Mommy and Me Cookies has been going strong (thanks to all of our amazing customers, friends, and family) for about a year and a half. That being said, it’s only a one person operation. My daughter is only 7 and is pretty much over decorating cookies, as any normal kid would be at this point. I do have a great friend who comes to help me bake and clean. I am so grateful for all of her help. 💕
So as a one woman operation, I tend to not be able to say no. I think I’m Wonder Woman and can take on all orders. I’ve said for months now that I’m going to start saying no; that I NEED to say no. However, I’ve never really done so. I’ve pulled many all nighters to complete orders. One week I completed 52 dozen decorated cookies and 4 cakes by Friday afternoon. That’s a lot of work.
Well, this last week, I didn’t feel well at all the first few days. Plus, I had so much to do with my daughter’s last week of school activities. I pushed all my orders off until Thursday, Friday, and Saturday morning. Huge mistake. The one order that I thought was my simplest, ended up being my downfall. I didn’t plan like I should have.
Two small smash cakes… easy right? Wrong. I also had 5 dozen cookies and 5 dozen gourmet cupcakes to finish that same morning. My scheduled was packed that week. I got up at 4:30 am to get this all done. Well, I got the large order done. Started the smash cakes, and the vanilla one just was not baking. I decorated the chocolate one. Realized I completely forgot to make a fondant crown 🤦🏻♀️, but had my wafer paper butterflies for the other decor. Boxed up that cake, and checked the vanilla. Cake pick came out clean so I threw them in the freezer to cool them as fast as possible. After ten mins, I pulled them and started cutting the tops off. The middles were raw.
At this point I have 15 minutes until the customer was to come pick up. Yes, I know I was cutting it close. Impossibly close. I went through every possibility in my head. Hell, I even looked for a box cake mix in my pantry but I never use box cake so it was a lost cause. I finally accepted defeat and messaged the lady (who thankfully was very nice about everything). I gave her a full refund and apologized. I still feel horrible about it.
In all situations, I try to look for a silver lining. This one was that, I need to limit myself each week. I looked through my planner for the rest of the month. I’m completely booked. It’s the same for many other weeks in the upcoming months. I am finally to the point that I have accepted I cannot take every order. I have been recommending other local bakers for items. I’m sorry that I can’t help some people celebrate their special days, but I’m so happy that I can recommend other amazing bakers!!!
In other news, we started using our shaved ice trailer!!! ❄️ 🧊 🍦🧁🍭 it has been a blast!!! We were at Treasure Lake (Dubois, PA) over Memorial Day weekend and plan to head back weekly. Likely on Sundays. This next Saturday, June 4th, we will be at Wilcox Winery (Dubois location) 1pm-5pm. Come see us for shaved ice for both the kids and adults!
Mommy and Me 