Laissez Les Bon Temps Roulez! This year the call to “Let the Good Times Roll” was loud and clear. For many years my friends and I have talked about building a mardi gras parade float to throw beads and act foolish. Relegated to the “bucket list” year after year, the disappointment was almost part of the tradition… UNTIL NOW.
Announcing the formation of the Krewe Xenia.
Join us on Facebook.

We will be marching in the Clarendon Mardi Gras Parade on Tuesday, March 12th. Join us and maybe we will throw you something!
Why Xenia?
Well every Krewe must have a great name, and according to Wikipedia, Xenia is just about perfect:
Xenia (Greek: ξενία, xenía) is the Greek word for the concept of hospitality, or generosity and courtesy shown to those who are far from home. It is often translated as “guest-friendship” (or “ritualized friendship”) because the rituals of hospitality created and expressed a reciprocal relationship between guest and host.
So be our guest tomorrow!
Posted in Announcements.
Tagged with candyland, float, krewe xenia, mardi gras, parade.
By Queen Bee
– February 11, 2013
Registration for the 2013 Cupcake Challenge at the National Capital Area Cake Show is now open!
Bakers may register under three categories:
- Chocolate
- Chewy Non-Chocolate
- Hard Candy
Not into slaving over a hot stove? You may also purchase tickets as a taster! These sell out early, so get your ASAP.
2013 Cupcake Challenge
The Candy Bar
Saturday, April 6
Fairfax High School
Posted in Celebration Cakes.
Tagged with cakeshow, candybar, candyland, challenge, cupcake, cupcakechallenge, NCACS.
By Queen Bee
– January 16, 2013
Merry Christmas from the Honeybee Bakeshop!

During this Christmas season I hope that you are mixing up big batches of cheer!

Grab a cookie and a glass of milk and revel in the joy of Christmas.

Posted in Announcements, Celebration Cakes.
Tagged with christmas, Cookies, holiday.
By Queen Bee
– December 25, 2012
Fruitcake gets a really bad wrap at the holidays, but for spice lovers it is a true gem. In December, we seem to lean into nostalgia with stockings by the fireplace, singing carols, and watching Charlie Brown and the gang struggle with that pageant. So this year, I reclaimed the fruitcake.
Recipe Inspiration: Martha!(Who else can get the classic holidays picture perfect?)
Golden Fruitcake - This recipe is for minis, but I made a few adjustments. I used two standard size loaf pans and filled each half-full. I think Martha was making minis to make the cooking time more reasonable, and splitting the loaf had a similar effect.
When the cakes were properly steamed and baked, I reassembled it into a single brick (term used lovingly) with a thin layer of the boiled jam (apricot + rum) that I made for the glaze. This added a touch of extra sweetness.
Sliced thinly with a cup of coffee… redemption is mine!

Posted in Celebration Cakes, Musings and Inspiration.
Tagged with best, christmas, fruitcake, holiday, recipe.
By Queen Bee
– December 23, 2012

Hope everyone has a safe and happy Happy Halloween! After a weekend of Hurricane Sandy and cabin fever, I am sure this will be a welcome opportunity to get sugared up and run around.
Song of the Jack o’Lanterns
I am Jack o’ Happy,
I am Jack o’ Sad.
Now you see me sleepy,
Now you see me mad!
Here I am in pieces small,
But in a pie I am best of all!
Posted in Cookies.
Tagged with cookie, halloween, holiday, jack-o-lantern, orange, pumpkin.
By Queen Bee
– October 31, 2012