When Jennifer and I started the Happy Monk Baking Company, the world seemed larger — too big, it seemed, for a small fish like me. I set my sights on selling bread to anyone who wanted it up or down Gowlland Point Road, South Pender. There was a neighbourhood email list, and that was my market.… Continue reading
A blog and Instagram post I made two weeks ago got a significant “click response” from Internet surfers beyond Pender Island. It was about the recent Wonder Bread commercial gracing the television airwaves.
Nowhere in the commercial was the word “bread” used. The ad was all about the “Wonder” brand and focused on arts and crafts products that used the yellow, blue and red balloons on the Wonder logo.… Continue reading
A garden of fun facts about bread and baking on the Internet.
Think you’ve seen it all?
Take a look at the @breadfaceblog on Instagram.
She’s a young Asian-American woman who became an Internet sensation a few years ago. Her claim to fame?
Smooshing her face into bread products.
That’s it. But lots is going on beneath the surface of things.… Continue reading
Most days, making bread happens by rote, with a tight schedule of measuring, mixing, shaping, and baking. My mind can be tranquil while my hands are a blur, punching and kneading the dough. Or slicing off chunks with the bench knife, balancing them on the weigh scale, and turning them into sensuous rounds.
Not much distracts me from this sort of reverie.… Continue reading
I’m hanging up my baker’s peel for a brief respite. Looking forward to some idle time to rest, reflect and rejuvenate.
It’s gratitude I feel when I think over the past year: gratitude for the friendships, kindnesses, support and laughter I’ve shared with members of the Happy Monk community. The customers, the partners, and generous with words of support and substantial assistance.… Continue reading