By Julia Sergison
I’ve been itching to decorate a cake for months. When I was little, I used to do it all the time. My elementary school best friend and I often did it together, using the kitchen in her parent’s basement apartment rental unit when it was unoccupied and starting an unofficial business we called Basement Bakery. We mostly made cupcakes and cakes that fit the theme of our own little cousins’ birthday parties. I can still pipe Bob The Builder with my eyes closed.
I couldn’t tell you when I stopped decorating cakes, but ever since I turned 30 in June, I’ve been actively trying to incorporate more of my favorite feel-good childhood activities into my adult life. This weekend, I finally got back to Basement Bakery (ahem, 4th Floor Bakery, I guess).
Over the years, I’ve used cannabis to get out of my own way and to be present in the moment. Rather than convincing myself I should be using my time more efficiently (make a spreadsheet! send cold emails! scrub the floors!), cannabis helps me slow down and just enjoy whatever it is I’m doing. The important part for me is setting an intention so I don’t just end up scrolling and snacking on the couch (though occasionally, that is the intention).
Spud’s Coffee—my favorite local coffee shop, my makeshift office, my creative haven, and the best brunch in Fort Lauderdale—celebrated its third birthday recently, and I knew I finally had the inspiration I needed. I was puppysitting the same weekend, so I managed my time and expectations, deciding on a boxed mix for the cake and saving my energy for homemade icing and all the decorating. I gathered the supplies the day before so that Saturday would be just about the execution.
On Saturday morning, after a little walk and breakfast, I baked two 8-inch rounds so that I could get some more things done while they cooled for a while. After my errands and tasks, I took the pup on a long walk so that he would be tired enough to leave me to it. Then, I put on a Chill Mix playlist that Spotify made for me, and I took a joint out to the balcony to start phase two. Why a joint? I didn’t want the time commitment of an edible, and I don’t trust myself to clean a bowl or a bong as often as I should, so I don’t even own either of them. I missed my opportunity to smoke a cakey strain for the occasion and instead opted for Grassroots Lady Madonna from Curaleaf.
The calm from the cannabis helped me to just have a good time. I didn’t let the naturally passing thoughts distract me from doing something I wanted to do. I thought about how I was tired from a busy week, and I let it go. I thought about how I’d have to clean up this mess later, and I let it go. I thought about how the cake isn’t gluten-free and that I won’t even be able to taste it to see if it’s good, and I let it go. I was able to create space for the thoughts that served me: what color icing should I make first so I can change the color easily for the next? What utensils am I done with and can go in the dishwasher already? How should I fill the piping bags so I can easily swap out piping tips? Cannabis helped me think clearly and heightened the fun of the creative process.
Even better? I was met with more warm fuzzies the next day when I brought the cake to the Spud’s team. Their reactions only multiplied how glad I was to finally get to it. I’m already looking for a reason to decorate another (call me!).
If you’re inspired to take on a canna-creative project of any size – we want to hear it! Share your story and be featured in one of our next Sesh & Shares.
