Inevitability...

Baking and decorating is a scary process...my ultimate goal is for my client to be thrilled (not just satisfied or happy...but thrilled). Each order that I receive and fill adds a new element of uncertainty...I always welcome a challenge...but there's always a certain level of anxiety whenever I deliver a product. Not only do I have to complete said project in a timely manner...I have to deliver the product in one piece...or 12...you get it. Hours of preparation go into a single order...there's fondant work, buttercream, baking and design...oh yeah...and delivery...Every single time I load my car with an order I take a deep calming breath (each order has it's own challenges...and any number of things could go wrong)...and hold it until I get it to said delivery location in one piece...

And then...the inevitable COULD happen...

The first picture posted was the 1st finished product...I had successfully baked and decorated a dozen cupcakes for a precious little girl named, Annabelle (her mother comes to the market and she's one of many clients I enjoy chatting with...shout out to Beth!!!). I was loading the car and my husband was going with me to make my delivery...I was flustered...the kids were taking their sweet time getting their shoes on, my stupid GPS was being...stupid...and I had the precious dozen rested neatly on my lap...and then disaster struck...I shifted and the box fell...I saw it in slow motion...I saw the beautiful little petite treats slide down my legs and hit the floor...along with my humor, sense of accomplishement, hours of work...and not to mention my deadline...I immediately called my client and let her know what happened (honesty is always the best option). She was so sweet and understanding about it...she told me not to worry that I could bring them later. There was no time to pout (and I realllllyyy wanted to)...so I put my apron back on, sucked up my pride and got right back to work. Thank goodness I had baked an extra dozen and I was able to salvage some of the flowers...all I had to do was make buttercream and dress the new batch...

The third picture <----- is the product I actually delivered...my client was very pleased with her order and I was pretty impressed with myself (high five)...baking can be pretty risky business...you gotta have your game face on...annnnd your oven...just in case ;)