When life gives you lemons, make cake.

I’ve often seen older generations quickly spiral mentally and physically after retiring from their life-long careers.  Taking away one’s sense of purpose has a huge effect.  In the very mildest sense I feel like I can relate.  The after effects of selling our vintage shop in January has been challenging.  I went from having every second of my day filled with work and activity to having it all gone in a snap.  I stand by our decision to sell, as everything in my life was suffering during store ownership (family, spiritual, physical, emotional) but I wasn’t prepared for the tricky transition of letting go of my “other” career baby.  Don’t get me wrong, raising a family and managing a household gives me a tremendous purpose even though I’m running around like a loco chicken.  On the other hand, I also long for a creative outlet in addition to being a mother.

The past 6 months have been a journey of self-discovery.  I’m extraordinarily blessed to be able to stay at home, raise my family, and explore my next creative venture.  I get a huge sense of purpose from creating beautiful things…whether that is beautifying my home, creating thoughtful gifts or making exquisite food.  I want to do more of that.  But my game has changed a bit.  Blogging about my home is tricky because every inch has been renovated (twice) so I’m searching for how I now want to use my voice and leave my mark in the world. Home maintenance, more DIY, house flipping, design for clients, move and start over with a new house, expand my online store, become Molly Homemaker?  All questions I’m wrestling with.

In my pursuits I ran in to Cake by Courtney who is also a fellow contributor on the Studio 5 Show.

Her cakes leave me spellbound, speachless and in total awe.  That are works of art.  But what I love best is that she wants everyone to have the same enjoyment and shares her knowledge of cake making.  Her easy to follow tutorials will make you believe that you too are a closeted cake maker just waiting to come out.

After stalking her instagram, then website, then YouTube channel I made my first cake.

Seven hours later and flour bomb explosion in the kitchen, I had my first cake.

It wasn’t perfect but it wasn’t too shabby either for a first cake.
The biggest delight was the reaction from my middle son who praised my cake making skills like I was a pro.

If the past six months has taught me anything it’s that the purpose of life doesn’t have to be all about accomplishments and results.  Learning, struggling, and wrestling with issues is okay and necessary for growth.  We are all on different trajectories and it is healthy to take time to smell the roses.  Valleys and peaks is all a part of the process for everyone.  And during my journey to the next door of opportunity, I’ll be in the kitchen making cake.