Transition

I gave working a good run since coming back from leave, but it looks like I'm not gonna make the schedule demands for wedding season so I'm moving to 'on call' status for cakes and pastries for the summer. It sounds like there may be more opportunities to do pastries than cakes this summer, though, so I don't know how many more cakes I'll actually get to do. In many ways I'm disappointed, but then I get thinking about gardening and spending outdoor summertime with my family, and I get pretty excited. We just got approval from our hoa to install three more garden beds, and I've got four trays of seeds already started so I think I'll be plenty busy. Besides, I've missed baking at home and doing different kinds of desserts (or cakes) and this'll provide plenty of opportunity to do more exploration. After all, that's how I got started in this business in the first place.

Time to Start the Garden!

I planted the first seeds last week (I think? I'm losing track of time...it could've been the week before) and they're growing, which is the first hint that maybe, just maybe, spring is around the corner. Though, you'd never guess it with all the snow we've had in the last couple of weeks. Judging by the garden boxes, there's probably a good 6 inches on the ground right now. Anyway, the first herbs and vegetables are started -- Brussels sprouts, red onions, tarragon, basil, miniature strawberries and snapdragons (I had the seeds from last year and figured I might as well) are all sprouting. I'm really hopeful for the brussels sprouts, since they haven't worked out the last two years. I've seen some local people growing them in the fall, but does anyone know if they'll grow in the spring here?

Time Warp: 3 Months Later....

My leave is almost over already! It's been great, but very very busy. I'm looking forward to getting back to cakes, even if it's only part time. And, it's the middle of winter (aka garden planning time). I started sifting through seed catalogs today and am so excited (especially about Renee's Garden, they always manage to find great varieties)! We're hoping to add at least one more raised bed this year to give us more soil to play with. I also had the notion to plant sunflowers along the south side of our house, which gets plenty of sun -- I love all the deep, vibrant colors that are available now. The deep reds are especially my favorites and would look beautiful with the colors of our house. I also came across seeds for tri-colored beans, and Alpine Strawberries (perennial strawberries! can you imagine?!) Last year I learned the harsh lesson of waiting until Mother Nature says it's ok to put seedlings outside, so hopefully by being just a little smarter this year we'll have a much bigger yield.... of everything.