My love for baking started at a young age. I remember one Christmas, when I was very young, I was given an Easy-Bake Oven. I don’t remember if it was given to me by my Gramma and Grandpa or if it was from my parents. For some unknown reason, I was permitted to open this gift Christmas Eve – perhaps it was from my grandparents and they were there for Christmas Eve only and wanted to see us open our presents. Either way I was absolutely thrilled! And very eager to make something for dear, old Santa Claus for I was still a believer. I made a delectable cake with icing. I was not a selfish little girl, but I did want to taste the fruits of my labour. This was, afterall, the beginning of what was to become a life-long love. And so Santa Claus received a cake with a small triangular shape sliver removed (along with some carrots for the reindeer). I justified this procedure, telling myself that the cake looked more tantalizing and presentable with that perfect sliver removed. From that time on, I was always baking something or other with my little purple, pink and white oven. Thank goodness for that oven! Baking helped me win the heart of the love of my life!