Go Confidently...

I love that sentiment in Asela's Botanical Dreams set by Gina K Designs.  'Go confidently in the direction of your dreams.  Live the life you have imagined." by Henry David Thoreau.  

I couldn't have chosen a more fitting sentiment for a framed gift I gave my best friend Lori at the ribbon cutting ceremony of her specialty cake shop opening last week.  What I could have done, though was be more prepared & made a matching card & gift wrap {and perhaps not have waited until the night before to make it} and had my camera ready for when she opened it so I could have captured her expression & tears of appreciation.  Instead, I had to excuse the lack of complete wrapping and engrave her reaction in my heart.  It was a sweet, sweet moment to share with her since I recall 8 years ago hearing her tell of her dream of owning her own cake shop.  Her face would light up (and still does) every time she talked about her latest delectable cake creation or the reaction of a happy bride or customer she encountered.  She has been working away at her dream (part-time) since prior to March of this year, because that was when she decided to take the leap of faith to do this full-time!    

Her cake shop, 'Classic Cakes by Lori' is located in Dripping Springs, west of Austin.  Here are members of the Chamber of Commerce, property owners and her husband, Dan behind her.  

Here is one of the display cases she has with some of her 'fake' cakes she totes to bridal extravaganzas & open houses around the area.  Carl the crab on the bottom right is a cake show winner.  

Here is a picture of us all (not that great of me & John, I think we were laughing & have scrunched eyes as a result).  We've weathered a lot of storms & celebrated a lot of victories over years as best friends - personally and individually and have all stuck by one another's sides.  We have so many wonderful, laughter-filled memories together.  John and I met Lori & Dan 8 years ago when we got involved in a motorcycle ministry.  We hung out all the time, riding to beautiful places, hanging out with wonderful people & enjoying one another's company.  We all have since moved on from that chapter in our lives but I knew from early on that nothing would stop us from being friends so that's why we continue to be best friends although there are no motorcyles anymore.  I am so proud of all the hard work these two put into making Lori's dream a reality! 

The next dream to work on is Dan's and I'm sure I will be sharing that when the time comes to celebrate it!  You will not believe it!  

Stamps: Papertrey's Piece of Cake set 

Cardstock: Vintage Cream, Baroque Burgundy, Brushed Metallic Gold

Ink: Gold, Baroque Burgundy

Accessories: bride flowers, liquid pearls, rectangle nestabilities, metallic rub-on paste, willow tree friendship figurine with stand.  

By the way, this framed art & figurine were given a place of honor in her cake shop, in a beautiful cherry-wood curio cabinet as you walk in the door.  Right below the bust of King Tut, her 1st place winning cake in a cake competition.