Thank You For Making Baking For Kate 2014 A Success!

A BIG from the bottom of my heart THANK YOU to each of you that made Baking For Kate possible last weekend! <3

When all was said and done, Baking For Kate raised $802 for Kate and her family!  $802 that will make it possible for them to cross off a few more items from her Mommy Bucket List.

On behalf of Kate and her family- THANK YOU. 

Baking For Kate 2014 Preview #3 {In The Kitchen & Kitchen Inspired}

Whew! And here is the third and final preview for the Baking For Kate online bake sale and auction happening THIS WEEKEND, folks!  All of these items are either for the kitchen or have been inspired by the kitchen.  We have fabulous baking/cooking packages and wonderful handmade, hand crafted items from some very creative and talented bloggers and artisans. 

For those of you not familiar with Baking For Kate, I started it last May to help raise funds for my dear friend, Kate's Mommy Bucket List.  Kate was diagnosed with Stage IV breast cancer last January.  As her friend and knowing the hand she had already been dealt in her life, I just remember my heart sinking into my stomach when I heard the news. Kate is one of the most giving, kindhearted people that I know. After losing her first daughter, Shannon at just 3 days old to CHD and then mothering each of her 3 children through NICU, Kate helped form Project Sweet Peas.  After suffering the loss of Shannon and becoming a veteran mama of the NICU, Kate saw the serious gaps in support for grieving parents and parents with babies in the NICU and decided to fill those gaps.  

And since being diagnosed with breast cancer, Kate has become an advocate for cancer research and has volunteered for many charitable functions and fundraisers to benefit the cause.  All while raising three young children, being a wife to her police officer husband, and receiving various cancer treatments over the past year.  In fact, Kate received the prestigious Karen Shapira Survivor Award presented by Giant Eagle for outstanding excellence in promoting breast cancer awareness and making a positive impact in the lives of others just the weekend before last!  She is a warrior and fighter with the biggest heart. 

Baking For Kate 2014 Preview #2 {The Homemade Goodies!}

The Baking for Kate online bake sale and auction is THIS weekend, folks!  And I am sharing a little preview with you all today of the homemade and home baked goodies that will be up for bid in a few short days and then baked up & created by your favorite food bloggers and then shipped out to the lucky & generous bidders. :)

For those of you not familiar with Baking For Kate, I started it last May to help raise funds for my dear friend, Kate's Mommy Bucket List.  Kate was diagnosed with Stage IV breast cancer last January.  As her friend and knowing the hand she had already been dealt in her life, I just remember my heart sinking into my stomach when I heard the news. Kate is one of the most giving, kindhearted people that I know. After losing her first daughter, Shannon at just 3 days old to CHD and then mothering each of her 3 children through NICU, Kate helped form Project Sweet Peas.  After suffering the loss of Shannon and becoming a veteran mama of the NICU, Kate saw the serious gaps in support for grieving parents and parents with babies in the NICU and decided to fill those gaps.  

And since being diagnosed with breast cancer, Kate has become an advocate for cancer research and has volunteered for many charitable functions and fundraisers to benefit the cause.  All while raising three young children, being a wife to her police officer husband, and receiving various cancer treatments over the past year.  In fact, Kate received the prestigious Karen Shapira Survivor Award presented by Giant Eagle for outstanding excellence in promoting breast cancer awareness and making a positive impact in the lives of others just the weekend before last!  She is a warrior and fighter with the biggest heart. 

Baking For Kate 2014 Preview #1 {The Signed Cookbooks!}

The second annual Baking For Kate online bake sale and fundraiser is less than two weeks away! 

For those of you not familiar with Baking For Kate, I started it last May to help raise funds for my dear friend, Kate's Mommy Bucket List.  Kate was diagnosed with Stage IV breast cancer last January.  As her friend and knowing the hand she had already been dealt in her life, I just remember my heart sinking into my stomach when I heard the news. Kate is one of the most giving, kindhearted people that I know. After losing her first daughter, Shannon at just 3 days old to CHD and then mothering each of her 3 children through NICU, Kate helped form Project Sweet Peas.  After suffering the loss of Shannon and becoming a veteran mama of the NICU, Kate saw the serious gaps in support for grieving parents and parents with babies in the NICU and decided to fill those gaps.  

And since being diagnosed with breast cancer, Kate has become an advocate for cancer research and has volunteered for many charitable functions and fundraisers to benefit the cause.  All while raising three young children, being a wife to her police officer husband, and receiving various cancer treatments over the past year.  In fact, Kate received the prestigious Karen Shapira Survivor Award presented by Giant Eagle for outstanding excellence in promoting breast cancer awareness and making a positive impact in the lives of others just this past weekend!  She is a warrior and fighter with the biggest heart. 

Salted Cashew & Pecan Turtles {Baking For Kate 2014}

Chocoley.com provided this candy making-challenged food blogger with the necessary (& delicious!) supplies to make these sweet & salty, gooey Turtles.  I was not compensated for this post in any other way. 

In keeping with the sweet treats for mamas theme I have going on this week, today I am sharing with you all this recipe and how-to for Salted Cashew & Pecan Turtles. These chewy & rich candies are dedicated to another important mother in my life- my dear friend, Kate.

Some of you all are already familiar with Kate's story.  Especially if you were following along with me about this time last time.  But if you do not know Kate and the courageous mother and woman that she is, be sure to click on over and follow her on The Chronicles of Cancer.

Kate, a mother to 3 (and 2 angels) & wife to a police officer, was diagnosed in January 2013 with Stage IV breast cancer.  Her type of cancer has been given a less than 5% chance of being cured.

But that has not discouraged Kate from looking ahead, planning ahead, and doing everything in her power- medically, mentally, & spiritually - to make sure she is here sharing as many memories as she can with her husband and three young children.  In fact, Kate created The Mommy Bucket List in her crusade to share more experiences & moments, & create memories for her children.  While many of the items on her list can be accomplished with money and donations, many can only be crossed off with the gift of more time, a cure even.