Baking relaxes me, too I know, it completely stems from early childhood memories, of spending time with my great-gram, on the farm, in her kitchen and pantry. And taking a chair, and pulling up next to her, listening to her, talk to me, I'm sure, describing step by step, what to be careful of, etc. Many smiles, lots of pie crusts rolled out, kneeded breads, cakes mixed and of course, dinner and lunches made, as well.

I make homemade cakes, each birthday, and with a half-sheet recipe, the kids give me a theme, of choice and I get to test my hand at creative designs for them. And the cake is devoured in a matter of a couple of days.

Just love to bake. Love the smells, the sometimes challenges. Looking at a finished product and knowing I've reminded myself of very, very fond memories.