Cake or How This All Started

Cake. When I was a little girl, my mom would take me to the local bakery and have me choose a cake for my birthday party. I don't remember my party (or parties) at all. But I do remember the little journeys we took to the bakery. I remember getting into the car to drive to this small, sweet place of good people. I remember the store-front parking and the slightly steamed windows that looked into the bakery. I remember the sound of the little bell that jingled signaling our arrival as we opened the door. I remember the fresh-baked aroma of giant circle cookies as they cooled off on trays on the counters. I remember looking at the cakes on display, specifically, the tiered, round white icing cakes, with delicate, pretty yellow, red, and pink roses piped on their smooth surfaces.  I would choose exactly this kind of cake, shyly speaking to the baker herself. Ever since, be the event a very special occasion or simply an after school treat made directly from a box, I have understood cake. It's not some escape for me, it's not that life is uncertain - so eat dessert first (although why argue with this?). Nope, it's cake - made from people who love to bake for people who appreciate their efforts and sing their praises. Love what we do, do what we love. Cake.

Sweet Travels Begin with a First Step

Phoenix, Arizona

I'd like to explore the world one bakery at a time, and have decided I will start in my own backyard. I've been wanting to do this for a long while. In fact, I pretty much do this, actually (visit locally-owned bakeries) as often as I can. I just figured I'd share my Very Important travels (be they of the armchair variety or the more actual traveling kind) with those who understand how important bakeries are to the world. I wonder if "bakery" is the first word that comes to mind when you think of Phoenix? While it's hot enough to bake on the sidewalk right now, I'll venture to guess you may not know that this part of the wild west  is home to many hardworking and wonderful locally-owned bakeries. Join me as I embark on celebrating the sweetness of life wherever I travel.