5/20/99 Cake decorating chat TOPIC: OPEN MIKE - You do the asking and we’ll try to help
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CCChefDol:  TONIGHT WE ARE HAVING AN OPEN FORUM. EARLENE AND I ARE LETTING YOU ASK THE QUESTIONS AND GIVE THE ANSWERS. DO YOU HAVE A RECIPE OR A SPECIAL HINT YOU WOULD LIKE TO SHARE WITH US?
EXPIRATION DATE FOR dh CAKE MIXES:

Pwd Sugar:  I accidently found my information about how to tell how old Duncan Hines Mixes are this week. The big boxes of 12 cake mixes have a set of numbers that are the code. I just bought some and here are the numbers on those cases: 9 084 E2 0353 The first number is the year it was packaged 1999 and the next three numbers tell you what day of the year. 084 is March 11th of this year.  So those mixes are pretty fresh. The last numbers are the code for the plant where it was packaged.
CCChefDol:  someone told me today they have a mix thats 2 yrs old
CARJAR4:  How long should we keep mixes?
CCChefDol:  they say they have a shelf life of 2 years total - thats from being made time. P & G told me this
Pwd Sugar:  I just finished a case of mix that was packaged in July of 98. But two years old - I don't
know if that would still be good.
CARJAR4:  Well how did they come out
Pwd Sugar:  P & G?
CCChefDol:  P&G=Procter & Gamble…made DH cake mix before they sold it to the other company last year. I asked once when they had a booth at ICES.
ReneeLSchl:  I made one last night for myself that was from May 98, no problem
CCChefDol:  it probably was fresh when you bought it
CCChefDol:  you sure can tell if they are too old. Remains lumpy, lumps won't beat out
TC135A:  glad to get this information on cake exp. thanks

MIXING CAKES WITHOUT A MIXER
Tigrmoth:  I don't have an electric mixer or a food processor.  Is there any
way I can bake a cake that won't fall because my eggs aren't mixed enough?
CCChefDol:  I did that without a mixer many years ago.You must beat a cake 300 stokes...hard stokes - with a spoon...beat it really good. It works
Tigrmoth:  after all the ingredients are together?
CCChefDol:  Don't need to beat hard after you add the flour

PUFF WEDDING CAKE BASE
Icing Wiz:  Pwd I have a question on the puff can I ask now or should I email you?
Pwd Sugar:  OK Icing
Icing Wiz:  I have showed it to a couple people who sew. Since I don't My friend didn't understand why it has so many cut pieces. Does that make it more puffy?
Pwd Sugar:  It depends on the fabric on how many 20 inch widths of fabric you need to make this.
It is doubled so that it will be more puffy and it also helps when you accidentally get something on it.  You can just reverse it and go ahead and use it.
Icing Wiz:  she was wondering what would happen if she just sewed it like a curtain all one piece?
Icing Wiz:
Pwd Sugar:  I tried it that way and was not happy with it.  To flat and not enough body.
Icing Wiz:  Oh OK I think she was trying to make less work for herself. I will tell her that. I am
trading a cake for the job
Pwd Sugar:  Make one both ways and then see which you like better. Or should I say make two - one single and one double
Icing Wiz:  Merri Lee REese of W PB had one at the DOS this past Sat. It adds such a nice touch
Pwd Sugar:  She said she wanted to get it done for the DOS.  Guess she met her goal.
note: email Earlene for the pattern for this puff base at pwdsugar@aol.com

AOL CHATS ARE LEAVING
Those of you who were here last week already know...our chat room (kitchen) will be closing down at around the end of June. We are still debating <if> we'll still do chats. If we do, it will be  from my site unless ices decides they can have it. You will know as soon as we do. The food club won't be on AOL anymore. It will move to a private web site. You can read about this already, in the food club.
Verbatumco:  oooh. and i just found this room! I'll track it.
L2jlu2:  My husband says, when this chat goes, he's changing to bell Atlantic instead of AOL
CCChefDol:  You can keep in touch from mine & Pwd's web sites
CCChefDol:  cheaper L2?
L2jlu2:  yes, a lot cheaper
Pedaldancr:  Will ther be no more chats at all on AOL?
Pwd Sugar:  Right - and we will still be available if you need our help
CCChefDol:  LOL...aol owns compurserve too
Icing Wiz:  OH that figures
TC135A:  I've had trouble getting to you DOL  help
Verbatumco:  that's too bad. a lot of my favorite chats are going or gone
Icing Wiz:  same here Verb
CCChefDol:  TC...it won't be a problem with other servers!
CCChefDol:  I heard aol had some sites blocked...don't know...
CARJAR4:  I have Dols web site but not Pwd
Verbatumco:  give us them both again. URL's that is.
TC135A:  I've tried the proicer and can't get there on net
CCChefDol:  try this: http://w3.one.net/~proicer/index.html Maybe you had it wrong. Or - try going in to mine like this first: http://www.sugarcraft.com then to the other
CCChefDol:  or try Pwd's site too. But we have to keep in touch when chats go belly up
Pwd Sugar:  For now mine is http://hometown.aol.com/pwdsugar/index.html
ShariH1071:  what about using Internet Relay Chat to set up a cake chat?
CCChefDol:  I am looking into setting up a chat room from my site - wish I'd finished that today so I could tell you. Hope to have it done by next week. We WILL let you all know as soon as WE find out when the chats end
Pwd Sugar:  Why not = we have been together for three years now

ICES
Icing Wiz:  even though our AOL chat will be gone I was thinking we could all still wear a ribbon at convention to see who we are
Shavkin:  I came in the middle.   The AOL is do more?
CCChefDol:  right Diane. AOL is booting the chat rooms. The whole Cooking Club is getting booted Diane
Shavkin:  I had a warning a few months ago about that or longer, but guess it's really happening
CCChefDol:  its because they aren't making money. Actually, they are paying THEM instead and they want to stop doing that
Shavkin:  Oh, that's why Ebwaters mentioned about moving my newsletter with her if I agreed.
Pwd Sugar:  Besides they are afraid we will sue them for back wages.   LOL
CCChefDol:  I think thats a part Pwd
Pwd Sugar:  I think that may be a large part.
CCChefDol:  Diane...CL's just were informed a few weeks ago
Shavkin:  Is aol in trouble $$ wise?
Shavkin:  CL's?
CCChefDol:  no Diane...stock was sky high because the acquired Netscape. They are doing so well they don't think they NEED to pay the cooking club anymore. You can read about it on the cooking club too
Shavkin:  What is aol doing to replace the chats, anything,
Pwd Sugar:  we don't know Diane.  We just know what Ebwaters tells us.
CCChefDol:  nothing Diane...they just booted all chats all over AOL
PjW10:  Yeah, what is going to happen to our chat????
Shavkin:  no chats at all then.
CCChefDol:  chats are going to leave aol by the end of June Pj
PjW10:  noooooooo geez, why??
Pwd Sugar:  so you better pick what is left our brains now. But be aware there isn't much left in there.  LOL
CCChefDol:  AOL was paying people like the food club to be on aol and they decided they didn't need to a
CCChefDol:  Pj...I'm looking into hosting our chat...will let you know by next week I hope

MORE ICES
MHohimer:  Do all of you have your  ICES registrations in?????
CCChefDol:  mine are ALL in :D smug smile
Nadgabjoe:  yes
Pwd Sugar:  I will get my grand daughters in this week.  It has been hectic and I haven't done that yet.
CCChefDol:  better soon Pwd...deadline is almost here!
Pwd Sugar:  I know but she just told me she can go last week.
CCChefDol:  I have our hotel reg. too all set - wish I had my cake made too …oh...can't do the impossible
Icing Wiz:  I am sending mine this week. I was waiting to pry my hubbys bonus money from him
Pwd Sugar:  Cake made?  It isn't the last minute yet.  LOL
Shavkin:  I'm going to do up my demo pieces and cake display when I get back from our daughter's.
CCChefDol:  I wish I did have it made
Nadgabjoe:  If you don't get in until Thursday will you still be able to pick up your demonstration tick
CCChefDol:  YES NAD. There are booths sort of and you line up for tickets all through the show
Pwd Sugar:  Or you can stand at the door and hope someone doesn't show up and you can get their seat.
Nadgabjoe:  Can you change the type of cake that you were bringing
CCChefDol:  change Nad? Its whatever you want to bring to share
MHohimer:  Sure, Nad
Pwd Sugar:  Nad you can take anything creative in the sugar world that your little heart desires.  Flowers, Dolls, critters, bugs, cakes, and on and on and on. I did a cockroach one year
CCChefDol:  ...or a road kill Pwd?
Pwd Sugar:  No that is bad taste Dee.   They took one out at one show that was road kill
CCChefDol:  yes Pwd...I remember the road kill cake...I saw that before they removed it
Pwd Sugar:  So definetly no road kill
CCChefDol:  no road kill LOL...nice little bunnies and teddys

MORE ICES
MHohimer:  Hi PJ got your registration today.
PjW10:  Oh Good Millie, I almost forgot!
CCChefDol:  Looks like the registrations are coming in now Millie?
MHohimer:  Have a few over 500 now.
GOOO8:  I sent mine in Priority mail about 8 days ago Millie
PjW10:  Millie, if we can figure out how to get a certain cake there, can I add to my cake room total
GOOO8:  They haven't drawn for the tickets yet have they?? I mean demo classes. I heard back from Edith and she commented they were waiting for mail ins to come in from around the world and across the states to give everyone a fair shot at a seat in class. I wondered when the drawing for the seat tickets might occur
MHohimer:  I have no idea but you will be able to get seating I'm sure.
Pwd Sugar:  Probably not till right at the last couple of weeks GOOO8
GOOO8:  okay, thanks!
MHohimer:  I would imagine they would do it at the cut-off date.
CCChefDol:  the people registering right now don't even have their paper to choose their demos yet
MHohimer:  That's right, Dol!

3D bear pan
TC135A:  I just got a 3D bear pan.  Please share ideas for using besides the
bear.
CCChefDol:  3D bear...we don't do those since they can topple over and they can get a refund and we'd feel really bad if it ruined
LeighDigg:  Do both 3d bears topple or just the large one?
CCChefDol:  just the large one. But no prob if you aren't moving it. I just have no control over
what customers do
LeighDigg:  Is the 3d pooh a "toppler" as well?
Pwd Sugar:  Unless you put a support rod up through the middle of him

dummy wedding cake on styrofoam?
J546:  can anyone give me any suggestions on doing a dummy wedding cake on styrofoam?
CCChefDol:  we are thinking our chats will be open mike
EJ546:  I am going to do my first one and was wondering if anyone had any
suggestions
CCChefDol:  Ej - your first cake?
EJ546:  first dummy cake...
EJ546:  I will be using royal icing
CCChefDol:  goo Ej...that will work
Icing Wiz:  Dolores gave me tips about putting nails in bottom to make icing it easier I used perma ice last time along with gumpaste and royal icing but I think I may use that stuff from Home depot what was that -Janice do you remember?
CCChefDol:  some people even use fine sand paper to smooth the icing more. Or - putty holes with royal icing too
EJ546:  I am concerned about keeping the styrofoam still
Pwd Sugar:  I put about three large flat headed nails in the bottom through the board and into the styrofoam
CCChefDol:  icing...spackling
GOOO8:  spackling compound??
Pwd Sugar:  styrofoam.  And also a little royal icing.
PjW10:  The nails are a great idea!
Icing Wiz:  yeah that sounded like a good cheap idea just have to use acrylic paint for color
Pwd Sugar:  Then put some of that non skid mat under and that will help hold it in place
GOOO8:  Yes, glad the nails were refreshed in my mind...
Pwd Sugar:  Also put a small piece of tape over those nail heads so you won't scratch your table.
EJ546:  thanks
GOOO8:  Last chat someone mentioned a 5# bucket of spack. was about $10
Nadgabjoe:  Can you put a nail in the styrofoam if your going on the plane?
CCChefDol:  Nad...right
CCChefDol:  Nad...be prepared that the airlines people may want to look at your cake
Pwd Sugar:  I have taken lots of those through the X-ray machines.  Be sure and leave a clear window
Pwd Sugar:  somewhere in your box so they know not to tilt your cake over on its side.
GumSeeMow:  C-Dol: X-Ray should take care of that, right?
CCChefDol:  no matter GOOO...its the idea that you share...we won't care if its perfect or not
CCChefDol:  Gum...they can ask you to look at it too
GOOO8:  I just don't want to take an "everyday" lookin' thang!
Pwd Sugar:  Perfect - there is no such thing as perfect.  We all know where our mistakes and boo boos are
CCChefDol:  GOOO...surely you have some cute idea your customers love
GumSeeMow:  C-Dol: Yes, but X-Ray should keep them from tearing it apart.
CCChefDol:  Once I made a REAL cake and they took it on a plane. They had to
cut a BIG hole in the box. Then it smelled up the entire airplane
CCChefDol:
GOOO8:  I remember that story about the cake fragrance in the plane. Everyone probably wanted some.
Pwd Sugar:  Even if it is fake cake - that icing smells good

CCChefDol:  Pwd...we really need to finish deciding on our pin too since we may get scattered?
Icing Wiz:  I went to a June wedding with peach and black cake looked like
Halooweedn
MHohimer:  The pin thing is a good idea.   However, I will be at Registration continually so come by and see me.
CCChefDol:  oh Millie...we won't leave you out...and we know where you are too
Pwd Sugar:  Millie do you need help in there?
MHohimer:  Pwd, we can always use help.
CCChefDol:  Help...did you all know that if you help you get a MUCH closer look that way?...
LeighDigg:  going to have to go... battery is dying and don't have a hookup
close by.... you do any other way>>>demos...help and its fun
Pwd Sugar:  After helping in FL in registration - I really understand how important it is to have
a friendly face and good help behind that desk. It was quite a learning experience.
MHohimer:  Everyone should have a little exposure to Registration. Wait until you do the forms, Ha!!!!
CCChefDol:  Millie...mine were right weren't they? I tried to write plainly :
MHohimer:  Yes, Dol you did well.   But ----- you should see some of them.
Pwd Sugar:  I can not imagine trying to read all those forms....  You really have a job

CCChefDol:  Millie...what did they decide about the shop owner's breakfast? Are we doing the meeting ourselves like we discussed before?
MHohimer:  Dol, I don't know about the Shopowners.
CCChefDol:  We need to know soon. would take preparation
MHohimer:  Both Cora and Carolyn are gone again - will make a note to ask them.
CCChefDol:  thanks Millie

Icing Wiz:  who all here is going to Ice Cream social night?
Pwd Sugar:  I haven't decided about the Ice Cream social yet.
CCChefDol:  I haven't decided that either
Pwd Sugar:  Pretty expensive for two of us.
Icing Wiz:  kinda expensive?
GOOO8:  What day/night is that?
Icing Wiz:  I think Thursday
Pwd Sugar:  Thursday G000
CCChefDol:  $84.00 I think I added up for 2
MHohimer:  Better go to the Picnic - you will miss a good time & KC Barbeque.
CCChefDol:  I know my kids can't afford it : (     I REALLY want to go : (
Icing Wiz:  Millie do we pay in advance for that?
GOOO8:  I was planning on going simply to find all my cake chat friends and get to know them better but if they aren't going, we'll plan something else.
MHohimer:  I'm going to that, and I'm taking my husband.  That's the only participation he's doing.
CCChefDol:  Icing...you can always TRY to get tickets for all that when you arrive IF they still have some left
MHohimer:  Yes, you send it to the Tour agency - it is on that form.
CCChefDol:  ...or in the ICES newsletter too
MHohimer:  We have to have a guaranteed figure I think.
Pwd Sugar:  We need to send it in.  It is to hard for the convention committee to plan for us otherwise

PjW10:  I have an idea how to recognize fellow chatters. We can all wear black armbands in mourning of our loss!
CCChefDol:  we sure do have to find a time and place for us to meet from the computer!
CCChefDol:  what Pj????
Icing Wiz:  why don't we all wear  a ribbon of a certain color?
CCChefDol:  GP rose petals LOL
CCChefDol:  which color?
Pwd Sugar:  Ribbons in our hair?   LOL
Icing Wiz:  lime green ! LOL
Icing Wiz:  purple
Nadgabjoe:  blue
PjW10:  Dolores, They are in the works as we speak!
Icing Wiz:  yellow
CCChefDol:  good idea Pwd...only place it will be seen when we get all those mementos on us
Pwd Sugar:  Pj are you doing them for us?
CCChefDol:  what - ribbons - Icing?
PjW10:  yep, how many do we need?
Pwd Sugar:  Right.  we could wear a yellow silk rose in our hair.....   LOL
CCChefDol:  yellow is fine with me...can we write 'computer' or something on them?
PjW10:  we need Black ribbons! we'll be in mourning!
Icing Wiz:  nononononono black
Cake Wmn:  Are you going to have chat from there like you did last year?
Icing Wiz:  eat at joe's
MHohimer:  Yellow would be outstanding color.
CCChefDol:  nooo...Pj...maybe I'll get this fixed before then. Just DO keep in close touch with us in the next 3-4 weeks so you don't lose us.
PjW10:  I like Yellow

GOOO8:  by the way Powder, I shared your computer cake photo with some close friends and they came back with high comments and raves
Pwd Sugar:  I just put that computer photo on my web site along with pictures
of the cakes from last week.  If you want to check them out.

CCChefDol:  ...Millie...whats the situation...how close is the hotel to the cake room etc? is the main hotel closer than the others?
Pwd Sugar:  It is a pretty good walk Dee
PjW10:  isn't it all in the hotel???
MHohimer:  Just across the street - about a good short block.
CCChefDol:  usually in a convention center Pj
Pwd Sugar:  The convention center is a couple of blocks walk through enclosed walkways to the convention center from the hotel
CCChefDol:  not as far as last yr Millie?
PjW10:  I thought the convention ctr was part of the hotel?
GOOO8:  at least it sounds "sheltered" from the weather.
MHohimer:  You don't go the enclosed walkway - just go out the front door of the main hotel, go catacornered across the street and down the short block.
Cake Wmn:  The banquet and general meeting are both in the muhlebach hotel
CCChefDol:  Cake...not in our hotel?????
Cake Wmn:  the Marriot owns both hotels and they are connected with a 2 floor walkway
MHohimer:  across the street in the opposite direction of the Center. The cake room is in convention center.
Cake Wmn:  it is part of the Marriott - just across street - were you at midyear there?
CCChefDol:  But we have things in some other hotel????
MHohimer:  The general meeting breakfast and banquet are in the Muehlebach Marriott with is directly
Cake Wmn:  dol, demos and cake room and vendors all in the convention center so when you get there for the day you can pretty well stay all day

GOOO8:  That doesn't sound too bad.  I understand we should wear tennis shoes, too bec feet w/swell by Sat.
CCChefDol:  GOOO...you have to wear the comfiest old shoes that feel best
Pwd Sugar:  Most assuredly - take your most comfortable shoes to wear.
CCChefDol:  walk for 15 hours and your feet will wish Pj
GOOO8:  it will definitely be tennis shoes for me.
MHohimer:  You need a shoe with support Icing.
Pwd Sugar:  Really comfortable shoes will be your most valued thing at convention

GOOO8:  Sounds good to me DOL:  Quick question:  anyone know the exact number of inches under an airline seat?
Pwd Sugar:  Depends on the plane you are on.
GOOO8:  Reason I ask is Earlene (or was it Dolores) whose box was a tad too big to fit
Pwd Sugar:  That was a 12 inch high glass case.
GOOO8:  I called the airlines and they told me 45 linear inches. That doesn't help me
Swtelegnt:  Goo, the size is 14" wide and 9" tall
GOOO8:  thank you SO much.  I wanted to be very safe.
Pwd Sugar:  In all planes Swtelegnt
PjW10:  Mari? how deep?
CCChefDol:  Small planes have smaller compartments...if you are only flying from some...
Pwd Sugar:  Depends on if you need room for your feet.....  LOL
Swtelegnt:  well that is the size my travel agent gave me for the size of most planes
CCChefDol:  big city the cake should fit nicely under the one in front of you
PjW10:  You could probably contact your airline and ask them