Great British Baking Show - Super Fan

In early July we said goodbye to our sweet beagle Hankie Poo.  I was crushed.  I remember sitting on the couch and surfing the channels, but all the shows sounded so heavy and I wanted something lighter.  Then I decided to tune into The Great British Baking Show.  I had seen the title for years on Netflix, but I had zero interest in a baking show.   However, given my other options I thought I would give it a try.   

Fast forward two months  I have now watched all the seasons and realize that in America we have very little exposure to a variety of deserts.  We normally like cake, cookies, brownies,  the occasional custard, and a couple of different pies.  That about sums up the American pallet.  Wanting to expand my skills, I have decided to bake my way through the Great British Baking Show.  I figure it will take me a few years, but I am in no hurry, I want to enjoy the journey and hopefully be able to share it with friends and family along the way.  However, before I get started I wanted to lay out a couple of ground rules:

• No fruit cake, EVER.  Call it by a fancy name, but it's still fruit cake and I won't do it:)
• All recipes will be vegetarian.  If it requires an animal product I will try to find a substitute.  If I can't find a substitute then I will not bake it.     
• Meringue, maybe.  I will try it.  But I can't promise I will make all of them.
• If there is a massive challenge where multiple things are baked, I will probably only bake one or two.
• Phyllo dough challenge, again maybe.  That might be too much rolling:)
• No cooking time constraints.  Remember, this is for fun.
• I will bake when I have time.  But I imagine it will be about 1 - 2 a month.  I am not in a hurry.
• My husband will be the main judge (he is dying to judge pasty like Paul Hollywood) and when I share it with others they will also judge. 

​That's it for now.  I need to get baking.  Season 1, Episode 1, Challenge 1 is a cake.  I am working on a Tres Leche Cake with Mango Cream.  I will post soon.