“Ms. Berta” was a nickname my father gave me. He used to say I didn’t like getting dirty playing outside with the other kids – I was a little lady. Tea parties with the grown-up women? Now, that was my kind of fun. Growing up, I wasn’t allowed to cook yet, but I could stand on a chair and wash dishes. So, that’s what I did – official family dishwasher. Still, I loved watching my grandma and mom in the kitchen, especially during Thanksgiving and Christmas. Seeing them work their magic, I just knew something amazing was about to come out of that kitchen. Now, back then, I didn’t think I was interested in cooking at all – or so I thought. But sometimes, I’d sneak into the kitchen and invent my own “recipes.” My first attempt at sweet potato pie? Toasting bread with butter, slathering it with cooked sweet potatoes, and sprinkling on brown sugar. It was simple, but oh-so-good! That was my “Ms. Berta” way of doing things. Little did I know how much those moments with my mom and grandma would shape my life. Fast-forward to when my own kids were little. Back then, they got store-bought cakes for their birthdays. But by the time my grandkids came along, I realized two things: store-bought cakes had gotten ridiculously expensive, and they didn’t taste – or look – nearly as good as they used to. That’s when it hit me: I could do better. Armed with my mom’s old cookbook, a few local craft store classes, and some online tutorials, I gave baking a shot. Were my first cakes perfect? Oh, no – far from it! Luckily, they were for family, so they forgave the “creative” decorations as long as everything tasted good. Over the years, I got better – a lot better. I fell in love with cake decorating. It’s a love-hate relationship, honestly. Then I thought, "Cookies have to be easier, right?" Spoiler alert: they’re not! Cookies and cakes are equally tricky, but I remember my mom’s advice: If something is hard, keep trying. Study it. Ask questions. Try again until you get it right. That’s exactly what I do. I try, try, and try again until it’s just right. And when I need help, I have mentors I can call at 10 p.m. (because decorators are always up late). Some are local, some are in other states, but all are just a text or email away. I’m my own worst critic, but the joy on a customer’s face when they see their cake? That makes all the late nights and frustration worth it. Baking and decorating give me a little emotional high – a boost I want to chase over and over. So here I am, baking cakes, cookies, and a little extra happiness into every order. If I can do it, trust me – anyone who puts their heart into it can, too.