Bakers Love

More Birthday wishes

 

Happy Birthday to Westley!

Happy Birthday!!!

Happy Birthday to my daring Dexter. 

Today he turns 11, you know, one better than 10.

*For some reason, my computer is not loading my pictures, I will post his B-day pic soon!

Changes

Times are changing in the life of Bakers love.  I have come to the realization that when life becomes hectic, which it always does, the one thing that takes a back seat is my blog.  Lately I have been suffering with a lack of time; and am attempting to determine what I need to purge from my life in order to make my days a little more sane.    Between family, school, and keeping my son on an even keel, I know that something needs to disappear.  Participating in  Food For Thought a News Cafe,  is too much fun to let go of, and I adore my blog friends at Tuesdays with Dorie , and 'The Cookie Monday' feature of my blog has been  a lot of fun for myself and my friends who were the recipients of many of those delights.  Sadly something needs to go, at least for awhile.  The first to hit the proverbial chopping block will be my Cookie Monday feature.   My goal is to now feature a 'Treat of the week' instead of committing to a weekly cookie.  Lets see how that goes. 

The Chocolate Blues

I am truly saddened by the news that Scharffen Berger Chocolate is closing its production plant in Berkeley California.  Scharffen Berger has been my absolute favorite chocolate since its arrival in 1995.  I was so delighted that this small chocolate company was right in my backyard.  After Westley and I relocated further north to Redding, we were still fans of the company.  I used their products in my specialty bakery, proudly telling any customer the passion and love of chocolate that made the company so incredible.   Scharffen Berger sold to Hershey's in 2005.  I slowly watched my favorite chocolate disappear off the shelves, sometimes when I was lucky I caught the last few bars in a bargain bin. Something was changing, but not sure what.   Sure there are other chocolates of grand quality, but my loyalty was with the little chocolate company that could.   Westley now works in Berkley mere steps from the Scharffen Berger factory and restaurant. So the closure is feeling more personal.  We frequented the little cafe, the kids love the chocolate croissants and meringue cookies.  People are going to loose their jobs, and the industrial area where my husband works is going to loose the one great lunch spot.  Although Hershey's is merely moving the Scharffen Berger plant out of California, the chocolate has not only lost its appeal, but most importantly it has lost the one thing that Hershey, with all their knowledge and experience can never replace.  The passion and love that was once called Scharffen Berger.