Victory is sweetest when you've known defeat.

So Fans of Harmony, I took a much needed break over the last few days. I did not think about Harmony Cupcakes or about trying to start a business. I really needed to get my head focused again and remember that when starting a business, patience, planning and perseverance really wins the game.

Lessons Learned: Humility and Diligence

I have always been a driven woman who conceived ideas and put them into action in a timely matter. By nature I am an overachiever with a classic type A personality. This is why I climbed the corporate ladder so quickly (maybe too quickly). In my less than 10 years in corporate America I achieved more than some do in an entire career. I have closed million dollar deals, developed products for several major food companies (that I pass by on the grocery store shelves every time I food shop), developed items for some major fast food chains and worn those golden corporate handcuffs. But none of this really matters now that I am starting a business. I was so used to hearing the phrase, "Claire, no problem, we will get right on that", but over the past 6 months I have been told no more than an infant learning to explore the world. No from the bank, no from management companies and no from contractors. I have to say that this has been really HARD on my ego and sometimes my family. But these "NO's" have also motivated me to keep going and keep fighting. Anything worth having is worth fighting for. Harmony is my baby!!! I have dreamt about owning a bakery since I was a little girl tagging along with my mom to pick up danish and donuts on a Sunday morning in Philly. When you dream about something this long, it has to come true, RIGHT???

So, I share all this to say that I am still fighting, it isn't easy (but who said starting a business would be). The ego may be bruised and I may have no idea where we are going to open but I do know that we will be open by April of 2008. That is my target that I set back in May and I am working to make it happen, so please say tuned.

I also want to say Thank you to 2 of my biggest cheerleader (Sexy Man(don't worry, that is what I call Chaka) and Sista Rita). If I did not have the 2 of you to talk to EVERY day, I would have called all the recruiters back by now.

I am out for now...........
Mark your calender to Bring Harmony into your Life (April 2008)

Oh, Christmas Tree, Oh Christmas Tree

Well, Fans of Harmony, I spent yesterday quietly baking and spending time outside enjoying the 60 degree weather. Yes, I said 60 degrees and yes it did just snowed last week. Anyone who does not believe that global warming is real is so in denial. Today it is 40 and I am hoping that winter is here to stay. The idea of it being 60 degrees in December in Ohio is crazy.

I WANT SNOW DARN IT!!!

(oops, my bad, I know that it is not that serious)

There is nothing like having a white Christmas, it is so magical. I remember my first xmas with Chaka's family in Cali. It was close to 80 on xmas day and it just felt wrong.

Anywho, I have more baking to do and Z-man is still cranky and now screaming............

Enjoy the pics of my Christmas tree cookies. The kids really enjoyed making these yesterday. They are super easy. Once the dough was made I turned it over to the kids to roll the balls and make the trees. They are such awesome little bakers.

Have a great Wednesday!

Another one bites the dust

Here is a photo of Hungarian shortbread before it is packaged and shipped. I love sharing these tummy yummies. Coming up next in the 24 cookies of xmas:

plum turnover cookies
mint melt aways
more chocolate chips
more ginger thins

Bake to baking......

Sugar Plum Fairies Dance in My Head

Happy Monday!

I had to take a break yesterday b/c this weekend was really action packed. I had a girl's night out with the 2 princess' (Nalah-B and my Goddaughter). We went to see the Nutcracker on Saturday night and it was a lot of fun! The girls enjoyed watching the entire show. One of Nalah-B's friend's was a fairy so it was extra special for us to see. I really cherish these moments. The girls and I did a little craft shopping after the show and then headed home to enjoy dinner with the boyz. The kids laughed and played until we had to send them to bed @ 10.

Sunday was an odd day. I just couldn't seem to get myself together, perhaps it was the rain. I just really wanted to stay in bed with a good book but I couldn't. I did steal a little me time, actually Chaka insisted that I go out and do something for myself. I decided to catch a movie. This is something I pretty much never get to do. I am that person that does not see movies until they have been out on DVD for about a year. Sitting for 2-3 hours just does not seem productive to me. There is just too much to do. I did enjoy the movie though. I say This Christmas. It was entertaining.

Anywho, I am waiting by the phone to see if we have struck gold. I fell like a teenage girl waiting for a boy to call. More to come later.

There may be a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow...

I have not had a chance to write today b/c Chaka stumbled upon a pot of gold (last night) that may get Harmony's doors open sooner. Unfortunately it was after business hours so we have to wait until Monday morning to investigate further. I am not talking about money here, but what Chaka has discovered is truly Golden!!!! I will tell you more after we confirm a few things. If what he has stumbled upon is truly the pot of gold that we think it is, I could be "Living my life like it's Golden" just like Jill Scott's song.

I know that the suspense is killing you.....

I will give you one hint....

it could be worth more than a pot of gold to me!!!

This is going to be the longest weekend ever........

Stay tuned, more to come, trust me, you will be almost the first to know if we have struck gold!!!

Looking good, feeling great, so much to do, I can't be late

My morning has been off. The kids had a 1 hour school delay which means school did not start until 10:30AM (their schools are late start schools). What a difference an hour makes. I have my neighbors son in the AM so they busied themselves reading, then they played hide and seek followed by "don't let the balloon touch the floor". They were so restless that they actually went out to the bus stop 10 min early to wait in the cold/ play in the snow. Z-man did not get his nap until after 10 so he is still asleep. I fear that I will have to wake him up b/c Chaka and I have a lunch date today, yeah!

Z-man is still at the age where Chaka and I can bring him along for a nice quiet lunch or dinner, not for much longer though. Date night is coming up soon and so is our anniversary. Not sure what we are going to do but I know we will be childless.

Anywho, my hair looks great, I have my favorite red sweater on and I am signing off so I am not late for my lunch date. Maybe I can convince Chaka to hang out the rest of the afternoon (shhhhhh don't tell his boss).

Stay warm , out til later.

I'm Baked

Well I have been baking since this AM and I am pooped/ baked, whatever you want to call a tired baker. The first cookie tin is being delivered tonight to my hair stylist, Amy. She is really awesome and I am glad that I found her about a year ago. It has been about 3 months since I had time with her and boy am I long over due. Enjoy the pics of her tin above- it consists of chocolate-chip cookies, gallon of milk brownie and a new additional this year, toffee chip brownie. I also did a peppermint candy cane brownie that was just ho hum, so no one will get that one. I may crumble it up and put it into my candy cane cupcakes that I have not made yet. The eggnog ones where made and never frosted- boy did they smell good. What can I say, a mothers work is never done and the cupcakes took a back seat to Z-man's teething.

On the Harmony front, it looks like we may have an architect. I had a wonderful conversation with a woman that one of my friends referred me to. Her fees are super reasonable and she has lots of experience with Butler County codes. We will see how it goes. WE are making progress, it's slow but at least we are still moving forward.

Anywho, I am off to see Amy.

Later, Buckeye Bakers.