I finally have a brochure done that I can hopefully post in a couple of places to drum up some special orders! I have a couple of teddy bear fund-raisers in the works...very exciting! I sure hope they pan out...they are for groups I would really like to help. Made a tray of mini-delights for an order. I love the tiny things! I am all for many tastes of several different things...so I love desserts buffets and appetizer meals...such a chick thing, I know.

so far, so good

I am heading in the right direction with organization, prioritizing ? spelling on that? and getting the job done...hooray! Even had time to crank out a new recipe...creme de menthe brownies..holy schmolies...they are the reason I will never EVER be thin...too delicious for words! In fact, they sold out instantly and I do not have enough stuff on hand to make more..need to go on a supply run and soon! Business has been fabulous...lots, probably too many things in the works--at least in my head. I've got to start getting those things done! I'm still trying to figure out how to get time to make loaves of bread. Time and oven space, really. I wish money did not flow thru my fingers like water thru a sieve...but alas, I AM a spendthrift, to be sure. Rolls and cakes to finish now....ciao!

the rewards

Cathy from over at the Bistro sent me an email last night with a message that made me feel so good. She had given me an order for a teddy bear bread decorated for a birthday. The bread was for a local man from his daughter as a birthday gift. His wife died a couple of weeks ago and she was known for her "bear hugs"....that is why I keep plugging away! Love really IS what makes the world go 'round. This WILL work, I promise....

busy with cakes--hooray!

Hi! A lovely busy Wednesday of all days and I am loving it...I've been hard at work crunching numbers trying to figure out how to get into a bigger facility and still pay the bills....because if I have a bigger facility, I can bake more and hire some help and bake more and you know how it goes! So my baby is one now...I almost didn't have time to bake HIS cake! Horrors...he got his very own ginormous cupcake and the rest of the party shared a vanilla/buttercream cake. Then I had an order for a sheet cake for a bridge club-I sure like the way it turned out. Now I am turning my attention to teddy bear bread and the upcoming Batman cake--I am so excited about the Batman cake...I am going to try and make it look totally awesome! I have got to get some cake brochures put together and ready to hand out...and post in strategic spots...drum up some more of that business. And like I said, get a bigger facility!

I took a few days off to visit my parents in Denver while my sister and her kids were up from Florida. Nice to check out the bakery scene there, too, but we did not have much time. I worked frantically to get the case stocked for the 3 days I was gone, well 5 if you count driving time! And it is 5 days more home and I am still catching up! May not be able to do that again until I have employees to take up the slack while I'm away...yikes! No new pics to display...my regular style, as in not fancy decorated, layer cakes have been selling really well by the slice at the Bistro--hooray! I am going to approach Cindy at the library about teddy bear fund-raising--it would be ideal as she is there every day, etc...I'll have to see what she thinks. THAT is what I really wanted to do originally--sell my teddy bear bread and help a fabulous cause--a new library--does it get any better than that?! I will take one over for her on Tuesday. Possible Batman cake coming up...not sure how I want to do that one...kind of want to do a big torso of him with a swirling cape, etc...but that may be too costly of an experiment...although, I need to practice and at least this way the cake doesn't just go to waste! I'm still thinking about it...otherwise, it would have to be a Batman chocolate drawing and that would really be tough. Then there is the squirrel cake...I am looking forward to that one, to be sure. I especially want to try the spun sugar for a big fluffy tail...how totally cool would that be? Okay, bread pudding in the oven, rolls to frost and wrap, pie crust to make, scones and cookies and more oh my!! busy person!! Oh, and the competition has moved into town--did I tell you that already? They are just doing some sweet rolls and muffins, a few cookies at the U-Stop gas station. And the bakery down the highway has been doing her stuff already, she just got a new sign, I guess, so I think we will be okay...at least so far so good....gotta fly!

new cake challanges

so I am really enjoying the challange of an interesting topic or creature to make into a cake! Nolan's favorite animal is a hippo so his mom requested a hippo cake. This is what I came up with and I thought it looked pretty darn cute! Now his big sister is next and she loves squirrels! That may be a little trickier, believe it or not! I am thinking along the lines of giant acorn, tiny squirrel...we will have to see! I'm trying out some new cake flavors, too. So far, though, my lemon layer cake is everyone's favorite. My girls are really getting into cake design and a couple of Sundays ago we all sat around and colored pictures of cakes...the ones they want for their birthdays, obviously being a priority! I have one wild animal cake, for Ben, then Meredith's is next and she wants a Pocohantas cake...at least she did until this morning when she saw the hippo cake! Then Grace's towering creation is a huge princess/castle/village/dragon thing--truly a challange! Can't wait, though. I've been checking out some of the local competition and boy is there some! Lincoln has some spectacular cake designers....if this is what I want to be when I grow up, I've got my work cut out for me!

tiered cakes

so, I had an order for a sheet cake with a wizard of oz theme, but when I started planning and sketching and deciding what to design--I felt it needed tiers! I had so much fun doing this cake. I need to keep at it and practice, practice, practice! It is, afterall, what makes perfect! I now face a sink full of dirty dishes and I hear hungry kids in the background...aaahhh for a nanny, a housekeeper and a bakery staff! Dream On! Suzy's Sweets is growing by leaps and bounds but not really hauling in that kind of cash! ha! Strawberry cream bread pudding is next on the agenda--doesn't that sound just heavenly?

long time no type!

well, the good news is I've been too darn busy to blog! I'm still too busy but I'm trying to catch everything up anyway. Lots of lovely cake orders...in fact, a Wizard of Oz themed cake coming up next weekend and I cannot wait! I want to start now, and in fact, I might start working on some gum paste figures this afternoon if I can get some time wedged in...I'll make sure and take lots of pictures, 'cuz I have some great ideas in my head--I just need to get them onto the cake, right?! The Bistro has been doing great...Cathy is a fabulous marketer and so creative. She has lots of ideas cooked up...its energizing just being around her...keeps me motivated for sure!

The only other thing coming up of note is a big bridal show in Lincoln July 20. I want to go, probably take the girls because they enjoy stuff like that...its at the Cornhusker so will hopefully be alittle better than the one we went to at the Expo Center. I've been to the winter show at the Cornhusker before and it is an excellent show. I'm looking forward to seeing what's being offered. See where I can fit in! Suzy's Sweets, llc is getting bigger and better...I really need to seriously think about new digs. I've got to get walk-ins and bigger ovens AND SOON! Hooray!

suzy's sweets at corvette show!

Howdy! Well, the big weather missed us last night, but devastated some towns south and especially east of us...I do not like tornado season, that is for sure. Big doin's around here-Ashland is hosting a local corvette show and SC's Bistro is doing concessions so I will get to supply rolls and cookies and brownies! Hurray! I've got to see if I can make a "car" cookie...too cute, really. Tried yet another version of sweet roll this morning...apple walnut with a cinnamon struesel topping. They look fantastic! I'll have to break one open here in a few minutes and see if they taste as good as they look. I also attempted my version of the Cherry Bounce coffee cake that Grandpa used to buy in Chicago. Complete failure--well, not complete, the cake TASTES good--but that is all! It looks terrible and doesn't taste anything like what I remembered. But now I already thinking of a different way to prepare it...and now that I think about it, I think it was a yeast dough for the "cake" part. I'll email Dad and Jennifer to see if they remember. It has been a nice week of baked good sales, that's for sure. Oh, and I have a new scone idea to try to...cherry pecan. Sounded good! I toasted my pecans, now I just have to whip up my scones and see what people think. And start prepping stuff for this car show--expecting a couple of hundred people, apparently! hurray!

two new items

so, silly me, forgot to take a picture of the cake, but I'll try and get to that next time. So, totally inspired by all the beautiful and delicious food in Chicago I came home ready to bake! Tried out a new style breakfast roll....my regular dough, but instead of a cinnamon sugar filling, cream cheese and strawberry preserves--then rolled up, baked and topped with cream cheese frosting--wow! Smell fabulous, taste great, too...and then vanilla cake, layered with a pineapple, spiced rum, brown sugar compote, buttercream, toasted coconut and macadami nuts. It looks great and is so yummy! I am very, very happy with the way both items turned out. Let's just see how they actually sell. Well, the rolls sold, I've got more started this morning...I just took the cake over yesterday. I had a customer requesting the mini-cherry pies which I took over yesterday a.m. and I found out why...his daughter bought one for his wife's birthday and HE ate it--and loved it--so has been trying to get another one to replace the one he gobbled down! too funny...also went to Omaha Bakery Supply yesterday. Met with Nancy and she was a fantastic hostess--gave me a great tour, we talked for about an hour, I think. They have some great looking equipment--cannot wait to get back there and get some. And next week I am definitely shopping there for some shortening, flavors, etc. What a great find! And they are not too far away, either. In this day of soaring gas prices, that is a bonus to be sure. I want to get to Whole Foods, but that's 50 miles for stuff I do not really NEED, just want, and people I would like to visit, obviously. Miss them! Okay, time to get some cookies into the oven. It's going to be a great day!

well, the national restaurant association show was fabulous. always nice to be back in the big city--I love Chicago anyway, and having an entire McCormick Place full of foodies was just the icing on the cake! Very inspiring, to say the least. I even had a chance to visit a local family owned bakery and get an idea or two there. In fact, I came up with a new roll recipe last night due to all my creative stimulation over the weekend. I made a strawberry cream cheese roll that turned out quite fabulous, if I do say so myself! Always nice when a vision comes to life as well as you planned it, eh?! Another busy week, and this time the big weekend cake order is for my very own soon to be 6-year old! She wants a ginormous cupcake ONTOP of a cake--what?! Greedy girl! But I say what the heck, we will go for it! I said, that will be kind of hard and she said "I will help you, MOmmy!" Cannot ask for more than that, can you? Brilliant! I'll try and remember to take a picture of that one...if it can happen.

lovely week

what a lovely busy week I have going right now! My folks visited over the weekend and we had a great time--always nice to have people around who appreciate my cooking. The case has been selling well--sure wish I had more time for new recipes. I have lots of lovely special orders, especially for cakes this week--plus shipped a couple of items today as well, Hooray! Now I've got to figure out how to get far enough ahead that the Bistro doesn't run into trouble while I'm in Chicago. Baby crying, gotta runnnnnnnnn!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!11

kolaches as big as your head

Good morning! I wish I could figure out how to turn the picture of the cake I posted so that it is right side up! I guess I better change it on the computer and repost--I don't know, not very tech savy! So, for getting a very late start yesterday, I ended up having a marvelously productive evening--lots to stuff into the case this morning and I am at 5 special orders for the week--hurray! My kolaches are huge this morning--lovely to see! I know they say size doesn't matter, but those seem to be people that don't measure up, if you know what I mean...heeheehee. I'm going to try and keep my momentum going today and get tons and tons done. It is such a busy weekend coming up and I don't want to miss anything or get too far behind. Oh, and did I already mention that the new almond puff loaf recipe is to die for?? Fantastic--I'm going to try it again and see about making it into individual pastries, though. I can't see why that wouldn't work--then I won't have to worry about cutting into them--or having someone else portion them or whatever--it will be done! The dough is too sticky for a mold, but if I draw out a templete on the parchment, fill it in, then go from there--I can control the portion from the pre-baked stage! Perfect! They sure do look nice--and my husband and I could not stop eating it! That's a good sign....late....I've got baked goods to sell......happy spring day!

suzy's sweets

what a beautiful spring day! so, took a big, ol' carrot cake over to the Bistro. Hope it sells--I sure think it looks good! It is actually a new recipe and very yummy! Silly me forgot to take a picture. I really need to get better about doing that...you eat with your eyes first! I also think I forgot to mention I found local eggs! They are gorgeous--big eggs, too. I would hate to meet some of those chickens in a dark alley--yikes! The yolks are such a pretty yellow--very exciting, at least for me! I hope to be able to afford local milk and cream someday, but it's a bit out of my range right now. I don't have any room for marking prices up that much to cover the cost. Sad, really. So, go Suzy's Sweets! I'm working on it! Oh, and I have a really interesting sounding recipe to try too, going to try and get to it today if possible--and almond puff loaf its called--I'll make sure and get a picture of that one!

ginormous cupcake

so made a very cool looking ginormous cupcake today--white cake, but then took pink, purple and white stripes of fondant along the bottom, sort of looked like the cupcake paper--then fluffy white frosting with pink, purple and white sprinkles--lovely! went along with "fancy nancy cookies" and petit fours of the same colors...a perfect little girl party, for sure! As soon as I figure out how to get pics posted, I'll do it! I am certainly keeping busy--it is that fine line...I could really use bigger equipment and help, but cannot quite afford it, but if I don't get that stuff soon I'll be in trouble! I won't be able to keep up--I'm barely hanging on as it is...and paperwork, I don't even want to talk about it! Yikes! Otherwise, I sure had fun doing the cake. I've got another one for next week, then a graduation cake coming up and a teddy bear bread order, too. Plus filling the case--all in all, plenty to do and keep me busy, for sure. One of these days I'll sit down and figure out how deeply in the hole I am and if I can ever get in the black--holy schmoly what a party!

what's the most popular

chocolate--but not just any chocolate. At first the brownies, and they still sell quite well, but if I embelish them at all, frosting, etc then they fly! Good to know. I tried some bigger, fancier cupcakes and we shall see what happens there--a beautiful red velvet with cream cheese icing, of course, german chocolate--delicious topping if I do say so myself! and coconut cream. They sure look good! The pecan rolls are still flying off the shelf, too--hooray! I'm very happy with the way they have been turning out. I think I'll do 2 sizes for the weekend. We'll see if the smaller ones sell, too. I got a lovely order from the PTO for the end-of-year celebration. I'll be making a big sugar cookie decorated for the 4.0 honors kids and the sheet cakes for the honors tea--hooray! And I have an order for a couple of graduation teddy bears, too. All good, for sure! And the baby has decided to sleep almost 2 nights in a row! Now if the laundry fairy would just swoop in and fold/put away/sort/continue washing life would be damn near perfect! (Except for the mounds of paperwork...yikes!)

getting over the hump

I need to get over the hump--sales have been quite steady and lovely, goodies looking marvelous, I love the way my kolache turned out this weekend and I have a cream cheese one to add to the mix that is heavenly! I want to really get a couple of big, yummy, exotic looking cakes in there and I just do not have enough time in the day! My poor house needs love, too! Today will be awesome though, the baby slept thru the night, which means Momma did, too! Amazing what 4-5 hours of sleep, IN A ROW, will do for someone's attitude! ha! Very busy with special orders today and I have somehow managed to run out of butter--darn the luck. This is what I mean by getting over the hump. Cash flow is still not optimum because I won't get paid for the case for about 9 more days. Whole Foods pays when they feel like it, as does the government! So, if I can just hold on for about 3 more weeks we should be in Fat City! WooooHoooo! Better go rally the troops--daylights upon us and its a school day! And it looks like some warm weather for a change, too....heaven!

now if I could just find a money tree

things are going great! Plenty of interest, some requests that so far I have been able to accomodate--although, getting some interest in desserts for people with diabetes and I have not really done too many of those recipes. I've got a book and I'm willing to learn, however! I taught a class at Whole Foods market the other day--ouch. A good size crowd, so lots of food needed and I did not plan my "stove space" wisely. It ran over about 1/2 an hour. They were all very gracious about it, to me at least! I guess we shall see if there are any complaints! I've got two more to teach yet in April and then 2 planned in May. They still owe me for one I taught in March--typical corporate stuff--take as long as they can to pay you...I'm out of ingredients, though, and if I do not get some money in the bank asap I'll be overdrawn as well. sigh. The health inspector stopped by and gave me a long list of things to do before he will approve my little shack--which means spending more money there as well. I am trying so hard not to be discouraged, but it is really getting tough! It doesn't help that the baby is sick--between a wicked cold and very ouchie teeth trying to come in, he is having a rough week, too--but that doesn't make it any easier on Mama! I've got some special orders for this weekend which is nice--that's a bonus! And a big catering order for the beginning of the week--hurrah! I did not hear anything back from 6 dozen cinn roll order, so perhaps they did not like my rolls--dunno. Okay, I've got to go wake kids up to get ready for school--make bakery deliveries and get busy creating! ha!

let the tweaking begin!

Cathy over at the Bistro sent a brief inventory over last night. As predicted, the pecan sticky rolls were the best seller. 9 out of the 12 I sent over sold. Hurray! I've changed up the way I am baking the cinnamon rolls, so we shall see if that helps them. Maybe even slather some icing over half. As always, more ideas than time! Yet, here I sit typing away--naughty! Helps align my thoughts a bit though. I'm taking in some decorated cupcakes this morning--I never got to a store that sells puff pastry--I think the fruit turnovers would do well. I'll have to make sure and have that for either this week/definitly by the weekend for sure. She is sold out of her stock, too, so scones away! And some muffins, probably, too. Gotta get some more yogurt for my muffins--the kids love it and eat it all gone! I've contacted Mike Patrick, bread baker extraordinaire, to seek advice and help on equipment needs, etc. I sure wish I could afford him and all the stuff he needs. That man can make some serious bread! Its amazing! His chocolate cherry bread--to die for! Hopefully he will teach me something before he moves away--or he will change his mind and not move away! Okay, too the bake cave, Robin!

slower start

well, it was certainly a slower start then I originally envisioned! I could not get as big a variety done as I wanted. Getting there, though. If I could get the baby to cooperate and be put down every now and then for oh, I don't know, 5 minutes in a row! I would have a better shot at getting something done. Good comments on the items I've managed to get complete, though! Chin up, it's bound to get easier! I am even almost caught up on housework--now if I could just force myself to get some paperwork done! Blech--hate it!

what a lovely week!

so, my sales calls are paying off, for sure! Very exciting--I am preparing for my debut at the Bistro on Friday morning--hoping for about 12 different types of things--maybe more with cookies thrown in there. Then the Beanery called about some muffins and biscotti. Although, my biscotti is going to be a tough sell. It is so work intensive--and different then the packaged kind most people are used to! We will just have to see what we will see--all they can do is taste it and say no! Then, the truck stop called--I hadn't talked to them in at least a month and he needed some cinnamon rolls for today--6 dozen--hurray! Plus I have some cookies to bake for a parents' meeting at the elementary school--I'm donating those. Cathy has been kind enough to hook me up with her supplier--I will check out their prices and hopefully get a handle on my ingredients. It will be easier to inventory and keep stock when I have a better idea of what will sell in the case. I can't wait to see it! I'll take lots of pictures--should I lead with some ginormous cupcakes? They are just so impressive! I want to make some princess cakes, too. That will have to be later, though. They are rather expensive to make. Maybe a triple layer chocolate cake for the weekend crowd. You never know! How could I have that portioned? I will just have to mark slices, I guess. Okay, better get one or two things done before the gang wakes up!

the answer to my retail prayers!

so my "sales calls" the other day paid off! SCS Bistro and Coffeehouse has an almost empty bakery case at their front counter that they would like a local baker to fill! I called Dan, the health inspector, and hopefully he can come out in the next week or so and get me official! Very exciting, to say the least. I have been working on a schematic for the case, a bit of a seasonal rotation plan, and hopefully I can get some teddy bear and cake business out of this as well. Hooray! It is the sweetest little shop. They had originally opened up in Greenwood and I do not remember the details of why they moved to Ashland, but thank the Gods, eh?! They are also running the Ashland Country Club, so hopefully I can be supplying some baked goods that way, too. Busy busy busy, to say the least. Speaking of busy, I'm going to bake up a "display" bear--going to try and let one dry out a bit and lacquer it so I don't have to keep spoiling a sample one out every week. Keep your fingers crossed. I'm outta here--and into the kitchen. Ciao!

sales calls

I created a couple of "sample" packs for the Bistro coffee house here in Ashland--I know they like to make their own stuff...but I noticed they purchased some things, too. I took in a menu and a box with some coffeecake, double-dutch chocolate scones, carrot cake scones and some decorated sugar cookies. Did not talk to the owner as he was busy unloading his vehicle. Hopefully, I will hear something, though. Then Meredith, Ben and I cruised up to Gretna to the little Beanery coffee house there. The couple that own/run that one are lovely! Young--funny, energetic. I am so happy that they seem to be very successful there. Anyway, I got to talk to them a bit. I know they purchase their stuff, in fact at one point, from Target. Which has pretty good stuff, don't get me wrong. Anyway, I was able to explain to them how I only want to supply small, independents and that I am working on sourcing local dairy and eggs, etc. In fact, I have an appointment at Branched Oak Farm in Raymond, NE next Friday. I'll take the kids and we shall go see cows, buy some milk and meet some new friends! I sure hope the weather holds. The guy at the dairy said they are getting out of the egg business, but their neighbor across the street has some. As I said, I'll check it out! I've been in contact with 2 out of 3 of the Farmers' Markets I would like to participate in this summer. I just need a serious cash injection! Right now, tentative plan will be Beatrice on Thursday evening, Ashland on Saturday mornings, and Old Cheney on Sunday mornings. There is talk of a Wednesday afternoon market in old Havelock which would be lovely--I think my bears would be very popular in that neighborhood. I'm waiting to hear back from Mary re; Ashland's market--I don't know what it costs to participate yet. All very exciting to say the least! I am teaching a class at Whole Foods tomorrow. Finally! The last two got canceled, so hopefully the tide is turning. This is just a Mommy & Me class but I'll take anything I can get. My cousin James has expressed an interest in helping me with my website. He is practically graduated from a computer tech school and needs to get some experience on his resume. Hopefully, he can even make a blog link and this will be on there, too! I've still got to work on my cap cake idea. I think it's a good one! Okay, baby crying and I wanted to make a batch of hamburger buns to go with our dinner this evening. Oh, and I'm donating several dozen cookies to the elementary school for a parents' meeting during kindergarten round-up next Friday. I'll bring a couple of signs saying I'm the one who donated them! again, any and all advertising sampling etc I can get going the better!

carrot cake scones

tried a new recipe last night and finished them up this morning with a cream cheese glaze and then topped with shredded carrot, toasted coconut garnish--they are really impressive looking and very tasty-I am thrilled! Always nice when an experiment goes well. My cousin James is finishing up a two year computer tech school and wants to help me with my website. My friend Mary set it all up--I love it--but she is busy and I always feel badly asking her to do more stuff! I'll put James to work--he can then use it as part of his resume. I also got my first wedding cake commission for this upcoming July--hurray! I am very excited about that as well. I have been doing some serious investigating online and I think I have my plan for the summer figured out...at least to get started. I really want to support the farmers' market here in town and it is Saturday mornings--so Beatrice, which is on Thursday evenings, Saturday here in Ashland, and hopefully down in Lincoln on Sundays. Hopefully that will work. I need to find out what it costs to participate in these various markets first--I'll try and make the calls today. I have an idea for a ball cap-shaped cake, too that I want to try. Just finding time and money for ingredients! That's the kicker, eh?! I am out of coffeecakes in the freezer, so going to make a batch of those today. And hopefully get my sample packs together to drop off at the two local coffee shops. Wish me luck!

sweets in nebraska

So many things have been going on lately I hardly know where to begin. Michael, my brother-in-law, has inspired me though, and one of my new year's resolutions was to journal more, or at all! So, here goes nothing--will be nice to have something down to record my "journey" as it is, as well! Okay, brief history, or my story up until now...I am a 42-year-old mother of 3, ages 5, 4 and 8 months old. I have been in the restuarant/food service business pretty much always--love it, miss it, as I am a stay-at-home mom right now. We just cannot afford childcare! Anyway, I love to bake, think I am good at it and think people will buy my stuff so I decided to get a kitchen licensed and start selling to other businesses. This way I do not have to worry about a retail front at this stage of the game--can basically bake when I have time (at night when kids are finally asleep) and can hopefully establish a bit of name recognition, etc so that when my wee ones are bigger I CAN open up a retail/dining establishment. Anyway, I found a tiny little building that is perfect for what I want it for and I have been paying rent since October 2007 without having it open. My husband said he would help me get it ready and he moved much slower than I originally anticipated. So, here I am in March 2008, totally broke, and my kitchen is all ready to go but I cannot afford to have the inspector come look at the place. It will run about $200 and I, at this point in time, do not even have money for gas in my van--a very sad state of affairs, I must say! I am going to talk to a couple of local coffee shops to see if they are interested despite my lack of official license--its all there, ready to go, built to the inspector's specs even! Like I said, just cannot afford the $200 until I have some sales! Very much a catch-22, eh? I'm going to work on some samples today and plan on taking them with a copy of my latest menu tomorrow. I have found that with food, you definitely need to get people to taste it. Even if what they are tasting isn't exactly what they're looking for at the time, they will get an idea of what you are capable of, so my first batch of samples is going to consist of double-dutch chocoalate scones, carrot cake scones, cinnamon pecan swirl coffeecake, a sugar cookie shaped like the state of Nebraska, a blueberry muffin and a big, ol' cinnamon roll. That should give them a great idea of what I am capable of! I'm pretty excited. I'll just keep shoving samples down everyone's throats until someone will give in and start buying my stuff!! I also need to get out of the house soon. I've been baking way to many new recipes and sampling them myself too often. Keep it up and I'll have to be fork-lifted from this house-yikes!