Lauren Lobley - eating dessert FIRST since 1983!

The day has finally come, friends! In T minus 15 hours, I will be taking my first steps into my very first class at Pastry School! I could not have done this without the love and support of you, friends and family, cheering me on with your, "mmm's" and "ah's" at my cake creations, banana bread, and hot meals shared over the buzz of excited conversation and laughter around my dinner tables in both Montreal and L.A. Your loving presence at those countless dinner parties warmed my heart, fed my soul, and gave me the strength and confidence I needed to close my eyes, trust, and take this leap into the next chapter of my life. I invited you into my living room, and you nestled your way into my heart, and I will be forever grateful to each and every one of you.

For those of you who don't know me, welcome! You are in for a treat - or rather - many treats (especially if you are close to me in proximity - seriously - I need taste testers!)!

I started my life as Lauren Ashley Lobley, the name my wonderful parents gave me at birth. Since then, I have become known as and respond to Lo, Lolo, L squared, LL, LAL, Lobster, Lobley, Laundry, Larry, Lobs, Lob and one other name that shall remain secret to all but for the small group of 5 people who know it (people who will vow to keep it to themselves forever and ever... right?). Anyhow, I’m open to new names (clearly), so if you have something you prefer to call me instead of Lauren or my other alias’, do let me know!

If I could sum me up in a sentence, well, I couldn’t! But I would say this: I am to Williams Sonoma (or any cooking/kitchen store) what a sugar addicted child is to a candy store. I have had a sweet tooth since my mother forced me to try chocolate (thanks, mama), and am now attempting to profit off this habit by becoming a pastry chef! I have lived in Toronto, Montreal, Calgary, Australia, Los Angeles, and now Vancouver. I have been to 4 universities, mulled over multiple career choices, followed some, and noticed something in the process: I love getting people together over food. 

It's hard to explain, but one of my favorite moments is when I'm standing in my kitchen, putting the finishing touches on dinner or dessert (or both). I can hear the conversation and laughter drifting from the living and dining room. I look out to see my friends' faces engaged in what someone is saying, or laughing so hard they are crying, all the while sitting around my dinner table (or coffee table if there isn't enough room around the dinner table, which in my small apartment, was often the case). Life is not about the amount of breaths we take. It's about the moments that take our breath away. This moment - this gathering of friends over food to celebrate each other - this is one of those moments that always takes my breath away. I know it's cheesy. But I'm cheesy. Take me or leave me (but I suggest you take me, because I'm kind of a big deal. Seriously. ... :) ).

So with that thought, I'm off to iron my pastry coat, get my pastry tools together, and pack my bag for my first day back at school in years. Thank you for believing in me - I couldn't have done this without you!

Don't be scared of what you cannot see. You're only fear is possibility. - Pete Murray

Love always,

Lauren

xxx