In 1990, I was a successful Vice President of a prominent Credit Union branch in San Diego. I had just been named, "Business Woman of the Year," by the American Business Woman's Association (ABWA). It was at that time I thought, "I should be happy with my status in life - but I am NOT." I realized that I wasn't happy with city life, I wasn't really utilizing my creative skills in the financial industry and I had always longed to be back in the mountains of my early childhood years. So, I packed up all that would fit into a tiny U-Haul trailer and moved to beautiful Lake Almanor, California.



I love it just as much, if not more, than that very first day when I got out of my car, breathed in the clean, fresh pine-filled air and proclaimed to the mountains, "I am home!"
It was years later in 2004, when I was the Elections Specialist for our county, that I realized I wanted to pursue cake decorating. One of the gals was about to have a baby girl and I gave her a baby shower. Since the shower was to be a "Princess" theme party, I began looking for someone that could create a castle cake for the event. Not being able to find a single person that could do this for me, I decided to do it myself. So, with the help of my mother, we put together a castle cake. Now when I see pictures of it, I think it was pretty funny looking, but it was fun and challenging enough to where I fell in love with the whole process and I was immediately hooked on absorbing all I could about this art medium.

I soon started looking at books and magazines, and then, Wow! Eureka. I stumbled across many sites dedicated and devoted to decorated cakes - and that was how I learned - from photos and sites.

I love cake decorating because I can artistically express myself in a way that is so very unique and others can enjoy it, as well. I like to say, "I make incredible edibles!" I believe that people want to celebrate in a unique and creative way. They are tired of the same old cookie-cutter, look-a-like cakes that have no flair or dynamism. I encourage people to express themselves in cake, making their special event the talk of the town! They can accomplish this by personalizing their presentation and this is where I come into play. I try to create a dream cake to be as "individual" as they are.

I personally love this story, Deborah founded Cakes Unleashed from a love and a passion. Only good can come from such an endeavour in the end. Take a look at her web site Cakes Unleashed and you will see for your self some very high quality workmanship. If your local to her you may even be able to taste one! But do take a look you will be amazed.

by Stephen Smith @ The World Recipe Book

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