I Bake

2012-05-01T10:30:00.000-05:00

Standley Systems buys Sherman Iron Works building in Bricktown

After spending the past few years renovating 109-year-old Carroll, Brough & Robinson wholesale grocers at 3 E Main, the building is almost ready for occupancy — but not by its owner, Standley Systems. Instead, the company on Monday closed on buying the equally historic Sherman Iron Works building across the street at 26 E Main in a deal brokered by Andy Burnett and Zach Martin with Sperry Van Ness/William T. Strange Associates and Vicki Knotts of Grubb & Ellis/Levy Beffort. The 10,000-square-foot building sold for $897,500.

“They were about to move in,” Martin said of the 3 E Main building. “We put Public Strategies in there after they were displaced by a building that Chesapeake had bought. Standley Systems decided to lease it out, looked across the street, and decided to start over.”
The Sherman Iron Works building is on the National Register of Historic Places and is one of the oldest structures in Bricktown, with parts of the property dating to 1899. It has stood empty since the iron works company ended operations in Bricktown about 25 years ago.
Aiding economy
“Every time we can bring a building that's been dark for 30 plus years online it's good for the area,” Burnett said. “Bricktown has a lot of properties that are still in shell condition. These buildings need to be built out. It's sometimes tough to make the economics work, but as the economy rebounds it's getting easier.”

Monday's sale follows a string of transactions in Bricktown handled by Martin and Burnett.
“This is good for Bricktown, as it puts more people in the area on the weekdays,” Martin said. “The days of Bricktown being just an entertainment district, home to just bars and restaurants, are long behind us. Every time an office user like this one plants itself in Bricktown, we bring a little more balance and stability to the area. … For decades we have seen so many of these Bricktown buildings sitting vacant as they get flipped back and forth from one speculator to another. Of course, the end game is for someone to buy these buildings, build them out and put them use.”

Being George Washington Challenge

2012-01-20T09:03:00.000-06:00

Welcome to the Being George Washington Challenge. If you've read Glenn’s book on Washington you've probably seen just how hard it was to be that kind of man. The traits he is known for—honesty, courage and honor—did not come naturally to him, he worked hard at them every single day.
It's often said that it takes 30 days to form a habit. We're going to put that to the test. Each month for the next year Glenn will challenge himself and his audience to become better citizens and human beings one small step at a time. Each challenge will be posted here and we encourage everyone to keep a running journal of their experiences. Write down everything—and review it often. You'll be amazed to see how fast things that once seemed difficult to you are now almost routine.
Whether you take this Challenge alone, or do it with a friend or family member, we want to hear what you’re experiencing. Tell us about your successes and failures, the things that came easy and those that you still struggle with. And remember, this is a challenge, not a contest. We aren't keeping score and there will be no one to watch over to you to make sure you honor your promises. But we can promise that those who practice the first virtue (diligence) and stick with this for a year will be changed forever. This is a support group like never before and, if we are successful, we very well may just have the next George Washington in our midst.
Start the Challenge by reviewing this basic framework that includes items from Washington, Franklin and Glenn. Then, return to the home page, read the description of the current month's virtue and begin to think about the specific ways in which you can challenge yourself and your family to the goals you set.

Diligence

Diligence means "persevering application"—and what better to start a new year out with than that?

The Starting Point

Below are some items pulled from the writings of Washington and Franklin (with additional items added by Glenn Beck) that we've identified as key things to start with and focus on every day. Think of these as "baseline" items to have in your life that are in addition to those things you add as part of this challenge.

Many of these will seem daunting at first, but by adding them to your Monthly Tracker and concentrating on them each day they'll become more and more routine.

EVERY ACTION MUST BE DONE WITH RESPECT TOWARD OTHERS AROUND YOU.
SHOW NO DELIGHT IN THE MISFORTUNE OF OTHERS, EVEN THOUGH HE BE YOUR ENEMY.
IF ANYONE COMES TO SPEAK TO YOU WHILE YOU ARE SITTING, STAND, EVEN THOUGH HE WILL BE YOUR INFERIOR.
BE NOT HASTY TO BELIEVE FLYING REPORTS TO THE DISPARAGEMENT OF ANY.
ASSOCIATE YOURSELF WITH MEN OF GOOD QUALITY.
IF YOU ESTEEM YOUR OWN REPUTATION, TIS BETTER TO BE ALONE THEN IN BAD COMPANY.
LET YOUR CONVERSATION BE WITHOUT MALICE OR ENVY.
SPEAK NOT INFURIOUS WORDS NEITHER IN JEST OR IN EARNEST.
ALWAYS STAND WHEN A LADY ENTERS YOUR CIRCLE OR STANDS BEFORE THE TABLE.
READ YOUR SCRIPTURES DAILY.
HAVE A PITURE OF SOMEONE YOU ADMIRE. WHEN HAVING A TOUGH DAY MOVE IT NEAR YOU.
MAKE A GOAL EVERYDAY. WRITE AND PONDER IN THE MORNING, REVIEW YOUR SUCCESSES AND FAILURES AT END OF EACH DAY.
GATHER OTHERS TO SUPPORT HONESTY.
ALWAYS LOOK A MAN IN THE EYE.
ALWAYS HAVE A FIRM HANDSHAKE.
PRAY FOR OTHERS.
LOOK FOR WAYS TO SERVE OTHERS AT ALL TIMES.
ALWAYS SAY WHAT YOU MEAN AND MEAN WHAT YOU SAY.
BUILD TRUST THROUGH YOUR ACTIONS.
DO NOT PARTAKE IN BASHING THE BIBLE.
DO NOT FIGHT WITH THOSE WHO ARE NOT WILLING TO SEE ANOTHER PERSPECTIVE. WHEN IN BATTLE (ARGUMENT) REPEAT THE OTHER SIDE UNTIL THEY SAY YOU HAVE THEIR ARGUMENT.
BUILD, NEVER DESTROY.
ASPIRE TO INSPIRE.

Goo Goo Cluster Brownies with Caramel-Marshmallow Buttercream

2011-08-24T14:52:00.000-05:00

I found this recipe on a Blog called "Bake it in a Cake" and it has wonderful ideas.

These brownies have a hunk of Goo Goo Cluster baked inside, and, because I love Goo Goo's so much, I topped ‘em with marshmallow-caramel buttercream, more peanuts, and semi-sweet chocolate.
So rich, so amazing. This recipe will make about 12.

For the brownies you’ll need:
1 1/2 sticks unsalted butter
4 oz. unsweetened chocolate
2 c. granulated sugar
3 eggs
1 t. vanilla
1/2 t. salt
1 c. flour
3 Goo Goo Clusters

For the buttercream you’ll need:
2 sticks unsalted butter, room temperature
1 7 oz. jar of marshmallow creme
15 caramels
2 T. heavy cream
2 c. powdered sugar

Directions:
Pre-heat the oven to 350 degrees (F).
To make the brownies, melt together the butter and unsweetened chocolate in a microwave-safe bowl on high heat for 90 seconds. Remove it from the microwave and stir until all the chocolate is melted and the mixture is smooth (it smells amazing).
Add in the sugar, and stir until it is well combined. Mix in the eggs, one at a time, then add the vanilla and salt. Finally, stir in the flour.
Put a couple tablespoons of the brownie batter into paper-lined cupcake tins. They should be about half full. Cut each Goo Goo Cluster into four equal pieces and press one piece into the brownie batter. Cover with another tablespoon of batter, so the cupcake tins are about 3/4 of the way full.
Bake for 23-25 minutes, until the brownie is set (it’ll give a little when you press your finger into the top of the brownie, but it shouldn’t be jiggly at all).
Let the brownies cool completely before you frost.
To make the buttercream, start out by melting the caramels with a splash of heavy cream. Pop them in the microwave for 30 second increments, stirring in between to avoid burning. Once the caramel is melted and smooth (should take 90 seconds to two minutes), set it in the fridge so it cools a bit (the cream will keep it from getting too hard).
Whip together the butter and marshmallow cream until fluffy. Once the caramel is cool to the touch, drizzle it into the mixture, with the mixer going on low-medium speed (be sure the caramel isn’t hot, otherwise it will melt and ruin the buttercream). Whip the mixture until fluffy. Add the powdered sugar, a half cup at a time, until you’ve gotten the desired taste and consistency. Pipe a generous heap onto each brownie, and (if you want) top with some peanuts and a drizzle of melted chocolate.

This recipe was created by Megan Seling for Bakeitinacake.com. See more recipes featuring things baked into other things here!

Katy Turns 25!

2011-08-19T11:35:00.000-05:00

This is the beautiful cake I made for my beautiful daughter Katy, for her 25th Birthday. She is a new stay at home mom for my beautiful grand children Coryon & Nevaeh. She doesn't know it yet but her staying home to raise her kids and not returning to work is the best thing and after she gets use to the change in her schedule I know she will be glad she did. So I thought she needed a very special cake this year. Buterflies, flowers and butercream, need I say more. Happy Birthday Katy!

2011-07-25T10:54:00.000-05:00

OKC TEA PARTY TRIP TO HOUSTON FOR ‘THE RESPONSE: A Call To Prayer For A Nation In Crisis’

Many of you may have heard that Governor Rick Perry of Texas has called for the country to join him at Reliant Stadium at Houston, Texas for a day of prayer and worship to heal our nation. I realize that there will be some who will count this as some type of political stunt on Governor Perry’s part. I cannot judge the heart of Governor Perry, nor should you; but I do know that prayer is the only avenue we have to both strengthen our faith and to begin and sustain the healing process.

Will you join with us in Houston as we pray for our leaders and our country?

The OKC Tea Party has secured a charter bus to attend this event. The bus will depart on Friday, August 5, 2011 @ 2:00pm from Oklahoma City, and arrive in Houston late Friday evening. Hotel arrangements have been made within walking distance of Reliant Stadium. The bus will depart Houston directly following the close of the event at 5:00 pm on Saturday, and return to Oklahoma City early Sunday morning. The cost of bus transportation is $60.00 and the hotel is $74.00 plus applicable hotel taxes. Breakfast is served at the hotel for an additional charge; however, there are also many restaurants surrounding the hotel from which to choose from.
If you are interested in securing a seat and hotel arrangements please send me an email to: mailto:teapartynews@gmail.com

Margie Drescher
Director, OKC Tea Party

The Response. A call to prayer for a nation in crisis. August 6, 2011. On August 6, the nation will come together at Reliant Stadium in Houston, Texas for a solemn gathering of prayer and fasting for our country.

Music in this video is by Spacesuit and can be found here churchyardrecords.com/spacesuit.html

http://vimeo.com/24674722

It's a BOY!

2011-07-21T15:46:00.000-05:00

At 9:34 this morning I found out that Matthew and Jessica Ann are having a baby boy "Jude Matthew Thompson". Jessica found out today of all day's on Matthew 21st Birthday. Wow! what a birthday, I guess he will have a hard time topping this next year. We are all very excited that it is a boy and we are truly blessed.

Test Kitchen

2011-07-19T13:10:00.000-05:00

This weekend I worked on new recipes. Baking smores cookies, zucchini bread, lemon zucchini breads and cinnamon rolls. It was a weekend of food and fun. Testing out new recipes is hard work and I would like to thank all my testers. They tried all my new recipes and I only had one complaint and it doesn’t count because he was grumpy. The cinnamon rolls turned out the best. The cookies took several tries and I’m still not sure if I am completely happy with my presentation, I’ll keep working on those.

The zucchini bread turned out but I think it needs a little something, I’ll have to keep working on it as well. The zucchini is still coming out of the garden daily so I better figure out something to do with it. I can’t get anyone to eat it unless I hide it in something.

Little Baby Thompson New Room

2011-07-19T09:41:00.000-05:00

Four months to go and the baby's room is almost complete. Jessica, her mom and nana worked very hard to make this special for the new baby. What a lucky baby he/ she will be. I am so proud of my son and daughter in-law. They will make GREAT parents.

More updates

2011-06-28T16:42:00.000-05:00

Cutting their cake

The Wedding Party

Happily Ever After

What's new in my world.

2011-06-27T14:58:00.000-05:00

Hello All... As you can see from the pictures I have been very busy the last couple months. Baking cakes, helping at UW Sports Camp, our oldest son got married, our daughter had our second grandchild, our youngest son had a wedding anniversary and is expecting our third grandchild in December 2011. We are truly blessed!

Nevaeh Jewel

New Big Brother Loving on his New Little Sister

UW 2011 Sports Camp

Whitney Logan's 2011 Graduation

Addison Hello Kitty Birthday Cake

Matt and Jessica Ann's First Wedding Anniversary

2011-04-29T09:58:00.000-05:00

Katy's Baby Shower Cake on June 8th 2011 we will welcome a new member into the Helmer Clan a beautiful baby Girl. "Nevaeh Jewel"

Matthew and Jessica Ann are having a baby.

2011-04-11T14:59:00.000-05:00

It's almost been a year since this picture was taken. Who would have thought I would be telling you they are having a baby. My baby is having a baby. WOW!

2011-04-11T14:55:00.000-05:00

Anthony - Me - Matthew My boy's are all grown up and married.

2011-04-11T14:48:00.001-05:00

It's all down hill from here! Anthony's Grooms Cake

2011-04-11T14:46:00.000-05:00

Mr and Mrs Anthony Thompson Wedding Cake.

2011-03-21T09:49:00.000-05:00

Baby Chickens

How do you know you are getting old? You know your getting old when you spend your Saturday night at the chicken auction! Now that's goodtimes.

Welcome Emma Katherine Keller

2011-03-15T14:13:00.000-05:00

Day of Birth	March 14, 2011
Time of Birth	1:01 PM
Weight	7 lbs, 13 ozs
Length	21 in

2011-03-10T15:07:00.001-06:00

2011-03-10T15:04:00.000-06:00

My dress for the Wedding is ordered and we are 16 days away! We have the Cakes to make and rehearsal brunch and before you know it my baby will be married. :)

2011-03-03T11:12:00.000-06:00

24 day's until the wedding. Aren't they the cutest couple!

2011-03-02T17:07:00.000-06:00

Jessica Lynn's Bridal Shower

2011-03-02T17:05:00.000-06:00

Coryon's 4th birthday party.