You Can Do It!

Whatever it is you want to do, you can. Put your mind to the task, develop some tunnel vision and start. Nothing is accomplished without effort. Someone said that a trifle more eloquently.

My daughter loved being in the kitchen from the time she could barely hold a spoon. Mostly though she loved washing the dishes, better defined as "playing in the dishwater". Even as a teen, she loved cooking, baking, stirring a pot, dicing, paring - about anything except doing dishes. Interesting.

Two years ago when we were planning for her wedding, she insisted on making her own cake. The day of the wedding I was so busy flitting around tying up loose ends I didn't see her bring the cake in and set it up. When I finally noticed it on the table I thought it looked like a prop for a bridal magazine. It was perfect and lusciously appealing with it's garnishment of fresh berries and spring flowers - especially since it was yet winter outside.

When she moved away from home, a couple years prior, she continued baking and studying independently far more than I had realized. She wanted to take classes, but her work schedule didn't permit.

Several months ago when her sister-in-law announced her engagement, she asked my daughter to make the cake. The picture above is the cake including those gorgeous roses she made without a lesson one. She learned everything from reading and practice.

While I'm not convinced anyone could be a self taught brain surgeon through independent reading - and practice, it's amazing what you can do with a little determination.