It's been a wonderful & VERY FULL WEEK

If you've known me for a while, then you probably met the adorable, exuberant & talented young Anna when you stopped into BONNI BAKES. This is what she looked like as a budding teenager. She started working for me when she was 13 and being home schooled. Her dad John worked as an architect for Mike Carter down the street. Once a week she drove in with him from St Pete and spent the day with me learning to bake, cook, experiment, design and meet/greet the public. In truth, I was the lucky one, because I had the privilege of watching Anna grow & blossom into an amazing young woman over the years. 

Last week I was honored to be present as she stepped into her new role of wife. Outside, in a beautiful setting, she & her fiance Chris glowed as they exchanged vows. I don't think that grin left my face for hours. Note the current trend of grooms wearing high-top sneakers with dark suits. Of course Anna floated across the dance floor.

Now that the wedding is over I can share the wedding present I gave them. I commissioned Village of the Arts clay artist JoEllen Gorris to make a statue of Chris & Anna based on a photo accompanying their wedding invitation. I love the details, including the dogs.

The next day my wonderful friend Judy arrived from New York City. We first met in 1968 as newly weds & next door neighbors on the Upper West Side. Within a few years our three children were born, and they're still friends.

This is Judy. We set off on a week-long road trip with no itinerary, reservations or expectations, but planned to visit a few of Judy's friends along the way. First stop was the Florida Craftsmen Gallery in St Pete, where Diane Shelly is the Exec Director (floridacraftsmen.net) They have an amazing array of work, in many mediums, all created by Florida artists. And Tammy Berk, ex-Villager & pheonomenal photographer, has her gallery in the same building. Next, we walked across the street to experience the Holocaust Museum. As a Jew whose parents lived through pograms & anti-Semitism, it was very meaningful and emotionally exhausting for me. It was time for something lighter.

After a night & day in Tarpon Springs we arrived in Melbourne, where we did the zip-line at the Brevard Zoo. Strapped into a harness with ropes & clips, we walked across 20+ jiggling obstacles 20 feet above the ground, plus zoomed on zip-lines through the treetops. It was bizarre seeing the monkeys looking up at us from their enclosed habitats below. A small but sweet zoo and a great time for both of us. Who wouldn't fall in love with a flamingo chick like this.

We spent the next fews days as the very pampered guests of her wonderful friends Karen & Danny in Boca Raton. 

After two more reunions with people that Judy hadn't seen in decades, we drove back to the Gulf Coast. Her trip winds down in Sarasota & I'm back in the TreeHouse kitchen baking up a storm...and still smiling. 

This week I'm baking loaves of Challah from the old Jewish bakeries of NYC. Great as is, with a shmear of butter or a Friday night blessing. It also makes the most delicious French toast, especially with orange juice & zest added to the eggs. Special Order  $4.50/loaf.

If you want something crunchy to munch on or dip in coffee, try my Almond Mandlebrot. It's the Jewish version of biscotti, full of toasted blanched almonds, just like Tante Ethel used to make. Special Order  $2/pkg of 2

ALSO AVAILABLE ON MY MENU THIS WEEK:

HOMEMADE JAM & CHUTNEY   $4/jar

Mango Strawberry Cardamom,  Strawberry Balsamic Black Pepper, Mango Meyer Lemon, Berry Basket, Just Strawberry, Tangerine Pineapple Meyer Lemon, Keitt Mango Chutney, Ginger Pear Chutney.

BREADSTIX  $4/pkg

Crunchy hand-rolled rods made with garden fresh Rosemary & Parmigiano cheese

BLUEBERRY LEMON MEGA MUFFIN  $2/each

Light lemony body, filled with fresh blueberries...never gummy

CHOCOLATE ORGASM COOKIES  $5/pkg

Chocoholic delight: mostly Belgium Bittersweet Chocolate with chocolate chips & almonds

LARGE COOKIE  $1.50/each

Belgium Dark Chocolate Orange Walnut, Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip, Oatmeal Raisin Walnut, Belgium Dark Chocolate Lemon (no nuts), Classic Chocolate Chip (no nuts)

TO PLACE AN ORDER  

call me at (941) 746-6647 or
 email  bonnibakes@gmail.com
by 5 pm WEDNESDAY 

 PAY BY CASH OR LOCAL CHECK MADE OUT TO "BONNI BROWN"

PICK UP YOUR ORDER

 at my home in The Village of the Arts

FRIDAY or SATURDAY from 2-5   
OR

Palma Sola Farmers Market SUNDAY 11-3

             I'm at Palma Sola Farmers Market  Sundays 11-3 

held at Geraldson's Community Farm in NW Bradenton. Go to their FaceBook 

link below where you can get driving directions  & more information

facebook.com/palmasolafarmersmarket 

 Hugs from my kitchen,

Bonni