Years ago, when I pictured myself as a mother, I envisioned all of the wonderful baking adventures I would have with my children.  I would teach them to bake bread, and frost cupcakes.  I would allow them to lick the brownie batter off of the mixing spoon before it was cleaned.  I would celebrate their adorable baking creations by placing them on one of my many beautiful cake stands.   I would step back and let them lead in the kitchen.  Egg shells in the cookie dough wouldn’t bother me, not when warm and fuzzy memories are being created.

I am ashamed to admit the truth.  The reality is very far from my dream.  I am a task master at best.  My heart rate goes up at every little mess that is made.  I say “no” a lot.  And “wait”.  And “let me do it”. 

Today Cameron and I baked a vegan blueberry pie for my husband’s birthday.  Aron is allergic to eggs and dairy, so he rarely gets to sample any of the wonderful baked goods I have been making for this website.  I wanted to bake with love today, but instead the main ingredient was stress.  Cameron, the ever hard worker, stayed calm and patient with me.  I love him for that.  Finally, I had to tell myself to throw my need for baking perfection out the window and let him take over.  I cut lattice strips out and Cam recklessly placed them on the blueberry filling.  I had to look away, so I made myself a cup of coffee.   He finished his design and we popped the pie in the oven.  When it came out it looked like this:

Vegan Blueberry Pie

I love it.  Clearly, I need to let go more often.

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