BOB AT THE BAKERY - REALLY - AND NOT JUST EATING

          I've been silent on this blog for the past 4 months, it's been equal measures of needing to recharge my batteries and take a break, searching for new inspiration and just plain being too tired and wanting to try some new things.  Speaking of "trying new things," the past two Saturday mornings have found me not inside the bakery eating, but outside - in front - making furniture...

                   It's proving to be a fun way to enjoy the wonderful weather, make some new friends, add some "local color" to the historic district and get some work done at the same time.  In the photo above, I'm carving on the edge of the cherry slab - it will be either a coffee table top or a headboard for a queen size bed -  while Doug and I talk about the similarities in what we make and the methods of our working.

            

          Here's a photo of the finished slab one week later, with contrasting wood butterflies to stabilize the splits and a wonderful loaf of Doug's miche ready to eat. Thanks to Michael Wessel for the photos. This coming Saturday, 9 to noon, I hope to be working on a Hawaiian Koa slab, part of three small slabs that I am incorporating in a triptych art piece.  

      

          Stay tuned for my next post as I report on my visit to bakeries in Washington, DC and New York where I specifically ordered the same favorites that we all enjoy here in Chestertown...croissants and baguettes...so that I could compare them against Doug's creations.

Another Day in Paradise

          This weekend finds all kinds of things happening in Chestertown and some of them are happening right outside Evergrain.

 Along with conversations, meetings, morning dog walks, coffee and sun buns, outside the bakery, you could watch and speak with one of the many "Plein Aire" artists in town for the weekend.


  On a personal note I would just like to say that you know you've arrived when...
-someone names a breakfast selection after you.  I spied this on the specials board yesterday.

          That's right, "the Bob O"...plain croissant, raspberry jam and a mug o' mid (roast.)  Thanks Allie.

More than a bakery

          For me, Evergrain is more than a bakery.  It's that neighborhood place where I feel at home, run into friends, share stories, concerns, laughs and sometimes - on "heavy" days, perhaps a tear or two.  It all makes the bread, pastries and coffee sweeter.  My studio may be a second home but the bakery is a close third.  I came in this morning as I do most Tuesdays, ordered what is now called the "Bob O" - plain croissant, side of respberry jam,  mug of coffee and waited to pay.  In my usual morning haze I neglected to notice the whispering and the gathering.  Then I saw the only croissant I've ever seen with a handle through the top...a candle???  Who told them?

After a sweet version of Happy Birthday, as I was getting my coffee, I mentioned to Michael that the only thing that was missing was my daughter, Sofia, who is in Japan.  I sat down, started eating breakfast and then Doug and Michael sat down next to me - with Doug's computer - and there she was, via Apple's Face time - From Japan.  Who could ask for more?...brought a happy tear to my eye this time.  

Thank you Doug, Michael, Kelly, David and everyone else.  For the bread, for the friendship and for what you bring to this community which I am so lucky to be a part of.

Good Just Got Better

    This was the view this morning on the street (should I call it promenade?) outside Evergrain.  If you look closely you can see my mug of coffee, croissant and jam waiting for me on that first table on the right.  Nice just got nicer at Evergrain.  Thanks Doug and Company...This may not be Paris but it's awfully close and with a view of the river from where I'm sitting, I prefer it here.  (Actually I've never been to Paris - or Europe for that matter, but I can't imagine that it's better there.)  For now I have the place to myself but I know it won't last long,  it's just too nice a setting...it's cool out, the aroma of baked bread at this time of the morning is ever-present.  

      The tables are teak on a metal base.  Inside there are more changes afoot.  Local craftsman and jack of all trades Tom Parker is fabricating a wrought iron shelf for bread that should be ready before long and the original "Against the Grain" painting in the "older part" of the bakery is getting its own updating and perhaps the best news of all Doug is back to baking having spent the past few months learning about "barrista-ing" (is that a word?) and the ins and outs of serving fine coffees.  

And a Good Time Was Had by All

          The first First Friday/Pizza night at Evergrain was a great night both inside and out.  It started at 5 PM ...families with children, gallery visitors, locals and Neapolitan pizza, what's not to like?  At 7 PM the Pam Ortiz Band arrived.  There was standing room only inside. Outside Chestertown residents with their dogs chatted and listened to music, came and went as did all the other First Friday "usual suspects."   

          I was going to take a photo of a slice of one of the pizzas, but I ate it...and a good many more.  Actually, I think I ate a whole pizza myself.  It was light and flavorful and the crust...the crust...just wonderful.  Pizza Fridays continue every Friday in April...the Pam Ortiz Band will return on the next first Friday, May 3rd.  For other venues where you can hear them check out www.pamortizmusic.com 

         And the winner of the sweetest moment of the night goes to...Margie and Mickey Elsberg who danced while the band played - and Nevin Dawson led on Violin - The Westphalia Waltz....Fred and Ginger who?  Thanks to Robin, Jo Ann and James for the photos.

First Friday...Pizza and Music...MMM!

This First Friday, April 5th from 5 until 10 PM you can order this...At the bakery

And from 7 until 9 PM on the same First Friday, April 5th you can listen to this...

And share the evening with...

To Recap:

1. First Friday, April 5  - Doug's Neapolitan Pizza - 5 to 10 PM

2. First Friday, April 5 - The Pam Ortiz Band, join Pam, Ford,          Nevin, Phil and Bob 7 to 9 PM

3. Come and join your friends for an evening of good food, good music and friends.

GOT MILK?

          Early in the morning, when I usually arrive at the bakery, I can easily be accused of entering - zombie like - in search of coffee and brioche or croissant with jam.   It's easy to forget that there are wonderful dairy goodies available...to paraphrase that old comedian Henny Youngman - "take the dairy case."

          On the top shelf, in the red cap is all natural, homogenized whole milk.  Next to that are two different kinds of chocolate milk - regular and dark chocolate - talk about "death by chocolate."  Below the chocolate is my favorite, all natural - NON homogenized whole milk...the kind that you have to shake because the cream rises to the top.  This is the kind that used to get delivered to our parents, grand parents and great-grand parents.  Sometimes, when no one is looking and I'm the first one to open the bottle, I dip my finger in take a taste...don't tell the rest of my family.  A glass of this milk with with Pepperidge Farms milk chocolate Milano cookies - heaven.  On the left side of the middle shelf - Big bottle, green cap - that's 2% milk.    

          On the bottom shelf, small bottle, green cap in the middle - Goat's milk.  Go on line, compare the nutritional value between goat and cow milk...Goat rules...I tried it and like it a lot.  I thought perhaps a hint of sweetness more than regular milk.   There's also quart bottles of half and half and half gallon bottles of dark chocolate and chocolate milk.

Happy Belated Birthday, Michael

and thank you for your Moroccan Carrot Soup