The Best Birthday Cake

The first cake that I ever decorated was pathetic. I was probably about seven years old and the frosting kept sliding down the sides of the cake and forming a puddle around the base. I tried to decorate it by placing a plastic racecar on top for my brother’s birthday.

My cakes have changed dramatically since then. Now, I can at least keep the frosting on the cake and the final result tastes much better than the old Crisco frosting recipe.

My children have been patient through the years with my hobby as I design cakes for their birthdays. The early years of Bob the Builder and Snow White have now moved into flower sugar cookies sprouting out of the top of the cake. I've been inspired by many fabulous cookbooks.

This year, when it was time to make a birthday cake I was extremely busy with other projects. Instead of being excited I started to question why I had started this homemade birthday cake tradition. I felt tired and full of stress.

I realized that something had to give.

I examined my other projects and carefully selected what I could delay until later. I took a deep breath and I made the cake.

By the time I had finished decorating the cake I was completely relaxed. Although this project could have been one I avoided (by buying a cake) I was very glad in the end that I remembered my priorities. I took time to do something that I enjoy doing and I did something for my family by continuing our family tradition.

When life gets really busy make sure your actions are in line with your priorities.

Make time for your family.