One Day at a time

One of the things I received after finishing up at the International School of Baking was an apron. I treasure it more than the certificate! It’s white and crisp, long and functional. I especially like how the “apron strings” are long enough to wrap around from the back to the front of me and tie perfectly to the right side. I tuck a clean towel in by my left hip so I can wipe my hands on it as I’m working. I love aprons—always have. I snatch them up at junk stores and have even sewn a few in my day. I have several in a box upstairs in storage and three drawers full in my bakery! I pull them out and wear them feeling the love from the person that they may have belonged to, or from the friend who fashioned it with loving hands. It’s comforting and on some strange level, wearing an apron, somehow I feel like I belong.

A farrier or blacksmith wears a heavy, leather apron. A welder wears the same. A seamstress, a gardener, a carpenter, and a scientist all wear an apron. A hairdresser, a painter, and a housekeeper. A baker, a chef, a chemist, an x-ray tech, a waitperson, and a homemaker wear an apron. The apron that we wear somehow says here’s what I do and here’s where I belong!

The word apron is a derivative of a French word from the 14-century “naperon”, (“napron” by the 17th century) which means: a small tablecloth, napkin, or frock. Of course, we know that is worn to cover up and protect our frontside and clothing from harm or damage. (Merriam-webster.com)

What is your memory of an apron? Do you wear one for your line of work? Maybe you are like June Cleaver and wear one to protect your dress as you prepare for your dinner party! Many mothers and housewives daily wore aprons in the 50’s and 60’s. It was part of their attire for that day and they may have even changed into a clean “frock” when their man came through the door from a hard day’s work. There were of course dressy, sheer, or lacy aprons, and plain, muslin, functional aprons.

I still have a very colorful apron from my Grandma Betty, and it’s still one of my favorites to don while baking up my culinary delights. We have a family slide of my Grandma Lily at Christmastime standing in her kitchen with a snappy, little apron covering her dress clothes while she is smashing potatoes.

I always loved going into the City Bakery in Red Lodge, MT. In the old days, they had all of those old aprons strung along the tops of the walls with a clothesline and clothespins to add to the antique-themed decor. When you walked through the door, you were home. You belonged. And the gruff owner treated you as if you were her husband or one of her children. I think she may have been tired. (These folks got up early and hit ‘er hard preparing all of the scrumptious breads, pastries, and cookies.) But I didn’t back down that first day we met, and to this day we are still friends even though they have long retired and the building sold to a fine young couple currently rustling up small plates and tasty wines for a whole new clientele.

There are many good books on the history of aprons. I love that you can even pinpoint the year in which the apron was made or worn by the fabric, buttons, and decorative notions. (Remember Rick Rack? Or was that just a 70’s thing?!)

With spring right around the corner, I hope you find some joy in the kitchen baking up something new with family and friends. How about a fresh strawberry tart or a pineapple carrot cake with cardamom and cream cheese buttercream? Whatever you choose, you have my permission to pull out that apron, put it on, and enjoy each new day as it comes. 

Spring weather is tricky with all her ups and downs, but the chirp of the robin and the trill of the red-winged blackbird calm my anxious spirit.

I wish I controlled the weather and the throes of winter weren’t still surrounding us. (Yes, even in April we are experiencing winter storms.) Interestingly, I have found the only thing I can control is my attitude. I think!

With the frigid temps, the warmth of an oven baking up my favorite bread and the hugs of a colorful apron to keep my wayward thoughts focused on loved ones will certainly pass the long days and nights of Wyoming wind and weather.

Find joy in the little things—because we can. 

Here’s a little food for thought:

“One Day at a Time”
Every day now, the countryman will remind you, is another day toward spring. If it is bright and sunny, it is a bonus day to weigh against the winter averages. If it is raw and blustery, full of snow or sleet or torturing wind, it is one more day of winter endured. Either way, it moves us another step toward April.

The days themselves are changing. When the year turned, the sun was in the sky for only a little more than nine hours. In mid-February, it will be there, visible or not, an hour and a half longer. And the night hours of darkness are losing their grip on the numbing cold. Until the middle of February, the nights will have been losing about two minutes of darkness each day, but after this period they will lose almost three.

Don’t go looking for spring just down the road. All you will find is March. The vernal equinox now is just weeks ahead, true; but spring isn’t a date on a calendar, and it isn’t an astronomical calculation set down in an almanac. Spring is a new sprout, an unfolding leaf, a blossom, and a bee. It is brooks chattering across the meadows and peepers shrilling in the bogland in the dusk.

But first, winter must pass. And winter, whether it lifts your heart or tries your soul, still passes one day at a time.
—Editorial in the New York Times

Find me at: dianewhitlockagency.com

I can write your next blog for your website, or an article for your magazine.

Celebrate Your New Wardrobe With This ‘Cowgirl-Chic’ Fashion Styling Guide

Ever a woman, always yourself!

Though you may always be aware of the latest trends, they don’t define who you are.

(This is a piece I recently wrote for a cute, online, western boutique in the great state of Texas!)

Y’all belong here at Pistols ‘N Petticoats. Well heck, let’s be honest, North Texas lives here! The virtual door is always open at our Texas-chic boutique, and we’re hanging out the welcome sign for everybody! In this community of Western women, it’s our love of leather and fringe, the great outdoors, grit, and independence that rounds us up and keeps us together.

Our wild, western spring collection of new tops and bottoms, hats and boots, jackets and jeans, will give you that southwestern stylish edge to be exactly who you want to be –your authentic self.

Let’s Define Your Cowgirl Fashion Sense

 So, how do you spell “cowgirl-chic?” Before shopping for the essentials, start by asking yourself a few questions:

1. What activities define your daily style? How do you see yourself, or better yet, how would you like to see yourself? 

2. Are you a more casual cowgirl in the barnyard wearing jeans and boots daily? How could you add a little flare there? Let us outfit you for your everyday chores.

3. Are you a working girl and have more occasions for wearing dresses, skirts, and jewelry? Do you have a stylish denim jacket to throw over your shoulder? Does your purse spell blingin’ C-O-W-G-I-R-L to your coworkers? Turquoise, beaded, or feathery earrings are always a great way to express that cowgirl glam!

4. What pieces do you already have in your core wardrobe that make you feel most like yourself? What should you keep in your daily rotation? What can you give away or toss? What can you add to drive home your authentic western wardrobe? 

Every article of clothing in your closet should lift your spirits, make you feel beautiful, and be the best fit for your fabulous figure. Remember, you are the curator of your closet! 

You may be starting to see that authentic western fashion or styling is more than just the clothes we wear. It’s beginning with a firm belief in ourselves –being just who we were created to be, then pairing that with classy, western flair and attitude.

Pistols ‘N Petticoats carries all the staples and more. Curious how the basics fit into your closet? Check out our western style guide below.

Add Essentials For Your Western Wardrobe

Boots  It’s all about the boots. Not only do your boots need to be comfortable and fit perfectly, they also need to reflect your glamour-tude. I’m of the firm opinion that a girl can never have too many pairs of boots. 

These days there are so many great styles, colors, embroidery, and price ranges to choose from. Do you like square-toed or round? Booties or mid-range in height? (Did you know that the heel on a cowboy boot was designed to secure your feet in the stirrups of your saddle?) From riding heels to fashion heels, you get to decide!

Cowgirl boots can be worn with so many different outfits to add that pop of fun and bold sense of the western spirit. Pair them with your prom dress, your wedding gown, a cute fringe skirt, your cut-off shorts, your high-waters, and especially your riding jeans. Don’t be afraid to get creative and wear them with the latest animal prints as well. 

If you can only have one pair, choose a neutral black or brown. These neutrals will pair well with most of your wardrobe and your purses. Don’t forget: the longer the dress, the shorter the boot. The shorter the dress, skirt, or shorts the taller the boot. 

And surprise, surprise, y’all! According to trend analyst, meetglimpse.com, white cowboy boots are still a thang in 2024. To be sure, cowboy boots are a great investment for your self-confidence and your wardrobe.

Hats  A cowboy hat is a bold statement and testimony to your character. It should be worn with gusto and ease because you are dang sure of who you are and where you come from!

Your cowboy hat can be paired with every outfit in your closet. There’s no ‘whoa’ in that Texas-chic (or is it chick) attitude! 🤠

Straw hats are typically worn in the summer months for better ventilation in hotter temps. They let the breeze pass through. Felt hats are traditionally worn in the colder months, depending on your location. It’s basically like changing out your outerwear with the changing of the seasons.

With all the hat bars popping up around the nation, anything goes as far as shape, brim, and color, But the bling you add is all you, baby! From beaded hat bands to feathers, you add the bling to reflect your style, hobbies, western flair, and cowgirl tastes.

Like your boots, keep your hat colors neutral, so they will pair well with everything in your closet.

Denim Jacket  A jean jacket is a must in every cowgirl’s fashion line-up. They can be blue denim, black denim, dropped shoulder, fringed or not, scalloped or raw edges, or covered in patches –but you just gotta getcha one. Some are even sherpa-lined and can add warmth when a cool breeze comes up at the night rodeo. 

Pair them with maxi dresses, mini skirts, or cut-offs. A slightly cropped denim jacket looks quite chic with a white, ruffled, little summer dress, a turquoise necklace, and your cowgirl boots. Simply. Elegant.

And nothing spells out western wear like your favorite distressed jeans, a cute floral print peplum top, and your oversized jean jacket, for a night on the town with your best girlfriends.

Pearl Snap Blouses  Can we say COLOR? This is where “pop of color” got its definition! A Texas twist on the button-up, the pearl snap blouse has been a staple in a cowgirl’s wardrobe since local Texas gal, Dale Evans wore them in the fifties.

Did you know pearl snap-down shirts originated with the single cowboy out riding the range without a needle and a thread? Those snaps just don’t fall off as easily as a button! And the pocket flaps kept his tobacco from bouncing out and falling to the ground. The double yolk fabric folds served in durability, and the snug fit kept him from getting hung up on the saddle horn. Those extra long tails? They stayed tucked in on them long cattle drives.

Nowadays, we women can get in on the game and look great doing so by adding our western styling expertise and penchant for bling. These blouses are a welcomed addition to any wardrobe and speak of impeccable Texas cowgirl-chic style and fun.

Dress pearl snap blouses up or down with jeans and skirts, wild rags, and bolo ties. Traditional gingham, plaid, checks, or paisleys, will always ‘up the ante’ with your cowgirl hat and favorite pair of boots. 

Jeans   Whether you’re a straight-legged blue jean girl or like to show off in loud, striped-print elephant bells, denim jeans are always in fashion in every cowgirl’s world. Just make sure they fit your unique curves so you have enough room to step up in that saddle. Ahhh… so many jeans, so little time. 

Pistols ‘N Petticoats offers a Lainey Wilson-inspired stretchy bell bottom, sporting a pocketed feminine floral print with easy care instructions. These super fun bottoms can be paired with a cropped, raglan-sleeved blouse for a hot summer evening at the local county fair.

With our low-rise women’s flare jeans, white and pink wide-leg jeans, buttoned slit jeans, high-waisted flare jeans, and high-rise straight-leg jeans, the sky’s the limit. And here in the West, you can attend any event in jeans. Dress ‘em up or dress ‘em down y’all, the versatility is incredible and suits our lifestyle just fine. We truly are better in blue jeans!

Jewelry & Accessories  Claire Belcher said it best in Steel Magnolias: “The only thing that separates us from the animals is our ability to accessorize.”

Way out west we have our mainstay in accessories –it’s called turquoise! From cuff bracelets to hoop earrings, necklaces to barretts, turquoise everything pairs with summer whites, winter blacks, sultry blues, and cool country. 

Another accessory that can really make a cowgirl shine is her sunglasses. The bling these days on Western spectacles is surprisingly stylish and cowgirl-chic on so many levels. Jeweled and sparkly shades elevate every sunny day. So, bling it on! 😎

Let’s Sum It All Up

• Boots, hats, pearl snap blouses, jeans, jewelry, and accessories are the basics of a western-chic wardrobe. 

• Clothing with western flair is timeless and influences much of fashion today. 

• You are free to saddle up and celebrate the spirit of the West with these wardrobe basics and styling techniques.

• Though you may always be aware of the latest trends, they don’t define who you are. 

• You create your look by combining vintage pieces with new ones through your sense of style. This is where we would love to help. 

•  Ever a woman, always yourself!

In the end, the only thing truly required is your sweet, authentic self …and maybe a really cute pair of cowgirl boots! C’mon in y’all and be part of our online community here at Pistols ‘N Petticoats. You have our permission to simply be who you were created to be.

If you have a website that needs some lifestyle content and copywriting to further your brand, I can help!

Contact me today at diane.whitlock8@gmail.com

…and check out my blog website at dianecwhitlock.com

Eight Must-Read Books to Boost Your Bakery Business and Encourage Your Pea-Pickin’ Entrepreneurial Heart

I started a boutique, commercial bakery several years ago knowing as an empty nester I had to carry on with my one, adventurous, beautiful life without children in the home.

I attained a bakery startup certificate and coupled it with my many years of making croissants, breads, cookies, cakes, and my utter obsession with the culinary arts.

This, my friends, was oh so romantic… at the start! Nowadays I say: “Note to self:  never start a bakery at the age of 57!” (One of life’s little morsels of wisdom you attain if you live long enough to realize how integral it is to befriend wisdom.)

Needless to say, with my entrepreneurial spirit, my boutique bakery, ‘have pastries, will travel,’ soared to astronomical heights. I had to set grand parameters for my weekly baking as a one-woman band –which only made my product more desirable. 

Not to boast, but my bread and pastries are of the highest quality, made with the most love and attention to detail, and it truly shows! Customers will always be drawn to this level of quality.

I would like to share the books that I read on the way up. I hope they will inspire you to keep going and truly excel and enjoy your passion like never before.

1.  The Art of French Pastry   

2013 Alfred Knopf/New York    

Authors:  Jacquy Pfeiffer with Martha Rose Shulman

This comprehensive cookbook serves as a textbook, building on the basics of French pastry and helping the reader to have a good understanding of the science of baking, ingredients, and how they work together. The precision in these recipes is exactly what’s needed to not just succeed in French baking techniques but to excel. Get yourself a good scale to ensure exact measurements, promoting the much-needed consistency in your product. 

2.Understanding Baking  3. The Baker’s Manual  

2003 John Wiley & Sons, Inc./New Jersey

Authors:  Joseph Amendola and Nicole Rees

The first of these two manuals, Understanding Baking, is wonderful, practical information to answer all of your baking questions about flour, yeast, laminating procedures, fermentation, sugars, eggs, fats, baking physics, cakes cookies pies, and tarts. 

The second, The Baker's Manual includes 150 master baking formulas for you to implement, incorporate, and build into your menu/repertoire. No bakery should be without these two instrumental resources on its shelf. 

4.  The Bread Builders, Hearth Loaves and Masonry Ovens

1999  Chelsea Green Publishing Company

Authors:  Daniel Wing and Alan Scott

By far one of my favorite books about artisan breads, this informative book boasts grains, flours, leavens, dough, dough development, baking, ovens, masonry ovens and the building of masonry ovens. The passion for detail and craft shines through these artists and is contagious.

I developed my famous Wild Wyoming sourdough starter from the instructions in this very book.

5.  The Pastry Chef’s Little Black Book, The Definitive Recipe Collection; For Chef’s, By Chefs

2017 The Chef’s Connection

Authors:  Michael Zebrowski and Michael Mignano

Again, a must-have for any successful bakery needing great recipes that are tried and true. From doughs to chocolate, cakes to pies, mousses to confections, this perfectly laid out, BIG, black book will not fit in your pocket, but straight away on your bread bench – just within reach.

Not filled with fluffy entremets, but all the components necessary to build your bakery's signature dishes, this book is foundational and inspirational for whipping up your passions into customer favorites!

6.   The War of Art, Break Through the Blocks and Win Your Inner Creative Battles

2002 Black Irish Entertainment, LLC

Author:  Steven Pressfield

I add this remarkable, insightful book to the list to encourage you to never forget why you do what you do. You are a passionate creative and baking is one of the most creative and challenging professions a person could ever pursue. 

Owning/managing a bakery has to be something you absolutely must do. In other words, something you can’t not do. If it isn’t, you need to move on without shame or judgment and choose another profession. These pages contain great wisdom in short vignettes for easy digestion and deeper understanding. 

Sectioned into three ‘books’:  Resistance, Combating Resistance, and Beyond Resistance, once you’ve chewed on it long enough, it sheds light on our fears and those mysterious things that may be holding us back from reaching our full potential.

Read it every day!

7.  Barefoot in Paris, Make it Ahead, Cooking for Jeffrey

2004, 2014, 2016 Clarkson Potter/Publishers, New York

Author:  Ina Garten

Clear, simple, elegant cooking and baking that will enhance every menu, Ina’s recipes are easy to understand and boast quite flavorful results. Plus, if need be, you can watch step by step on her videos and shows that are broadcast everywhere. 

I have baked up several different items for my menu from these easy-to-follow cookbooks which have become local favorites.

8.  Baking With Julia

1996 A La Carte Communications, Inc.

Author:  Dorie Greenspan

Written in conjunction with 26 bakers, with the overseeing of Julia herself, this all-purpose, how-to baking book is delightful and packed full of some of the most versatile and tasty recipes a cookbook can afford. The caliber of this book is unsurpassed with such variety and depth of flavor! Come on! It’s Julia Child and Dorie Greenspan for crying out loud! 

A definite ‘must have’ for your library and an excellent book to keep on your bedside table for study in your downtime.

So, there you have it!

The Art of French Pastry

The Bakers Manual

Understanding Baking

The Bread Builders

The Pastry Chef’s Little Black Book

The War of Art

Barefoot in Paris

Baking With Julia

These books (and so many others,) launched me into a lifelong passion and joy-filled journey of no return. I hope to make such an impact on all bakers and bakeries big and small as I am in the process of authoring my own baking book. 

One of my truest desires is to feed people and watch them enjoy eating my “art.” Next and perhaps even closer to my heart is the hope of encouraging all bakers with sound baking advice, and to point them in the direction of all the great bakers who have gone before us! We need each other and can learn so much more than the craft of baking from one another.

Let me encourage you in your baking endeavors and if you need a hand with your online presence or advertising, ghostwriting, recipe development, or blog writing, I can help.

Find me at:  dianewhitlockagency.com and feel free to contact me for a short consultation. I’d love to talk.

Your Wedding Dream Cake: A Symbol of Love caring and sharing

Baker’s Magic

As a bakery owner, I have been rewarded and delighted with the challenging task of baking up great magic in wedding cake dreams. More than one bride has shed a tear at the prospect of designing and treating her guests to the sweet gift of cake at the wedding celebration.

I remember one young woman who wanted to honor her grandmother by baking a replica of the cake she had at her wedding sixty-seven years prior. This cake was seven tiers high, touting rich, classic white and chocolate layers with raspberry filling throughout. As the 50’s style figurine of the miniature bride and groom were kissing way up top, the handmade, sugar roses cascaded across the elegant structure. Fulfilling the bride’s wishes, the masterpiece was fabulous and admired by one and all. The tears in her grandmother’s eyes conveyed such love and honor from one generation to another.

As a woman you have waited all your life for this moment –your wedding day. Someone said, “Yes” and that someone was you! Now preparations must begin as details flood in. 

You will need to ask for help to start planning the wedding of your dreams. You’ll no doubt want to carefully craft every detail of your love story for the whole world to see. You will share your love in your colors, flowers, dress, bridal party attire, theme, venue, music, food, and of course your cake! It matters how you share what’s in your heart, and cake says you care. Listen! This is not just dessert on a Tuesday night. It’s your wedding cake. And your baker can take the reins to create a symbol of love, caring, and sharing –your wedding dream cake.

Interesting Historical Facts

Not just an edible showstopper, the wedding cake is rich in history. 

Having been part of the ceremony since ancient Greece, the groom would traditionally pull apart bread over the bride’s head to symbolize her submission, the end of her purity, and to represent good luck and fertility. They would then eat and share the breadcrumbs with the wedding guests. 

As time moved on, newer traditions were established where the cake, layered high, was presented as a challenge for the couple to kiss over. If this feat was accomplished without toppling the cake, it denoted a successful marriage with many children. 

At one point in history, the English decided that the number of children the couple would bear could be increased by throwing cake at the bride. Scientifically speaking, I’m not sure that’s exactly how it works!

Of course, white cake and icing remain a symbol of the bride’s purity. (galafacility.com)

No matter how trends change, it would seem the wedding cake remains a tradition rooted in symbolism which is always meant to benefit the newlyweds. As everyone partakes in the sweetness of love baked into every slice, the magic can be felt around the table. Weddings bless us all with the hope of a long and happy life together.

Your Baker Can Create Your Unique Love Story in Cake

Wedding cakery has evolved through the years and most of the old wive’s tales have been left to nostalgia! Your cake is a reflection of your unique love and your baker can tell of romance in every slice. Cakes can be cascaded with real or handcrafted sugar flowers, naked and natural, colored with fondant and decorated to represent the bride and groom’s interests, and can be as simple as stacked doughnuts, brownies, waffles, or hazelnut pavlova with fresh fruit. 

Your cake should tell of your lives together: the moment you met and you knew he was the one, when and where he popped the question, particular hobbies you do together, your favorite travel destination, where you plan to spend your honeymoon, favorite sports teams, pets, or collections you share. Is it poetry, cars, or horses that brought you together? Are you cultivating a Western romance or are you students studying at your favorite coffee shop? Be sure to include all the details so your baker can have a well-rounded plan to make this symbol of your love come to light.

Do you have a family tradition you would like to honor in the flavor choices? Perhaps you’re of French heritage and desire a croquembouche. Australians favor traditional, rich fruitcakes sometimes filled with almond paste. In Greece, the traditional flavor combination includes honey, sesame seed, and quince. (Castella, Krystina, (2012-01-03) A World of Cake: 150 Recipes for Sweet Traditions From Cultures Near and Far) What is your family's heritage and would you like to honor them in your flavor selection? Interview family members to include them in your wedding planning.

Will your groom’s cake be dark, liquor-soaked, and shaped like a car or an armadillo? These are fun touches representing the groom's desires which your baker can also take care of. Check their menu and see what is offered, or what custom ordering is allowed. 

The Heart Behind the Bakery

Every bakery has a story and our featured baker is no exception. Claire’s Sweets is located in the heart of Paris, Montana. Claire Johnson, owner and head decorator, started her bakery in 2013. She discovered her creative passion when she entered a baking competition with a rainbow cake. Designed from a recipe she found on Pinterest, her colorful creation won the contest! Unemployed and not having a lot of resources to spare, this mother’s loving hands created her son’s birthday cake. Then and there a bakery was born!

“Sugar artistry has given me such a creative outlet, the opportunity to meet people and to make their event special,” Claire said in a recent interview.

Chef Claire, the chief baker and decorator, arranges flowers, makes deliveries, answers the phone, guides the client’s cake tastings, does dishes, and also has a husband and three children! Her zest for life shines through in every cake she bakes and is displayed in the joy on the faces of her customers. Her best advice for brides-to-be is to put in your custom cake order well in advance of your wedding date. Good bakers have full calendars. 

Claire’s artisanal cake studio will handcraft your one-of-a-kind cake that announces to your guests the joy and excitement of your special day. In her experienced hands, she will bake your love story into your wedding dream cake and take this worry right off of your plate. Tastefully crafted with the finest, organic ingredients, the bakery offers a delectable selection of cake flavors from classic white, to old-fashioned carrot. There are a dozen unique fillings to choose from, and your choice of three delectable icings. The website also suggests popular pairings of cake and fillings and an extensive questionnaire on the contact page to help you on your way. 

Claire will bake 3-4 small tasting cakes for you to sample to make your big decision. This tasty exercise will only pique your desire for that fast-approaching day of wedded bliss. She can direct you in the planning stages with a peek into her portfolio of the many wedding cakes she has created. I’m sure she’ll be eager to share the love stories and celebrations she has been privileged to be part of. Her website will also be a good resource to address any other concerns you may have. 

Together you will work out a detailed plan for the cake and table. Be sure to sign the contract and fulfill your financial obligations. This is one less detail to concern yourself with come the big day. Remember to enjoy the process and trust your baker. Her dream is to bring your dream to life!

Sharing the Sweetness of Love

Julia Childs says, “A party without a cake is just a meeting!” And your wedding is no exception! Because your cake table is the hub and height of activity as you share your tasty gift of sweetness with your guests, plan to embellish that table with all the wedding finery. Rent linens and a cake stand that reflect your theme and showcase your cake. Have small plates, napkins, and forks readily available as the cake is cut, so guests can enjoy milling with one another while eating this superb representation of your beautiful story. Are coffee and tea nearby? Many people love a spot of tea with their sweets.

No doubt you will be so excited to unveil your cake and serve it to your guests. Did you know tradition states: that while holding the knife together to cut the cake, the groom places his hand over the bride’s to show his love and protection over her?

Cutting pieces of cake from the lower tier symbolizes the relationship’s longevity as the majority of the cake above is still available to serve.

The tradition of gently feeding each other cake refers to the promise of always looking out and caring for one another. 

Having the guests eat the same cake is believed to bring good luck to the marriage. 

Lastly, it is not uncommon for the couple to take and freeze the top tier to eat on their first wedding anniversary for the sake of prosperity. 

As strange as it may seem, we can bake up love stories in a wedding cake. As we eat together, we partake in a symbol and slice of hope that draws us all into one story of togetherness. 

A good baker can create a truly special experience for the bride and her guests that reflects the couple’s love and devotion. A story that includes us all …and who doesn’t need a little sweet magic in their life.

Contact your local bakery and let’s get this party started!

Four Elements to tell your bakery story

I’d like to tell your bakery story. After all, food is what holds all cultures and peoples together. Even Jesus fed the masses. 

Tattered recipes on quaintly decorated and lined recipe cards, and self-published church cookbooks tucked into drawers, hold great and deep family history –and sometimes earth-moving secrets of our dearly departed clan.

We gather to eat, sometimes in silence, sometimes amidst clamoring kids spilling drinks and complaining they’re not hungry with anxious, young parents who insist that they must be. We eat at weddings with joy and nostalgia. We eat at funeral wakes with sorrow and nostalgia. We eat at Fourth of July parties with excitement and nostalgia. We eat on Sundays to celebrate the close of one week and the start of the next with sorting, organizing, and nostalgia.

Somebody’s hands prepared that food. Somebody’s hands defined that recipe. Somebody’s hands chopped, peeled, measured, filled, rolled, and baked. Somebody’s heart went into every detail for you. Because they couldn’t not. That’s their love language… baking is how they say “I love you!”

I am always intrigued to see my grandmother Lily’s handwriting. I have her neighbor, Loretta’s potato salad recipe and banana cake recorded on the back of a receipt and a used-up score sheet from Michigan Rummy. Many hand-written treasures are in the back of a food-stained, dusty Betty Crocker classic cookbook. When I read her recipes, it’s like I want to touch her somehow, feel her warmth, watch her work, and look up at her award-winning smile. Oh to hear her laugh again as her eyes crinkled upwards in the corners.

I imagine your bakery nestled in the heart of your charming town. It’s more than a place that bakes bread and pastries, isn’t it? It’s where your heart and soul live. Your bakery is a gathering place for the locals. It’s a place where the aroma of fresh-baked goods mingles with the laughter and tinkle of satisfied customers. Let’s spur your memory of why you started that bakery after all. Let’s take a journey and delve into your sweet and savory story. I’ll go first.

Here are four key elements that helped shape the essence of my bakery, how I developed a community of folks who were as devoted followers as any and worked myself right out of a job.

1. The Signature Recipe

Every bakery has a secret weapon, a recipe that sets them apart and keeps patrons coming back for more; for Claire’s French Bakery, it’s bread.

My Wild Wyoming Sourdough is coveted by many and attained by few these days due to my absence with so much travel. My husband might quip and complain that I know my sourdough starter better than I know him. I’ve spent many sleepless nights feeding that starter and kneading that dough. It’s true! The secret behind its irresistible allure? A touch of love, hours of research and development, and of course all the wild yeast pulsing through big, wonderful Wyoming and my backyard.

Wild yeast is everywhere and you too can capture it with a slurry of flour, water, and time.

But your sourdough starter will be your own. If you live in San Francisco you can have a starter right off the bay. If you live in Montana you can have a starter right off the mountain. If you live in the south of France you can have a starter that wreaks of ‘oh la la. The secret is finding a rhythm in the feeding and keeping of your sourdough starter. It’s not hard, it simply takes time. It’s a labor of love that ferments to utter perfection and smells oh-so-good. As a baker, I’m sure you can relate.

I have about six signature breads to delight my clientele. Russian Rye, Sun Dried Tomato Sourdough, and German Rye to name a few. I’m passionate about my bread and it shows in my work.

Sourdough bread has a rich history that dates back thousands of years, from 1,500 BC up through the ages. In the 19th century during the California Gold Rush, pioneers and miners relied on their sourdough starter as a portable source of leavening. With commercial yeast finding its way into factories in later years, sourdough bread became less common.

It has made quite a comeback in this century as home bakers and artisanal bakeries are embracing its traditional methods of preparation, fermentation, golden crunchy, chewy crust, and distinctive tangy flavor that only sourdough bread can bring.

Does your bakery make bread and rolls? What is your favorite to make and why? What popular items do your customers buy and what are their comments? Do you maintain your own sourdough starter? Do you have other recipes in which you utilize your starter? What other flour/grains have you created with?

2. A Taste of Tradition

What sets Claire’s French Bakery apart from other bakeries is our unwavering dedication to tradition. We preserve the timeless art of baking. In this age of instant gratification, patience and meticulous craftsmanship are essential to creating mouth-watering creations. The process of making our famous bread is an event in itself. Flour, water, yeast, and salt are transformed into works of edible art over hours or even days. Each loaf is a product of heart, time, and care.

Some doughs rise and ferment naturally, allowing the flavors to develop fully, while others are combined with commercial yeast and forced into delightful scrumptiousness. Breadmaking is a craft that requires patience and precision, but the results are worth it for the bread maker and the bread eater.

For me, there’s no better therapy than getting my hands in that dough, smelling the smells, scaling the portions, rolling, shaping, and raising them to perfection. So many thoughts, songs, hopes, and dreams twirling in my head. I find myself joining in tradition as I reflect and somehow channel the olden days and all the women who have gone before me to nourish the hearts and souls of loved ones with our artful creations.

It’s my art. It’s my gift to the world. I love to watch people eat and see them get happier doing so. The aroma and taste of good bread can take us right back to the homeland. It can take us back to our granny’s kitchen or the favorite corner bakery your Aunt used to walk you down to when you were too little to go by yourself.

As if all the carbs of a giant dollop of mashed potatoes weren’t enough, you may remember your grandpa mopping his plate with a huge hunk of homemade bread after a Sunday supper of pot roast and dark, brown gravy. Talk about tradition — our family never sat down to eat when there wasn’t bread on the table –even if it was straight from the little polka dot bag.

Where did you learn to bake? Why do you bake? Is there someone you copy or who has mentored you? Tell me your memories of sit-down dinners with your family. Did your hometown have a bakery? How often did you go there and with whom? What did you eat there? What impact did it have on your life?

3. Local Sourcing and Fresh Ingredients

Claire’s French Bakery doesn’t just excel in its recipes and formulas; it also prides itself on sourcing the freshest, local ingredients. The story of sourcing local fare is a tale of commitment to the community and a dedication to sustainability.

Having got my start at the local farmers market in our area, Claire’s supporting local farmers and producers isn’t just a trend; it’s a way of life. Our bakery works with local farmers to acquire the finest fruits, honey, and grains for our creations. Our local university has planted ancient grains over the past few years and has given me emmer and spelt to test out in my breads. It’s nutty, rich, and nutritious too.

We fashion our menus around what’s seasonally available to uphold the most delectable flavor profiles in all our pastries, tarts, and pies. This practice not only guarantees quality but also strengthens the bond between the bakery and the local agricultural community.

These folks are like family as we live just up the road from one another and our kids and grandkids go to the same schools. We may attend the same churches and frequent the same stores. It’s a typical small town and you’re most certainly going to run into one another. Why don’t we just share our passions/creations to make everyone’s lives better? I hope you get to share that same camaraderie with your wholesalers and local farmers.

What ingredients do you locally source and why? What’s your wholesaler’s story? What kind of honey do you use and from which local merchant? Farm fresh eggs? Who has the best apples and pears? How does your neighbor’s garden grow?

4. Community Engagement

Bakeries are not just places of business; they are integral parts of the community. They’re the hub of morning rituals and activity. People get a great start to their day by visiting the corner bakery, sampling the traditional wares, and conversing over fresh, hot coffee, tea, and espresso. Claire’s French Bakery understands that our success is intricately tied to the support and loyalty of the community.

We not only serve the community; we’re part of the community. We’ve been known to host events like baking classes for kids, seniors, and everyone in between. These classes provide hands-on experience for people, where they can learn the art of baking from experienced bakers at the heart of the bakery.

Macaron classes are very popular, and I’ve been known to give away a jar or two of sourdough starter with instructions to start a wonderful habit in someone’s life.

Beyond teaching the art of baking, Claire’s believes in giving back. We have partnered with local charities to donate pastries and bread to those in need. It’s a bit of a ‘secret sister union’ that keeps its finger on the pulse of our community and takes care of people. I mean, why wouldn’t you? Baking is my passion. I can’t not do it. I bet you feel the same way. Do you take part in local activities, events, and charities? Why? Do you teach classes at your bakery? If so, which ones and why?

I hope you enjoy the interaction with customers becoming friends. Nurturing and nourishing people … it’s what we do.

One For the Books

In the world of bakeries, yours can stand as a shining example of how these four key elements have shaped the story of a beloved local establishment. From your signature recipe, which may be steeped in family tradition, to your commitment to using fresh, local ingredients, your dedication to preserving the art of baking, and your active engagement with the community, you can create a narrative that goes way beyond the goods you sell.

I know yours is a story of heart, passion, and a deep connection to the people within your community. Let the people who walk through the doors of your bakery know they’re not just enjoying a pastry; they’re partaking in a tale that has a genuine, rich, history. Your bakery story is worth telling. Enrich your community’s lives with more than your glorious bakes.

Give me a call for a short 15-minute interview. I’d love to visit and write a blog for your website to draw in new clientele and share your passion for baking.

Contact me at DianeWhitlockAgency.com or read more blogs at dianecwhitlock.com