Genuinely, Happy Holidays
aw: Ask any baker, chef, retail worker, mail carrier (and many others), "Happy Holidays" is a somewhat loaded sentiment. This time of year always means an added work load for some of us that can get in the way of the merry energy of the season. But the energy at the bakery this season is wonderful! We're busy but not stressed. We're pushing ourselves, but enjoying our new creations. We're even choosing to listen to Christmas music. The vibe with the bakers this year has been wonderful to be around. So when I say "happy holidays" it doesn't come lightly and I genuinely mean it!
js: The winter holidays are here, bringing all the special foods to share with family and friends. Of course we've stocked up on the butter, the eggs, the citrus, the marzipan, the almonds and walnuts, and hazelnuts, the sugar and vanilla, the rum and hazelnut liqueur, oh yeah and the flour; all the things we need to bake your holiday treats. We’re ready to be part of your feast!
To begin, please, please order as early as possible. We may have to stop taking orders on Saturday. You can always try later than that, but we may or may not be able to guarantee your request. So please plan on placing your order by, Saturday December. 21st. I'm attaching a product list so that you can plan your holiday menus. Gear up for cranberry orange bread, rum balls, hazelnut balls, chrusciki (angel wings), dinner rolls, and two new pies!
aw: The first one is a spiced cranberry apple developed by our baker Paige. She decided to decorate it with some candied cranberries and rosemary leaves and just look how festive it is!
The second pie is a almond frangipane, cherry chocolate. What began as a mistake (confusing two similar recipes during a busy day), one of our bakery managers, Rachel, spent a while trying different flavor combinations so nothing went to waste. And bingo! We've got a delicious, albeit, rich pie that will easily serve 10-12 people.
Not only all of that, we’re going to have special music this Sunday, December 22nd. The Quartet is a group of young musicians from the KJSO, KAR, and WMU. They enjoy reshaping popular music by incorporating classical, jazz, and soul elements. I'm sure we can expect some of the holiday staples, but probably with a little of that Vince Guaraldi vibe we all love. Also, I've been promised "'Redbone' but really sad" which is really all I could ask for. The energy at the bakery during these brunches has been exactly what I imagined and what Judy has always strived for. And we have the hard work and creativity of the bakers and musicians to thank for that!
js: And here’s something else to consider. This Sunday, December 22nd you could, if you appeared at the bakery, enjoy chocolate babka French toast! I was lucky enough to have some last week and it was sensational. The chocolate and the citrus, don't forget the whipping cream, and the ganache drizzle, and the lightness of the babka. Oh my! So how could you NOT come? Bakery opens at 7:30, brunch starts at 10:00, and the music is 11:00am-1:00pm.
To finish, don't forget that we close on Hanukkah Eve, (aka Christmas Eve this year) (aka two days before Kwanzaa begins) at 3:00 PM and we reopen on January 3rd at 7:30 AM. While we are gone, we plan on seeing our friends and family and relaxing for a change. We hope that you have a wonderful holiday with your loved ones.
Genuinely, happy holidays.
- Judy and Alec