Summer News from Fika Bakeshop
Summer Fruit Crumble Bun
A cardamom bun with fresh fruit compote nestled in the center, covered with crumbly streusel topping.
Hello from Ben Lomond, where summer is in full swing as I write this in mid-July! The weather is warm, the berries are still abundant at the farmer’s market, and stone fruits have reached their peak. I made an old-fashioned peach cobbler with some gorgeous summer peaches last week, and look forward to making more of them before summer’s end.
Summer Slowdown
Starting in June, I decided to take a break from large pop-ups and events for a bit and adopt a slower pace this summer. Fika Bakeshop for me is still a part-time gig. I have to find ways daily to fit in the baking and small business responsibilities around driving my teenager to school and activities, taking care of our multitude of pets, trying (and mostly failing) to keep up our garden, and everything else associated with managing a home.
AND . . . I love to bake, and I love to provide delicious, fresh home-baked goods to my community. I’m not willing to give it up! So the challenge becomes finding that home/work balance. My way of taking care care of myself is to take a break during the summer and opt for a slower pace with no big events.
Taking this break has given me some much-needed rest, relaxation, and an opportunity to think about Fika Bakeshop and where I want to take it. My creative process is quite whimsical — one week I will be obsessed with whoopie pies (an old American cookie-cake hybrid), and another week it will be mini fruit galettes (rustic open-faced pies). Another week it will be traditional Swedish cookies or cardamom bun variations. I want to be able to follow those whims, because honestly, for me, that’s the fun part — and if it’s not fun, it’s just not worth doing. It’s just a great side benefit that where my whim takes me is usually to a very delicious baked good that others can enjoy!
To that, end, I have decided that I will be doing more tasting box runs and fewer pop-up events at vendor’s markets, festivals and elsewhere. I enjoy the tasting boxes because they are popular and give me an opportunity to use my creativity and offer different products according to what I am feeling in the moment. I will be doing a monthly pop-up, but only at Mountain Feed & Farm (SO much fun!) or at my home. This will simplify my life, and I can focus on selling my baked goods right here in Ben Lomond.
Right now (July 16), I am enjoying a little mini-break in Sedona with my sister, Gwen. I’ll be back by Friday, July 19 and ready to bake!
Now, the Fun Part!
For July, my baking activities are weighted towards later in the month, when Jon and Rosie will be off on an adventure in New York, and I’ll have more time to work in the kitchen. I have planned a round of tasting boxes, a benefit bake sale for one of my very favorite nonprofits, and an at-home pop-up. There will be old favorites like my Swedish cardamom buns and scones, along with some new exciting baked goods featuring our beautiful summer fruit.
Here’s the calendar for the rest of July:
Sunday, July 21: Tasting Boxes! Pre-order is required. More to come on the tasting boxes very soon.
Tuesday, July 23: Bake Sale Benefit for Little People’s Repertory Theatre in Ben Lomond, at my home in Ben Lomond.
Saturday, July 27: Summertime Pop-Up at my home in Ben Lomond. Here’s a chance to buy baked goods exactly as you want them, singly or in a box. I will have my usual cardamom buns, Swedish cinnamon buns, scones, cookies, and other goodies, along with complimentary coffee. You’re invited to hang out on the deck and enjoy summertime!
That’s it for now!
xo, Susan
Stay tuned for more details and announcements in the coming weeks.
Team Fika Bakeshop Ben Lomond
