It's all sunny in OHIO!!!!!!

I have returned from sunny Orlando, rested for 5 days from our trip and am now ready to get back to normal (if there is such a thing). I have had a lot of time to reflect on life over the past few days. I have spent a lot of time quietly thinking and listening to what the universe has in store for me.

You know, life is just always changing. I am always changing and evolving. Over the past year I have learned so much about myself. My life has been golden in so many ways. I had a wonderful baby who has brought me so much joy and meaning that it almost scares me. Our family was financially stable enough for me to take a year off to be at home with my children and start a cupcake business. While my store front has been put off for 5-8 years, I now know that I can be an entrepreneur. Before I only knew that it was a goal. I had no blue print on how to achieve it. I had read book after book on starting, financing, marketing and growing your own business. But now I have lived it. I have completed a plan, talked to banks and most importantly talked to people who are doing it. The one thing I can say is that cupcake bakery owners are some of the nicest, friendliest, most helpful people that I have ever encountered. They have shared so much knowledge and "do's and don't" that I could have never gotten from a book. Their honesty and words of wisdom lead me to realize that I can do this BUT I (and my family) are just not ready now.

So Fans of Harmony, I want to thank you for all of your support and words of encouragement. I am going to doggie ear this chapter of my journey and come back to it at a later date. It could be two months, 2 years or 20 years - you know how the universe works ;-) This is my last post for a LONG while. I am beginning a new chapter of my life and I honestly have not really had too much to say about my journey to Harmony lately. The orders are still rolling in but my focus has changed to returning to corporate America and finding a company that will be a good fit for me and my passion for the art and science of food. I did not want to delete this blog b/c it truly captures a HUGE piece of my evolution over the past few months. So I am signing off from Journey to Harmony but you can catch me at http://thebakingscientist.blogspot.com/ starting today.

You should have know that I could not give up blogging. Hope you will join me at my new spot.

Much thanks again, for all of the comments and support, especially Kari and Mo. You sistas are true angels.

Peace, love and most of all Harmony.

Rain Rain go away OR we may be washed away

It's raining........

It has rained so much over the past 2 days, that I have seriously considered building an ark. I am really serious. I have not left the house (except to take the kids to their activities last night). I have so much to do to prepare for our big spring vacation to sunny FLORIDA (leaving this weekend), but I have chosen to stay in doors instead of weathering the storms. I have gotten a lot of much needed laundry done. I have also applied to a few really cool jobs out of state considering I was over qualified for the 2 local jobs that I applied for. I had an over the phone interview with one this AM and I have a 2nd over the phone for the same job with the VP of Supply Chain Management tomorrow morning. I am one of those people that really enjoys the thrill of the job hunt! I know, kinda nuts, but I just love talking to other people about jobs. My best bud from college says that I should write a "how to interview" book.

Anywho, not much Harmony news. I have had to turn down 2 orders for Easter since we will be out of town. Kinda sucks but hey, both customers were understanding.
Oh, I did get an interesting call from the management company that would not return my 10+ calls about the locations we were looking at back in January. They are having trouble getting rid of the location and wanted to know if I wanted to strike a deal. I was tempted to chat them up but decided that my time was way to valuable. I am living in the moment and not in the past. As I said before, Harmony has to come on my terms.

Well, gotta run, Z-man took his first step last night and is now obsessed with walking- its over now.

Stay dry

This goes out to all the Stay at Home Mamas

The past few days have been good. I have not been stressing about what is going to happen next in my life... ok, I have not been stressing to much about what is going to happen next. I have been making a conscious effort to live in the moment. I have also been baking up storm and that helps to keep my mind off of being at home ALL day with Z-man. I know you are tired of hearing it but I have to take my hat off to all of the mamas out there that stay at home with their children each and every day. I have only been doing this for 11 months and it is by far the HARDEST job that I have ever had. At first it was SOOOOO fun being home watching talk shows, playing with the baby, working out (yep, I WAS working out just after I had Z-man), taking long walks, going to the mall, having lunch dates with other moms, trying to start a business (;-) love how I slipped that in) and having a spotless house. I must say that 11 months into this gig, my stamina has totally fizzled. I just don't know how all of the other moms in our network do this each and every day and feel fulfilled. I am going bananas. I miss work. Don't get me wrong, my kiddies have really benefited from me being home (not sure if that was grammatically correct). I have loved putting them on the bus every morning, volunteering in their classrooms and being here for them when they get home. Most off all I have LOVED watching Z-man grow and change during his first year of life. From a cooing and pooping newborn to a cruising still pooping almost one year old, I will cherish this year forever and ever. It has probably been the most exciting, emotional, joyous, saddest, craziest year that I have had, but I must say that I have grown and now truly know what my purpose is. A storefront for Harmony may be 5-8 years away but I know that I WILL achieve that dream. A year ago, it was something that I wanted to do before I die, but today, I have a plan to make it happen (on my terms) before I turn 40!!!!!

Well, I suppose I have bored you enough. Oh, one last thing, my big Jack and Jill event was postponed until April 11 b/c of the blizzard of '08 (thanks for asking you know who). I did do a 50 cupcake event on Saturday for boys scouts. I forgot to take pictures, as usual.

Anywho, keep living your dreams or at least take the first step to make a dream a reality.

Peace, love and most of all Harmony!

This is all apart of the journey...Live in the moment

The past few days have been really fun and kinda sad too. My mom has come and gone. We had a blast and her visit has me really longing to be closer to some sort of family support. Yes, we are very blessed that we have several people that we consider family here but there is nothing like living close to those we love and care for. My hubby and I have spent countless hours in the past considering a move. We have already lived on the East Coast near my folks and that was truly trying. The east coast is so EXPENSIVE and the people are um, let's just say that the East Coast and I just don't agree. I was raised in the big city and I really do not care to raise my kids back east. So what about my hubby's family, they live in LA and out bank account is not big enough to live anywhere in Cali. So, what about other relatives. Well, we have folks in ATL, TX and TN. We have considered all of those areas. My favorite is ATL. I just adore HOTLANTA!!! I have strongly thought about TX b/c my sister-in law is a big time Aggie professor.

So why am I saying all of this, um, I am not really sure. I am just longing to be closer to family.
We shall see, I am back on the JOB market and open to relocating. Perhaps, we will find home.
I know that this is kinda the dull part of my journey thus far. I am really trying to live in the moment and not worry so much about the future.

Anywho, now that I have bored you half to death, I am headed to help my kids with their homework.

Live in the moment....

Our perfect 10!!!

As promised, I have enclosed pictures from Nalah-B's first USA Gymnastics sanctioned meet last Friday. Some of the pictures area a little fuzzy but I thought I would include them anyway. The day was a true adventure for the entire family considering we traveled to Louisville, KY while the Blizzard of '08 hit the KY and Ohio area.
Nalah competed on all events as a level 3 gymnast. Her team placed 3rd and she had a blast. Her results are listed below:

Vault: 8.2
Beam: 7.9
Floor: 7.85
Bars: 6.7

We are very proud of her considering she has only trained as a level 3 since January. Her season is over but she will continue to
train for next year's season. 2016 Olympics here she comes!!!!

Enjoy!

We are the jolly Snow Brigade, With our trusty shovels we make a raid.

Just a quick post for now b/c I have become the hot chocolate lady for the time being.
Our snow tally is somewhere between 12-14 inches of snow. We have another small round coming tonight. Daylights savings time is tonight so I know that spring is coming soon!!!

Nalah's stats are coming too.

Oh, that's my hubby digging us out. It was so cool, all the folks in the neighborhood came out this afternoon for fun in the snow, shoveling, and snow blowing. These are the times that make my heart warm and fuzzy.

I wanna take a minute or two, and give much respect due To the man that's made a difference in my world What a man, what a man, what a man...

I must take my hat off to my hubby,Chaka for getting us to Nalah-B's meet safely and back home again in what REALLY is the BIGGEST storm that we have seen since we first moved here in '04.
The meet was in Louisville, KY, usually less than a 2 hours drive but this morning it took us 3.5 hours to get there. We woke us to the quiet before the storm. By 8:30 AM visibility was getting worse but we made the decision to get in the car with plenty of food, blankets and water to take my baby to her first USA Gymnastics sanctioned event. Check in time was 1:30 pm and we made it to the meet by 1pm. Yeah it took us a while but it was so worth is. Nalah-B did well. I will share her stats with you tomorrow since we will be snowed in for sure.

Well, I am off to rest my tired legs.

I got da berry blues

Just a quick post. It is crazy busy over here. I am preparing for the big Jack and Jill event this weekend. This is the big even where Harmony Cupcakes beat out several other local bakeries including the Sheraton in Sharonville where the event is being held. All of my specialty ingredients are here but I still have a trip to Sam's Club or GFS for sugar and butter. I am excited but nervous about this event. The planning committee was really hard to please and I do not want to disappoint. They put great emphasis on elegance and I just want the customer to be satisfied. I ordered a cupcake tree that holds 300 cupcakes, and I am spending the next 2 days decorating it. Keep me in your thoughts. I will be sure to take pictures for you.

My mommy is also coming!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

She has not been out to visit since May, which is the longest we have gone without seeing one another.

Anywho, I gotta get Nalah-B off to gymnastics practice.

More to come soon.

Oh, I almost forgot......the cupcake pictures are from last week's pretty in pink strawberry and I got da blues order. They were a huge hit at 53rd Bank!

Gimme some sunshine.......PLEASE!

I never really knew how weather can effect a person until recently. The past 2 months have been brutal in OH. It has been cold with lots of snow and freezing rain and very little sunshine. I have always loved winter but I am so ready for spring. This is the first time in my life that I have honestly longed to live in a warmer place. My hubby keeps telling me that the weather has not been so bad and I keep saying, where have you been living over the past month or so????

The last 2 months have been really depressing. Perhaps it's b/c I have deferred my dream and decided to go back to corporate America. Don't get me wrong, I love developing new products, working with customers and working with food. I just don't play the political game well. I believe in being ethical and rewarding hard workers who play fairly. We all know that corporate does not work this way. So why am I going to go back you ask?? It is a necessary evil. Could we make it on Chaka's salary alone, ummm, probably. But we would not be able to continue to get ahead and save for Harmony. So, in order to achieve my dream, I have to take this path get to Harmony. I also believe that the kids need to be a bit older before I start this business so they don't suffer as much.

So what is up for today. Cleaning and laundry. I have been a bit of a bum when it comes to house work this week. I have had too many other things to do.
Well, I am going to sign off......

Silence is Golden

Well, Fans of Harmony, I have been a little silent for the last few days. I have been swamped with LIFE stuff. From interviewing and baking, to preparing for my big event next weekend, I have not had ANY computer time. Each week is becoming more an more packed. Z-man is also VERY mobile so I can not sit at the computer while he plays with his toys any more. We gates off the family room. At first he was so excited to be inside his own space but now he has figured out that we have pretty much caged him in the family room. As soon as I open the door to the gate he speed crawls to make a quick escape. If he makes it out he is elated but when I close the gate before he makes it out, he begins banging and shaking the gate while babbling at me. He is very persistent........



Here is a little Harmony news:

I ordered the cutest chocolate fans to top my chocolate cupcakes for the big event that I am doing. They are very nice. You can find them at http://www.pastrychef.com/ under ingredients. They are a little pricey put my client insisted that we use them. Hey, if they are will to pay then I will do as they say. I have also not been able to find medium blue foil cupcake wrapper in the US. I found a supplier in Australia but the liners would not make it here in time for next Saturday. I did find some really nice navy and white cupcake liners that will go great with the sliver liners that I have to use.



My 2 interviews are done and over with. I guess you can say that I am one of those people that loves to interview. I don't get nervous, I just have a good time. I know it is a bit odd but where else is it ok to talk about yourself for hours. We will see what happens. I will know something by early next week on both.

Well, I better get to getting.

We're skating on thin ice......

Well, the kids were home today for another snow/ icw day!!!!!!!!!!!!! Luck ducks only went to school 2 days this week. I am hoping that they do not have to extend the school year, ugh.
I was kinda bummed last night went we got the call @ 9pm saying that the schools were closed. I had today mapped out. I was going to head to the craft store (one of my favorite places) and then to the mall to find an interview outfit/suit. Yep, fans of Harmony, I have an interview on Wednesday of next week with a confection company (yeah!). I also had an interview last Friday with another local food company. I will be back to developing new products in no time. Honestly, I did not think that things would be moving this fast but heyI am not complaining.

Did not accomplish much today, just hung out with the kids and watched musicals. From Annie, to Grease to Hairspray, my day was full of singin' and dancin' .

Would have been nice if Chaka were home to enjoy the festivities but my baby is working his tail off. I am so happy for him b/c he loves his job and his boss loves him.

Anywho, I did not want to be a stanger. We just got back from gymnastics practice and I had a second to myself.

Have a good nite and stay warm and safe....we slid most of the way home b/c the roads are now covered with ice so be careful. Catch ya mañana

JUST CHILLIN' (literally)

Well, folks, this week has been full of nothing but ingredient ordering, cupcake tree/ tower shopping and being at home with the kids (they were off Monday and today was their 5th snow day). A wamer climate is looking really apealing right now.

Here is an update on Harmony:

For now Harmony is a thriving home based cottage bakery. The storefront has been put on hold. We simple have not been able to find an affordable space or the support to get things up and running. I have also done some major soul searching over the past month and a half. I have had moments where I have said "I can do this" and then I have had moment where I have said "now is not the time, you have a new baby(now 10 months), you have just reached the peak of your professional career and your family's financial future needs you to work, I also kinda miss working in the food industry (shhhh don't tell)!" BUT THIS IS YOUR DREAM !!! you say. Yes, it"our" dream and it will be realized.

I have always been a big dreamer and achiever which is why I must defer this dream for now. I gotta do HARMONY right. It is just not enough to get the doors open, it has to be done right and on my terms. I feel very passionate about being "great". Everything that I have ever done has been done on my terms and I have to do this on my terms.

So what next..........

Continue to grow Harmony on a part-time basis pushing special events and weddings.
Hit the farmers marekt circuit this April to October.
Land a few business accounts
Continue to network and get the word out about my services (no one is offering over 20 varieites of cupcakes to clients in the Nasty Natti)

So that is the plan. It could change as things develop..........

Also, I have started looking for a JOB is corporate America again. I know, I hear the gasps. But hey we gotta pay the bills. We budgeted for me to be home for a year and take a stab at my dream and be home with Z-man. I am so grateful for this time b/c my other 2 babies were in daycare at 6 weeks and this KILLED me. It is b/c of our planning and teamwork that we could afford for me to be home. But hey the bank account is dwindling and I am about 2 months away from hitting (my panic button- Chaka is a beans, rice and card board box kinda guy - I am NOT). We also have a huge chunk in the Harmony fund that will continue to grow (thanks dad!)

So fans of Harmony, what do you think? I am not selling out or giving up. A girls got to do what a girls got to do. I have learned so much and, in a way, I am so much wiser, stronger, and happier than I was this time last year. I have a solid business plan, a great business coach and a huge network of folks that have kept the orders coming. I also have events booked in March, April and May so I am here to stay.

Will I conitnue to blog, ummmmm yep, maybe not everyday but at least once or twice a week! Harmony is still alive - we are an LLC with a tax id and I am still taking orders!

Well, I am out for now. Keep the support coming......this is all apart of the journey.....thanks for sharing this part with me........I look forward to sharing the next chapter with you.

Peace

Just cupcakes...........

No words today, I am fried.............

Just pics of some of this weeks cupcake orders. I am baked and I am off to catch up on my household chores. There is a sea of laundry waiting for me upstairs. More tomorrow.......need rest...........

You got me flipping and flopping!!!

Well fans of Harmony, the universe is truly on my side today. I got the schedule for Nalah's big meet and she competes on the 7th NOT the 8th (phew). I was really feeling guilty about the possibility of missing my baby's FIRST meet and now I do not have to worry any more.

Today the kiddies were home. It was kinda a lazy day until this afternoon when I had to rush Nalah-B off to practice.

I am baking for an early AM delivery so I am out for now.

Have a nice nite.

Still no spell check and you know that I am the worlds worse speller...........

Shower Me with your love....Shower me with the love I've been waiting

Happy Valentine's Day!!!!!!!!!

Ok, I am guilty of being a once a week poster. I never thought that I would be too busy to blog but the last week has been CRAZY. I have only had a few min. on the computer each day which has been torture.

The past week I have been sick...well...sick again and now I am getting better by the min. I have also had MANY cupcake orders. YEAH!!!!! I will post pictures once I find time to upload them to the computer.

Here is a quick update:

Good news first: Remember the HUGE event that I was bidding on, I got the gig!!!!! I had to submit 2 rounds of samples, attend 2 planning mettings and then I had to submit a formal proposal. I beat out 2 other bakeries and the hotel's catering department where the venue is being held. I am elated to say the least. This will be MAJOR exposure for Harmony. There will be over 300 of Cincinatti's Who's Who at this event (yeah I feel the pressure but I know that I will rock it). I will tell you more about it as the time approaches. The date is March 8th and I am already in planning mode b/c it is less than a month away.

Bad news: The date is the same weekend as Nalah's big USGA meet in Kentucky. I am praying that she is scheduled to compete on Friday or Sunday so I can be there. Otherwise I will have to miss it (ugh). I sware the work/ life balance issues never go away. My mom is flying in as my backup/ standin and we will make a huge deal the entire weekend.

Well, I gotta run, more orders to fill and the kids have a 4 day weekend so I am officially on the clock non-stop now until Tuesday.

Oh, I almost forgot........if you are going to Vegas (and I know some of you are going soon) stop in and by a dozen or so cupcakes at Retro Bakery (you can find the address on Retro's website). Retro opened this week and we Supermom's have to support one another! Kari and her hubby are the owners and they truly rock!!! When you stop in, please tell her that Claire the baking scientist sent you. I plan on making it out there before the year is over.

I am out. I will try not to be a one weeker again, but hey life is really crazy right now.

I am out.

I saw the light but it passed me bye....YEAH!

I have actually been in bed since my last post. I thought that I was going to see the light at some point. My body ached so bad that it hurt to wiggle my toes. The good news is that no one else has gotten my bug. I am feeling better just in time for Amari's mother's breakfast at his school tomorrow! I was definately feeling the mother's guilt b/c he begged me to get better this morning as he left for school. I also missed last year's breakfast b/c I was on the road traveling for my job. So I was in healing mode all day today and I am about 85% better. All you mom's know that 85% is the same as 100% when you have kiddies.

Up for tomorrow:
Plan for Saturday's order - I am working hard to secure the final bid for a HUGE gala for an organization's 55th Gala. They have been pretty demanding and VERY critical so we shall see if Harmony makes the cut. It could be big if we do make the cut. The gala will have over 300 people in attendance.

Anywho, I am out for now. I have to clean myself up so I am presentable for tomorrow.

Who coughed on me????????????

Not I said the prince!

Not I said Z-man!

Not I said the king!

It was I said Nalah Princess Butterfly!

Well, fans of Harmony, I have the dreaded Nalah-B cough but worse. We share everything in this house...... The chills hit me late yesterday but I just put on a sweater and ignored it. By the time Chaka got home from work I was wiped. I have been in bed off and on all day. When Z-man slept, so did I. I think he maybe fighting something too. He slept over 4 hours this morning. I hope we do not pay for this 2nite.

Man, you don't realize how important breathing is until you can not do it freely...............

I am back to bed since life goes on whether I am sick or not.

Stay well and warm.

Good morning acceptance, Good morning inner strength, I'm loving every moment, even the strain

Over the rainbow
76 Dalmatians
Cookies N' cream




Death by chocolate
Mocha Chakalata (after
my hubby Chaka)

Well, fans of Harmony, I am making this post after receiving many phone calls about my sporatic posts over the last few weeks. I still do not understand why folks call me instead of posting a comment. I know a few of you have shared that you read my blog while at work and your job's will not allow you to comment but hey I guess I am just glad that you have kept reading and you missed me!

I though the title from India Arie's song Good Morning was a nice way to start the week off. For those India fans out there just take the title as it is, don't think about the meaning of the entire song b/c that is so not where I am.

Anywho, I have been busy thinking, analysing and planning on this end. I am continuing to take things one day at a time and see how the universe unfolds things for our family. I do not have much news about Harmony to share but I am being still and living in the moment which is somewhat of a challenge for me. You know that I am a planner and I do not take it well when things do not happen on my terms, but hey I am growing and I am continuing to learn that I have to surrender in order to stop blocking any blessings coming my way. This journey to Harmony is really humbling me and I will be wiser and stronger once I reach my goal.

Well since my thoughts are kinda all over the place, I am going to sign off for now. Z-man is napping and I have several phone calls to make.

Have a peaceful day and I will be back tomorrow.........

Oh, almost forgot. Enjoy the pictures of Ali's cupcakes. Thanks for thinking of me, I hope your team enjoys them.

Sorry if anything is mispelled....the spell check is not working on blogger.

Still hibernating.....Being Still......And BAKING CUPCAKES, Of Course!

Well, folks, I am still taking time for me and away from my journey to Harmony Cupcakes. Enjoying my time with Z-man and my other two pumpkins. My oldest prince Amari celebrated the big 08 on Monday. He said he had the best day ever as I tucked him into bed. That really warmed my heart.

Not much to say today, or this week for that matter. Just taking time away, being still and listening to what the universe has in store for me. More revelations to come, I am sure!

Here are some photos from a cupcake order that I filled yesterday for the folks at 53rd bank! They have been some of my best customers! They ordered Over the rainbow, vanilla and 76 dalmatians

Enjoy today........I'm out.

Friends, how many of us have them?????????

This has been an awesome week! From my b-day celebration to all of the well-intentioned pick me up calls that I received, I must admit that I have some really awesome friends and family.

Every now and then my vision gets a little hazy. Walking this road to entrepreneurial freedom is NOT easy (especially when you have limited start-up funds and big $$$ dreams). But I can say that I have so many people to keep me believing even when I want to throw in the towel and defer my dream (which in the past week, I have done about 20+ times). I just want to say a huge thank you to my sexy hubby, Ed in Buffalo, My best friend in the big NYC, and The Jones/ Williams families, my PPI crew, and my "new" sistafriend Ms. N for all of their EXTRA encouragement and support. Tackling a dream is never easy and starting a business is probably one of the most trying things that I have EVER attempted to do. Kinda like birthing an elephant (right mom?)...... this is also the name of a book by KARIN ABARBANEL that I am waiting for it to be released. I read Karen's How to Succeed on your Own and it is a must read. Amazon has both books pretty cheap and I am sure that the library has them both.

Anywho, I will continue to move forward. I have decided not to share progress about Harmony's location until we actually have a deal that is signed, sealed with keys delivered.

I am out. Prince Amari has strep and it is his b-day weekend so we had to cancel his b-day plans (bummer). A little TLC and he should be up and running by Monday, just in time to turn the big 08.

Be blessed and not stressed, Peace.