12/30/2017
2018: The Art of Passion Fulfillment & Balance
Thank you for the amazing ride of your enthusiastic patronage the last couple years. As some of you know, it carried me in the initial beginnings of what are the most difficult chapters of loss in my personal life --- while simultaneously taking my creative aspirations to heights I had only dreamed of reaching.
I share that because I always think it is so important to remember that all of us out here in the virtual world are individuals first ♥ Real people behind our web pages and photos. Real individuals behind our social media existence.
I have been baking and decorating since 2005. But I began channeling more energies into this venture 2 years ago. And social media helped me accomplish that tenfold. The outpouring of support (and creative fun that was asked of me!) was more than I could have ever hoped for.
It's been positively a fantastic experience.
Currently, I feel the excitement of being on the brink of a new year.
This is what I love about the closing of a calendar year and the start of a new season. Often this paves the way for new ideas and insights.
And that insight phase got an early start. What began as a temporary closing in October to better accommodate my changed daytime work schedule, transformed into a season of stepping back and re-evaluation.
While I still love the art of dessert making for special occasions, I am working on figuring out how to continue that segment of my life while also keeping it in balance with other commitments and passions.
This break has given me time to better assess not only CBK's burgeoned :) supply inventory but also of equal importance -- a realistic perspective on time availability.
I have not yet determined the exact date of when I will re-open. That date remains to be seen.
The current conceptualization is that when I do re-open, it would be on a more limited basis and with new policies in place.
And I would likely have specific monthly offerings with a set menu each month to help streamline operations and simplify.
Cupcakes one month, cookies another month, etc.
That sort of thing. I am still fine tuning those details and will announce once I have a plan in place.
Thank you for your patience during this time of re-evaluation. And thank you from the bottom of my heart for all you've done to support me since 2005. ♥
In the meantime, the simple truth is that I have been on full break for 9 glorious days and counting.
I am enjoying the beautiful snowfall here in Geauga County and hoping for more and more each day. The kitchen has been reclaimed, and I am enjoying cooking and baking for my own family.
And I'm getting re-acquainted with many things I've missed and love like fiction reading.
I hope you are staying warm and enjoying both the delights of the holiday season and the beauty that can come forth from this reflective time of year we call winter.
It's a perfect time to hibernate.
Happy New Year to you and yours. ♥
