My Story..
In the past ten years my husband and I have moved seven times, had five babies, backpacked through Europe twice, and spent a month in North Africa. We, like millions of other military families, have also been affected by the current wars. I'm not the only Marine wife who will tell you that military life (particularly in a time of war) will either make you or break you. There comes a time in every military wife's life, when she must grab life by the horns, wrestle it down, and figure-out a plan. A plan for herself - come what may. In the spring of 1999, I was pregnant with my first child. My husband and I were walking through the Camp Lejeune Main Exchange, when we met a lady who was giving a demonstration on cake decorating to advertise for upcoming cake decoration lessons. "OOHH!" I said to my husband. "I've always wanted to decorate cakes!". I signed up for the lessons, thinking that I only had a few months left to pursue any interests of my own, before my baby was born. Boy! Was I wrong about that! To make a long story short - I started my little cake career soon after my baby was born - and I haven't ever looked back. A year later we moved, and I was crestfallen. How in the world would I ever be able to continue my business if we were always moving? Through trial and error, tragedy and triumph, I have learned that obstacles in life can be seen as obstacles, or great opportunities for adventure and growth. I have chosen the latter. My cake portfolio is a diary of my experiences from the last ten years. My Heirloom Cakes have been inspired by our countless trips to museums and early American historical homes and buildings - Mount Vernon, Plymouth Plantation, Colonial Williamsburg, Independence Hall, Boston Harbor, and many others. My Four Star Gourmet Collection has been inspired by the patisseries of Paris, the cafe's of Switzerland and al fresco dining in the piazzas of Rome. My Semper Fidelis Collection is a sample of the Marine Corps Ball Cakes I have made for the Birthday Ball Celebrations that I have attended in the past ten years. My "Birds and Wildflowers" cakes have been inspired by the wonderful times spent with my kids in the fields and meadows of Europe and America, watching, wondering, and looking at every detail of nature's beauty. Every cake has a story, every collection a genesis, and I'm so, so happy to be able to offer them to you. Because for me, cake is so much more than something to eat. It's a way to tell somebody that you love them, and that you think they are special. This philosophy has inspired me to take my 'caking' to a whole other level, through my community outreach project, "Happy Cakes 4 Kids". The sole purpose of Happy Cakes 4 Kids is to provide birthday cakes to children who are living in homeless shelters. My dream is that one day, Happy Cakes 4 Kids will reach homeless children across America, and utilize the skills of professional and amateur cake decorators alike, who will graciously volunteer their time and talents in the hopes of making a homeless child's birthday beautiful, and to make that child feel special....and remembered. I ask that you support Happy Cakes 4 Kids in any way you can. Tell your friends, tell your neighbors! Are you a cake decorator? I'd love to hear from you, and I'd love to have your help! Because Happy Cakes 4 Kids has yet to achieve non-profit status (these things take time!), my work with my local homeless shelter is solely supported by my business. By ordering one of my cakes, you will not only be supporting a military family, but you will be helping to provide a cake to a homeless child - and you'll be getting a world-class cake as well!! Who knew there would be so much work to be done in the world of cake? And I'm just getting started! Shannon's Cake School, a free online cake decorating and cake baking school is currently under construction, and will hopefully be ready to go on September 1, 2009! This online school will be fun, comprehensive, and will contain video clips of fun cake projects for anyone and everyone! I love to encourage other moms to make something special for their children. Little gifts, like fun cupcakes or a special birthday surprise can be such a blessing for the whole family. The cake school is free! Everyone's invited! Tell your friends!! Thank you for visiting the Goodness Gracious! Gourmet Cakes website. Order a cake today!! |
I'm a Marine wife.....a busy one.