It has been awhile since I have blogged. I'm still unsure how it is now summer of 2024! Time has been flying and I am so grateful for keeping busy baking for everyone. I have baked non-stop from October 2023 until now.
The heat wave here has slowed me down and I'm tending to my flower garden and my veggie gardens. I have a raised bed and a new elevated raised bed and am growing tomatoes, mini cucumbers which I love to slice and dip in organic hummus, green peppers and zucchini for pumpkin zucchini bread - a favorite for my family.
I am usually buzzing around with most activity taking place in the kitchen but now I am slowing down to enjoy gardening, friends, family and a trip or two.
It has been three years since I moved from the Chicago area to OH, a move that changed my lifestyle, changed my perspective and tripled my baking business. I am so grateful for the people of this town who have embraced me and made me realize that change truly is good! I decided when I moved that I would become a part of the community and make new friends. That has happened!
Did you know I am the only licensed bakery here that ships all over the country? Just last week I shipped to TX, CO, IL, IA, MI, OH and IN. I don't always know my customers because I receive orders on my website often. When someone does a Google search for bakeries in Van Wert, gluten free cookies or buckeye cookies, for example, the search brings up my business! It is a wonderful surprise to wake up with orders on my website ... ch-ching!
There are two licensed bakeries in Van Wert, myself plus the local downtown storefront bakery. The rest are home bakers. Why is licensing important? It means my kitchen has been thoroughly inspected by the state, all of my labeling is approved and 100% accurate to the state specifications, I have no pets and I am able to sell to retail stores and ship my products.
Thirty years of baking and still going strong! Thank you for trusting me when your sweet tooth needs a sweet treat!
Photo is from strawberry picking at Lincoln Ridge Farms with my daughter, Rachel! The Strawberry Streusel Muffins (regular and GF) are DELICIOUS!!