Nashville's Party Pops - Thanksgiving Cake Pops

 This Year I've gone a little crazy with the Thanksgiving cake pop collections - I just had a few too many ideas - hope you enjoy!  Collection 1 includes 6 pilgrim pops (3 boy/3 girl), 3 Native American Pops, and 3 turkeys.....you pick the flavor - $36/dozen for any basic flavor

 Also available......turkeys by the dozen - I made these "stick up".....wouldn't they make cute placecard holders?  (I can also make yours stick down (see picture below).......$26/dozen

......If you just can't decide what flavor then Collection 2 is for you - Included in this Dozen are 3 of each design:  Turkeys, Pumpkins, Candycorn and leaves in Pumpkin Spice, Devil's food, Vanilla and Stawberry - $26/dozen

2012 Halloween Collection

BOO!!!  Yes, I know Halloween is really still a month (or so) off, but with that chill in the air, it feels like Fall and the perfect time to offer some festive cake pops.  This year, I'm doing things a little different.....I'm offering a "collection" of scary, delicious treats.  Each Halloween Assortment will include 3 Pumpkins, 3 Mummies, 3 'tombstones' and 3 ghosts.  The assortment will include all my basic flavors - Strawberry, Chocolate, Vanilla and Red Velvet.  All for $26/dozen.  I may even throw in a green monster or an eyeball....don't be scared or surprised.    You don't want to be left out in the cold on this one, so please order early.  Arrangements and shipping available for an additional charge.  Please visit the "order Cake Pops" tab on this page or contact me at Partypopsbyjulie@hotmail.com with any questions.

3 Tier Cake Pop Cake in Nashville, TN

Its been a long busy week (and its not over yet).  So I'll make this post short and especially sweet......This might be my favorite cake pop cake yet.  3 Tiers, about 190 pops and some beautiful cake stands that gave it a touch of glam and class.....congratulations to Chelsea and Jeremiah - I wish you both many years of happiness together!

Lung Cancer Alliance Pops in Nashville, TN

Now I know what many of you (may) be thinking....what on earth is that design in the middle?

These pops were created for the Lung Cancer Alliance which will have a TN presence in the very near future.

If you are like me, you tend to think of lung cancer as a disease that only strikes heavy smokers.  In fact the only time I ever remember hearing of a non smoker getting lung cancer was when Dana Reeve was diagnosed several years ago.

I guess that what makes this story behind the cake pop so important and special to tell.  You see, one of my very close friends was diagnosed in October of 2010 with stage 1A lung cancer.  As she was (and still is) a lifelong non smoker, it was a shocking diagnosis.  What turns out to be more shocking though was that, statistically speaking, 20% of all lung cancer diagnosis are in non-smokers.  Add to that the 60% of diagnoses are in smokers who have quit at some point in their lives and finally 20% are smoking at the time of diagnosis.  Add that up and nearly 80% of patients diagnosed with lung cancer are NOT smoking when they learn they have lung cancer.

That Jenny is alive to tell the tale is an amazing story in itself.  One day while cleaning she mixed the wrong cleaning solutions together and inhaled so many fumes she had to get an x ray of her lungs.  The x ray revealed a small 'spot' on her lungs. The doctors really didn't think much of it, but decided to monitor her with more x rays every few month.  No changes occurred until the third  x ray, which revealed the spot had grown.  Not wanting to take any chances, they removing the spot (biopsied it and determined it was cancer) and then removed a portion of her right lung.  She was so lucky.   Most cancers like this aren't discovered until they advanced.  

 In Jenny's own words:

"I learned that more women will DIE from lung cancer than those with breast, cervical and ovarian cancers COMBINED.  Lung cancer is the leading cause of all cancer deaths yet is the LEAST funded both at the grassroots level and the federal level.  But it's the stigma of lung cancer that is the most horrific fact about the disease.  Smoking is not the disease, lung cancer is the disease.  No one deserves to die from lung cancer!!"

"I soon learned that there was NOT a pink army to join, that lung cancer survivors and fighters mostly suffer alone.  This is why I am so excited to bring Lung Cancer Alliance - TN chapter to Nashville.  "Our mission is to lead the movement to reverse decades of stigma and neglect by empowering patients, elevating awareness and changing health policy".

Again in Jenny's own words:  "To thank Lung Cancer Alliance for trusting me and all those who want to join me to make the mission real in Tennessee, I thought it a brilliant idea to send them a Welcome To Tennessee basket from Party Pops by Julie!!"

I am so grateful to be a small but sweet part of LCA's mission in Tennessee and even more glad that today, two years post diagnosis,....Jenny is cancer FREE!!

Shelby's Celebration in Nashville, TN

In my work as a baker, I'm so blessed to be a part of so many celebrations - birthdays, weddings, baby showers, thank you's  and 'just thinking about you's.  In many ways this cake, made in honor of Shelby Morgan Hercula was no different.....and yet it was different in every way.

This 3 tier cake pop cake, with its three shades of pink and 3 flavors, was made for a celebration of Shelby's short and cherished life.  Shelby was born and passed away just one week shy of her June due date.  There really aren't any words that I can write to capture her sweet parents unspeakable grief.      

In their sadness, her parents decided to do something unexpected to honor her and to share the sweet memories of the daughter they lost before they really had a chance to get to know....they decided to have a celebration of her life, for the many family and friends who had eagerly anticipated her birth, who loved her, and love her still.

Shelby's celebration was filled with all the things a little girl loves.  Lots of pink.  Balloons.  Flowers.  Candy.  Stuffed animals....and yes, cake:

Her family also decorated the room with the wisps of tiny memories of her, ultrasound pictures, decorations from her room and some beautiful portraits from a wonderful company her parents asked that I mention here:  Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep (NILMDTS).  NILMDTS is a non profit company that comes to hospitals and hospices to provide free photographs to parents who suffer the loss of an infant.  On the wall of the room where Shelby's Celebration was held, her parents hung a beautiful picture and tribute to her:

I know its hard to read due to the glare, but here is what it says:

I never got to hear you laugh, you never saw me cry.  I didn't get a chance to say "hello", you never said "goodbye."  I didn't think I could feel so sad, lost and forelorn.  I never knew God chose his Angels, before some of them were born.  

Your life was short yet special, I shared it all exclusively.  I felt you breathe, I felt you kick, you were alive inside of me.

Every Baby is an Angel and every Angel is divine.  God needed one in Heaven, he came down and took mine.  And although we are not together, we're not really apart, for you will always occupy a space, deep within my heart.  

Time has begun to ease my pain. It's only some days now I cry when I think I wish I could have said "hello" and heard you say "goodbye"

Please keep this sweet family in your thought and prayers as they journey through difficult days and weeks ahead....

Kenzie's Mended heart Cake Pops

The Story behind these cake pops, with their pretty swirls and mended hearts, is by far much sweeter than the cake pops themselves.....for its the story of faith, love, friendship, family and healing.....its the story of Kenzie's Mended Heart.

A year ago February, my sweet friend Alicia gave birth to their second daughter Kenzie.  Unknown to them, to all, in fact, was that she was born with a life threatening heart condition.   Thankfully, the condition could be surgically repaired, but, the surgery could not take place until baby Kenzie was about 7 months old.

All you moms and dads out there can appreciate what the next few months (waiting) were like for my friend and her family.  In fact, I'm not sure that my friend Alicia slept much in those months.  During that time they were surrounded by a host of family and friends who fed them, loved them and most importantly prayed for them and for Kenzie.

In July of last year, Kenzie had her surgery at Vanderbilt, right here in Nashville.  It was a success!!  I wish I had her picture to post here.....she's now a chubby, precious 1 year old with adorable blonde curls and a completely infectious smile.  To celebrate, her family held a party to thank all the friends and family who stood by them during the past year.  I was honored to make a few (o.k. 100) cake pops for the event.  When Alicia contacted me, she said she pictured  "hearts with a band-aide".  I have to admit, I had my doubts about pulling it off....but I love how they turned out.  When I delivered them she said they were exactly as she had them pictured in her head......(you really couldn't have given me higher praise, my friend).

Nashville Wedding Cake Pop Cake

This week I had the opportunity to make A LOT of pops......Graduation pops, birthday pops, housewarming pops and  yes wedding pops.  It was the kind of week I wish that I could 'clone' myself.  Many, Many, Many thanks to my helpers this week:  Judy (aka Mom), Jenny (BFF), and Laura (BFF, future business partner and owner of Laura's Custom Cookies) for their assistance not only in wrapping pops, but in keeping me (somewhat) sane.  

This beautiful cake pop cake was made for the sweetest couple, that I met several months ago.  When the bride to be called me, she shared that they were having a small, intimate backyard wedding at their home.  They wanted something truly unique to celebrate the occasion.  Due to our mutual busy schedules, we eventually decided to meet one Saturday afternoon....only to discover that we lived in the same neighborhood, less than 1 mile apart!

The couple tasted and tested, and eventually settled on death by chocolate and strawberry creme cake for their cake pop cake.  Their colors, green and cream with coral accents were utilized in the pops and the coral roses that topped the cake.  It really is nice to work with nice people....which fortunately I get to do a lot!  And lets just say it was my easiest delivery ever.......