Check out Goodness Gracious Cakeballs

If you are looking for a great treat for your next pot luck, baby shower, family gathering, or Halloween party
check out Goodness Graciou Cakeballs
http://www.ggcakeballs.com/2010/09/spice-cakeballs-perfect-fall-treat-fall.html

Baby Shower Heaven

I had the pleasure of hosting two baby showers this weekend with the help of my wonderful aunt Jana and Cousin Tori. I had asked Jana if we could do Aaron and Iryna's shower in her back yard and since her and Tori were already planning Nicole's baby shower, we decided to combine efforts.  It was awesome! I loved having people I love working together doing what I love.

As I prepared for the baby showers, planning color schemes, making little tutu's for my little niece Sia, shopping for Nicole's little man and finding the perfect little outfits for Sia, I couldn't help but be filled with pure joy and excitement.  I can't wait to meet my little niece, to hold her, and shower her with love. 

I have also been so touched and proud of my little brother Aaron. He has grown up into such an incredibly loyal, sweet, compassionate, and doting husband and soon to be Father.  I get a little choked up thinking about it. 

I really admire Iryna's devotion to her and little Sia's health. I'm sure it hasn't been easy, but she just keep at it.  Oh and her rockn' it in a bikini the other day while 8 months pregnant. I'm so impressed and she looked beautiful.

Back to the shower, since we were doing a baby shower for both a baby girl and baby boy, we went with more neutral colors.  Thank goodness Iryna doesn't like pink.  We had peach, orange, aqua, and teal tablecloths and balloons. 

We made Rootbeer, Cap'n Crunch, Pina Colada, and Spice Cakeballs.  Every single one of the cakeballs were gone at both showers.  Jana made an Asian Coleslaw and fresh spring veggie pizza.  I made a spinach strawberry salad and the chicken salad sandwiches. Tori made an amazing pasta salad and helped me with all the cakeballs. 

The weather was perfect. Jana's backyard was beautiful with a few late season flowers still holding their bloom.  The food was great.  And the best part, 20 of the most loving, generous, supportive, and positive friends and family. 

It was such a good day, Iryna and Aaron both thought so too.

Here are some of my favorite pics

The Fear of Failure and the Joy of Success

I have thought so much about the book, the Alchemist this past two weeks.  Its about a boy who sets off on a journey to find a treasure he had a dream about.
A couple months back, while doing recipe research for my cousin's 400 wedding cupcakes, I stumbled upon the Cakeball.  I had never had cakeball or even heard about one at that point, but it looked amazing, so I stashed the idea away for a future use.
At my first opportunity I took my favorite pink grapefruit cupcake recipe and converted it into a cakeball.  They were so delicious.  I started making them for any and every event and then the idea hit me cakeballs are to die for good, it's a new thing, and I have a far more unique twist than any cakeballs I have seen.  All of the other cakeballs I have found are boring. i.e. Chocolate, white cake, red velvet.  I could make a successful business with these little balls of heaven and doing it being creative.
Goodness Gracious Cakeballs was born.  I am loving making cakeballs for birthday parties, baby showers, and the occasional bake sale, but I "had to step it up if I wanted to make it to nationals!"  So I applied for a booth at the Park City Farmers Market.  Im not going to lie, I was almost relieved that they didnt respond to my application for over a week.  I was off the hook, I could say I tried and that it was out of my hands.
But then I got the call that I was accepted and could register for the last 4 Sundays of the season.  Panic struck me with a furry!  I wasn't ready for this.  I couldn't do this.  There was too much to do, too little time.  
This is where the Alchemist comes in.

"There is only one thing that makes a dream impossible to achieve: the fear of failure." The Alchemist

It helped me to remember that its ok to have fear, its not ok to not go for what I want because of that fear.

So I dove in head first, getting my food handlers permit, tax id #, finding and renting a commercial kitchen, purchasing everything I needed.
But when it comes to making over 500 cakeballs, I really couldnt do it all.
My other favorite quote from the Alchemist is:

"When you want something, all the universe conspires in helping you to achieve it." The Alchemist

I felt the truth of this in my very soul.
My mom, aunt, cousins, and friends spent countless hours helping me in the kitchen from sun up until the wee hours of the morning.  They did more than I ever could have asked of them or ever expected.  Long after exhaustion had kicked in, they were still there.  Bagging and bowing gorgeous little cakeballs.  Then three hours later showed back up at my house to head up to Park City and spend 11 hours on our feet. 
The universe did conspire to help me sell 400 cakeballs, it did conspire to help me move forward in achieving my dreams.  It also helped me to recognize the AMAZING people I have on my side, who believe in me, and love me.
There is nothing better in life than chasing my dreams.
Check our my website :  www.ggcakeballs.com or www.ggcakeballs.blogspot.com

 

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