Awhh shucks.  It’s the end of summer . . . technically, there are three more weeks, but for all kids and teachers, it’s BACK TO SCHOOL TIME!

On that note, I should start with the most important piece of fortune . . . I am fortunate for my teaching career!  It is the best job (next to caking of course) that anyone can have, and I love my little kindergarteners.  I’m looking forward to a new batch of kids coming in with excitement (from the kids) and trepidation and tears (from parents).

What I'm most fortunate for.

On a lighter note, this week Paul decided to fix up his Mom’s car that has been sitting in her driveway since a group of teenagers (hellions) filled the gas tank with sugar.  Clearly they had no idea how expensive sugar is!  So, I got to be the wrenching wench, and had to help him lower the gas tank so he could clean the sugar out, but while we were under the car, and Paul was pulling the jack out from supporting the tank (don’t I sound like I know what I’m talking about?) he realized that there was too much gas still in the tank and it would be too heavy for the two of us to lower on our own.  What to do?  Syphon!  Disgusting.

I didn’t think that he was actually going to do it, but, up went the hose to his mouth, then came the sucking . . . and then the disgusting mouthful of gas-spit that came bursting out of his mouth when the gas finally came down the hose.

Moral of the story: I am fortunate that I have a gas sucking boyfriend which means I will never have to do that in my life.  Ever. I swear.  It was THAT disgusting!

Vanilla cake, filled with Bavarian Creme, topped with Chocolate Ganache

I am fortunate for this cake.  SO delicious.  Not that I ate it, as I sold it at the Market, but I just knew.  I knew it was good.  So good, that I HAD to sell it, or I would have eaten the whole thing.

Are there any Big Brother fans out there?  I admit it.  I watch it.  I LOVE it!  Love to hate it, too.  ***Spoiler alert***  I can’t believe that they (Kalia) voted to keep Rachel, and voted out Jeff!!  WTF?  If you don’t watch it, you don’t get it.  I totally understand that though.  My eyes tend to gloss over when people start talking about The Bachelor, or The Bachelorette.  I can’t bring myself to watch these people “searching” for undying love . . . yet, I love to watch the ongoings of a bunch of weirdos locked in a house together!  From this bit of useless information, I have to say, I am fortunate, that a) I’m not locked in a house with Rachel, and b) I’m not searching for love on a TV show.

I am fortunate that I got posts out this week! You may think that that is not a big deal, BUT it was really weighing over me that I hadn’t had enough time to post in the last couple of weeks, and finally, I found the time (made the time). I think that I finally may be getting the hand of this “owning your own business” thing.  I am VERY fortunate for that!

I am fortunate for this recipe for Garden Zucchini Pizza Casserole I found on Brown Eyed Baker.  It made for a delicious dinner tonight.  Yummy AND healthy (I’m blocking out the cheese in my mind)!  Who could ask for anything more?  Well, Paul would say “Meat!”.  The original recipe calls for meat, but I didn’t have any in my freezer, so I opted for the vegetarian version.  Still good.

I am fortunate for this week’s TWO markets!  It is so fabulous to get out into the public and to be a part of such a great community.  Thank you to everyone that is close enough to come down to the market, support us (JJ’s Custom Cakery) and a special thank you goes out to the people who let me know they’re reading my blog!  Whoop!  Thank you, thank you.

Have a great weekend everyone . . . this little piggy is heading to the market . . . and to a dog’s birthday party on Sunday!  What are YOU doing?

I haven’t been able to post all week (or even have any scheduled posts run) but I was determined to get something out before the week is over!  So I know it’s not friday, it’s Saturday night in B.C. well, it’s so late, it’s basically Sunday morning, but just ignore this fact.

I had a lot of goings on this week!  We kicked out a mere 400 cupcakes this week.  I know, pathetic right?  Bahahaha!  CRAZY!!  We are so busy and so lucky and so fortunate!  Thank you to every single person who orders a cupcake, a cake, a cookie, a crumb from us . . . we appreciate every single person that does.

I am also very fortunate this week for all of the helpers that we had in order to get the 400 cupcakes baked, iced, decorated and out the door!  Oh yes, and there was also a wedding cake in there somewhere!

This week was also a special week because a very special cousin of mine (the youngest cousin I have) is having her Sweet Sixteenth birthday.  Months ago, I promised her that I would take her to her favourite singer, Taylor Swift’s, concert in Edmonton.  But, now that the bakery is in full swing, I had no idea how I was going to deal with the eight hour drive, there and back, just for the one night.  My uncle, knowing this, totally bailed me out and flew me to Calgary.  I still had to drive to Edmonton and back, but I had Leah with me for company.  I was super appreciative of this!  Leah and I busted out T Swift songs the whole way there and back.  Lots of fun . . . especially when you’re 16!  Or 32.

INSERT SLEEP HERE

So now it is Sunday….this post keeps taking longer and longer!  But I’m determined to get it done!

Today Paul and I went out and went on a hike…that I will post about later…and despite our late start, it was great to get out!  I’m going to be sore tomorrow, but it lets me know that I worked hard physically!  There’s nothing like those endorphins.

Tonight, I am working on posts for the week . . . I have about 100 pictures to go through and edit for posts . . . until then . . . happy baking!

You know how it feels when you’re really tired, and you just want to head to your bed, get tucked in, and fall into lala land?  I’m there.  Right now.  Except . . . my day is not yet finished!  I have a printer head to unclog so we can get our last cake of the day ready for pick up in the morning.  I’m taking a break in front of my computer . . . mostly just so I can sit down.  Something I haven’t done today.  My poor poor feet!

I am fortunate to have an amazing lady to go to for pedicures!  Thank you Sarah!  I love the bright yellow sunshine toes 🙂

This week, I feel fortunate for the opportunity I have had to reconnect with some of my close friends.  Geographically, we all live in the same area, but due to our hectic schedules . . . a baby, a marriage, a business, we haven’t been able to chat like old times.  I am also fortunate for NEW friends . . . thanks for lunch Karen!

Now . . . into the meat (that was all fluffy) of this post:

I’m a teacher.  I have summers off . . . that was until the entrepreneur bug became nestled in my bonnet!

I am fortunate that I have the luxury of being able to pursue a “hobby” and turn it into a business, while working during my “vacation”.  I’m not complaining, seriously!  I love caking, but I’m not going to sugar coat it (haha) it is incredibly HARD being your own boss.  I used to say “I wish I was the boss of . . . (whatever I was currently involved with)”  but once YOU are the boss, there is no one to tell you what to do.  Think about that.  NO ONE.  Except YOU.  YOU have to figure out everything, solve all the problems, look to the future, make all the adjustments and pave the road ahead.

I am fortunate to have this “problem.”

What makes it worth it?  The excitement from the people when they get the perfect cake, the prettiest cupcakes, the tastiest treats!  Today, I had the fortune of dropping off FREE cupcakes to our contest winners that follow JJ’s Custom Cakery on Facebook (here).

I had woken up this morning, tired, with a million things to do, and doing the deliveries was something that I was not looking forward to.  I had a wedding to do, a huge edible image cake, and 200 cupcakes for the market to get ready!

Before I had even walked into the office where the delivery was for, I could see these two young women clapping through the glass doors. . . and it totally brightened my day!  I couldn’t do anything BUT smile (Yes, me, smile. I did.).

I wish I had done my hair for the occasion.

They were SO HAPPY to be getting JJ’s cupcakes, and you know what?  I remembered I was so HAPPY to be making and giving them.  Thank you KPI ladies for making my day today.   They told me that they read the blog, which is a HUGE deal to me, as I can never tell if anyone is really reading, unless they comment on my nonsense.  Nikki (happy young woman) and her friend (sorry friend, I didn’t get your name) have started their own blog, so obviously we will be BFF’s for life.  It’s all about salty and sweet things!!   Yum!  Good luck with the blog ladies, link to me, and thank you for making my day such a positive one.

I’m headed to bed, as soon as the printer ink head unclogs itself!  Have a great weekend everyone . . . this little piggy is off to the market in the morning.

I’m WAY behind on my Fortunate Friday’s!  It’s not that I haven’t been fortunate, it’s just that life has gotten in the way.

Excuses, excuses, I know.  I’m really good at excuses.  It’s my forte.

“It’s too cold out.”

“It’s too hot out.”

“I’m too tired” (no, not THAT kind of too tired!)

“I don’t have time right now.”

“I’m too busy.”

And I could go on, and on.  If you don’t believe me, just ask Paul.

Now that I have thought all about the many reasons why I don’t have time to do this post, the most important thing that I am missing, is I LOVE MY BLOG!  And no matter what time it is, where I am, or what the weather is doing, I LOVE to write.

I am fortunate that I love to write, and that it keeps me coming back for more 🙂  I have always loved to write, and often found it a source of comfort, especially in those dreadful teenage years.  I went back and tried to read some of the journals that I wrote way back when, but they were so embarrassing!  Filled with teenage angst, and drama, hopes and dreams.  Um, not much different from now, but replace “teenage” with “thirty’s”.

I am fortunate that I discovered the Hunger Games trilogy!  I’m onto audiobook #2, Catching Fire, and love it!  I turn it up really loud so I can hear it being read over the hum of my KitchenAid, and it sounds like I’m with someone and that we’re arguing!   Have you read anything really good lately?

I am fortunate to officially be on summer holidays!  Whoop!  As a teacher (by day), we work hard for 10 months of the year, and recuperate for the other two (without pay, I might add).  Some say that we have an easy, cushy job, summers off, and long breaks, but I invite you into my classroom, to spend 10 minutes there, and see YOU do it!  It’s way harder than it looks.  Teaching take endless patience, adaptability, confidence, kindness, empathy, and most of all, a love and respect for the kids.  I had a fabulous group of kids this year (including the one who peed in the middle of the school field), and I am truly going to miss them.  I’ve only said that twice in my career- my very first class of Grade Ones (who are now going into Grade SEVEN!) and to the kids this year.   I must mean it or something!

We have really had some good things happen this week with the Cakery.  I am fortunate and thankful for all of those events.  More info will come later…but now, it will bore you.

I am fortunate for these people’s genes . . .

Are they not the most beautiful people?  Inside and out.  By the way . . . I’m calling Mom, Steve, you stole the good looking genes in the family!   xoxo

I can’t leave a Canada day post without sending out a Happy Canada Day!  There are many things that I don’t agree with in this country, but we live freely (mostly…it would be really nice if we didn’t have to charge tax on cupcakes!), we are free to speak our minds (and write it in a blog) and we are free to associate in ways that fit ourselves (especially in Vancouver . . . riot much?).

Happy LONG weekend everyone . . . do you have plans?  What are YOU fortunate for?