Book & Baking Blog Entry 40

As I sit here at the computer hardly able to type, certainly not doing a good job of typing and wishing that I were wearing my reading glasses (that I am too tired and lazy to go get), I have realized that sometimes some things are just not meant to be. 

In fairness, I am SURE that I will accomplish my goal (princess and castle b-day cakes for my daughters 4th b-day) by Saturday morning.  2 princess cakes.  1 castle.  It's enough.  It was my choice, and one I freely made.  The cakes are done.  They sit in Tupperware right now; except for the one that is in plastic wrap.  That one I forgot while mopping the floor and WHOOPS!  Left it out over-night.  I'm sure it will taste fine.  Small children.  Cake.  Does it really matter?

That question actually came up the other day.  Another mother said to me that I should just buy a Costco cake (thus freeing my time.)  After all, kids don't care.  And I have to agree, it's true.  I'm the one who wants a homemade cake, homemade pizza, and a party.  Well, OK, as Miss Thing gets older she wants the party too.  But as long as there's a bounce house and some kind of cake, does the rest really matter?  Probably not.

So why do it?  What do I have to show for it?  I'm tired.  In pain (a lot of standing.)  I have a lot of work ahead of me.  And the small child will not even realize all of the work that went into it (unless I remind her 85 times a day until she leaves for college--and maybe not even then.)  All of the parents will say what a great cake it is, but as my friend noted, they would say that if it were from Costco.  Slightly different compliments, but compliments none-the-less.

Let's get back to why do I do it?  Well,  it's for me.  It's an accomplishment.  I hope that long term it shows my child how much I love her that I want her to have a crappy homemade cake vs something store bought.  I hope to instill in her the fact that I love her enough to want to put in the time and effort even though I'm tired and could easily buy her something.  I want her to know that it's special.  And really I want her to know this when she's 30. 

Right now.  It probably doesn't matter (although she did say she wanted me to make the cake when given a choice.)  But maybe some day she think, "wow, making a castle and two princess cakes is NOT as easy as my mama made it look."

So, what is NOT meant to be.  Frosting.  I have baked 3 cakes.  They are in the correct shapes to make 2 princesses and one castle.  I just haven't had time to make the frosting.  Every time I start someone calls from work.  I'm lucky that I get to work from home in the summers, but GEEZE people.  I didn't think you'd actually call me THIS week.  Nothing should need to be done...except, of course it did.

So, frosting tonight?  I hope so,  but I'm awfully tired...

Book & Baking Blog Entry 39

Baking Baking Baking.  I do like it and wish I had more time to do it.  I also loathe that most of my baking now takes place after 9pm.  It's not relaxing.  Well, not as much as it should be.  It's either feast or famine with the baking for me.  This week I'm making a triple batch of sugar cookies (aka cut-out cookies) for Imagina's graduation.

The graduation cookies are  fun.  Hopefully Ruth will want to help me on Tuesday.  It's a lot more work baking with a small child.  You either have to be a martinet or you have to be ready to get really filthy and enjoy a small flour covered finger in your ear (at the very least....)

Nope.  This isn't the stress.  The stress is always the task that you set for yourself.  A birthday cake for a birthday girl who really wants a princess cake.  Of course.  She also said that she wanted Mama  to make it.  This is cool and awesome.  It's also chilling.  What if she doesn't like it.  Is there a cake that a 4-year-old doesn't like?!  What if she cries because it's not right?  I'm paralyzed with more than fear and wearing adult pampers.  I still don't have a perfect butter cream recipe.

So I have her convinced that she wants a princess castle.  And I'm making a castle.  The castle will take 2 cakes and 1 batch of cupcakes.  A mix of yellow cake (do people really need a flavor for this?  butter?)  and chocolate (probably devil's food--hmmm I should probably make sure that I have all the ingredients.)  But, what is my big surprise?  An actual princess cake.  Yep.  Probably make 2 of those as well.  So that's one other cake.  She likes yellow.  Yellow cake with white frosting hopefully colored to match the princess topper that I've bought.  Which princess?  Well, I bought them all.  Yep.  Seriously.  Well, all that I could find.  And I accidentally ended up with 2 Tianas....

There are so many ways for this to go wrong:  1.  She hates both (all three) cakes. 2.  She only hates one. 3.  It's the wrong princess (I am so not making five princess cakes.) 4.  She complains at all about any of  it and I haven't had a drink. 5.  The other kids make fun of her obviously homemade cake.  6.  Did I mention trying to color match a plastic cake topper and create a "skirt" for the princess.  7.  What if I make the wrong princess.  8.  Did I mention my fear of humiliation.

I know I had a bigger list of fears.  Oh, what if the cakes taste horrible?  It could happen.  What if the edible glitter really isn't? 

Well, I think I'll post a place for you to vote which princess that I should make.  It's not going to make a difference because I think that I know who she wants, BUT I'm curious. 

I'll take pictures.  It should be interesting.