“Let me give you my card.” That’s a sentence I never thought I’d hear myself say.
It’s not that I didn’t think of myself as a professional when I taught high school. It’s just…who needs a teacher’s card, for goodness’ sake?
“For all your Shakespearean quotation needs…”
Right.
And now that I work at Holly B’s Bakery (“Holly’s Buns Are Best”) I need one even less. Everyone who’s ever been to my island, and many who haven’t, knows Holly B’s.
But last fall I was invited by a friend to bake pies for her daughter’s wedding. Since I am a Pie Maven, and since pie is one of the few items Holly B’s does not bake, I happily said yes.
The wedding’s in August? Sure, no prob. What else could possibly be going on in August?
I worked with the bride to create a list of a dozen pies with assorted fillings and crusts. Then I pretty much forgot about the gig for the next several months. Until we received a wedding invitation for the son of a dear friend in Oregon, for August 23. At that point it occurred to me that I’d never written in the actual date of the pie-wedding.
Sure enough: August 23.
OK. We can do this.
Remember: pies aren’t cakes. Sure, you can make a wedding cake a day or two ahead…even weeks, if you freeze the layers. Pies? No way. Gotta be FRESH. At least my pies do. I had to be able to deliver them that morning, then somehow get myself onto a ferry early enough to drive the 6 1/2 hours to Eugene for the 3:00 ceremony.
The Mate, of course, wanted to drive down a day to two ahead like a civilized person. But after investigating various combinations of bus, train, and even plane rides to get me to Eugene, we finally concluded that the only way was to take the 6:25 boat together, then drive down together (otherwise we’d end up driving home separately as well).
Did I mention what a great guy The Mate is? He accepted the mission.
So I made my shopping lists and got my materials together. Then, just a week before Pie Wedding Day, I had this thought: maybe I should have a business card!
It’s not that I really want to start a new business venture, baking on commission. It’s just…well…if someone really liked my pies, and that someone wanted to order one, well…I do hate disappointing people. Right?
So. Cards. Let me remind y’all that I am not only a techno-wuss, but extremely…let’s see, what’s the opposite of gifted?…in the graphic arts arena.
Luckily I AM blessed with two valuable gifts: punnishness, and good friends.
The tag line for the card came easily to me. And the design came easily to my friend Susan. The proud result:
Oh, and the pies? Yeah, I got this.
Fillings prepped–check.
Blackberry lattice, Strawberry-Apricot, and…oh shoot, what’s that other one?
Add a little lovin’ from the oven…
To conclude this non-story: all 12 pies were delivered safely in the baker’s hours of the wedding morning. The Mate and I made the ferry, and he did most of the driving so I could catch up the sleep I’d missed from baking late and rising early. He is still speaking to me. And we made the Oregon wedding with no problem, and much love.
…et voila! Pack those babies up!
And now–will I start practicing saying “Let me give you my card?” I’ll have to get back to you on that. I really have no ambitions to start a new business.
But if it happens–I’ll be ready.
So here’s a fun question for y’all to chew on: if you were ever to dream of having your own business, what would it be? What would your card say? If you already have one, what DOES your card say?
Wing's World 
I want a pie so badly now. Yours look delicious. I actually do own a business, but not the kind that would have a business card. Though that would be cool… I’m not sure it would really work for writers who aren’t in copywriting or advertising.
And yet I know writers who have them…I guess to make it easier for folks to remember their book titles? ‘Cause I’m pretty sure no one remembers mine. At least I have a somewhat stick-in-your-brain last name.
I guess so. My aunt writes books and she puts her card in every birthday, Christmas, sympathy, etc card. A little obnoxious… 🙂
Looked up your book and found your blog! Very amusing! Should have taken you up on your pie offer when I had the chance….those pictured look amazingly delicious! Have you seen the movie “Waitress”? It’s about a woman who bakes pies…quirky and smart. My card says “Art Director” but I’d really like it to say “Beach Bum.”
A baking waitress? I need to see that. Also love the idea of a card-carrying Beach Bum. I bet there’s one out there somewhere… Thanks for finding me, Ed! Don’t worry, you’ll get your peach pie one of these days, when y’all make it up to our neck of the watery woods.
I have one. I carry it in my purse in case people should ask me what I do, then show interest in my books. I’m not very good at remembering to offer it to people, though!
Well, good for you, Lindsey! Does it say “Writer”? Or “Foxy Writer”? 🙂
Actually, it doesn’t say what I do… But it does have a fox on it! Mostly it has my website on it, so people who say they will google me later remember they wanted to google me. 🙂
Yeah, JH–just a tad obnoxious. But don’t tell her I said so.
August 23 – hmnnn, now why does that day sound familiar….oh, yes! It’s OUR anniversary ! =D Apparently, it’s a good day to marry (or at least I hope it is for them, as it certainly has worked out well for us!).
I like pie much better than cake, and your card made me chuckle! It’s delicious!
I’ve thought of making up cards with my website on them, once I make that move. I have a habit of chatting up strangers in public places, and sometimes it comes up that I write, and they ask what, and I get the feeling I might just be missing an opportunity for a deeper connection…
I’ve always harbored a desire to be a barista. Coffee, steam, and chrome. Spices and syrups. People made happier by the product I serve. Strong possibility of words on paper, and meeting some fascinating folk. Wonderful smells weaving together….
Wanna come bake the pies? =D
And, BTW, my husband’s family is in the Eugene area, so there’s a fun coincidence!
So what would that barista card look like, I wonder? Happy (late) Anniversary! Y’all still hold the record, in my book, for Best Marriage Proposal Site.