we really do have cupcakes!

this post is just for those that choose to come after 3pm or simply can't get to the shop any earlier. i just want it to be clear that we bring a nice variety of cupcake flavors on a daily basis. some of you only know our case half empty. but ask those that come by prior to lunch. the case is BEAUTIFUL! try to come by on a saturday morning if the weekdays are impossible. you can even call ahead and we'll put a box aside.

be cool

cbabi

It's a snow day!

The good thing about living so close to work is that we can get here even if there is eight inches of snow outside. Yes, we're open...but it's so slow that I can take this time to sit and write about the snow day. Yay, me!

Well, the good thing about this day (besides the beautiful, plush snow) is that Great Day St. Louis (Channel 4) came by the shop to shoot a segment. Tim, the handy & handsome reporter, and the technology brain & best cookie monster (camera man) Dan were so much fun to be around on this cold, snowy day. We even did a cooking segment where I managed to act normal (no small task!).

Now, I write...and sit hoping people will come in and buy some goodies on this snowy day. Oh, we started lunch as well. Take a look at our menu.

Enjoy the snow!

grace & peace,

reine

Puff, the Magic Pastry

I made puff pastry. Now, i know there are some people out there who've been making puff pastry since they were 18-months old, but it took me 32 & 1/2 years to do...and I did it in a food processor!! How, you may ask--I don't keep baking/cooking secrets, so I'll share. Go get Nick Malgieri's new book, The Modern Baker. The puff pastry recipe came from that book. With the magic pastry I made Spinach-Feta turnovers (also from the book). I couldn't stop bragging about those turnovers--diiivine!! (I did change the recipe a bit here and there...always add some chopped scallions and a touch of freshly grated nutmeg to a spinach-feta combination--just makes it better, trust me). See, I'm a baker who shares, 'cause that's what it's all about!!

Big thank you to all who had the turnovers and all who have had our quiche and come in or call or write saying that it's the best quiche ever. We think so...and are so glad that you think so too!!

I'll be blogging more this weekend...oh, we sold out again Saturday at 4:15p.m. Thank you, God. I'm going t o keep dreaming bigger and better dreams and see what happens next.

grace & peace.

reine

We gon' be on T.V.!!!!

We got the call. Someone from "Show Me St. Louis" called and said that she would like to interview us! What?!! We'd only been open for eight days at that point, and I was so nervous. Well, the show airs Monday(1.12.09) at 3p.m. I hope people see the show and (much more importantly) COME TO THE SHOP!!! Cbabi is a camera-natural, I--on the other hand--was so uncomfortable. I talk with my hands but I was trying not too--so not good! Oh well, we hope people come try our treats and buy the art that is always for sale. We had a great week. We have regulars now (hey, y'all!) and new people who just heard or happened to pass by and dropped in. We look forward to seeing you all. Oh, and lunch is coming soon. Stay tuned.

SOLD OUT!!

Ahh, i've dreamt of this moment. I've read about other bakeshops who've had to close early because they sold out of goods. I dreamt that this would happen to me someday. i didn't think it would be this past Saturday. Yeah, baby...we sold out!...of everything...not just cupcakes...EVERYTHING!! Cookies, quiche, rice krispie treats, coffee cake, everything! This is a small miracle, especially given just a few days ago before it was soooooo SLOW that my wonderful daugther said, "Are we open?" Yup, that's what she said. So she made a side that said, "Come in! Come! We're open...so come in!" The slow day thankfully covered payroll, and maybe a couple pounds of butter and that's about it. So selling out yesterday was soooo sweet, and I'm so thankful to all who came and bought one thing...and those who bought two things...and those who bought coffee and worked on their computers...I'm just thankful for people coming to support our dream. it means so much to us. We just want to create a yummy, warm space that everyone feels welcome. Thank you for helping us create that space. I am so grateful to all who come and spend their time. Thank you...thank you...thank you.

Love,

Reine

exposed

i must say that as long as i waited to pull that kraft paper off the front windows, i didn't anticipate feeling so exposed when it got dark and we are still bright and open. but now it feels GREAT! i can't get enough of being there. and yes, it's only been three days. i'll let you know how i feel after day 30. but for now, the new honeymoon with my wife (and kids) is pretty fantastic and we can't wait to see all the old and new faces that come through and SMILE because that is what the space is all about... bringing smiles to folks eyes and tummies. we look forward to meeting you.

be cool
cbabi

Merry Christmas Eve

It's Christmas Eve--9:53p.m. and all of our babies are sleeping. They are soooo excited that Santa is coming that they fell asleep without much fanfare. Ajani even fell out of bed, announced his landing and sleepily said, "Merry Christmas."

I had so much fun with them tonight. We made hot chocolate and read, as we do every year, "The Night Before Christmas". Though we're opening Friday (awful timing for a mother who is Christmas crazy), I'll sneak away to the shop tomorrow to prep for the big day. There's a little guilt associated with that, but I want the shop to feel like home to my children (cause we'll be there often). That's one reason why we're open Wednesday-Saturday, because I want to see my children. When I've trained our assistant bakers well enough, we may open up on Tuesdays; never Sunday--eventhough we are across the street from a church. Believe me, everyone and their momma has said, "How could you not be open on Sunday?!?!" Here's how: our children are in school everyday EXCEPT Saturday and Sunday. We work on Saturdays, and they are with us in the mix. Sundays are family day--to worship as we choose, to cuddle with books, to play board games, to talk about how everyone is doing, to play with Lego's and do yoga. Sundays are our days to connect and to breathe. We sure hope people understand. Just buy a lot of cookies and cupcakes on Saturday to carry over to Sunday (& Monday:)

But I digress, it's Christmas Eve, and my beautiful babies are tucked into bed, dreaming of Christmas morning. We are creating fantastic memories. Sixty years from now, I won't be thinking of how many cupcakes I sold on Sundays or any other day for that matter; I'll be thinking of my family, the memories we've made, and I'll be so happy I didn't forget what is eternally important.

Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night.