2011…wrapping up.

how time flies!  don’t you feel that as we grow older, time seems to whiz by even faster???

2011 has been an eventful and busy year for us at Baked and Eaten.

it was a year of many decisions – a year where the lease of the community kitchen was up, and time to decide whether to move together with our friends to the new location.  we pondered for a few agonizing months, and decided after much much thought – that we would not move with our friends.  we started looking around for a new place, and there were many bumps along the way (pssttt….my little secret – it can get pretty demoralizing at times!! much as I absolutely LOVE what I do – without a place of operation….there isn’t much to continue on especially since NEA doesn’t allow home bakers….i understand they need to ensure things are hygienically produced to protect the public…though the flip side is rentals are especially crazy!!!)

maybe it’s luck.  maybe it’s sheer graciousness.  maybe my wish was sent to the universe and answered.  maybe it’s the real love of what I do daily….i don’t know…..but I just thank my lucky stars that we were approached and asked if we wanted to take over the kitchen space!! words can’t express the relief and the happiness and I was really grateful for the oppotunity!

long story short – baked and eaten has our own dedicated baking studio and I love it!!

BUT this post is not so much about how much i love my baking studio (ooooo…but i sure do –  i love keeping everything spick and span and clean and tidy…..a little ‘controlling’ huh?;))

it has been a testing year on many fronts, and all these time, I kept going back to a simple ‘trick’ of sorts that keeps me sane….and happy (well reasonably at least!)  It’s a really simple thing – so easy that one would underestimate the effect and impact it has on your life…..it’s counting my blessings.  being grateful for whatever i have (or not have), and taking life as a lesson.  shifting mindsets during the process,and I hope in the process – become an even better person.

some of my blessings?:)

• my family - for the subtle and quiet support they have always provided me.  especially my parents.  they don’t say much, and I know they worry for me but they don’t question me on the path I decided to embark.  staying in the corporate world sure as h*ll pays a lot more, and with much less effort and worry(disclaimer, given my nature, I’m no slacker.  you just have to do your duties which are somewhat ‘contained’ for the lack of a better word), and a lot more comfort!   and ‘oh, i work in a bank’ sounds a lot more prestigous than ‘i’m a baker’ *snicker*.   BUT I’m sooooo much happier.   the sense of satisfaction and pride and happiness – simply cannot be compared.   which brings me to the next point…..

• wonderful customers - especially the repeat and loyal customers who return to us to satisfy their chocolate cravings, and some seem to have converted to cupcake fans as well!!;)   some of our customers are also some of the nicest people around!!! they don’t need to, but they take the extra effort to tell us how much they enjoy our brownies / cupcakes, and that they will help refer us to their families and friends.  it really gives us a huge morale booster and makes our day so much brighter!

• my friends – they have been so supportive and encouraging and some even go out of their way to promote my brownies.  without their encouragment and motivation – life would be that much harder!

• my cats - my two little furballs remind me that life can be simple and somehow helps me refocus on what is important, and that certain things are simply a waste of my energy. undeniably, at times i get really miffed at things or people, but when I come home to them, life seems so much simpler – pet therapy!!  even the stray cats at my void deck, feeding them provides you a very simple yet profound happiness.  maybe it’s compassion for another living thing…

• myself!  hahahah!!!! i’m no narcissist but i an grateful to have gone out on a limb to get my business started, and to really put myself out there (and boy….i don’t do well in uncertainties, so this is quite a bit of a stretch for me). grateful to remain strong and (reasonably) positive in trying times (but hey – see all the points above – they support me!)

they are obviously many many many many more things that i am grateful for….and this last post for 2011…well wraps up the year by thanking my lucky stars that I can still continue doing what i love – for a lot more years too i hope!

hope you had a good 2011, and a HAPPY NEW YEAR to you!! I hope 2012 brings lots of love and happiness to all of us!!! that’s not too much to ask huh?;)

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