For the Love of Cakes

The vision for this cake creation has been in my thoughts for about three months.  In July we spent a week on the Oregon coast with our dear friends including their soon to be two year old adorable boy.  He was all about the fish.  Fish in the ocean, fish at the aquarium, fish in the souvenir shops, fishy, fishy fishy.  The cake was vanilla with my stand-by favorite buttercream frosting.  All of the embellishments were edible, that is if you like sugar candy!  Super fun cake to make and share.  The two year old's comment? "Whoa...."  "Fishy"

Every cake I have ever made has been, well for the love of cakes and for the love of the person/people I am making the cake for.  People are always surprised when I tell them this is only a hobby and "No, I don't do this for money" I have to admit though, from time to time the thought has crossed my mind.  "Could I sell a cake? Would I want to spend my time making a cake for a stranger?"   A week or so ago I was contacted by an acquaintance, asking just that.  Would I bake a cake for a friend's wedding?  The cake would be for someone completely unknown to me.   Because I have a very difficult time saying no, I immediately said yes, let's talk more about the specifics.  The next day this beautiful gift was delivered to me,  made by one of the family members of a recent cake delivery Lisa's Custom Cakes Birdhouse  (the photo does not credit the immense detailed work of this gorgeous creation!) It was at that ...

This was the second weekend in a row with wedding cake baking on my calendar, and I have to admit, I am feeling like I'm in a bit of a groove.  When someone asks me to make a wedding cake I always feel a little hesitant as there is a bit of pressure to make a cake as expected.  Though I choose my recipients wisely, I never would try to create a perfect cake (I don't think that is possible) but I always KNOW a perfect cake is not expected.  This go round was for a friend's father, whom I know but not extremely well.  The conversation went something like this: Them: "We would love to have you make our wedding cake, however since this is not a traditional wedding we would prefer to not have a traditional layered type wedding cake.  We are estimating about 100 guests."  Me:  "OK, do you have a favorite flavor of cake?"  Them: "Yes, we love yellow cake with chocolate frosting or spice cake" Me (to myself): "A sheet cake? 100 pe...