GO LOCAL ON A STICK >>>

It seems as though spring has finally arrived. With the warmer weather and subsiding drizzle of raindrops come outdoor birthday parties, baby showers and weddings. Naturally, as it has been for many years now, delectable slices of cake will abound, it is, after all, the celebratory baked good of choice.

In my cake world, I skip the slices and the dirty dishes and scoop up cake pops. These mobile edible morsels make party clean up a piece of cake.  That said, these goodies could be a let down. There's an art to the cake pop and, if not done properly, they can be too small, too dry or just plain ugly.

Terry DeJohnette, owner of the retail space Consignment Queens, on the main floor inside Sanford and Son Antiques in Tacoma's Antique Row, has a winner: Mimi's Cake Pops.

DeJohnette began her cake pop-concocting journey after asked to make some for a church fundraiser. "They were just baked cake on a stick. They looked great and tasted good. Then, I found a cake pop that was pretty good in a hospital lobby that was moist, made different than just baked cake," explains DeJohnette "I started looking around coffee shops and all I saw were the Starbucks cake pops. They were a bit smaller than mine and not as moist. So I went online and learned how to make them moist, yummy, and really pretty."

Having sampled these morsels of baked goodness I can attest to the quality. Her research paid off. First, they are lovely, peppered with sprinkles and swirls. Second, the cake pops are larger than most - with a good three or four healthy bites per pop. Last, and most important, the center remains a moist, sweet treat.

Satisfied, DeJohnette obtained a business license, food permit and off she went. She found happy customers at Sweets n Stuff candy store, Jazzy's Cafe and Dorky's Arcade, as well as many at birthday parties, baby showers and weddings.

Flavors currently include chocolate fudge, vanilla butter cream, red velvet, lemon spice, orange cream, strawberry kiss, dark chocolate mint, peppermint chocolate, key lime and vanilla white chocolate chip. "There's more to come," she says.

Prices are very approachable with a five-piece gift box for $12 and an eight-piece box for $20. Individual cake pops are $2. Catering fees may vary for larger orders.

Has she reached her pops top?

"I would love to be able to participate in the Tacoma Spaceworks program for a retail space. I've recently become a member of the Tacoma Chamber and have enjoyed networking with other business owners. Through those interactions, I'm looking forward to working with local catering services to have my cake pops on their menus. It's really become a labor of passion and love."

MIMI'S CAKE POPS, SANFORD AND SON, 743 BROADWAY, SUITE 222, TACOMA