Sabbatical is over!

After a four year sabbatical, I am finally going back to cake design.  What prompted me to stop? What prompted me to start again?  Lets see...

There were a couple of reasons why I stopped.  First of all, my husband and I started our own business so that consumed all my time.  Now that our business is fairly established and I can manage my time better, I'm able to go back to cake design (notice that I use the term cake design not cake decorating - "design" seems more upscale and boutiquey... LOL!)   The other reason, truthfully, is that it got too expensive.  I'm one of those people that once I get into something, I really get into it.  When I saw all the "toys" that came with cake design, I had to have them all...IMMEDIATELY! Which really is a huge problem.  Half the stuff I have I don't even use on a regular basis.  I have tried to use my tools at least once though.  That reasoning seems to justify the gadgets, tools and ingredients that clutter our cupboards.    A friend once said I should charge for my cakes but really, how can you charge a friend or a relative for a cake? I make my cakes for the sense of accomplishment I feel when I finish a design.  The oohs, aahs and the smile on someone's face when they see the cake is really just gravy.  

Why did I start again?  My 7 year old daughter, Sophie and Buddy Valastro from the Cake Boss.  Huh?!?!?!   Buddy ain't no Justin Beiber but somehow he has managed to capture my 7 year old daughter's attention.  Apart from the usual pre-teen Disney Channel shows, Buddy and his show, Cake Boss is the only thing that will keep her attention.  That got me thinking.  Maybe Sophie wants to learn how to design cakes...maybe she can be the next Elisa Strauss. Seriously though, watching Cake Boss has really re-ignited the passion I had for designing cakes.  This time around though, I'll be wiser and be more stringent when it comes to buying my "toys".  I'll only get the things I absolutely need and only if I will be able to use them on a regular basis.  Although I'm sure I can find a use for that new Cricut machine or the Agbay leveler or that airbrush kit i saw.....