Julie/Julia challenge

I want to do a Julie/Julia thing but with Martha....I'm going to do her Baking Handbook. So the challenge I'm presenting myself is once a week bake from her book and will start from page one and go all the way through, trying everything, no matter what it is. This might be crazy, especially with my schedule and my diet but I love the idea, the experience I will gain, and the building of my baking resume.

the good and the bad...

I got unexpected exciting news yesterday when a new cafe called and asked me to be the baker for her shop...wow that did happen! I have to admit I still doubt my ability, still doubt if I'm good enough to sell especially when it seems like everyone and their mom bakes. I preceded to have a panic attack about if I can really pull all this off, with school starting next week. I am determined to finish school but it seems like all these opportunities are coming up and I'm afraid if I don't take them now I won't get them again, and this is my dream job! So, I decided to do it and called to find out about getting a business license...bad news followed and I have been feeling deflated all day. Apparently you need a lot of crap to be able to sell food, especially to another business...like a lot of money and I have to bake from a commercial kitchen (not my home, which does not make sense if I'm doing a HOME business!). I know that everything will come in time and this just isn't mine yet, and the smart thing to do is finish school and bake on the side but it's really heartbreaking when you get an offer that is almost to good to be true and then it is taken away.
I have to admit though, it's pretty great that this has all happened to me in just a few months..I just wanted to practice and now am selling and even getting business offers!! Happy dance!

Day One

Well I am FINALLY starting my diet..I know, finally! So today is day one of losing my cupcake pudginess and I started with The Green Monster.

I can do it!

Woo hoo, last summer session ever! One more year and I am done with school! I don't even know if I'm going to use my degree, now that the baking thing has taken off but just to say I finally completed it is enough! I have learned a lot, changed a lot in the last few years...who woulda thought life would turn out this way!

Ever hear a quote and it takes your breathe away because it is SO defining you!? This is that quote:

baking pet peeve!

I am obsessed with baking blogs, have gotten so much knowledge from them BUT I have a major pet peeve...when people that say they are professional bakers and charge a lot of money for their work yet it comes from a box! I have used boxes and sometimes they even taste better then my from scratch stuff but since I started really practicing, really baking I have made everything from scratch and will continue to do so. I think that's what makes someone a baker, what makes it fun...putting together something from a few ingredients not just throwing in a box recipe that they make dummy proof (that's what my HNFS teacher called them!).
Okay I'm done ranting and I guess to each their own... :)

♥

I have to admit that I doubt how good I am when it comes to my baking; I know I have talent but there is always a part of me that questions how good it really is, if people will really like and pay for them. I get so nervous when I'm doing a order, even charge too little but I today, for the first time, I truly believe. I still can't believe this is all happening, something I've wanted to do forever, and that I am good and people like it...seriously my heart is so happy!
The review I got today for a two dozen order: "Hands down the best cupcakes I have ever eaten!! Everyone loved them!!" (I choked up after hearing this!)