The Generosity of Bakers

A few months back, a Vancouver Island baker reached out after reading my blog post about Cranberry Pecan Bread (June 5, 2025), which featured a purple-tinged crumb, dried cranberries and toasted, chopped pecans.

“Now, try CAP Bread!” he said. “Cranberry, apple, pecan! It was my best seller!”

The baker was Kees Docter, the former head baker and owner of the Utopia Bakery Cafe in Chemainus, B.C.,… Continue reading

The Festival of Fornacalia: Bring Out the Flowers and the Spelt!

The baker and Mildrith, the oven
This week, the baker will give thanks to Fornax for keeping Mildrith warm this past year, and her continued presence in the year to come!

Unless you’re a baker, it’s not something you’d typically mark in your calendar. Behold the Festival of Fornacalia, the “festival of the ovens.”

The Roman celebration was for the female deity, Fornax, goddess of the ovens.… Continue reading