Juneisy, thank you—I recently discovered your work and have been inspired by everything you’ve been posting! Keep up the amazing work. I’m crossing my fingers that your dream becomes a reality in 2026! 💫
Oh wow—this is amazing, John! I actually went to Von Sauna (which is docked), but this is an even wilder take on the "floating sauna" idea. I wish I'd known about it before departing the PNW, because I definitely would've given it a try, too!
Thanks so much, John—I'll be glad to take you along on the adventure! Knowing how you and your wife feel about both Paris *and* Santa Fe makes me even more excited for my visits...especially since Whidbey is already an aspirational place to live.
How did I miss this??? This is so exciting Maddie. I’m so happy for you. And this move to Paris to learn even more about baking feels so natural and seamless. Bring in the Breakfast Club! Looking forward to following along with whatever your next chapter looks like.
Thank you SO much, Kim! I love that it seems natural and seamless to you, especially when it’s feeling like So. Much. Effort over here 😂 I can’t wait to share the adventure with you!!
Oh friend... I'm behind on pretty much all newsletters right now, but had to start with your most recent one... I AM SO HAPPY AND EXCITED FOR YOU! As I read through the paragraphs, I thought: this is romance. Romancing YOURSELF. Romancing your life. Oh, I'm on the edge of my seat for you! Can't wait to follow along with anything you want to share. Enjoy your final bit of time at home, and then bon voyage!
I feel you: I’m behind on commenting on pretty much all newsletters, which is a bummer because I’ve been SO jazzed about The Lighthouse (!!), the honesty of everything you shared over the holiday season…and don’t get me started on the beauty of your most recent essay. 😍
My heart surged at the concept of “romancing yourself,” which means I think it’ll have to be my motto in 2025! Thank you so much, my friend. Who knows what this year will hold for us…if the stars align, perhaps a chance to meet up in your neck of the woods!
Oh my gosh, I would LOVE that. (Truthfully, my first thought when I read this was... I wonder if I could get down to Paris while you're there!? But it felt rude to suggest inserting myself into your time there, haha.) But I'd be so happy to see you in the UK, friend! And YES to romancing yourself!
Ahhhh not rude AT ALL! 😍 I’d absolutely *love* to wander around Paris together. Let’s do some scheming over the next few months to see what makes sense!!
Congrats on your upcoming adventure Maddie! Very excited for you to be in one of my favourite countries (France) next few months with your goals of making pastries and eating pastries. I love viennoiseries (and bakeries) myself - love an incredibly well made croissant au beurre, croissant aux amandes, pain au chocolat, madeleines, cannelés…and the list goes on. Plus the fresh bread (pain) or what local calls the baguettes over there, which even in a low-rent looking small mom and pop shop is simply divine. Excited to read all about them in your new appropriately new newsletter title 😊Congrats again, et bonne courage 😉
Jimmy, I’m drooling as I read your comment…it sounds like you’ve had some absolutely fabulous eating experiences abroad, and I can’t wait to follow in your footsteps! 🤩
Oh I just love viennoiseries, and though they aren’t quite as good in New Zealand, have found a few places that satisfies those cravings hehe….a shame you’re only arriving in Feb, but in Jan "La Galette des Rois" (or cake of kings) are generally sold across France as French celebrates the Ephiphany. It generally comprises of puff pastry and frangipane…and its simply divine. It’s quite fun too as whoever finds “la fève” (this sorta porcelain figurine) in one of the slices gets to be a king or queen of the day hehe… Make sure you ask about that when you get there 😉 anyways, again very excited for your viennoiserie et patisserie adventures 😊
Might the French bakeries in your town or in the greater Seattle area make and sell these? Quite a few of the French bakeries here in Auckland sell them during Jan as well. I’m guessing not though, doh 😢 True that, once you’ve mastered the skills over your program, it’d be a pretty exciting thing to make 🤩
Fingers crossed for ya that you find one and get to taste & experience it. You still have time 😉 - most French bakeries here do it until Jan 31, so imagine it be the same certainly in France, but in the States too🤞🏻
Fingers crossed for ya that you find one and get to taste & experience it. You still have time - most French bakeries here do it until Jan 31, so imagine it be the same certainly in France, but in the States too🤞🏻
Yessssss congrats Maddie! I am excited to live vicariously through you. One burning question I have is will your creations survive an overnight trip to the US? If so, let's make this happen ASAP.
J'adore this for you, Maddie! While I'm a little sad (for me) that you didn't choose San Francisco for your training, Paris is 100% the right decision. I will be following along with so much excitement and anticipation for you (and tbh, living vicariously through you as well). Bonne chance!
This means the world to me, Abby—thank you so much! San Francisco isn’t out of the question for future classes/training, so next time I’m there, we’ll have to grab a coffee (and something sweet!) together 🤗
This is so exciting Maddie!!!!
Thanks, Kim—I agree! 🤩
This is amazing!!! I love the new name, and can't wait to live vicariously through you (and your splendid prose/photos) on this next adventure...
Thank you SO much, Aliza! 🤗
I'm currently in pastry school here in the US. My pipe dream is to attend Ferrandi's Intensive Professional Program in French Pastry. Maybe next year.
Can't wait to see what you get up to!
Juneisy, thank you—I recently discovered your work and have been inspired by everything you’ve been posting! Keep up the amazing work. I’m crossing my fingers that your dream becomes a reality in 2026! 💫
Here's that floating sauna.
https://www.instagram.com/reel/DE5KSeWvqtw/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==
Oh wow—this is amazing, John! I actually went to Von Sauna (which is docked), but this is an even wilder take on the "floating sauna" idea. I wish I'd known about it before departing the PNW, because I definitely would've given it a try, too!
So excited for you! I'll be following along.
My wife would love to live in Paris, while Santa Fe is one of the few places I'd consider trading Whidbey Island for.
Thanks so much, John—I'll be glad to take you along on the adventure! Knowing how you and your wife feel about both Paris *and* Santa Fe makes me even more excited for my visits...especially since Whidbey is already an aspirational place to live.
How did I miss this??? This is so exciting Maddie. I’m so happy for you. And this move to Paris to learn even more about baking feels so natural and seamless. Bring in the Breakfast Club! Looking forward to following along with whatever your next chapter looks like.
Thank you SO much, Kim! I love that it seems natural and seamless to you, especially when it’s feeling like So. Much. Effort over here 😂 I can’t wait to share the adventure with you!!
Oh friend... I'm behind on pretty much all newsletters right now, but had to start with your most recent one... I AM SO HAPPY AND EXCITED FOR YOU! As I read through the paragraphs, I thought: this is romance. Romancing YOURSELF. Romancing your life. Oh, I'm on the edge of my seat for you! Can't wait to follow along with anything you want to share. Enjoy your final bit of time at home, and then bon voyage!
I feel you: I’m behind on commenting on pretty much all newsletters, which is a bummer because I’ve been SO jazzed about The Lighthouse (!!), the honesty of everything you shared over the holiday season…and don’t get me started on the beauty of your most recent essay. 😍
My heart surged at the concept of “romancing yourself,” which means I think it’ll have to be my motto in 2025! Thank you so much, my friend. Who knows what this year will hold for us…if the stars align, perhaps a chance to meet up in your neck of the woods!
Oh my gosh, I would LOVE that. (Truthfully, my first thought when I read this was... I wonder if I could get down to Paris while you're there!? But it felt rude to suggest inserting myself into your time there, haha.) But I'd be so happy to see you in the UK, friend! And YES to romancing yourself!
Ahhhh not rude AT ALL! 😍 I’d absolutely *love* to wander around Paris together. Let’s do some scheming over the next few months to see what makes sense!!
YAS Maddie!!!! I love how you slowly followed your interests and like little crumbs. You’re killing it!!!!
Also great job on the cold plunge! I want to start a sauna in San Diego when I go back. What is the place called?
Thank you, Brenna! 🤗 I *love* this for you. It’s called Von Sauna…excited to hear where this dream takes you!
Going sauna ‘ing in Stockholm next week will report back!!!
!!!!!!
Don't mind me—I'll just be over here, waiting with bated breath for your report. 👀
Congrats on your upcoming adventure Maddie! Very excited for you to be in one of my favourite countries (France) next few months with your goals of making pastries and eating pastries. I love viennoiseries (and bakeries) myself - love an incredibly well made croissant au beurre, croissant aux amandes, pain au chocolat, madeleines, cannelés…and the list goes on. Plus the fresh bread (pain) or what local calls the baguettes over there, which even in a low-rent looking small mom and pop shop is simply divine. Excited to read all about them in your new appropriately new newsletter title 😊Congrats again, et bonne courage 😉
Jimmy, I’m drooling as I read your comment…it sounds like you’ve had some absolutely fabulous eating experiences abroad, and I can’t wait to follow in your footsteps! 🤩
Oh I just love viennoiseries, and though they aren’t quite as good in New Zealand, have found a few places that satisfies those cravings hehe….a shame you’re only arriving in Feb, but in Jan "La Galette des Rois" (or cake of kings) are generally sold across France as French celebrates the Ephiphany. It generally comprises of puff pastry and frangipane…and its simply divine. It’s quite fun too as whoever finds “la fève” (this sorta porcelain figurine) in one of the slices gets to be a king or queen of the day hehe… Make sure you ask about that when you get there 😉 anyways, again very excited for your viennoiserie et patisserie adventures 😊
I've seen beautiful photos of these, and am very sad to *just* be missing the opportunity for a taste! I'll have to make my own next year. 🤗
Might the French bakeries in your town or in the greater Seattle area make and sell these? Quite a few of the French bakeries here in Auckland sell them during Jan as well. I’m guessing not though, doh 😢 True that, once you’ve mastered the skills over your program, it’d be a pretty exciting thing to make 🤩
They might—I'll have to check. It sure would!
Fingers crossed for ya that you find one and get to taste & experience it. You still have time 😉 - most French bakeries here do it until Jan 31, so imagine it be the same certainly in France, but in the States too🤞🏻
Fingers crossed for ya that you find one and get to taste & experience it. You still have time - most French bakeries here do it until Jan 31, so imagine it be the same certainly in France, but in the States too🤞🏻
Congratulations, Maddie! I'm so happy and excited for you. This is wonderfully brave. Enjoy every second. xo
Sandra, you’re the best. Thank you so much, my friend! 🥰
So exciting!! (and I love the North Shore nod in your new blog title)
I knew you would! North Shore 4eva 💘 So glad I got to see you last weekend!!
Yessssss congrats Maddie! I am excited to live vicariously through you. One burning question I have is will your creations survive an overnight trip to the US? If so, let's make this happen ASAP.
Thank you so much, Chris! You raise a *very* important question that requires thorough investigation! 😂🥐
I will eat anything in the name of market research.
A true public servant!
Excited for you, Maddie! And craving French pastries…
Aren’t we all?! 😂 And for what it’s worth, living vicariously through your adventures has given me the courage to take this one on! Thank you, Lane.
What an adventure! I wish you lots of success in this new chapter x
You’re wonderful, Clare—thank you so much for the kind sendoff! ❤️
Bon Voyage! Great experiences and adventures await. Love it up!
Thank you so much, Annette—I absolutely will!
J'adore this for you, Maddie! While I'm a little sad (for me) that you didn't choose San Francisco for your training, Paris is 100% the right decision. I will be following along with so much excitement and anticipation for you (and tbh, living vicariously through you as well). Bonne chance!
This means the world to me, Abby—thank you so much! San Francisco isn’t out of the question for future classes/training, so next time I’m there, we’ll have to grab a coffee (and something sweet!) together 🤗
I’d love that, Maddie!