So fun to read all of this, Maddie! I love how you wholeheartedly approach your many interests. Your loaf of sourdough is gorgeous as are all of your pastries. Thank you for sharing all of your adventures. So inspiring.
I have you to thank for my bread-baking success, Ali! Thanks for this incredibly kind comment—and for being the primary inspiration behind so many of my baking and cooking experiments this year 🤗
Congrats on the baby sourdough starter! Your first loaf is an absolute BEAUT. I cannot thank you enough for sharing this with us because I'm having the time of my life following along your baking journey. It is so damn fascinating and the passion that has allowed you to dive straight in is so refreshing and inspiring!! Also deeply envious of your boyfriend and all the treats he gets to eat. 😍😂 WE NEED A MEMOIR PLUS BOOK OF THIS WHOLE JOURNEY. WE NEED A SERIES ON APPLE TV and/or a full feature film. I know your mama is so damn proud of you and the way you've navigated so much earth shattering change in such a short amount of time. When so many would easily (understandably) choose anything but running straight at a life full of unknowns, you've snatched life right up and said, you're coming with me to live out these dreams!!! If that is not the epitome of the wonder and magic that is our human spirit...I don't know what is. Makes me cry it's so beautiful. I'm so proud of you too and I'll never grow tired of telling you. ❤️🔥🫂
Hearing from you—whether that's via your own writing, or via a heart-swelling comment like this one—is consistently the biggest day-maker, Jenovia. As I'm sure you/others can relate, I'm always a bundle of nerves before publishing anything, and I sometimes wonder: "Is this...actually interesting to anyone else other than me?" Those thoughts got louder after I started to make this professional pivot towards baking; I often wonder if others might see it as arbitrary.
That's all to say: please know that your joy and encouragement has been *hugely* impactful as I continue down this path, and inspires me to share more of it. (I'm strongly considering printing out this comment and taping it somewhere prominent as a reminder!) My only wish is that we lived closer to each other, so that I could show you my eternal gratitude in croissant form. Someday! 🥲🥐
So excited for you - and a bit envious! It's the best feeling to find something you love so much you become obsessed! Can't wait for the next installment of "Maddie becomes a baker" 😍😍
"It's the best feeling to find something you love so much you become obsessed"—yes, this sentiment *exactly*! (And believe me, it had been a looong time since I'd felt that passion/obsession combo.) I wish that you lived closer so I could share all these treats with you!
I have been driving to Burlington for years (which was the closest outlet mall before they opened Tulalip) and did not know King Arthur had an outpost there! If there is a store, I am definitely talking my husband into taking a weekend drive 😍
Ahh, I'm so happy to have brought this BREAKING NEWS to your email inbox, then! 🤩 Sadly, Burlington doesn't have a store like their Vermont outpost apparently does...although if you take a class there, they do have some nicely-stocked shelves you can purchase from once class ends. Highly recommend!
I may enroll my daughter in one of the camps over the summer so my husband and I can have an uninterrupted conversation for more than 5 seconds 😂 Let me know next time you're headed up North for a class, I can meet you for coffee!
I can't believe it. So much to comment here. Pastry class sounds so fun. SF trips looks beautiful I love that city and their pastries. Can't believe there is a sourdough starter hotline lol.
So when we lived in San Diego, we had a sourdough guy at our farmer's market, and I bought bread and pastry from him every week. He made pain au chocolate using sourdough pastry instead of regular! It was soooo good! And I felt somehow healthy (LOL).
I can't tell you how much I smiled when I read this, Brenna—if *you* say I'm cool, then OK, I believe it! 🤗 Also, I'm just over here drooling at the idea of sourdough pain au chocolat...clearly, I should've made a detour to San Diego on my way back from SF!
So fun to read all of this, Maddie! I love how you wholeheartedly approach your many interests. Your loaf of sourdough is gorgeous as are all of your pastries. Thank you for sharing all of your adventures. So inspiring.
I have you to thank for my bread-baking success, Ali! Thanks for this incredibly kind comment—and for being the primary inspiration behind so many of my baking and cooking experiments this year 🤗
❤️. Challenge accepted!
I love getting to witness this blooming passion. Your talents are endless, Maddie. xo
Well *that* is certainly the kindest thing I've heard in recent memory. And: right back atcha, my multitalented friend Sandra! 🥹
😘 xo
Congrats on the baby sourdough starter! Your first loaf is an absolute BEAUT. I cannot thank you enough for sharing this with us because I'm having the time of my life following along your baking journey. It is so damn fascinating and the passion that has allowed you to dive straight in is so refreshing and inspiring!! Also deeply envious of your boyfriend and all the treats he gets to eat. 😍😂 WE NEED A MEMOIR PLUS BOOK OF THIS WHOLE JOURNEY. WE NEED A SERIES ON APPLE TV and/or a full feature film. I know your mama is so damn proud of you and the way you've navigated so much earth shattering change in such a short amount of time. When so many would easily (understandably) choose anything but running straight at a life full of unknowns, you've snatched life right up and said, you're coming with me to live out these dreams!!! If that is not the epitome of the wonder and magic that is our human spirit...I don't know what is. Makes me cry it's so beautiful. I'm so proud of you too and I'll never grow tired of telling you. ❤️🔥🫂
Hearing from you—whether that's via your own writing, or via a heart-swelling comment like this one—is consistently the biggest day-maker, Jenovia. As I'm sure you/others can relate, I'm always a bundle of nerves before publishing anything, and I sometimes wonder: "Is this...actually interesting to anyone else other than me?" Those thoughts got louder after I started to make this professional pivot towards baking; I often wonder if others might see it as arbitrary.
That's all to say: please know that your joy and encouragement has been *hugely* impactful as I continue down this path, and inspires me to share more of it. (I'm strongly considering printing out this comment and taping it somewhere prominent as a reminder!) My only wish is that we lived closer to each other, so that I could show you my eternal gratitude in croissant form. Someday! 🥲🥐
So excited for you - and a bit envious! It's the best feeling to find something you love so much you become obsessed! Can't wait for the next installment of "Maddie becomes a baker" 😍😍
"It's the best feeling to find something you love so much you become obsessed"—yes, this sentiment *exactly*! (And believe me, it had been a looong time since I'd felt that passion/obsession combo.) I wish that you lived closer so I could share all these treats with you!
I have been driving to Burlington for years (which was the closest outlet mall before they opened Tulalip) and did not know King Arthur had an outpost there! If there is a store, I am definitely talking my husband into taking a weekend drive 😍
Ahh, I'm so happy to have brought this BREAKING NEWS to your email inbox, then! 🤩 Sadly, Burlington doesn't have a store like their Vermont outpost apparently does...although if you take a class there, they do have some nicely-stocked shelves you can purchase from once class ends. Highly recommend!
I may enroll my daughter in one of the camps over the summer so my husband and I can have an uninterrupted conversation for more than 5 seconds 😂 Let me know next time you're headed up North for a class, I can meet you for coffee!
Ha—YES. And: I absolutely will! 🤗
WowWowWow! Cheering you on, Maddie! Beautiful! 👏👏👏❤️
Thank you!! You're my cooking and baking North Star, Jolene! 🥰
☺️
YOU ARE SO COOL!!!
I can't believe it. So much to comment here. Pastry class sounds so fun. SF trips looks beautiful I love that city and their pastries. Can't believe there is a sourdough starter hotline lol.
So when we lived in San Diego, we had a sourdough guy at our farmer's market, and I bought bread and pastry from him every week. He made pain au chocolate using sourdough pastry instead of regular! It was soooo good! And I felt somehow healthy (LOL).
You're onto something Maddie!
I can't tell you how much I smiled when I read this, Brenna—if *you* say I'm cool, then OK, I believe it! 🤗 Also, I'm just over here drooling at the idea of sourdough pain au chocolat...clearly, I should've made a detour to San Diego on my way back from SF!
Time to think about building your own shop!!
Robin and Michael loved being with you!!
Robin and Michael were the best additions to our Thanksgiving table! And if a bakery is in my future, you'll have to be my discerning taste-tester. 🥰
Congratulations! So beautiful ❤️
Thanks so much, Gail! 🤗
I love this for you!!!
Your baking journey is an incredible inspiration to get out there and “just do it.”
👏👏👏👏👏👏
Erin, your incredible passion for your own career has been lighting the way for me, particularly in recent months—I hope you know that, my friend! 🤩
You are so kind!!! 💖
Ahh yes, Maddie. You’re on to something here. Let’s reconnect, break bread and discuss. 🍞
Absolutely...we'll have much to catch up about! I had so much fun talking shop with you last time, particularly on the subject of pizza 🍕 More soon!