Coffee Hearts and Heartfelt Cakes

Hi Guys!!!

And welcome back!!! It's Monday again and despite the busy weekend, I finally had a Sunday off!!! It's no surprise that I woke up well rested and even managed to make it to my dance class. As usual, coffee is my lovable companion on this sunny day, and while I'm stuck with the odious duty of revising bills and fixing costs, it's just one of those days that nothing can bring you down! Today, I feel on top of the world and I live for days like this. 

My Valentine's Day coffee run was heartfelt and warm

Before I continue with the busy baking week I had, I want to say thank you to a dear friend all the way in India who sent me a beautiful Christmas Card and I received it last week!!! Thank you Kanika!!! You made my week! The shining star is sure to decorate my mini tree this coming Christmas!!!

I was over-the-top excited!!! This was such a sweet gesture!!!

And guess what? Copa Cafe got a makeover!!! Unfortunately for my partners, I wasn't able to stay to the very end of it, but it was a great job!!! 

If you know any great coffee or wine quotes, let me know!

The bar was also given an amazing boost with a beautiful ivy and vine decor. It gives life to our board and makes it far more attractive than it was. What do you think?

For some reason, I find it romantic.

But let us get back to the kitchen. I keep on mentioning that I lack equipment, and more importantly, an oven. While the oven we have works perfectly fine, I need an industrialized convection oven. I often lose precious time waiting for something to be done in order to bake something right after. Not only do I use more energy and electricity, but the time that could be saved baking several things at the same time would be extraordinary! I'd be able to bake more, or use the time to research and even give my fascinating (:p) blog the attention it deserves. SO, as Valentine's Day approached, orders poured in. I was a bit stressed with them, as I needed to have a detailed time plan. I managed to complete them all, in 11 hours. I was dead tired, but very happy with all the results. The menu in general was not the least varied and I took as long as I did, because I kept "recycling" my pans. Again...I need more equipment. I made Red Velvet Cupcakes, Red Velvet Brownies, Mocha Fudge Brownies, Banana Bread, Sugar Cookies and Tres Leches. 

Some of the goodies ready to be delivered

By 11 on Friday, all the baked goods were delivered and I returned home promptly to continue baking. I had orders to fill in for the cafe. I finished them quickly and by 4 in the afternoon, I was back at the coffee shop, enjoying a well deserved caffeine boost. But time was short and in no time, I was back home...again....facing my oven...again. I managed, only God knows how, to complete 3 cake orders in 2 hours. By then, I was running late for a wine night with the girls. Alas, for me, the night ended quicker than I anticipated. I was much too tired to carry on and I had to rise early (yes...on Saturday) to finish off yet another batch of cake orders. It has been the longest and shortest day of my life. There is absolutely no logical way to explain the contradiction I felt on Saturday. My body was running on auto-pilot. At 8 in the evening, I finally got to relax. 

I had loads of fun decorating these beauties

I didn't realize how tired I really was. I slept a little over 12 hours and woke up groggy but rested on a sunny Sunday morning. Unlike the past weekends, Sunday was quiet and no baking took place. I enjoyed my daily morning coffee with Sherlock re-runs (I LOVE Benedict Cumberbatch), ate a lovely Curry chicken for lunch and visited grandma in the late afternoon. Dinner included savory and sweet crepes and back to bed it was for me. 

Aren't they beautiful?

And it's close to being Tuesday now. I finished my baking duties about an hour ago and new on the menu you'll find a Chai Cheesecake, a spongy Apple Spice Cake, more Red Velvet Brownies and hopefully later on this week an Orange Blackberry Cheesecake. I hope you all had a tranquil Monday and I wish you the best for the rest of the week!!!

Until next time.

xxx