Meet the baker (and Fern)

After having two kids back to back, I wanted to find a hobby that was just mine. It was right after the big sourdough boom, and everybody was talking about how hard it was. I wanted to see if it was something I could even do.

So I started a sourdough starter. Her name is Fern. For weeks I carefully tended to her — I even took her on camping trips to make sure she got fed. Then I started seeing results, and the baking trials began.

I've never been much of a baker, so I knew I was starting at a disadvantage. But I wanted something outside of being a wife and a mom, and weirdly, it turned out to be sourdough!

I named the stand Song & Stem for my girls, Piper and Lily. Pipers are songbirds, and lilies are beautiful flowers. It's a quiet little nod to how much I love them.

Today I raise my own chickens (from babies!), use produce from other local growers whenever I can, and bake to order twice a week. If you're craving something that isn't on the menu, just ask — I'm willing to try anything, and if something isn't quite right, I'd love the chance to make it perfect for you.