sunshine revival challenge #2

[svgurl]

Tunnel of Love

Journaling: The romance of summer! What do you love? Write about anything you feel sentimental about or that gets your heart pumping.

Since this is what I did most of last Sunday, I'll talk about how much I love baking. I love to bake. It's something I've done since I was a child. My mom was the one who taught me, with box mixes and canned frosting to begin with, before I moved on to making cakes from scratch. I remember taking a whole tray of cupcakes for a surprise party our class planned for our teacher in elementary school (okay, it was the girls. I vaguely remember us thinking the boys couldn't be trusted to keep their mouth shut so we left them out. I think we were, like, 10 or 11?). I also remember making birthday cakes and father's day cakes for my dad. I remember taking things for all sorts of class parties throughout the years really. When we had a project in elementary school on teaching the class "how to do something", I chose baking a cake and I remember switching from mix to wanting to do a scratch cake. My dad carefully measured out the ingredients in the morning before school so it would save me time. So much of my baking memories are tied to my family.

Baking is something that calms my mind. There's a precision to it that I appreciate. I'm someone who likes really exact instructions, which is why even though I have learned to like cooking, I do like baking more. You stick to a recipe and outside of mild variables, like the oven timing, it should come out right. And I like the results too! I have a sweet tooth, but I do like when people around me enjoy my baking. I am not great with taking compliments, but I like hearing them (who doesn't, right? lol)! I do like pretty things so it's been fun learning and practicing decorating as well.

People have made jokes about me starting a bakery in the past, and while there are many reasons I wouldn't, I do just like some thing just being an enjoyable hobby. And I will keep doing it. It's a nice way to spend an evening or a weekend. Doing what I love and sometimes, for the people I love. Because they're the reason I learned to do this in the first place. :)

Since I talked about it so much, here's a picture of some cupcakes (creamsicle with an orange and vanilla swirl frosting) that I made a few months ago:

Comments

[senmut]

I adore this. Thank you for sharing.

[svgurl]

Thank you for reading it! ♥ :D

[corvidology]

I have very strong feelings about wanting to feed people so I totally get this... and I also find both cooking and baking very relaxing in the 'hands on' / transient art/ making people happy way.

Also what is it with the US? If you're good at something and enjoy doing it why do people immediately want to leap to monetizing your hobby?

One of my good friends is a professional violinist who loves to knit and is brilliant at it. I've never been anywhere with her when she was wearing one of her creations where somebody hasn't asked if she does sell it/suggests she start selling her work.

[svgurl]

There really is something special about feeding people as an act of care/affection/love, isn't it?

I have no idea. People just don't really seem to value doing things for the sake of having fun. Then again, I think that happens a lot around the world, with other cultures, where it feels like what you do needs to be "useful" or "productive" somehow.

I'm not surprised. With my parents, I think they just want to make sure I chose the right career and didn't secretly want to do this professionally all along and chose stability over passion (they straight up asked once). I know everyone else means it is a a compliment/being kind, but yeah, it's good to have things that you do without any added pressure, as your friend and many others know. :)

[kitarella_imagines]

Baking sounds like such a lovely hobby, productive and wholesome 🧁

[svgurl]

I definitely feel that way about it! :D

[greghousesgf]

Yummy! I love baking too but I haven't done it as much as I used to since a lot of my friends ghosted me after covid and there are parties I used to go to that got cancelled.

[svgurl]

I get that. I know there are a lot of smaller portion recipes these days, but most of the time, you'll just end up with too much food. I slowed down a bit too because there is only so much we can and want to eat.

[greghousesgf]

I live alone, too.

[svgurl]

Oh yeah, baking for one is not as appealing. I probably wouldn't make more than cookies if I did.

[greghousesgf]

It's damn near impossible to reduce cookie recipes down to enough for one person.

[night_owl_9]

How nice! I love how baking has been such a great part of your life ☺️

[svgurl]

Thanks! It has and it was a nice chance to reflect on it. :D

[vriddy]

So lovely! And yet another tasty pic :D <3

[svgurl]

Thank you! ♥ :D

[pauraque]

I love baking too! Those cupcakes look so good, I swear I can smell the orange. :D

I totally understand not wanting to monetize your hobbies. I think it's really valuable to be able to do things for the love of it and not turn them into an obligation.

[svgurl]

Nice! Hello to a fellow baker! :D Thank you!

Same. I totally support anyone who wants to go down that route. There's nothing wrong with having fun and making a little money off something you enjoy, but yeah, it is also good to have things you enjoy doing just for the sake of it.

[scintilla10]

Awww, this is lovely! I love how much of your history and love of baking is tied to your family. <3333

[svgurl]

Thank you! I *knew* but I never really considered how much until I was writing it out and the memories came back in full force, you know? :D