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

Music and Miche for Breakfast

Matilda and Kelly tell me that Amy Stennett, Evergrain's resident harpist, will be playing this morning for breakfast, Thursday March 14 from 8 AM until about 9:30...if you can break away and get there, it's a wonderful way to start your morning...I'll be there, I asked the boss and he said it's okay!  If you can't make it, see the previous blog post to listen to Amy playing at the bakery.

Breakfast and harp at the Bakery -

Yesterday I posted a short note about Amy Stennett, who works at the bakery, moving to the other side of the counter to play her harp.  Here's a short clip...rumor has it that she may be back...very soon...as soon as I can confirm when, I'll post when her next breakfast appearance will be...stay tuned.

A Very Nice Surprise!

          I was at my usual post this morning at 7:30 when Amy Stinnett, who makes sandwiches behind the counter at Evergrain walked is as she does most weekday mornings.  But today she didn't disappear behind the counter as usual...instead she brought in her harp, a beautiful instrument.  She's playing as I write this, here in the bakery from 8 until 9 AM, today Tuesday March 12...traditional and just in time for St. Patrick's Day, - Irish music.
          I did not think that my peaceful mornings at the bakery could get any better.  It was the best this morning...live music, beautifully played on the harp, my favorite brioche roll with jam and coffee...priceless!
          I was able to video a short piece of Amy playing which I will try to post this evening so come back if you get a chance...hopefully we'll see her before long back on this side of the counter playing music...stay tuned.

Best of the Eastern Shore - time to vote

It's that time of year when What's Up Eastern Shore Magazine has it's best of the Eastern Shore voting. Last year Evergrain Bread Co. won in the category of Best Bakery.  Here's the link so that you can vote...this year there are two categories that you could vote for...Bakery and Local Coffee Shop.  Voting ends on Thursday February 28 so vote soon!

Here's the link:
http://whatsupmag.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=473&Itemid=955Cl
Click on the Eastern Shore Ballot and cast your vote.

What did I spy behind the counter?

          Yesterday, as I was walking by the display case at the bakery, next to the cash register...there...among the sandwiches,  cookies with brightly colored icing...

Eclairs...

"An experiment" I was told..."Well, let me try that experiment," says I.  

Now this happened yesterday, on a Friday...in February...the sun was shining...it was 55 degrees...I'm walking back to my studio sampling this "experiment."  Call me crazy, but it was like love on a summery day in winter...unexpected and delicious...

This morning I thought I saw a few more in the case!...

Walking in a Winter Wonderland

          Yesterday I thought I was having my coffee and brioche roll next door to the house where the three little pigs live.  The wind was huffing and puffing like a runaway locomotive.  This morning...not a sound as I walked out my back door to see the world blanketed in a falling snow.
          The two block walk from my studio on Cross Street to Evergrain on High Street is, for me, one of those simple joys in life...snow underfoot and all around knowing that a great cup of coffee, a small baguette (this morning), familiar faces, and good conversation are waiting for me...talk about priceless!
          Thanks to Matilda Wessel for the photo of your humble blogger.  That sled behind me looks tempting...maybe I should call in sick...Now if I could only find a hill.

Bob (and friends) at the Bakery

          Thursday, 7:15 I'm at my usual post here at the bakery, in the big room by the door so that I can open the door when people are trying to leave - while carrying an armful of pastries, bread and coffee...can't be done, that's why I sit here.  Sometimes I tell folks that Evergrain pays me to perform that service for their customers.  Those who know me sometimes laugh, sometimes smile politely, sometimes give me that look you might give a senile uncle that you still think of kindly.

          But once a month I get to come here with "the band" and play music...First Saturdays...this Saturday, February 2nd...7 PM.  That's the Pam Ortiz Band, all original music with Ford Schumann on guitar, Nevin Dawson on Viola/violin, and newest member, Philip Dutton on piano.  Pam's music and writing blends blues, folk,and jazz with well crafted lyrics and imagery.  We'll be a quartette on Saturday - Nevin is in Punta Arenas, South America.
          Join us if you can, good folks, good coffee, bread, pastries, music and conversation.  Here's a link to the band web page if you want to get a taste of the music www.pamortizmusic.com

Richard Ben Cramer

        Monday, January 7, 10:30 PM...I'm reading some articles on "Zite" a magazine app that I have on my i-Pad.  As I scroll through the articles I see one by James Fallows with a photo of Richard Ben Cramer on it..."cool" I think to myself, I have to read this.  As it turned out to my great sadness Fallows, who had never met Richard, was posting a tribute and announcement of Richard's passing that very night.  Yesterday the print and media world was flooded with word of Richard's passing, his great literary achievements, awards and wide ranging body of work.
          I suppose that it is one of the joys of living in a small community that I knew a different Richard.   We first met in my studio about 14 years ago.  He took a wood working class that I taught...way back when there was a Chester River Art and Craft.  Somewhere I have a photograph of teaching that class.  Richard is in the photo along with several other people.  I'm still struck with the intensity of his observation in the photo.  I guess it should come as no surprise...he was a writer of the first order and certainly the power of observation was one of the many tools he employed in his craft.  If you're good at what you do, in any field, those traits become a part of whom you are.
          Once in a blue moon he'd stop in to see what was going on in the world of woodworking.  For a while he had thought of setting up a shop in one of his barns. We talked about it.  He decided against it.  Perhaps it was our New York roots, or maybe the fact that both of our mothers had worked long hard hours in the garment district of Manhattan, but whenever we got together, however briefly, we laughed a lot...at each other, at the ironies of the world...and we talked about bread.  Whenever I saw him, we'd talk about New York.  If I had recently visited there, I'd tell him what I'd brought back...bagels, fennel bread, baguettes, bocconcini.  We talked about the hope that someday there would be great bread here in Chestertown...and we'd laugh...at out folly for thinking such thoughts...at ourselves for harboring such desires.
          I had not seen very much of Richard the past few years but when "Evergrain" opened we finally started to run into one another more ofter...more hugs, more laughs and, much to our delight, there was great bread in our lives.  We even got to sit down one afternoon, share some coffee, bread, laughs and conversation...the simple joys in life.
          When I think of bread...I remember early Sunday mornings, my father and brother are walking with me...we're walking back home from the French Bakery on West 4th Street in the Greenwich Village of the early 1960's.  My father is holding a warm baguette...my brother and I tearing off small pieces to eat on the way back.  I suspect that in my mind, Richard will also be there...walking with us.
          

Happy Birthday Doug!!! January 2nd

Happy Birthday Doug...may the next 25 years be as exciting and flavorful as the last two years have been.  Thank you for croissants, baguettes, sun buns, miche, coffee, pastries, grand mariner cranberry sauce, a bakery filled with light, good food, good people and a welcoming place to sit...for coming back to Chestertown and creating Evergrain.  

The Best Laid Plans in the New Year

          On the last day of the year, as I was walking to the Bakery, on my way to my studio, I came upon a glorious sun rise...thought I'd share it, though the photo pales in comparison to actually being there.
          The plan for the day was to make my father's recipe of egg nog...I had hoped to be undeterred by the unexpected morning roto-rooting the plumbing stopped up by tree roots in the front yard - happens about every five years or so but now it seems my partner in egg nog making - my son Daniel - has come down with a stomach bug so we'll wait until next year...for those who may want to see the recipe,  you can follow the link http://atgbobatthebakery.blogspot.com/2011/12/christmas-day-nog-blog-continued.html  
          My hope, inspired by Doug and Michael at Evergrain was to make a coffee flavored egg nog...perhaps if there are others out there who find the idea intriguing we can have an egg nog making event in 2013...something to look forward to...now that we are in free fall...having gone over the "cliff."
          Here's wishing us all a safe and healthy new year and if it's not too much to ask, a year that brings us peace of mind, plenty of work and a chance to move forward.

Please join the Pam Ortiz Band on Saturday, January 5 at 7 PM as we move to First Saturdays our monthly show at Evergrain.  Here's a link to the website Pam Ortiz Music.