Unexpected Side Effects

I essentially started this cake project in early October when I came up with the idea, purchased the URL, told a few friends, and started compiling recipes. I’m happy I took almost 3 months out to build a foundation and mentally prepare. I told a friend I had started posting content in order to work out the kinks of posting and she laughed, suggesting I ought to be tinkering in the kitchen rather than on my laptop. While baking my first cake, I understood what she meant. There are a few things that have already surprised me about this project. Here’s a list (so far).

1. The dishes

Oh my goodness! I have never been more grateful to have a dishwasher. I had not expected to have to run it 3 times on the day I baked my first cake. Between the measuring, the prep, baking, and then decorating, I had used up a good deal of dishes and had the chapped hands to prove it.

2. The anxiety

I know there are going to be some not-so-great cakes this year. I’m ready for it and fully intend to document even the worst looking and tasting cakes. This is a learning experience, after all. But I did not expect to be so nervous when making my first cake. It was holding a lot of weight, I suppose, being my first and also my own birthday cake. It was special and I wanted it to be good. I also didn’t want to start off with a disaster. So I broke out in flop sweat, alone, in my own kitchen. I had to call my mom to talk through some things when the cake was in the oven. When attempting to pipe frosting, my hands were a little shaky. It was scary! But it all turned out okay in the end. And the second, third and fourth cakes were  successes too. So I’m batting 1,000. So what, it’s only January.

3. The mess

I suppose I should see the silver lining on this one, because now I’m forced to scrub my kitchen once a week, resulting in a consistently tidy apartment. This is also when having a stockpile of kitchen towels comes in handy.

4. The support

When I reached out to friends and family to tell them about my project, I expected they would say “good luck” and maybe pass along some recipes. I never expected the deluge of support I received. Jacques Torres, Dean of Pastry Arts at The French Culinary Institute, tweeted at me, “enjoy! good luck w ur 52 cakes!” after I tweeted about relishing in a box of his chocolates. Facebook connections reposted content and small business owning friends posted links on their business pages.Just the other night my dad texted me to let me know my site was down. He’d even checked on two different computers and several different browsers to make sure it wasn’t his computer’s error.

And even four weeks in, people are asking me, “What’s this week’s cake going to be?” I’m really flattered by all the interest. And, please, keep it coming!

5. The joy

I would have never started this project if I didn’t absolutely and completely love every aspect of cake. But when I’m in the kitchen, running around, taking photographs, and watching plans come together, it’s absolute bliss. I can’t possibly put it into words.