Boy, do I remember this day. The end result is lovely but there was a lot of hustle that took place behind the scenes. As a vendor, or anyone providing a service, it's our job to make sure the client doesn't need to stress or be concerned about anything. Their job is to enjoy themselves, especially on a wedding day.

When I arrived to the event space, I was the only vendor on time. But when I got into the space, nothing was setup, the room was bare. The food truck was parking as I arrived but I believe this was also the event planner who was responsible for tables and chairs, decor, setup, e.t.c. I waited to give them time to bring things in so when they had a min I could figure out what was going on.

At this point, the mother of the bride comes out, she's looking at the time because wedding is starting soon and it looks chaotic in the reception space. The wedding was to be indoors in the same space as the reception. Guests were arriving, the mother's in a frenzy because she didn't want their guests to see the room in progress and they had no where to sit. In dealing with clients for their events, I tried calming mom down and reassured her that everything will be taken care of and it will come together on time.

Before I sent mom off, I asked her to ask the building management if her guests could sit outside. I think it had also rained a bit that morning or literally rained lightly for a few mins. Nonetheless, building management sent staff off to wipe the chairs down because guests had started to arrive and were literally waiting in a line to be seated. You'll see from the pictures the venue had a lovely garden. They may have even discussed having the ceremony outside. At this point, mom felt a little relieved. I told her to finish getting dressed and her makeup done and not to worry.

By now, tables and chairs were being put down. I asked the coordinator where the cake table was to be and asked for table linen so I could set up. I begin setting up, then twice in haste because they weren't thinking clearly, I was told the table needed to be moved. For me to set up, I had to pin point an area because once set up, we can't keep moving things back n forth, just bananas. Anyhow I setup first so I could help the other vendors.

Now that my job was done, I kicked in to help out because I gave mom my word everything will come together. Now I'm placing table cloths on the tables, literally taking table runners out the package (so they had wrinkles) setting up center pieces, etc.

There was another vendor, family member I think, she had a table adjacent to mine where she was setting up favors and candy. From what I recall, she was either pregnant or just had a baby and the newborn was with her so her husband had to kick in to help her out. He was so overwhelmed. So I jump in to help them setup. I'm like 'What do you have, how do you want to setup??' The wife is yelling she needs a hot glue gun because she needs to piece things together. I'm like guess what, I have a glue gun! I let her do what she's doing, the husband doesn't know what to do so I'm getting their table set up. That guy was so grateful for my help.

Now "mind you, I could've decided that none of what I did to help out was my responsibility, setup the cake table and left. But I didn't. And I didn't get paid extra either. The mother of the bride wanted to send me extra money as a tip, I declined. And you think the other vendors gave me a piece of their earnings?!? Of course not!

“And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.”Galatians 6:9-10 ESV

I have been in business over 10 years now. Although I may not be where I want to be, I'm still working to get there. It's only through God that I'm still going. It may not be how I've visioned it but the fact that Darling Confections is still here is me reaping seeds I've sown.

I must say, I often don't have favorites, but looking back on this cake, definitely on my list.

The client was the grandmother of the recipient. I believe this was his 18th birthday and he was going off to pursue studying art in college.

As a fellow Artist myself I was proud to take on this order. For his birthday, he wanted a cake in the shape of an artist palette.

Everything was handmade and I took my time doing so.

I made sugar cookies for the canvases.

Overall, I was more than pleased with this cake and more importantly, the client.

Lately, it seems the days are getting shorter, time is passing by, more work to be done, not enough of me to go around...

I was speaking with my aunt last night, we discussed the progression in technology and how it's changed people. We talked about people going mad and social behaviors. I partly blame social media and reality tv.

Record companies and producers now look to Sound Cloud for aspiring music artists, comedians, radio personalities, etc. (You have to have sold or have a following for so many tracks.) Modeling agencies and advertising companies look to Instsgram for models (you have to have so many followers). YouTube has also made it easy for everyone to create their own media content, persons who want to have their own talk show, go into film, e.t.c.

A few days ago, I had the lovely opportunity to see Carol Burnett (a legend) live on stage. She spoke about a time she was younger breaking into showbusiness. I guess time came around for something big she auditioned for or her first audition. She said she didn't get the part, another (later) big actress did. She said the only thing that kept her going is she said to herself "it's her time...my time will come but it's her time" That resonated with me. Lately, when starting this diary, you see I've written about being discouraged, comparing ourselves to others, trying to thrive in a growing field of Everyone practicing any and everything. Obviously, Ms. Carol's words stuck with me because I've often had to tell myself 'it's not my time, yet'. But in a growing world of DIY'rs and people turning any and everything into a business, not because it's a passion but simply because they feel they can, when is it My time and will that time come? How long do I keep telling myself that, what's my motivation? What's my motivation to continue to pursue my passion or my God given talent when the consumer population is diluted because of an over- saturation in the market?

This past weekend, I had to do a consult with a client for treats for her to give to her clients for Mother's Day. This meant the entire week I had to prep creating sketches, baking, making different flavor combinations for petit fours and chocolate bon bons, a lot of work basically. I was going through body aches, tiredness, getting house work done, work, life! I didn't have the energy and I found myself again asking, 'What's my motivation?' Why am I working so hard at this? Then I had to think of my client that chose me from other bakers or crafts to create something for her. And for her to give away as gifts to her clients. So I pressed because even if it's just prep work or 1 client, that 1 client sees the value in what I do and that should be enough.

-Jacqui