[Marilyn]

Would like to work part time in a bakery, too, to learn more techniques. Especially cake decorating. However, will have to wait until I retire. Oh, well, we are never too old to learn.

I have a friend who grew up helping her best friend's mom who was a professional caterer. She learned how to make the most beautiful decorated cakes. I can bake well, and ice cakes so that they look nice, but not professionally decorated with all the pretty frills. I did make a Wilton cake once shaped like a girl mouse, where you decorate the cake with icing stars. It was kinda paint by number style, but turned out really pretty. It took all day to make, though. It was for a long ago birthday party.

Janet, I know what you mean about not baking because of the calories. We are all so bad here. If it is sweet and it's in the house, we are going to eat it, quickly!! I don't bake often because of that. Usually when I can take it somewhere. Most of the fruit cakes are to be given away and a few are being sold. I have to bake some around the holidays though. There are just some baked items that are part of holiday memories....and we have to carry on some family traditions.