Hive & Seek

I want to keep it real. Many of my posts are about crafts and crafting. It’s just what I’m filling my empty nest time with at the moment. I am not crafty. I am not artsy. I do, however, appreciate those who are crafty and artsy. I am an art appreciator 100%!

Again, keeping it real. This was my attempt at making a caramel apple yesterday.

The lesson that I re-learned? Things rarely work out perfectly the first time you do them. This was the first time ever that I made a caramel apple. What did I expect? I mean, okay, it could have still turned out a little nicer. Perhaps, if I had a little more patience and took more time with it. Even if I had taken more time, had more patience (like a doctor haha), this apple would still not look as nice as the apples on display at the sweet shop where they make over 3,000 caramel apples this time of year. they have a process, which they perfected over the many years they have been in business, but I bet if you asked them, they would say they still tweak things here and there. Perhaps a new flavor? A new way to decorate? If you aren’t continuously improving the things that you do, it’s the perfect opportunity for the competition to step in and steal your glory. Not matter what industry you are working in. Am I right?

With the encouragement of my caramel apple workshop tablemates, I lovingly snapped a photo of my beauty, wrapped it up and took it home. Yes, it still tasted delicious (I ate waaaaaaayyyyy too much of it). But it still hurt my former-culinary teacher soul a tiny bit that it wasn’t looking as glorious as it tasted. It wasn’t living up to its full potential. So, I spent some time (3 a.m. night sweat time) going over what I will do differently next time I make a caramel apple….besides, leave it to the experts at the sweet shop. Just like what I teach my marketing students to do. Review your work honestly, and think of ways to make it better. Strive for perfection, but don’t be too disappointed when you don’t get it the first time around. Even if you’re starting with all of the right ingredients.

If you would like to join in on the caramel apple making fun, visit The Sweet Shop website to sign up. This workshop is an Oasis Family Resource Center fundraiser and the last session is today at 4:00.