Bread Thoughts


Longer than an Instagram caption, shorter than therapy.
Making Space for It ☀️
I’m not always very good at slowing down. I like having things to do, things to work on, something moving in the background. Even when I tell myself I’m going to take it easy, I usually end up finding something to fill the time with anyway, because apparently sitting still is a skill I am still developing. But every once in a while, something comes up that feels worth making space for, and this week is one of those times. We’re celebrating Sam’s birthday a little early, and instead of... Read more...
On Celebrating (and Why I Love It So Much) 🎉
I’ve always loved celebrating people, and I don’t really think I fall cleanly into one category with it. I love the small, intentional things that make someone feel seen, but I also love going a little over the top when I can. There’s something really fun about putting extra thought into a moment and letting it feel bigger than it technically needs to be. A lot of that probably comes from how I’m wired. Gift giving has always been one of my love languages, and hosting is right up there... Read more...
A Quick Pause (For Something Really Special) ✨
There are some weekends that you know are going to be special before they even get here, and this is one of those for me. At the end of this week, I’m going to be taking a short break from baking because my family is coming into town for my brother’s ordination, and I couldn’t be more excited about it. We don’t get to have everyone together like this very often, so I’m really looking forward to slowing down, being present, and just enjoying the time we have. I’m especially... Read more...
Sabre’s Summer Kitchen Rules ☀️
(a blog post by the cat who is once again in charge) Hello. It’s me again. Sabre. Chief Feline Operations Manager of Bread by Blaze, Professional Supervisor, and now… Seasonal Director of Summer Activities. We’re entering a very important time of year, which means it’s time to review updated policies for the kitchen. Please read carefully. The windows will not be opening. Don’t ask.I am aware that some people enjoy “fresh air.” I am also aware that I am an indoor cat with very important health considerations. So while Florida... Read more...
On Moms (and the Ways They Show Up) 💐
Mother’s Day always makes me think about how different moms can be, and how they each show up in their own way. My mom is someone who loves being part of the world I get to work in. She’s always excited about the theme parks, about visiting, and about sharing with other people what rides I’ve gotten to be a part of. She’s also a teacher, and from what I’ve seen and heard, she’s always singing to her students, sometimes for laughs, sometimes to get their attention, and sometimes just... Read more...
A Week in My Apron
People often ask me, “How do you have time to do all this?”And the answer is: barely. With vibes. And a timer that’s always going off. Bread by Blaze isn’t my full-time job - I work a somewhat normal 9 - 5 during the day. And beyond that, I’m also living life: choir practice (alto!), Life Group, the occasional D&D night, updating something around the house, and trying to honor a day of rest weekly. So all the baking? That starts only when orders come in, and happens in the... Read more...
What I’ve Been Growing (and Struggling With) 🌿
Lately, I’ve been spending a lot of time out in my gazebo working on a little garden setup. I’ve got a couple of raised beds in there along with a few planters, and for the most part, it’s been really fun to build out. There’s something about checking on things every day, even when nothing looks different, that I’ve really been enjoying. I actually had a similar setup last year, but the problem then wasn’t critters. It was the soil. I had the idea to use ground tree mulch from... Read more...
It’s Starting to Feel a Lot Like Spring🌷
Even though Florida doesn’t really do spring the way other places do, I still know when it shows up. It’s not the leaves changing or the air getting crisp - because that simply does not happen here. It’s more subtle than that. It’s the few weeks where the weather is just right, where I could open the windows without immediately regretting it, and where the kitchen feels bright instead of just warm. It never lasts very long. Florida kind of skips over spring like it has somewhere else to be. But... Read more...
It’s Beginning to Smell a Lot Like Christmas… (In My Kitchen Too!)
For those who don’t know, I have a little tradition: every Halloween night, I patiently wait until 10:00 p.m. sharp before I let myself start putting up Christmas decorations. Yes - you read that right. While most people are still finishing their candy, I’m untangling lights and pulling out boxes of decor. Christmas is my favorite time of year. There’s something about the glow of twinkle lights, the smell of spices, and the feeling of coziness that just fills my heart (and my kitchen!) with joy. It’s a season that... Read more...
Sabre’s Seasonal PSA
Hello, it’s me again. Sabre. Your favorite fluffy enforcer of household rules. First, I must address the absurdity of October 31st. Strangers in costumes everywhere and not one of them is here to admire me. Tragic. But just when I think I’ll never survive, something magical happens (or at least, magical for Blaze). At exactly 10:00 p.m. (yes, I can read clocks), Blaze starts putting up twinkle lights, hauling out bins of Christmas decorations, and suddenly the house transforms. And do you know what that means for me? Garland. So much garland.... Read more...
Baking with Love (and a Few Box Mixes)
Growing up, a couple of my family members were diagnosed with Celiac disease and another with a gluten intolerance, which meant gluten was off the table for them. As a little kid, I had a hard time understanding what that really meant - why they couldn’t share the treats I had, and why there were always separate boxes of snacks in our pantry. Over time, I began to understand the differences. I realized that many of the meals we did make were already plenty yummy and naturally gluten-free, and I... Read more...
Falling for Fall
Even though Florida doesn’t exactly give me the crisp, golden-leaf kind of autumn I grew up with, I still find ways to make it feel like fall. The heat sticks around, the palm trees don’t change, but that won’t stop me from creating my own little slice of the season. For me, it all starts with a batch of pumpkin apple butter. The spices, the warm smell drifting through the kitchen, the cozy glow of fall-scented candles - it’s how I trick myself into believing the world outside looks like... Read more...