and a happy New Year...

Now, as a baker, any sort of weight loss is never on my new year's resolution break down. (especially this year...Holy clothes pins!) In fact, I never have one thing I plan on "resolving" for the entire year. Don't we all have something to decide to do or not to do every day? Often those large decisions are not conveniently placed on the first day of January. We all have things we'd like to change to better bodies, our health, our selves. And luckily our new beginning can begin any day we please.

Our new year "resolutions" are often the final product of some poor decision making. We want to lose weight due to lack of will power at the cookie table. We want to get more sleep due to our lack of time management. Whatever your resolution this year, go into it head on with your head on...straight. So many of us let our sour decisions poison our sweet lives. We will make a million mistakes today and a million more tomorrow. Whatever you plan to take on will have a bright ending if you leave the regret in the dark.

So if some sort of weight loss is on your list this year, do it. Let go of anything that is weighing you down. And in the spirit of the season, let your heart be light.

I'm wishing everyone a light heart and a happy twenty ten!

Fits and flights.

Why? I can't quite put my finger on it, but it's somewhat of a phenomenon if we make it through one practice without someone crying, throwing a fit, or exploding with some sort of spastic outburst. Explanation: I coach a girls gymnastics team. I don't ever remember being as stressed at that 8-12 age as these issue filled athletes have been lately. Every day a new snag unravels making toddler tantrums look like kids stuff. Pun intended. Though yesterday's practice came with tears, it also included a small snip-it that superseded the mayhem. One of the little ones was bawling out of shear frustration, but quickly given some encouraging words from her old and wise 11yr old team mate. The advice was short, simple, and I couldn't have said it better myself. Except that I had- 2 yrs ago- to that old and wise 11yr old team mate who at the moment, was bawling out of shear frustration. 

"I can remember when I had the worst practice of my life and Lisa told me: The best thing about a bad day is that you get to make it better." 

I'm not claiming ingenious epiphany by any means, but short, sweet, and helpful to that 9 yr old crumbling before me at the time. As insignificant as that tid-bit of advice was, it was a proud reminder of the impact I have on those often trying kids. I will reveal some relevance here, I promise. I can state with sincerity, I do sympathize with the reality that they soak up my words probably more than the average person does (mostly because they are forced to listen to me for 2.5 hours a night). Knowing how nutty some of their parents can be, setting a positive example for them, (or at least a fair attempt), comes quite organically now. The long and the short of it is, we never really know who we are impacting every day. Good or bad. 

At this very moment, I can tell you exactly what's on the mind of my cousin's friend's brother's girlfriend whom I met once at a family function. I can recite who has had a baby, who has suffered turmoil, and who has gotten engaged. Do I want to know all this information? Not particularly. But the fish I'm after is the cyber reality that we can find out almost anything about anyone in one lightening fast hook and reel. 

(a fishing analogy? I know- I'm not sure where that came from either). 

Let's switch motherboards for a minute here and talk reality. We don't walk around with 140 characters above our heads for all to read. Out in the raw cyberless world we have no idea what is going on in the lives of our bank teller, grocery store cashier, or guy that just cut us off in the prime of rush hour. Before you blow a fuse, consider the options and who you could be impacting. Are your actions helping those around you aspire to be better or worse? I could have just as easily told that fit throwing 9yr old to suck it up, quit complaining, and do what I ask (believe me, most days I want to). But then she wouldn't have been able to offer up those encouraging words that just may stick and domino.  Consequently, the guy that cut you off, or the rude bank teller, or the grocery bagger with less personality than a rock, could be dashing to an emergency, in the middle of a painful divorce, or dealing with a tremendous loss. OR to be 100% honest, he very well just may be ignorant, unhappy and mean. Either way, we all are a question mark outside of our keyboards and like the machines we entrust our most precious data with, we too, break. We are endless mistake making, virus catching, fact storing humans- flying around this earth both hoping and fearing we will crash into one another. All you can do is try your best to control your own plane and those that have chosen to fly with you. They are the precious cargo we live for deserving the best path we can show them. We all will experience fear filled take offs, bouts of turbulence, and not so smooth landings. But like that wise 11yr old told me yesterday, even our stormy days are able to clear. While sometimes it is nearly impossible to recognize a glimpse of light, think of all those on board trusting you to make the right moves when things don't exactly go according to plan. Because just as quickly as the storm rolled in, it will dissipate leaving nothing but cloud nine in view. 

Good Things Come in Small Packages

Did you know I was a premi? Yep, which is a little ironic because I am rarely early for anything these days. Fate's sense of humor, I suppose. Small is what I know, and that early arrival (along with a dose of family genes) landed me an annual front row seat on class picture day. I was too short to climb the tree in preschool, (thanks for the boost Matty D), wearing a size 6X for far too long, and consequently growing big in a small town. Surrounded by small, it's offsetting to hear small town  paired with any negative stigma. Small towns are where big dreams, people, and ideas are born. Even those with the world outside their doorsteps, find themselves seeking out the places that are inevitably "small." It's rare to find true metropolitan natives that spend their weekends exploring the big city attractions. (Those were created for us "small timers" to swoon over). There is a large comfort in small. It's hard to disagree that we all would prefer a small team of truly sincere friends rather than a stadium full of contacts. 

Our location should never denote our thinking. It's so simple to be jaded by our surroundings, but a small town does not equal small thinkers. Inspiration is not fueled by skyscrapers and lights. Small people result in small thinkers. If you really look, those billboard name idols are from small towns too (i.e. Mark Twain, CoCo Chanel...I could go on forever). Nothing separates us from them other than the relationships we wrap ourselves in. And luckily for us, we all are capable of that. Now more than ever, our exposure opportunities are growing larger by the feed whether we are in small town, USA or Mars. The relationships we build, pave our paths. They may be dirt roads, cobblestone, or concrete; they all get us where we want to go just the same. Let your relationships denote your place in this world. If the creator of the "Happiest place on Earth" is proud to announce "it's a small world after all," then so am I. 

I began writing this post before a little surprise this week. I would like to dedicate it to my sincere and very brave friend Jena and her new baby girl, Karli (above image). Weighing in at a tiny 4lbs,  she is the perfect example of how undeniably wonderful "small" can be. 

The Real McCoy

What does it really mean to be authentic? Most of us marched through our education like aunts on parade, rarely entertaining the thought of being out of step. Like most small suburbs, where I came from, challenging the status quo was atypical. Besides the handful of, for lack of a better term, "rebels," mostly everyone continued marching two by two in the same path. In an upbringing so socially structured, it's more challenging to march to the beat of your own drum, per se. Let's face it, insecurity, fear, desire, and acceptance equal one easily influenced ant. We spent the greater part of our formative years coloring in the lines and thinking within that darn box. And then, like a captive bird, we are set free into the complete unknown to spread our wings. Suddenly, the life of fitting in means you are the same as the person next to you. And frankly, this world has enough ants to ruin a perfect picnic. Instantaneously, it's no longer about fitting in, it's about standing out. Seems like a waste of prep time if you ask me.

And now, a quarter century old, with very little taste of this "real world" my parents always referenced, I can confidently get comfortable outside of those lines. I don't blame the system. And I have high respect for those that stay within it. However, to be perfectly authentic, I much rather create my life outside of that darn box. (even if sometimes I have to drag my better half with me).

Yesterday's face-to-face interaction was sold in exchange for today's Mac-to-Mac interaction (no judgement PC users). Our authenticity often lies within a new box-our computers. Effortlessly, we can convince our family, our best friends, the people we haven't talked to since high school, and even ourselves of anything we can fit into those 140 characters. It's so simple to be inauthentic today. That insecure lost ant can jump right in line and march up the social media hill with the rest of them without a thought of his own.

So then what? We convince everyone who is bored enough to read our updates about the fabulous cars we drive, how great our home is, or the amazing new bag we just purchased. Somehow I can't help but think this action is desperately seeking a big pat on the back "Hurrah!" reaction from our 347 friends. The point is, it really makes no difference whether your ex boyfriend knows about the mindless shopping spree you went on compliments of your new fabulous husband. Is that really you anyway? Anyone can be seemingly authentic via social media abuse. But forget the facebook, take away the tweets, bury the blogs, and what do you have left? We have ourselves- and are we convinced? Those that know us deeper than our "walls" can spot inauthenticity faster than we can click update. If you're truly happy, (or any other sentiment), there is no need to convince anyone of it; they just know.

Outside of the tweets, replies, and updates, are you genuinely authentic? Or are you misrepresenting you. We all can paint a perfect picture and claim it as real as long as no one dares to venture outside of that addicting box. It is much more fulfilling to be a real person than a http address. So march two-by-two in any path, to any beat, (DMB or not). March with those that really know you and maybe then you'll finally get that "Hurrah!" you've been seeking.

Fall favorites

I'll admit, I am falling for fall. Ok, that was lame, but unquestionably I have a much stronger admiration for this beautiful time of year now that I am no longer stuck in a class room. That unsettling feeling that always accompanied the crispness of the air has now hitched a ride on that cool fall breeze. I love the refreshing nights, the light jacket days, and all the other colorful undertones that tag along with this inevitable transition of seasons. 

The chill in the air always is partnered with the upcoming of the holidays. Though, I never favored halloween as a child, I know undoubtedly, it is ranked a close second to Christmas for many little ones. What could be better than choosing to become anyone you can imagine followed by a lump sum of sugar? Apart from the notion that I was not a candy bar kid, I remember almost being stressed over the decision of what to dress as, then worrying I won't fit the roll just right. 

Consequently, as I age, I realize every day mirrors this childish favorite. As kids, we settle on an idea, dress in a disguise, and go out to ask for what makes us the happiest. As adults, the process is comparable, but habitually life long. We play the roles we have chosen as husbands, wives, doctors, teachers. Effortlessly, we settle into these positions letting them define us. What we portray can be misleading- made of plastic and makeup. Suddenly we are immune to the ghosts and goblins on the outside. So easily wrapped up in a role that can result in stress and indecisiveness sometimes the result is an unfavorable character- even we can forget what is underneath. We do what fits the bill of the lion and the wife, in a new wardrobe. It's easy to forget to remove our masks when the day is done. Among the chaos of succumbing to all the various titles that make up one another, there is one that is indefinable. One that no one else can emulate. When the tricks have been played, the treats have lost their luster, and the disguise has been packed away, bare truth is all that is left. When asked, "Trick or treat?" The answer is always treat. Revealing that bare truth is the trick. 

Halloween is a holiday filled with fun and fear. If we stay behind the masks, we can face the fear as someone or something else. We are buffered by the act, and unfortunately so is everything else we encompass. We are adults, and teachers, and lawyers, and mothers, and husbands and wives. While those are untouchable accomplishments, we were all once something else before we slipped into those roles. It is effortless to become unrecognizable, even to ourselves. Pick the trick, brave the ghosts, reveal yourself, and show that indefinable quality. Hopefully what's behind the mask is the same as what we portray on the outside. 

A favorite of mine- a close friend has always had these enlightening words to share. "If personality resulted in looks, think, would you still be beautiful?" 

Soak up those fall favorites everyone and clank glasses with some spiked apple cider. 

25 and 7.

So, here I am. Another year under the belt. This past year was filled with the most change one person can expect at my age. New house, new job, new husband, new life. I can remember being young and thinking about what my life would be like at 25. At that age, 25 seemed so foreign. So old. And definitely, so adult.  I remember listening to my parents talk about people that are now my age. They would finish the conversation with "he's a good kid." I recall thinking, how completely absurd that was calling such an established person a "kid." Point is, they were right. I still feel like a kid. In fact, I'm wondering if this transformation into adulthood will ever match the vision I had of fitting that mold. 

Twenty five years and what have I learned? I've learned to become a "we." As such an independent character, this was an adjustment for me. I've learned there is no stigma attached to, "you're turning into your mother." I would be so lucky. I've learned patience. I no longer live in such an accessible world of want and need. The things we want turn into things we need (i.e my husband hurling our dishwasher on the deck after the button malfunctioned in which he justifies as a "hulk smash" moment.) Suddenly, "we" need a new dishwasher and "we" don't really need that amazing pair of Christian Louboutins. I've learned things will always break, explode, or be simply absent, making those goals of want farther and farther away. I've learned I should have listened to the little guy (my dad) and maybe not chosen such an expensive school. That 19 year old  impulsive thought process now effects my everyday. I've learned this house will never really be done until I replace everything in it, and even then it may not feel like home. I've learned I chose a school, a major, and path, that now I am not willing to go down. I'm sure it is possible for others, but there is no way I knew what I wanted to do at that age. I take that back. There is no way I knew what I was capable of doing at that age. 

I've learned most importantly, all great things come with an exception of sorts. Being a "we" is wonderful and I wouldn't change a thing about the person I've decided to create this life with. (ok, so maybe a a few bad habits here and there, no one's a saint). If I hadn't chosen the high priced school I may not have two of the most genuine friends a person could ever be lucky enough to meet. They exceed my loan payment by miles.  The unfavorable major I had chosen allows me to work in a field with my better half. Otherwise, among his 3 jobs (to pay our loans- are you seeing the viscous circle here?), I don't think we'd ever see one another. And now, at this quarter of a century, I am optimistic and feel this year is going to surpass my expectations. 

When we're little, we are asked "what do you want to be when you grow up?"  I can remember even then, I had no answer to such a loaded question. So, after 25 years and 7 days, I  finally feel confident in answering. I want to be inspired. Now I guess I spend the next 25 figuring out how to do that.

Correction. We spend the next 25 years figuring out how to do that. 

She takes the cake

I've reached the age where weddings are around every corner. In youngstown, it's not a wedding unless you have a cookie table that stretches for miles. Having an itch for baking and a natural sweet tooth, I always put these tables under a little more scrutiny than the average wedding goer. There's nothing more off-putting than biting into a visually stunning treat and finding its contents to be sub par. It's even more disappointing to uncover this quality in others. 

In the honeymoon stage I'm currently living in, there are very few days where I don't hear a "you're beautiful"( or some other ordinary attempt at flattery ) out of my husband. ( yes, newlyweds.). Admittedly, I'm not the best receiver of compliments, my feedback is almost always filled with an eye roll and "well I hope my insides match the outside, because looks fade, handsome." Though he says they never will, I'm sure those compliments will melt away just as our looks someday will.

In the creation of all things, the contents are just as important as the finished product. We are no exception to that rule. Unfortunately, we live in such a fast paced world where our profile picture, status, and latest tweet depict who we are. We've created a technological world that somehow is more invasive, yet less personal. This lifestyle has made it more convenient to network, but quicker to judge one another without even exchanging a word. 

In an attempt to beat the odds of a judgmental society, we have to leave our mark in other forms aside from our outer beauty, (and our profiles). This is partially why I enjoy baking, gift giving, and other arts so much. Each time I give something I've created, it's a sweet taste of who I am. (In fact, it pains me to find that I cannot make a living solely on acts of kindness alone). After baking for a wedding this past week, nothing was more rewarding than hearing our bride say "These cookies are so pretty, and they taste even better." We can spend bank accounts on a beautiful and intricately decorated wedding cake, but if it doesn't taste as good as it looks, our efforts are a waste. 

We are the cakes, the pies, the cookies, all put here to look beautiful and someday be gobbled up. As we sit here on this giant round plate awaiting our fate, all we really have to offer to others is our goodness. If your ingredients inside aren't equally appealing, all your left with is beauty that will inevitably someday spoil. Does what's inside match what others see? If not, maybe it's time to change your recipe. Share your sweet goodness, because that's what truly takes the cake. 

For a little spin on our favorite, try this aroma pleasing summer quencher.

Lavender Lemonade:
1 tray ice cubes
1/4 cup dried lavender
2 cups boiling water
3/4 cup white sugar
8 lemons
5 cups cold water, or as needed

Place ice cubes into a 2 quart pitcher. Place the lavender into a bowl, and pour boiling water over it. Allow to steep for about 10 minutes, then strain out the lavender and discard. Mix the sugar into the hot lavender water, then pour into the pitcher with the ice.
Squeeze the juice from the lemons into the pitcher, getting as much juice as you can. Top off the pitcher with cold water, and stir. Taste, and adjust lemon juice or sugar if desired. Pour
into tall glasses, pull up a lawn chair and a good book, and relax.
Compliments of Allrecipes.com

Thirsty?

As July 4th is peeking its head around the corner, I can't help but think we Ohio natives have just an ounce more appreciation for these sought after summer days. When the weather breaks, we're like aunts to a picnic. All the sudden there is a mad dash to get outside made up of people you've never seen before, who seemed to have tripled. A recent trip to Kelley's Island uncovered this lemonade stand and brought back a fresh batch of sweet summer time memories.

It seems your world is composed of a series of No's when you're a kid. No speaking without raising your hand, no name calling, no rough housing, no talking back. Summer was the same, but with a few that were much more appealing. No school, no alarm clocks, no shoes, no bed time. It was 12 weeks where we weren't taken seriously, and our biggest project was making lemonade. I see now those months out of the classroom are where I may have learned the most. 

Kids are funny little creatures. We so easily forget that we all were once in their tiny shoes. We spend billions of dollars and endless hours teaching them manners, math, and maturity and seem to forget that they have just as much to teach us. At one point or another you came across that sign in your classroom that we all know by heart. "Treat others as you want to be treated." This rule, plus a stack of others, is all you seem to know as a child. We are drilled from tots to teens with please and thank you, waiting our turn, and respecting others. What happens when we have to make our own rules as adults? Stress, chaos and emotions help us easily create a new set of rules. When we no longer are under the command of our elders it is easy to put the golden rule, and a plate of others, on the back burner. Think back to kindergarden, ( tough isn't it?). Realizing it or not, your day was overflowing with learning to share, taking turns, listening when others were speaking, and yes, practicing that ever so annoyingly popular, golden rule. What would happen if your waiter said, "Excuse me Sir, but you forgot to say thank you when I filled your glass." You'd probably look at him like he needed some meds and throw out any thoughts of a tip. When we aren't reminded often enough of these simple rules, it's easy to forget. Call me crazy, but suddenly that 5 year old looks pretty smart. 

Children hardly ever come across the same faults we face as adults. Most kids are carefree, inexperienced and unbruised. As we age, every life is going to be faced with challenges, tragedy, and defeat along the way. Children don't get caught in the trap of life distractions to toss them off course, whereas these days, we seem to go flying from the smallest gust of wind. Remember being a child? You can get kids to do just about anything for a little sugar, and they have found their happiness. Somehow as adults we forget about that simple pleasure, and let the lemons in our lives consume us. The bitterness that results from that consumption makes us pucker up instantly leaving a sourness that can linger longer than we may have expected. Some people live their lives blind to their bitterness, taking in all that will fall victim along with them. The trick is to quench your own thirst with your inner child. Even that lingering bitterness can be sugar coated. Indulge in the sweetness of success, the meaning of that golden rule, and the richness in your life. And do I need to say it? Make lemonade. Remind yourself often of those easily forgotten rules. The next time someone says you are acting childish, think back to that kind hearted 5 year old hidden within us all. Use your manners, and politely say, thank you. :o)

The New Yorkers seek the slow pace of the suburbs. The small town crowd looks for big city lights. What fuels that drive in us to always seem to want what we can't have? As children we found excitement in getting our hands on something we were told not to. That cookie in the jar just before dinner was a mastermind of success. Most think this trend fizzles as we go through adulthood. But let's be honest, same cookie, bigger jar. 

Sometimes unknowingly, we seek to fill our voids. Ever notice how your whole day can be crumbling around you, then suddenly realize it's nothing that a little shoe shopping couldn't fix? A billion dollar industry has been flourishing due to that exact epiphany. We all crave the natural high that accompanies getting what we didn't have before. We want the happiness, the hustle, and the high heels! We want it all, and we want it now. But even the city goers get blinded by the lights, and suburbia finds their surroundings sub-par. If we're lucky, we realize that it is not about the big apple or Orange County, or wherever we are. You get out what you put in; our own ingredients create a sweet life. 

The better half and I have been tossing around the idea of possibly relocating down the road. Essentially, we are the tiny towners seeking the big city lights. We hope those lights brighten our future with more opportunity, a pace that matches ours, and unforgettable experiences, but fortune or failure, I will always remember where I came from. Me and Mine have gained our happiness here in small town USA and I am positive it will continue no matter where life drops us off. And I do believe that is what we bakers call "having your cake, and eating it too. "

A few "warm Fuzzies"

Fate or Foe?

My fate is in your hands. We constantly use this silly little figure of speech. Todays media is overflowing with problems, debates, stories, and complaints. Whatever the crisis, we look to find someone to point the finger at. Taking responsibility for your own actions is ludicrous. How refreshingly honest would it be to find the criminal saying "well Officer, I performed this crime because I am a terrible, unhappy, human being." Instead we investigate the scenario to uncover the criminals "chemical imbalance" and he almost gains our sympathy. The responsibility is lifted and his fate is in our hands. Of course that was a drastic example to prove a point, but this exact situation happens more often than not in our daily lives. We like to put our love, our luck, and our success, in the hands of others to save face. We are the "criminals" bailing ourselves out of embarrassment with our own chemical imbalances, (per se). In this crazy world it is easier to whip up a batch of complaints about how nothing ever goes right, rather than, as they say, "make lemonade." Truth is, there are those lucky people that seem to have just stumbled upon success. But that millionaire lottery winner didn't gain his prosperity without taking an active role in his winnings. As little action as it took him to get up, get dressed, drive to the store, and purchase a ticket, he did in fact, take some control. No matter the dose, there is hard work and responsibility behind every healthy success story. We can't sit around and wait for the jury to conclude we are crazy and hope for our happy ending. Often, fate does indeed have a funny little way of getting us to easy street, but sometimes, like us, it needs a little direction.

My first step in cruising into my own success is to take one of my passions and hobbies and give it a little fuel. And if you can't tell by the image and use of witty "baking repartees" throughout, here's a little help. 

Accepting local holiday cookie orders this year. Specializing in clothespins, but will customize any orders (cut-out cookies, cakes, rolls, etc)

Contact at LisaLove437@yahoo.com for further information.

"Each man is the architect of his own fate"-Appius Claudius, Roman Statesman 300 B.C.

Well, thanks Appius for your words of wisdom... Let me in turn enlighten you: So is each woman :o)

Desire, Inspire

I find myself falling victim to todays blogging, networking, technology epidemic. We are in a craze of sharing our photos, stories, status updates and thoughts to anyone who will listen. Though sometimes I find it silly how much time is spent on all of the above, I am still inspired by the impact. Hours upon hours are spent surfing other peoples lives while ours may be passing us by as fast as we can say tweet. I created this blog not to feed the hungry networkers, but to inspire myself. It is not just the one idol, the few talented dancers, or the lottery winners that are making something out of nothing today. This often vain bloggers world, has given rise to success of the occasional hobbier turned entrepreneur overnight. The "she's a good baker" and "she's so creative" masses are able to be turned into movers and shakers with on the house exposure due to todays indulgent lifestyle. "Opportunity is everywhere." How often have we heard that? Opportunity IS everywhere, and right beside it is inspiration. How often do you find yourself saying, "I could have made that" or "I wish I thought of that."  Fear mixed with a dollop of laziness is the perfect recipe for spoiled creativity. We rather be miserable in a dead end job, than act on an inspiring suggestion. Change puts a bad taste in our mouth and seems to cause more harm than good. The difference is embracing that slightly uncomfortable feeling you get when you think of changing your routine. Behind every decision, we all desire the outcome to be something that makes us happy. I am inspired to let my creative bug fly and hope that my desire can buffer the fear. Of course, I am young and possibly a little irrational, but the better half of me will make sure I keep my feet on the ground... at least long enough to make him dinner.