Posted on 2 Comments

Good night, 2019!

It’s the end of the year. A brief pause to look back, then to cast my our eyes forward to the coming year.

And what arises immediately is gratitude for what I have and hold in front of me. The Happy Monk Baking Company has occupied much of my time and attention. It has been a big blessing. It has been a time of learning and finding confidence in a new profession. It is a business, yes, but it has also been a path to new friendships, profound conversations, community and celebration.

The joy of work!

It has been hard work, hoisting tubs of dough and hewing loads of wood for the fire. Rising in the darkest hours of night. But if not for that I might have missed the unexpected joys in the first birdsong, the beauty of the night sky or the cheery hum of a brightly lit cruise ship sailing past the front of our property at 3 a.m. The smell of fresh bread gusting out of Mildrith. The never-ending miracle of seeing beautifully puffed chestnut coloured loaves when I open the oven doors.

The business challenges, the website management, the accounting, logistics of delivering the bread. There have been headaches, victories and flops, “bread fails”. And there will be more.

But gratitude above all!

Jennifer and I are in good health. Our lives on Pender Island are blessings! Daily swims in the frigid ocean, a hot tub to warm up in, healthy meals in the evening and love in the dark nights and early mornings. Friends and neighbours all around us, and the bounty of nature in all its splendour!

There is a backdrop of “news” that casts a pall over the times. Climate change, tribal politics, consumerism. We are one step removed from much of it, here on our Island, “far from the madding crowd,” as it were. We do not intend to close our eyes to them, but step in where we feel our actions can make a difference. And live our lives in ways that may bring balance and positivity into the world. Love, in other words.

And so to the coming year!

We will close down operations after this week for a few weeks’ reflection and rejuvenation. We’ll use it well, this one-month hiatus. Seeing what comes forward about the things that have worked and not worked. To make a few modest changes, such as new products, new schedules, new locations.

It’s ironic that the past few weeks have been the busiest we’ve ever been, with bread orders hitting new highs. The work load has followed with new levels of busy-ness. I’ve had trouble seeing straight some days. I’ve looked at the back yard, the property and found things that I’ve turned a blind eye to, and I look forward to looking after some things close to home. Jennifer and I need to get away, maybe a road trip is in order.

We’ll be back in a month, rested, stronger, with new ideas and outlooks. I look forward to the quiet interlude, but also to the return to Happy Monk. To the baking, to the friends.

Thanks be to…

Thanks are owed at this time to many people. To the builders of Mildrith, Jacques Marmen, Tracy Calvert, Ryan Fogarty and Peter Hughes of Oceanside Masonry. Not to mention Bryce Ehrecke of CrĆ© Natural Building and all the folks at Pender Island Home Hardware. To the bakers and suppliers at Nootka Rose Milling, Caitlin, Cyal, Jock and Erika. To Byron Fry of Fry’s Bakery for his passion, guidance and advice. To Pender’s Greenangels Choppers and Al Wilmott of Winter Creek Farm. Ron Henshaw for the delicious Pender Island clay. And Lester Quitzau and Mae Moore for the bountiful bucketfuls of horse poop to make plaster for Mildrith! My great neighbours, who’ve made generous donations of firewood, advice and encouragement.

All of you are in my warmest thoughts at this dark winter season, for your kindness, enthusiasm and support.

And to all the customers, who’ve welcomed the Happy Monk into their lives and who’ve warmed my life. You are deep in our debt.

And lastly, to my darling Jennifer, who has been my muse so often in our time together and who continues to inspire and encourage me on this road of life!

See you all soon!


Happy Monk Tidings - September 27, 2023 šŸž - BAKER'S CHOICE THIS WEEK: Harvest Bread; BLOG: Positively Fourth Avenue - [ See LinkTree in Profile ]

Happy Monk Tidings - September 27, 2023 šŸž - BAKER`S CHOICE THIS WEEK: Harvest Bread; BLOG: Positively Fourth Avenue - [ See LinkTree in Profile ] ...

17 0
Happy Monk Tidings - September 20, 2023 šŸž - BAKER'S CHOICE: Garlic Levain Bread; BLOG: Harumph! Author Says Leave the Baking to the Professionals! [ See LinkTree in Profile ]

Happy Monk Tidings - September 20, 2023 šŸž - BAKER`S CHOICE: Garlic Levain Bread; BLOG: Harumph! Author Says Leave the Baking to the Professionals! [ See LinkTree in Profile ] ...

24 1
A hefty Country Miche, formula from Breadlines published by Bread Bakers Guild of America. Hefty in size, hefty in flavour. Four flours (Sifted Metchosin Wheat, Rye, Buckwheat, Spelt), a super-active levain and an intense crust colour. I think I’m addicted! It’s kind of finicky, though, and trying to work out a reasonable schedule to produce 40 loaves for Happy Monk customers.
.
.
.
.
. #bread #realbread #naturallyleavened #baker #bakery #bbga #artisanbread #breadhead #sourdough #sourdoughbread #penderisland #southpenderislands #happymonkbaking #happymonkbakingcompany #wholegrainbread #breadhead #michebread #realbread #rusticbread #southerngulfislands #southerngulfislandsbakers #southerngulfislandsbakeries

A hefty Country Miche, formula from Breadlines published by Bread Bakers Guild of America. Hefty in size, hefty in flavour. Four flours (Sifted Metchosin Wheat, Rye, Buckwheat, Spelt), a super-active levain and an intense crust colour. I think I’m addicted! It’s kind of finicky, though, and trying to work out a reasonable schedule to produce 40 loaves for Happy Monk customers.

.

.

.

.

. #bread #realbread #naturallyleavened #baker #bakery #bbga #artisanbread #breadhead #sourdough #sourdoughbread #penderisland #southpenderislands #happymonkbaking #happymonkbakingcompany #wholegrainbread #breadhead #michebread #realbread #rusticbread #southerngulfislands #southerngulfislandsbakers #southerngulfislandsbakeries
...

30 0
REMINDER: Happy Monk is on Summer Break! We're off on our annual late summer respite. Next bread day is Sept. 22. See you then! (photo by Davy Joel Rippner)

REMINDER: Happy Monk is on Summer Break! We`re off on our annual late summer respite. Next bread day is Sept. 22. See you then! (photo by Davy Joel Rippner) ...

27 0
Happy Monk Tidings - August 30, 2023 šŸž - BAKER'S CHOICE:  Mountain Rye Bread; BLOG: Making Bread and Art With A Message; NOTE: Happy Monk is on Holiday for the Next Two Weeks - https://mailchi.mp/ae234548bd1a/happy_monk_tidings_aug30

Happy Monk Tidings - August 30, 2023 šŸž - BAKER`S CHOICE: Mountain Rye Bread; BLOG: Making Bread and Art With A Message; NOTE: Happy Monk is on Holiday for the Next Two Weeks - https://mailchi.mp/ae234548bd1a/happy_monk_tidings_aug30 ...

25 0
Happy Monk Tidings - August 23, 2023 šŸž - BAKER'S CHOICE: Bold Beer Bread; BLOG: Cheese Karma; More Happy Monk holidays coming soon! https://mailchi.mp/783a72739071/happy_monk_tidings_aug23

Happy Monk Tidings - August 23, 2023 šŸž - BAKER`S CHOICE: Bold Beer Bread; BLOG: Cheese Karma; More Happy Monk holidays coming soon! https://mailchi.mp/783a72739071/happy_monk_tidings_aug23 ...

24 0
Happy Monk Tidings - August 9, 2023 šŸž - BAKER'S CHOICE: Sesame Sourdough; BLOG: Say A Prayer For The Perfect Loaf; ANNOUNCEMENT: Happy Monk Summer Holiday Schedule https://mailchi.mp/99197a16b166/happy_monk_tidings_aug9

Happy Monk Tidings - August 9, 2023 šŸž - BAKER`S CHOICE: Sesame Sourdough; BLOG: Say A Prayer For The Perfect Loaf; ANNOUNCEMENT: Happy Monk Summer Holiday Schedule https://mailchi.mp/99197a16b166/happy_monk_tidings_aug9 ...

32 1
Happy Monk Tidings - August 2, 2023 šŸž - BLOG: The Great Laugh (a poem); Baker's Choice: Honey Whole Wheat Sandwich Loaf; [Campaign URL]

Happy Monk Tidings - August 2, 2023 šŸž - BLOG: The Great Laugh (a poem); Baker`s Choice: Honey Whole Wheat Sandwich Loaf; [Campaign URL] ...

16 0
Happy Monk Blog - July 26, 2023 šŸž - Swimming the Neighbourhoods; how John Cheever's short story, The Swimmer, made more sense to kids in the summertime. [See LinkTree in Profile ]

Happy Monk Blog - July 26, 2023 šŸž - Swimming the Neighbourhoods; how John Cheever`s short story, The Swimmer, made more sense to kids in the summertime. [See LinkTree in Profile ] ...

13 0
Happy Monk Tidings - July 19, 2023 šŸž
Baker's Choice: Cinnamon-Raisin Bread; BLOG: Coffee, Tea and Hot Chocolate [ See LinkTree in Profile ]

Happy Monk Tidings - July 19, 2023 šŸž
Baker`s Choice: Cinnamon-Raisin Bread; BLOG: Coffee, Tea and Hot Chocolate [ See LinkTree in Profile ]
...

26 0
Happy Monk Blog - July 12, 2023 šŸž - "Nothing I Cared in the Lamb White Days" - Climate change and watching the moon rise over the Salish Sea. [ See LinkTree in Profile ]

Happy Monk Blog - July 12, 2023 šŸž - "Nothing I Cared in the Lamb White Days" - Climate change and watching the moon rise over the Salish Sea. [ See LinkTree in Profile ] ...

36 0
Happy Monk Tidings - July 5, 2023 šŸž - BAKER'S CHOICE: Olive Sourdough; ReBLOG: Salvador DalĆ­ and the Art of Bread [ Click LinkTree in Profile ]

Happy Monk Tidings - July 5, 2023 šŸž - BAKER`S CHOICE: Olive Sourdough; ReBLOG: Salvador DalĆ­ and the Art of Bread [ Click LinkTree in Profile ] ...

21 0
Happy Monk Tidings - June 28, 2023 šŸž - BAKER'S CHOICE: Spelt and Honey Sourdough; BLOG: Black Robe and Rise of the Machine [ See LinkTree in Profile ]

Happy Monk Tidings - June 28, 2023 šŸž - BAKER`S CHOICE: Spelt and Honey Sourdough; BLOG: Black Robe and Rise of the Machine [ See LinkTree in Profile ] ...

28 2
Stately, plump German Rye loaves that even Buck Mulligan would love. This day June 16, Happy Bloomsday all!

Stately, plump German Rye loaves that even Buck Mulligan would love. This day June 16, Happy Bloomsday all! ...

40 3
Happy Monk Tidings - June 14, 2023 šŸž - BAKER'S CHOICE: German Rye (Volkornbrot) with Sunflower Seeds; BLOG: Happy Bloomsday! [ See LinkTree in Profile ]

Happy Monk Tidings - June 14, 2023 šŸž - BAKER`S CHOICE: German Rye (Volkornbrot) with Sunflower Seeds; BLOG: Happy Bloomsday! [ See LinkTree in Profile ] ...

18 8
Happy Monk Tidings - May 31, 2023 šŸž - BAKER'S CHOICE: Fig and Fennel Sourdough; BLOG: The Saving Grace of Siegel's Bagels [ See LinkTree in Profile ]

Happy Monk Tidings - May 31, 2023 šŸž - BAKER`S CHOICE: Fig and Fennel Sourdough; BLOG: The Saving Grace of Siegel`s Bagels [ See LinkTree in Profile ] ...

24 0
HAPPY MONK BLOG: An Approachable Manifesto: A loaf designed for the grocery shelf, but with honest-to-goodness artisan credentials. (May 24, 2023) [ See LinkTree in Proifile ]

HAPPY MONK BLOG: An Approachable Manifesto: A loaf designed for the grocery shelf, but with honest-to-goodness artisan credentials. (May 24, 2023) [ See LinkTree in Proifile ] ...

24 0
Morning coffee ritual, Saturday morning. Drinking Moving Coffee, eating Happy Monk Sprouted Einkorn Sourdough bread, and spending a lot of time setting up this photo. Thanks for the coffee tip, @jomosenpai, it’s really good!
.
.
.
#coffeelover #coffee #pourovercoffee #pourover #coffeetime #coffeelover  #coffeecoffeecoffee #ceramiccoffeecup #ceramiccoffeemug #coffeeaddict #einkornsourdough #einkornbread #einkornsourdoughbread #einkornbaking

Morning coffee ritual, Saturday morning. Drinking Moving Coffee, eating Happy Monk Sprouted Einkorn Sourdough bread, and spending a lot of time setting up this photo. Thanks for the coffee tip, @jomosenpai, it’s really good!
.
.
.
#coffeelover #coffee #pourovercoffee #pourover #coffeetime #coffeelover #coffeecoffeecoffee #ceramiccoffeecup #ceramiccoffeemug #coffeeaddict #einkornsourdough #einkornbread #einkornsourdoughbread #einkornbaking
...

50 3
It’s been a long time since I baked with Einkorn flour, the most ancient of the ancient grains. It’s called ā€œFarro Piccoloā€ in Italian, or ā€˜little farro’. A later variety of Einkorn is called ā€œFarro Grandeā€ (large farro)… otherwise known as Spelt. (Einkorn left, Spelt right) Here endeth the lesson. 
.
.
.
.
#einkorn #einkorngrain #einkornbread #einkornbaking #tasteofeinkorn #spelt #speltgrain #speltflour #ancientgrain #ancientgrains #ancientgrainbaking #ancientgrainflours

It’s been a long time since I baked with Einkorn flour, the most ancient of the ancient grains. It’s called ā€œFarro Piccoloā€ in Italian, or ā€˜little farro’. A later variety of Einkorn is called ā€œFarro Grandeā€ (large farro)… otherwise known as Spelt. (Einkorn left, Spelt right) Here endeth the lesson.

.

.

.

.

#einkorn #einkorngrain #einkornbread #einkornbaking #tasteofeinkorn #spelt #speltgrain #speltflour #ancientgrain #ancientgrains #ancientgrainbaking #ancientgrainflours
...

39 4
Happy Monk Tidings - April 26, 2023 šŸž: Baker's Choice: Polenta-Rosemary Sourdough; Blog: A Baker's Summit in the Loire Valley - [See LinkTree in Bio ]

Happy Monk Tidings - April 26, 2023 šŸž: Baker`s Choice: Polenta-Rosemary Sourdough; Blog: A Baker`s Summit in the Loire Valley - [See LinkTree in Bio ] ...

27 0

2 thoughts on “Good night, 2019!

  1. David and Jennifer

    Enjoy your well deserved break ….. thank you so much for all the heart and soul you put into it all .

    Much Peace and LOve …

Leave a Reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.