Well, gee, Michael, I may have to take you up on that--but only if you grow healthy too! I'm sure a large dose of pink champagne cake or Duncan Hines brownies might just be the right medicine for what ails us all.💕
Wonderful read Ruth, thank you, and that kitchen stole my heart, too! Tiny but oh so full of character. Jolene seems such an interesting person, but then again, she's a baker so she must be!
Thank you, Sinù! I love the kitchen, too. It's intriguing that just being in a certain space can inspire such creativity! I love your statement about bakers being interesting people--you're certainly right about Jolene. From what I've read of your blog, so are you!💕
That is so true Ruth, the space that surrounds us can have such an impact on our creative journey, can't it. Now that I think of it, I started writing when I moved into my current apartment, the first place ever I could decorate myself. Perhaps it's a sense of belonging, of safety, who knows, but it can certainly unlock some interesting creative pursuits. Thank you for this lovely interview and article, looking forward to the next one! (Btw, bakers rock! 😆)
I'd love to read about how your apartment inspired your blog, Sinù! Perhaps we all should write our origin stories. Almost 100 years ago, when women weren't even allowed to set foot in the libraries of the great English colleges of Oxford and Cambridge ("Oxbridge"), Virginia Woolf wrote that "A woman must have money and a room of her own if she is to write fiction." I think this is true of nonfiction as well, and probably for men too. But it has particular resonance for women, and--who knows?--maybe bakers in particular!😊
That quote gives me goosebumps every time I read it. I'd add "an oven of our own" for bakers! I got my first adult life oven only a few months ago and it changed me. It's as if it was its own person and we have a beautiful relationship (still getting to know each other, so maybe we're still in the honeymoon phase). Such an interesting topic, as you, said, worth doing a bit of digging ❤️
Ruth! Thank you so much for this (I’ve sent it to every member of my family, and they love it, as do I :) can’t wait till we can meet in one of ‘our’ cities. Love that you are making the Duncan Hines brownies for Jeff! Happy Valentine’s Day! 🤗 ❤️
Thanks again, Jolene! Talking to you was so much fun--and meeting will be even better, maybe at one of those historic Chicago bakeries! I'll let you know how those brownies turn out. I imagine they're failsafe. Not sure if I'd have the baking chops to attempt that Pink Champagne Cake! Happy Valentine's Day to you and yours!❤️
Thanks so much, Vicki! I love the bright wallpaper too. Jolene said she added it herself when she moved in, but I think it fits perfectly with the vintage decor.
There's something really quite lovely about waking up to a chat between two star bakers!
I love both your blogs, and although I don't normally write about food, I'm tempted to start just so I can join the club.😁 I have a private Insta for my baking, just for my friends, would that count?
Great interview. I do think Jolene is too quick to dismiss non-sweet old recipes. Imagine the potential of converting that recipe for offal, tripe and veal loaf into a quick bread!
No, don't.
Seriously, thanks so much, Ruth, for highlighting Jolene, her vintage baking, and that wonderful kitchen.
Thanks so much, Annette! I had a ball talking to Jolene and finding out more of her story and about that amazing kitchen. You should definitely write more about food--there are millions of stories there, so there's no limit to the topics you could choose that suit your taste. Not sure about an offal quick bread though--I suspect it would be, well, awful.😉
Nice story, Ruth! Your blog is a great way to connect with other bakers.
Thanks, Denis! It truly is. And brothers too!💕
Wow. If you bake like that I will eat and happily grow fat.
Well, gee, Michael, I may have to take you up on that--but only if you grow healthy too! I'm sure a large dose of pink champagne cake or Duncan Hines brownies might just be the right medicine for what ails us all.💕
Wonderful read Ruth, thank you, and that kitchen stole my heart, too! Tiny but oh so full of character. Jolene seems such an interesting person, but then again, she's a baker so she must be!
Thank you, Sinù! I love the kitchen, too. It's intriguing that just being in a certain space can inspire such creativity! I love your statement about bakers being interesting people--you're certainly right about Jolene. From what I've read of your blog, so are you!💕
That is so true Ruth, the space that surrounds us can have such an impact on our creative journey, can't it. Now that I think of it, I started writing when I moved into my current apartment, the first place ever I could decorate myself. Perhaps it's a sense of belonging, of safety, who knows, but it can certainly unlock some interesting creative pursuits. Thank you for this lovely interview and article, looking forward to the next one! (Btw, bakers rock! 😆)
I'd love to read about how your apartment inspired your blog, Sinù! Perhaps we all should write our origin stories. Almost 100 years ago, when women weren't even allowed to set foot in the libraries of the great English colleges of Oxford and Cambridge ("Oxbridge"), Virginia Woolf wrote that "A woman must have money and a room of her own if she is to write fiction." I think this is true of nonfiction as well, and probably for men too. But it has particular resonance for women, and--who knows?--maybe bakers in particular!😊
That quote gives me goosebumps every time I read it. I'd add "an oven of our own" for bakers! I got my first adult life oven only a few months ago and it changed me. It's as if it was its own person and we have a beautiful relationship (still getting to know each other, so maybe we're still in the honeymoon phase). Such an interesting topic, as you, said, worth doing a bit of digging ❤️
Another great topic—getting your first oven, the relationship, honeymoon and after. Please write about it! I’d like to read it!
Thank you Ruth, your encouragement is so sweet! Will do ❤️🙏🏼
😊 🍰
😉❤️
Another great read. I love that she does it all in that tiny kitchen. I'd like to be a fly on the wall when you meet in person.
Thanks, Judy! Interesting that I didn't ask Jolene about the mechanics of cooking in a small galley kitchen. Maybe I'll just have to do Part II!😊
Everything is close at hand, that’s for sure! 😂 but galleys are very efficient (if tiny)!
Less to mess up anyway!😉
Ruth! Thank you so much for this (I’ve sent it to every member of my family, and they love it, as do I :) can’t wait till we can meet in one of ‘our’ cities. Love that you are making the Duncan Hines brownies for Jeff! Happy Valentine’s Day! 🤗 ❤️
Thanks again, Jolene! Talking to you was so much fun--and meeting will be even better, maybe at one of those historic Chicago bakeries! I'll let you know how those brownies turn out. I imagine they're failsafe. Not sure if I'd have the baking chops to attempt that Pink Champagne Cake! Happy Valentine's Day to you and yours!❤️
What a wonderful glimpse into the life of Jolene! Thank you, Ruth. You women are so inspiring.
Thanks so much for your kind words, Pam! 😊
Great interview. I follow Jolene and love the photos of her kitchen. My grandmother's kitchen favored that same lemon yellow.
Thanks so much, Vicki! I love the bright wallpaper too. Jolene said she added it herself when she moved in, but I think it fits perfectly with the vintage decor.
There's something really quite lovely about waking up to a chat between two star bakers!
I love both your blogs, and although I don't normally write about food, I'm tempted to start just so I can join the club.😁 I have a private Insta for my baking, just for my friends, would that count?
Great interview. I do think Jolene is too quick to dismiss non-sweet old recipes. Imagine the potential of converting that recipe for offal, tripe and veal loaf into a quick bread!
No, don't.
Seriously, thanks so much, Ruth, for highlighting Jolene, her vintage baking, and that wonderful kitchen.
Thanks so much, Annette! I had a ball talking to Jolene and finding out more of her story and about that amazing kitchen. You should definitely write more about food--there are millions of stories there, so there's no limit to the topics you could choose that suit your taste. Not sure about an offal quick bread though--I suspect it would be, well, awful.😉