Where to begin...

To say this blog is completely in thanks to my self-motivation and confidence would be a lie. I have been practically coerced by a dear friend into creating this blog, and hopefully, a business. It makes it that much better, however, to know I have a friend who believes in me, supplying me the reassurance in my constant self-doubt mode. I'm getting way ahead of myself though...

For as long as I can remember I have been drawn to the kitchen. Making meals whenever possible, creating a "restaurant" for my parents (hey, anything to supplement a frugal allowance, eh?)...truth is I LOVED making and baking food for others...well mostly for myself. I LOVE to eat..especially sweets. When I wasn't allowed extra dessert, I would create my own concoction of sugar, flour, and butter (Pate Sucree-ish) and occasionally add fresh fruit. I have no idea how I came up with this, but I guess I technically was a baker since...well...for as long as I can remember. Soon, teenage priorities reined, then the college years, and I forgot all about my knack for all things culinary. I married at 24 and began to cook and bake again...like rekindling an old friendship...ok that was way too cheesy. Anyway my husband has been completely surprised by my prowess in the kitchen (I was a vegetarian while we were dating so he never ate my food ;) and remains incredibly supportive...throughout my "cupcake phase," my pie summers, and countless attempts at the perfect chocolate chip cookie (oh, I have that one DOWN).

I've always received rave reviews of my peach pies (except that one...I swear that wasn't the peach stand I normally go to!), and my crust is very unique and sooo flaky. I have an ability to decorate cakes without classes or training. And my flourless chocolate cake is freaking awesome (says me anyway)...Thing is I really have a minimal repertoire when it comes to experience doing other recipes...I baked peach pies like crazy when they were in season, but never attempted a blueberry pie the next month (major burnout). I have NEVER made a pie with meringue, a bundt cake, nor attempted to conquer the mysterious red velvet cake...needless to say I'm limited to what I like, and re-make..over, and over...With all that said, my plan is to start a pie booth at my local farmers market, and decorate cakes for weddings and birthdays, like..asap, so I guess I better start practicing!

So here it is..Julie & Julia style... at least one recipe I've never attempted, each and every week for as long as it takes to master this art...I'll post pics and try to bake on Mondays...but ya never know having twin toddlers...Thanks for coming along on my adventure, I hope we have some laughs at my expense, and that we learn a lot together!

So here's my list of prospective first-impression sweets:

1. Meyer Lemon Meringue Pie (peak season, so that's a do-soon-er)
2. Banana Cream Pie (a little too easy, but needs to be done!)
3. Coconut Cream Pie (again, super cinchy, but I've never attempted it)
4. Red Velvet Cake (all-natural, of course)...
5. Shoofly Pie (Unless you're Amish or a pie aficionado, don't feel ignorant for never hearing of this before)...
6. Buttermilk Chess Pie (Again, unless you say "pahh" for "pie" you wouldn't know this one)
7. And lastly, Sweet potato custard pie (Pops just handed me a bag of sweet potatoes from his garden, so that's a big fat possibility)