a town of 500! I lived in a little bitty town that claimed 750 and was nearly reading to off myself! I like the take it or leave idea. Will is be made so you can freeze the no sale to prevent loss or offer frozen meals? Gray hairs are great to have in the place. Do you seriously want to mess with grannies?

My idea for take it or leave it would be to sell it fresh that day, but then if there is leftovers, freeze those in individuals portions and throw them in a deep freeze. Then they could be sold as frozen dinner type things.

I love the Take it or Leave it Idea-- It reminds me too of some places around here--Super Suppers, Dream Dinners... where you can pick something up on the way home and throw it in the oven for 20 minutes-- or you can get a friend and make several meals to freeze--they provide recipes, ingredients and clean-up.

Then you could be Make it, Take it or Leave it :O) I like "What's Cookin'?" too! I wish I had a store to come up with names for. For now I just have to come up with names for my own kitchen :O)

Sounds like you know what you want to do. Go for it!! Life is too short.

It's funny, I had also considered the name "What's for dinner?" so that's close to "What's cookin'?" Very cool.

I can't wait to get this all worked out and see if I can make a go of it!

See if I can make a go of it? Now who needs a beat down. You have never nor will you ever do anything half $$ed. If you decide this is for you, you will be up with the big famous dogs! Duff who? Have you seen Mel! She knocks my sox off! You know I am right, the lady with the shop even knows I am right without even knowing it! You have what it takes and you will be successful at anything you do! can I make a go of it, please someone hold me back, she is gonna get it if I hear anymore of this crap!

Heheehe, jlynn you're an awesome cheerleader.

I hope to take off and succeed, I'll only be held back by my own inhibitions.

Just let me know if we are ever on the same flight, I am getting off. You don't get on the plane and take off and hope for the best. You KNOW when you take off you will land where you want to be. Life is an adventure but please go and get a travel agent and a better airline!

I think is a great idea. At the beginning it will be hit or miss trying to find out what people love.. But then you can make your meals as you see what people buy the most, wich will leave the frozen leftovers hopefully to a minimum!
Edna

I am late to the party! So, catching up in a nutshell:

Wonderful cake, Mel. Awesome first topsy turvy. Mine was so very sad. I was disappointed for a sec because my computer is misbehaving and I couldn't see the pics Had to open them in a new link. I love, love, love the cupcakes. They really fit the theme of paint the roses red, and they're beautiful to boot.

jlynn, wonderful topsy turvy too! I was admiring that when it passed through the home page (yesterday, I think). I really liked the flowers.

Mel again...I would seriously consider the whole finance issue and if you could potentially be ready to buy in 6 months, or if you could have a clause for an extension if you needed more time. It would stink to have your shop going and then not be ready to buy if 6 mos was a hard, fast deadline. Other than that, I say GO GO GO GO GO. Like Amia's little fairy godmother who dropped in a few months back...take those little glass slippers and run, run, run to your little store up the road and make it your own!!! And send us pics, and don't forget us little guys when you're famous And let me know how far you are from Ottumwa, so I can stop by when I go to visit the in-laws family next year.

And a side note...the madhatter topsy turvy flickr video was wonderful, it was a fabulous cake and everything was so perflectly clean and well done. She put a ton of time into making her fondant clean and smooth. Why in the world would that girl use that cruddy Wilton's roller that was leaving such jagged edges on her stripes? Sorry, I know that was posted ages ago, but it bugged me.

Okay I have a feeling that Lost Nation will soon become the "Go To" place for getting high quality wedding cakes etc. That town is so lucky to have you. Enjoy this..enjoy the creativity and keep us posted!!!!

It just occurred to me to ask . . . has April always been your lucky month? First, you're in the Member Spotlight, and now this great business opportunity!!!! Good for you!

Oh...I was born in april...Im a lucky charm!...
Edna

is that why your cakes are magically delicious?

lol..only the ones I bake at home.....I dont bake at the shop
Edna

ok, Melsie baby, you have kept us waiting long enough, what is going on with the shop? This isn't another scam thread now is it! (no drama lama crap, just now you can handle wild accusations!)

Sorry guys, I wasn't getting updates!

No news yet on the shop idea. I haven't officially said yes to her yet, but I am leaning toward it. I am certainly not going to open up for a little while yet though. Alex has surgery in May, then both boys' birthdays are at the beginning of June, so I'm thinking later in June at the earliest. It will all depend on what she wants to do.

I will definitely keep you guys up to date and what's going on!!

Well..do it at your own pace so you dont stress!
Edna

Yah, I guess the thing that's holding me back a little is the committment. As it is now, I'm a free bird. I can pack up the boys and go on a road trip at the drop of a hat. I know if I have a shop that might change a little. But I can work around that. I'm just being silly really. I just want to be sure I've really thought it through so I don't look back and feel that I jumped into something without giving it the proper thought.

I so agree with you...There is a lot of work no matter what..you will figure out what you want on your own time..
Edna