  5 available (Sold)
• My First Catholic Picture Dictionary, 2 available (Sold)
• The Apostles of Jesus, 2 available  (Sold)
• Good Saint Joseph, 1 available (Sold)
• My Day with Jesus,  1 available (Sold)
• Following Jesus, 2 available  (Sold)
• My Friend Jesus, 2 available  (Sold)
• Pray Always,  3 available (Sold)
• My Life with God, 2 available  (Sold)
• Going to Confession, 1 available (Sold)
• The Promises of the Sacred Heart, 2 available (Sold)
• The Eight Beatitudes, 2 available  (Sold)

Various Coloring Books and Workbooks, all in new condition:

• About Rosary Coloring Book 6 available, Asking $1.00 each (Sold) 
• Catholic ABC Coloring Book 3 available, Asking $1.00 each (Sold)
• Everyday Prayers Coloring Book 7 available, Asking $1.00 each (Sold) 
• Opposites (Usborne First Learning Activity Book), Asking $3.00 (Sold)
• Primary Skills Workbook - Seatwork, Asking $2.00 
• A Coloring Book of Great Explorers, Asking $3.50 (Sold) 
• Do-A-Dot Art Mighty Trucks Activity Book, Asking $1.00 (Sold) 

Catholic Artworks Poster Set - in like new condition, since I have duplicates of these... They will be shipped all together in a Poster Tube.  The Mary and the 50 States poster is pictured above, hanging in our school room.  Asking $15.00 for all 4 posters (Sold)  Includes:  

• Mary and the 50 States
• Who do you say that I Am?
• Our Lady
• St. Paul

Religion and Spelling Books from Seton and Building Spelling Skills:

• Religion 1 for Young Catholics, like new condition, Asking $10.00 (Sold) 
• Religion 2 for Young Catholics (2005 Edition),  like new condition, Asking $10.00 (Sold)
• Spelling 1 for Young Catholics (2007 Edition), like new condition, Asking $7.00  (Sold)
• Spelling 3 for Young Catholics (2007 Edition), like new condition, Asking $7.00  (Sold)
• Building Spelling Skills, Grade 1, MISSING WEEK ONE and first page of Week two, Pages 39-142 are loose but in excellent condition, I had my son look at the pages and write the answers in a notebook, Asking $5.00
• Building Spelling Skills, Grade 2, Brand New-Never Used, Asking $8.00
• Building Spelling Skills: Grade 3, Weeks 1-8 of 30 have been completed, Asking $5.00
• Building Spelling Skills: Grade 5, New - Never Used, Asking $8.00

This set of Science books/materials is used by Kolbe Academy in the 1st-4th Grades - I purchased it all used from Amazon, Ebay and Cathswap. Purchase all the Harcourt materials together for $50.00.  

• Harcourt Science Grades 1-2 with 2 Harcourt Science, 2nd Grade Workbook (the cover on the back of one workbook has a small tear) Includes Course Plans for 1st and 2nd Grade,  Asking $45.00
• Harcourt Science Grades 3-4, Excellent Condition, Asking $15.00

• Saxon Math 3 Home Study Kit with Workbooks and Meeting Book, Asking $50.00  (Sold)
• Math K Meeting Book (new),Asking $7.00 (Sold)
• Saxon Math 54 textbook, this has lots of wear but is still useable, Asking $5.00
• Saxon Math 65 with Home Study Packet,  this has lots of wear but is still useable, Asking $6.00 (Sold)

I was so torn on whether or not to sell these. . . I loved this program, I just couldn't find enough time in the day to do it consistently with all of my children. . .  Anyhow, after taking the picture I've decided to keep Level A & B for now.   Level C & D have never been used, though there are a few pencil marks on the Level C book.  

• Right Start Math Level C Lessons, Asking $60.00 (Sold)
• Right Start Math Level C Worksheets, Asking $15.00 (Sold)
• Right Start Math Level D Lessons, new- never used, Asking $60.00
• Right Start Math Level D Worksheets, new - never used, Asking $15.00 (Sold)

Various Art Books, all in very good condition:

• I Can Do All Things - A Beginning Book of Drawing and Painting, Asking $6.00
• Planet Earth & Art Activities (Arty Facts), Asking $2.00
• Big Book of Books and Activities: An Illustrated Guide for Teacher, Parents, and Anyone Who Works With Kids!, Asking $12.00
• First Art : Art Experiences for Toddlers and Twos, Asking $8.00 (Sold)

These are old, out of print hardcover books from a Catholic Elementary School.  All have wear, due to their age - mainly to the corners of the cover, but the pages and binding are all in great condition: 

• Exploring God's World (Catholic Elementary School Science Program), 1960 edition, Book 5,  Asking $10.00 (Sold)
• The New More Streets and Roads, Book 3-2, 1956 Edition, Asking $10.00 (Sold)
• The New Days and Deeds (The New Cathedral Basic Readers), 1956 edition, Book 5-1, Asking $10.00 (Sold)
• More Days and Deeds (The New Cathedral Basic Readers), 1957 edition, Book 5-2, Asking $10.00 (Sold)
• The New People and Progress (The New Cathedral Basic Readers), 1958 edition, Book 6-1, Asking $10.00 (Sold)

Various History Books and Music CD, most of these are duplicates:

• Child's Bible History, good condition (some pencil marks throughout), Asking $4.00 (Sold) 
• History Pockets: Life in Plymouth Colony, Grades 1-3, new, Asking $7.50 (Sold)
• Meet Josephina, like new, asking $4.00
• Bach and Mozart Companion CD Unfortunately CD this does not work on a Mac... :(  Asking $5.00
• Red Badge of Courage, The (Great Illustrated Classics), good condition, Asking $4.00 (Sold)
• If You Lived In Colonial Times old edition, wear to cover, Asking $1.50 (Sold)
• The Courage of Sarah Noble, Asking $2.50 (Sold)
• Hamlet (Bantam Classic), very good condition, Asking $1.00 (Sold) 

Miscellaneous Books - all in like new condition:

• Stories to Learn By,  Asking $4.00
• Stories from the Life of Jesus Puzzle Book, like new (duplicate copy), Asking $4.00 (Sold)
• The Life of Christ, like new (duplicate copy), Asking $8.00 

Even More Miscellaneous Books, Games, Etc:

• The Way I Feel , Asking $2.00
• Dinosaur Model and StoryBook Mega Plant-Eaters (Includes models to make and fact-packed stories), Asking $1.00
• Dinosaur Model and StoryBook Ferocious Flesh-Eaters (Includes models to make and fact-packed stories), Asking $1.00
• By Day and By Night (Explore Your World), Asking $1.00
• 50 Things to do on a Journey, some wear to corner of box, otherwise like new (just realized we had two of this game), Asking $4.00 (Sold) 
• Discovery Toys Wiz Kidz Card Game, Asking $6.00
• Wild Animal Tattoos, Asking $0.50
• The Jetsons - The Complete First Season, Asking $10.00

Here is a variety of other miscellaneous books, dvds, and cds:

• The Catholic Answers Guide to Family Finances, never used, slight wear to cover, Asking $5.00 (Sold) 
• The Religious Potential of the Child: Experiencing Scripture and Liturgy with Young Children, very good condition, Asking $20.00
• Teaching Montessori in the Home: Pre-School Years: The Pre-School Years, very good condition, Asking $6.00 (Sold)
• The Rosary is a Place Fr. Benedict Groeschel & Simonetta, Set of 2 Cassettes, Asking $1.00
• Little Flowers CD Virtues and Verses Wreaths 1 & 2, New in shrink wrap since I accidentally purchased 2, Asking $10.00 (Sold)
• St. Francis DVD, like new, Asking $10.00 (Sold) 
• St. John Bosco: Mission to Love, new in shrink wrap, Asking $18.00 (Sold)
• Creative Clips and Fonts, Asking $3.00

Various books, all in excellent to like new condition:

• The Invisible World: Understanding Angels, Demons, and the Spiritual Realities That Surround Us, like new, Asking $5.00
• The Book of Genesis: Question by Question, like new, Asking $5.00
• The Joy of Family Traditions: A Season-by-Season Companion to 400 Celebrations and Activities, like new, Asking $7.00  (Sold)
• The Preacher's Bride, like new, Asking $4.00
• Little Daily Wisdom: 365 Inspiring Bible Verses to Change Your Life, like new, Asking $4.00
• A Lenten Journey with Jesus Christ & St. Therese of Lisieux, like new (I managed to order two copies of this book... oops!), Asking $10.00
• Parent Home School Handbook, Free with any other book  (Sold)
• Why Can't My Child Behave?, very good condition, Asking $15.00

My husband went through some of his history books as well:

• Undaunted Courage: Meriwether Lewis, Thomas Jefferson, and the Opening of the American West, hardcover - like new, Asking $6.00
• American Heroes: In the Fight Against Radical Islam, hardcover - like new, Asking $6.00
• We Were Soldiers Once... and Young: Ia Drang--The Battle That Changed the War in Vietnam, paperback - very good condition, Asking $3.00
• Into the Rising Sun: In Their Own Words, World War II's Pacific Veterans Reveal the Heart of Combat, Asking $4.00
• Beyond Valor: World War II's Ranger and Airborne Veterans Reveal the Heart of Combat,  Asking $4.00 (Sold) 
• With the Old Breed: At Peleliu and Okinawa, Asking $4.00
• The Road to Arnhem: A Screaming Eagle in Holland (World War II Library), Asking $2.50
• Currahee!: A Screaming Eagle at Normandy,  Asking $2.50 (Sold) 
• Flags of Our Fathers, paperback - very good condition, Asking $4.00

Irish History Books:

• Harry Boland, Asking $4.00 (Sold) 
• Michael Collins: The Man Who Made Ireland, Asking $5.00 (Sold) 
• Michael Collins and the Making of the Irish State, Asking $8.00 (Sold) 

• The Chronicles of Narnia - The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe Official Illustrated Movie Companion, Asking $3.00 (Sold)
• Inside the Passion: An Insider's Look at the Passion of the Christ, like new, Asking $3.00
• A Guide to the Passion: 100 Questions About The Passion of The Christ, like new, Asking $1.00

• Catholic Apologetics : God, Christianity, and the Church (A Course in Religion), some wear to cover, Asking $6.00 (Sold)
• The Saints Show Us Christ: Daily Readings on the Spiritual Life, very good condition, Asking $8.00
• Catholicism and Fundamentalism: The Attack on "Romanism" by "Bible Christians", some underlining, Asking $5.00
• The Incredible Catholic Mass: An Explanation of the Mass, Asking $5.00
• God's Choice: Pope Benedict XVI and the Future of the Catholic Church, like new, Asking $4.00
• Mother Angelica's Little Book of Life Lessons and Everyday Spirituality, like new, Asking $5.00
• Pope Fiction: Answers to 30 Myths and Misconceptions About the Papacy, like new, Asking $6.00
• Surprised by Truth: 11 Converts Give the Biblical and Historical Reasons for Becoming Catholic, like new, Asking $5.00

• Men Are from Mars, Women Are from Venus: A Practical Guide for Improving Communication and Getting What You Want in Your Relationships, like new, Asking $4.00
• I Kissed Dating Goodbye, Asking $5.00
• Real Love: The Ultimate Dating, Marriage and Sex Question Book, Asking $4.00 (Sold)
• Head of the Family: Christian Fatherhood in the Modern World, new, Asking $7.00
• The Practice of Presence of God, new, Asking $2.00 (Sold)
• Here. Now. A Catholic Guide to the Good Life., new, Asking $5.00

Cookbooks!

• Grilling: Delicious Recipes for Outdoor Grills, new, Asking $3.00
• 29 Minutes to Dinner Volume 2, new, Asking $6.00
• Easy Meals: Rice and Risotto, like new, Asking $2.00
• 101 Things to Do with a Tortilla, new, Asking $5.00
• The Bad Catholic's Guide to Wine, Whiskey, & Song: A Spirited Look at Catholic Life & Lore from the Apocalypse to Zinfandel, like new, Asking $7.50  (Sold)
• The Kitchen is the Heart of the Home Cookbook (Pampered Chef), some cooking spots (is that what you call it? throughout, and a missing link of the spiral on top), Asking $2.00

And, before I go, here are a few baby items I no longer use - I believe these are all the regular size.  I am 5' 6" and they all fit perfectly:

*The Shipping on these items is a little more, since they can not be sent Media Mail. From my first calculation, they cost about $8.67 to ship.  I am asking $25 ppd for one of these, $40 ppd for two, or $55 ppd for all three.

• Babybjorn Classic Original Baby Carrier, Navy Blue
• Sling EZee Baby Sling, EUC
• Chic Papoose Reversible Baby Sling, EUC

Please leave a comment, or email me directly, if you have any questions!   I'll be checking emails on and off each morning, until about 2pm (PST), and then again after dinner.