Maple Sugar

The big news.

Okay. I don't think I can wait any longer to tell all of you this. No, I'm not pregnant! A friend pointed out to me that you all were probably thinking that, and then I put up those onesies, and...oh noooo!!!! How embarassing, no, I'm not pregnant, haha! But here it is. A while back, the adorable and talented musician and baker extrodinairre Michelle Branch contacted me about being head pastry chef/baker of a bakery she was opening here in Nashville. I was hooked on her concept from the beginning: a sweet little bake shop where you can purchase cakes, pies, cupcakes, and other old-fashioned homemade goodies, but also a place where you can go after dinner and have a specialty cocktail or local dessert wine with your slice of French vanilla almond cake. You know?!?! And not only that, but we will be sourcing as much of our ingredients as possible from local farmers...milk, butter, fruit, whatever we can. The rest of it will be kept organic and all-natural. If you are anywhere near Nashville, get excited, because this place is going to be sweet.

And, ya'll, this girl can bake.  As in, she makes up recipes from scratch. Baking recipes. You know how difficult that is. I am so delighted to be working with her, and I can't tell you how excited I am about this venture. Of course, I want to take all of you through it with me, so I've started a blog about it! And, consequently, I've decided to shut down this one. I have loved Maple Sugar and blogging about my leisurely life, and I have REALLY loved getting to know all of you, but I have been feeling for a while that my days of personal blogging were coming to a close. So please follow me over to the new blog! I will miss you sorely  if you don't! Here it is... and make sure you check out the "about" page from time to time for general information and updates about the bakery!

www.blog.thesugarbar.com

XOXOXOXX,

Rebekka

Freshly ground

Here's to those kinds of Saturdays where you piddle around the Farmer's market and buy Amish baked goods and hanging plants all day while you are supposed to be unpacking boxes in your attic.

The happiest places on Earth

I've gushed about it before, and I'm sure I will again. Arrington Vineyards is quite simply one of my favorite places on Earth. Nestled in the hills of the middle Tennessee countryside, picnic basket in hand...the day seems to last forever. It doesn't get much better!

On the first day of every month we look forward to spending the day picnicing at the winery and then heading downtown to the Art Crawl. It has become our favorite, cheapest date. It's even nicer when we get to spend it with friends...in fact, why don't you join us in May?

Our friends the Garfields came, and Jo brought me chocolate and white chocolate covered bananas. My absolute, complete favorite. Thank you Jo, that made my week.

The Red Fox Red... medium bodied red blend of Sangiovese, Petit Verdot, Cabernet, Merlot and Chambourcin, with smooth tannins and smoky oak aromas with cherry-blackberry flavors.

And then down to the Art Crawl. I liked it this time, a lot. I missed her, and I discovered her.

But I didn't win the cupcake contest :(