tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-72046930945370045252024-03-13T23:40:39.189-07:00Great Harvest TaylorsvilleReal People Baking Real Food. Fresh! From Scratch! ...Because we love it.Bakery Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17710150309324392640noreply@blogger.comBlogger18125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7204693094537004525.post-3796542176024200142016-06-21T17:21:00.000-07:002016-06-21T17:21:52.349-07:00How do we REACH YOU?... and other musings of a Tuesday afternoon...In my last post - I admitted I'm a reforming control freak... and in that vain - again - I'd like to introduce myself... Hi, my name is JoEllen, and I'm a control freak... I haven't actively tried to control my universe on every level for 1074 days :) give or take a few.<br />
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It's a bit tongue in cheek, and yet my reality lies with the truth, that this desire to find some control in my universe is very real. I've learned a lot of different techniques over the years to help me refocus that desire. Some of those techniques are; reminding myself to be present in <u>this</u> moment, releasing expectations (this is a tricky - multi leveled thing that I work on daily), Reminding myself that other peoples issues are their own, and I only get to work on my personal issues. I can love and support people in their journeys, I can walk with them, listen, love, and cheer... But I only get to change and work on my own issues.<br />
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I'm sharing all this for a purpose. One of the things I'd like to control in my life right now, is how many people come into our bakery every day :) I'd like the good word of Great Harvest to spread out into the community. Some folks call this marketing - and I'd like to figure out the "Magic Key" to spreading that word in a fun, friendly, and very effective manner.<br />
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When we bought the bakery 21 years ago, it was all about "Bread in Mouth" If we could just get out to community events, and let people TASTE what bread COULD taste like - then they would come and buy bread. It was like magic. <br />
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It took a lot of work, love, and investment of time - to be at community events sampling, and sharing our products, but it was a FUN way to market. Beyond that idea, if we were going to have a "SALE" or a special event of some kind, we could run one add in the local papers - and we would have a huge turn out. People looked to the newspaper as their source of info, and they read the paper front to back. Folks also used to call friends and family on their home phone to make sure they new about a great event that was coming up. <br />
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No more. <br />
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The other way advertising happened was "Word of Mouth"... (different than "Bread in Mouth" but closely related). It used to be in our daily lives, we visited with our neighbors and friends in person. We chatted on front porches, and on the sidelines of soccer games. We talked about any new ideas for dinner, or lunches, etc. We shared things about our days in conversations.<br />
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No more.<br />
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Now we post, we #hashtag, and we #selfie with friends and family. It's fun, it's quick, and it allows us to stay connected on some level. However, the organic conversations where you share bits of your daily trivia and travel with folks just doesn't happen as much anymore. <br />
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I'm not here to put a value judgement on how things are, rather I'm just in the process of trying to figure out how to adapt my business model and adjust how I market the good news of Great Harvest. I still believe in the importance of donating and being present at community events. I do think people get hooked through tasting great bread, but it's different now. <br />
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The obvious answer to marketing is social media. Yet that too is a tricky answer. How much is enough, vs too much. Which venues do people appreciate information coming to them, and which venues does it feel like an invasion into personal time and space. How do we make it "REAL" without jeopardizing our real friendships and connections with you - our amazing customers? <br />
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I don't have answers, I have a lot of experiments :) I'd love feedback from you if you have any comments and/or ideas. I'd love you to # your favorite meals with Great Harvest products. I'd love you to still share with your friends and family what you love about Great Harvest - and why you shop with us. Hashtag how Great Harvest has added value to your daily shopping experiences, whether it's for lunch or for bread or for the office. <br />
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One of the truths I have realized - is we are still very dependent on the willingness of our awesome customers to share their love of Great Harvest and all we do - with their own friends and family - either in person - or through their social media sources. <br />
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This has been a long rambling muse, and I thank you for hanging with me to the end... If you do have any great ideas - I'd love to hear them. And if you have any friends you want to share Great Harvest with - We would love that too!<br />
<br />Bakery Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17710150309324392640noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7204693094537004525.post-54144858097360373222016-05-03T20:53:00.000-07:002016-05-03T20:53:35.168-07:00Hi, my name is JoEllen, and I'm a Control FREAK... The Bakery has allowed Rand and I to learn SO many amazing lessons. Learning in general requires a LOT of mistakes, hard times, and general "Oh MY WORD" moments! During those first years of running the bakery, I often felt like we were hanging on to the tail of a whale!<br />
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We kept trying all these new ideas to bring customers in, and so many of them were working, which is awesome, yet at the same time CRAZY! We kept working on figuring it out, and overall things were generally under control...or at least that is what I hoped people thought...<br />
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The truth is, I am a reforming control freak. Yep. If there was a group for my kind of people, I think it might just be REALLY crowded! Maybe I say that to flatter myself, and convince myself I am not alone... And that is a real possibility. <br />
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Truth is though, for probably 15 years, I have been speaking in different women's groups around the valley and as I share my story of realizing I'm a control freak... there is a lot of head nodding, and understanding... You see... Control is something I think we all crave.<br />
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It's this "lie" that we tell ourselves, that if we could just control this situation, then we will be 'safe' or we 'won't get hurt' or 'everything will be better...' Yet the truth is that it is NOT POSSIBLE to control anyone but yourself, and - controlling yourself is pretty difficult even on the best of days. For truly, control freaks like myself - also tend to have a little issue called "Perfectionism". UMHMMMM It's all related. We believe that if we can control the situation, or the people around us, THEN we can have everything go perfectly!<br />
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Oh boy, this is SOOOOOOOO far from truth. Yet it doesn't stop us from trying. During the middle years of owning the bakery (like from the time my kids were 2, 5, and 13) I was sure that if I just worked hard enough, long enough, and smart enough, then things might all get done, and then everything would be PERFECT!<br />
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LONG story short, it didn't work! Instead it lead to a serious dance with depression. It seemed the more things I tried to control, the longer and harder I worked, the more exhausted I became, and those around me kind of wanted to yell "JUST STOP! FOR HEAVENS SAKE!" <br />
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The lessons learned can be summed up by realizing that one must stop, and be still. One must realize that each human being is ENOUGH... And ENOUGH is just what we are meant to be. Each of us is different, unique, and wonderful. And truth dwells in the reality that Love is the answer.<br />
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We could sit down and have a year long discussion of all the ins and outs of these truths, for I continue to study and trip along in a much happier dance of finding the balance points of each day. And I love the chance to have these discussion, truly! But in a three minute blog, suffice it to say - that YOU TOO are ENOUGH! Today - right where you are! Whatever the mistakes the day has offered you... YOU ARE ALWAYS ENOUGH! <br />
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I can't say it loud enough, or soft enough, or with enough passion... so let me end with it one more time... YOU are EnOUGH!Bakery Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17710150309324392640noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7204693094537004525.post-23585511840095507792016-04-24T20:48:00.004-07:002016-04-24T20:48:50.507-07:00Jackson DID finally make it...As the story continues... If you watched the little video piece that Family Times ran about us in 1995 (here's the link if you want a giggle:<a href="https://youtu.be/6jfUdpSnGxA">https://youtu.be/6jfUdpSnGxA</a> ) It comments on the fact that an hour before that interview took place, we had just heard our second adoption had fallen through. <br />
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Don't worry... In February 1996 Jackson Kunz joined our family at the tender age of 10 days. We were thrilled. <br />
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I do have a confession to make, and there will be future blogs about this topic, but the 'rest of the story' on that day - back in the fall of 1995, goes something like this... When the producers arrived at the house, and we were crying - they were so very quick to offer to reschedule. The truth is, I am a reforming control freak, and my answer to the t.v. crew was... "Give us 15 minutes, I've already cleaned the house and I don't want to anticipate this interview again..." YIKES...<br />
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They did a great job of bringing out the best of us in that little video... but I do want to remind all of you, that life is a journey... There are times when everything goes like you hope, and there are more times that life takes a detour, and offers you the ride of your life!<br />
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There are times I wish so deeply that life had editing crews that can say "cut" and "redo". Real life just doesn't have that button. <br />
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Our life has been one of lots of detours! Yet I can say truly - that it has been the ride of my life, LITERALLY. The bakery has been our backdrop, our fishbowl of learning. Both the original bakery and our current building - are all windows. I joke about the truth that our life has been a journey with 'open windows' to our community. In a lot of ways our life has been very open to the public view...<br />
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Rand and I are two incredibly flawed, individuals who have so many learning opportunities every day... Some times, we rise to the occasion and high five each other on the other side of the moment, and other days, we kind of want to bury our heads in the wheat and hope no one happens to notice us hiding there!<br />
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To all of you... Remember - get out of the bleachers - and get on the playing field... Life was meant to be lived! With or without editing crews. And when you are on the field you will fall down, you'll get tackled, you'll make wrong turns, you'll get sacked... Yet you get stronger, you learn, you grow, you make life time friends. On the field you smell, feel, and hear a lot of things that folks in the bleachers will never get to experience! <br />
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Besides - Truly - aren't the bloopers some of the best parts? When you look back at those moments, a lot of them will make you laugh... Even the hard ones usually have amazing lessons that came with them...<br />
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Thanks to all, who have been willing to forgive, and laugh at some of our less than stellar moments! There are many... let's just suffice it to say that we are sorry for the hurts that came because of our sad/hard/difficult learning moments. <br />
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Life is a journey... Let's keep living it... And forgiving each other for our 'less than stellar moments'...<br />
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<br />Bakery Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17710150309324392640noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7204693094537004525.post-69614865469276701872016-04-18T21:26:00.000-07:002016-04-18T21:26:09.026-07:00ALL we KNEAD is LOVE...It's a part of this journey that we truly couldn't have foreseen - this love part... Of course we Love each other, and we were in love with the idea of running a bakery together. We wanted to treat our employees and customers with Love, respect and joy. <br />
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But somehow, when you combine all those elements - crazy things begin to happen. So many of our employees have moved right into our hearts, and continue to hold a very important place. All this reminiscing has truly made me want to try to pull together a "family reunion" of sorts. We shall see. <br />
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One of the by-products of this amazing energy was the truth that as we claimed all these employees as family - we started hiring siblings and friends of our current employees. That's one of those things that 'business people' told us we should never do; yet for our setting, it was simply the best choice.<br />
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There were the Three Williams brothers, there was Becky and Jenny Nudd, there were all of our sets of twins, there was Megan and Corinne, and Katie and Matt, Terra and Jake, Dani and Brian, Natalie and Ryan, and oh so many more... Not to mention our own three kids... Like I said before, we simply claim all our employees as part of the bigger family...and we thank their parents for sharing them with us!<br />
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On top of all the family love going around, the bakery setting allowed and encouraged our employees to be their best, happy, authentic self. As this happened - we had several employees recognize their best friends and partners in the process. I believe we've had Six weddings as well as one employee marrying a customers son (I'm hoping I didn't forget anyone :)<br />
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One of these stories involves our sweet Porter, Quinn, and Alex... Porter was a happy "snowboarder dude" when he walked into our bakery. He turned in an application - and we hired him. He was a pleasure to work with, easy going, willing to work hard, and basically just a happy guy. When we needed a new employee he told his sister Quinn to apply. <br />
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If I remember the story correctly - Somehow Rand stopped by Porter's house and ended up interviewing and hiring Quinn without me ever even meeting her... She too was a great addition to the bakery crew!<br />
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Somewhere during this time Alex's Mom who helped us do sugar cookies - told her son Alex to come apply. He too was a great addition to the crew (in fact he is managing the bakery currently - and is the reason our bread continues to win the Best Bread in the Country award!) <br />
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Somewhere during all this - Alex and Quinn - fell in love, married, and had four beautiful children. What an amazing thing to be a part of. There was Elizabeth and Kavin, Hope and Stuart... J.D. and Cami and several others... What an awe inspiring thing to simply be a part of all these unions in a strange kind of way. <br />
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Love is the answer... I'm not always sure what the questions are, and I'm not always sure I understand how it applies - yet after 21 years I am confident in saying, Love IS the answer...<br />
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<br />Bakery Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17710150309324392640noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7204693094537004525.post-59758035028066370712016-04-15T23:33:00.000-07:002016-04-15T23:33:21.895-07:00Mission StatementsWhen I ask a new employee what a mission statement is, the answer usually has something to do with a vision or a goal. Which is very true. Yet to me, it is a way of living that helps me become the very best version of myself.<br />
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In the beginning, Rand and I really didn't know how to run a business (truth be told - we are still learning new things every single day!) We knew we had to work hard. We knew how to bake bread. We knew how to run registers, and serve customers. But leading a group of people to a higher place... Well, we hadn't really given it any thought.<br />
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Funny thing was, neither had the franchise. So maybe it was a universal searching time, but whatever it was - around 1997 we started searching for a vision of where we were going - rather than just making the best of where we were at currently... <br />
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What we came up with has changed the person I am. So much of what our mission statement holds up as touchstones, are the things that come very naturally for Rand - and yet for me, they were a real struggle.<br />
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As Rand would describe it; he is the one that gets us off the cliff, and I'm the one who figures out how to get the parachute open before we hit bottom (hopefully!) Our mission statement has helped me breakdown the parts and pieces of Rand's personality - which has enabled me to soften my edges, learn to laugh more, figure out how to break the process down in order to teach others, and it has made life a lot more enjoyable.<br />
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I was doing a "philosophy overview and training" for one of our new employees, and I made her the same promise I make all employees. If you truly give your heart to living this mission statement, it will change your life. It will increase your personality, and you will be a better person because of your efforts. That sounds like a pretty big promise... But it is a truth.<br />
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<b>Celebrate Everyone</b> - Any thoughts on what that might mean in your life? For us it means the end of categorizing, and objectifying others. As it is so beautifully put in the movie "Avatar" it's a process of 'SEEING YOU'. It's the process of seeing and celebrating the humanness of each of us! It is not the cultural norm, yet as your view begins to open to this way of looking at others - the world literally changes color!<br />
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<b>Be Loose and Have Fun </b>- This is a way of dealing with stressors. It's a way of looking at challenges. It's an attitude of dealing with hard things. And truly - it's what makes life (including work) a LOT more fun!<br />
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<b>Make Phenomenal Products</b>! If you aren't aiming for an A+ you simply aren't going to get there. It needs to be a conscious goal every single day. Phenomenal is AWESOME! It also gives us a bar so we can honestly look at where we are, analyze what is, make adjustments, and continue to learn and improve. It opens our mind to coaching, to looking for ways to improve. Phenomenal isn't a destination, it is a living breathing thing that we are constantly working towards.<br />
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<b>Run FAST to help others</b> - Energy begets energy. The more energy you bring - the more is created. Shuffling through life will never get you anywhere very fun or very fast. So pick up your feet and RUN.<br />
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<b>Create a Strong and Exciting Bakery</b>. Strength comes from knowing and performing your job, and then understanding how that fits with others. It then involves having the courage, and foresight to reach out and help those around you in your extra minutes during the day. Strength is built together with a sense of community.<br />
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<b>Give Generously to OTHERS</b>... This is something that is so easy for Rand. I used to look at life from a point of limited quantities. Rand simply never saw life from that point of view. I have learned from him, that life is about abundance and sharing that plenty with others is a beautiful way to have abundance in your own life. It may not make sense on paper... but it is a natural law of the universe. Share your heart, your time, your resources, and of course - your bread.<br />
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So grateful for these guiding principles in my own life - and so humbled to have watched these truths change so many lives as they have opened their hearts to them... Life is awesome, HARD, and worth the effort!Bakery Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17710150309324392640noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7204693094537004525.post-16169762570809185872016-04-15T07:07:00.001-07:002016-04-15T07:07:11.576-07:00The Soundtrack from my LIFE...Have you noticed how music has an ability to transport us to a certain time and place? You can be walking through a store, thinking about whatever the day holds, and all the sudden a certain level of your conscious mind acknowledges the song playing over the radio. Instantly you are transported mentally to a completely different place.<br />
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Some songs are so powerful that you can actually smell the air from that time. Or feel the wind on your skin. When John Couger Melancamp sings "Jack & Dianne" I can literally smell Logan Canyon in 1987. Driving up there with Rand while we were dating, sticking my head out the window and yelling for the whole world to hear, "I LOVE Rand Kunz"... Makes me giggle to think about it. <br />
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When "Spider Fingers" by Bruce Horsby and the Range plays, I can hear the oven buzzing, I can smell the bread, it's an actual visceral sensation. This was one of those CD's that we often played at the beginning of the kneading session in the mornings.<br />
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"Walking on Sunshine" plays by Katrina and the Waves and I feel it! I physically weigh 20 pounds less and my clothes are baggy and I am basically skipping. <br />
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It's a power that I can't explain, it is just to be accepted. <br />
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Music is such a big part of Great Harvest. In the beginning when we bought the store, the franchise agreement was pretty simply. Summed up, you needed to make Honey Whole Wheat, offer FREE slices of bread, and play your music loud (and of course pay your royalty). As all things, it's a bit more complicated now, but not much! Great Harvest is still about creating your own corner of the world.<br />
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The music we play is universal to sunshine, happy, toe tapping, sing out loud kind of activities. You will often here the employees singing - PLEASE feel free to join in! For life is so much more fun when you step out of the bleachers and engage in the process. <br />
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I love the soundtrack of my life... It simply makes me grin! <br />
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I challenge you to take the time to pull out that CD that takes you to a very happy place. Share it with someone, tell them the story - and then open up and SING with it! You'll be amazed at the smile that blossoms!Bakery Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17710150309324392640noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7204693094537004525.post-15598163910546713102016-04-13T21:37:00.001-07:002016-04-13T21:37:26.513-07:00#MostAwesomeEmployeesEver ! How do I even begin the discussion of the lessons I have learned from the amazing people who have come and worked at this crazy little bakery? <br />
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I started pulling out old photo envelopes that are overflowing with pictures of amazing people. Each person has a story. Each person has moved into a section of my heart. Each person has taught me lessons. Each person has left and continued to write their own stories. <br />
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I am humbled beyond words. I think of the first few years of interviews. Rand and I would sit down with a person and we would describe what this little bakery was all about. Usually we would begin with the truth that "This may look like a bakery, and it may smell like a bakery, but it is really SO much more." We would describe the truth that this little bakery - is our own personal experiment to see if we can create our own little peaceful, joyful, fun world that is FULL of love. We would explain that we were looking to hire people who were willing to join in our efforts to make a difference in our little corner of the world.<br />
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And each employee that we have hired through the past twenty one years has brought a piece of themselves. They have given and served with their hearts, and left both the bakery and Rand and I better for their existence! Some lessons are hard to learn, some are funny, some are painful, and some are so exciting that you can hardly describe them. <br />
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I wish I had the kind of memory that I could simply pull up the names and faces of each of these amazing people, but for me it's more like trying to remember every hike I've been on. I can't always remember where or when it was - but I remember feelings, and impressions. I remember the hard parts, and I remember the amazing vistas. Some hikes I remember every single detail, and I can smell the air and feel the sun. Still others I simply can remember the sense of awe I had.<br />
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Our employees have left the same types of footprints on my heart and mind. Some came for a short while, some are long timers, some I remember every detail, some are hard and challenging, some moved quietly and left beautiful impressions, while others continue to be a living part of my current life. <br />
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Folks ask me if we have ever had to let folks go from the bakery... and my answer usually goes something like this, "Great Harvest in Taylorsville is a unique place, it isn't a perfect fit for everyone. This does not mean that all individuals don't have amazing traits and parts and pieces, rather, this job just isn't for everyone. If it isn't a great fit, than hopefully (and usually) we part ways with a hug and gratitude for the lessons they have come and shared with us, and we continue to cheer them on in their new pursuits!"<br />
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Then again - it doesn't always go that smoothly - but the lessons learned are still so very valuable. People are amazing. So very different. Yet all folks seem to have a basic desire to love and be loved. A desire to learn and grow and share. A desire to make a difference in this world.<br />
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Gratitude runs so very deep for all the people who have helped create this bakery. My gratitude is also very deep for those who are working for us now. Each of them faithfully show up, put their generous, happy face on, set their own struggles aside for the time they are here - and then they reach out... out of their comfort zones, across the walls we usually hide behind, and they generously give to us, to each other, to each of you, and to this thing that is bigger than all of us, that we lovingly call "The Bakery"...<br />
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So Thankful...Bakery Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17710150309324392640noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7204693094537004525.post-60842745493639644742016-04-12T20:19:00.001-07:002016-04-12T20:19:49.417-07:00If We Bake It... They Will Come...Did you see the movie "Field of Dreams"? It was such a great movie! <br />
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Rand and I both loved it, bought it, and have watched it many times. When we decided to paint the mural of the house through the wheat fields - we did so to remind us - that even if others couldn't see what we could see... We KNEW this little bakery could grow and become a part of this community in a very real way.<br />
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We of course couldn't see at the time what 21 years later would look like, but we felt it in our bones, that we would still be here, and that this bakery would be a viable, living part of this amazing community. As we look back at our journey, we believe that so much of why were able to move with such faith was the knowledge that this is an awesome community. <br />
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In the beginning, since we were the new kids in the neighborhood, we literally would load up the extra bread in the evening and we would go to different neighborhoods. Rand would knock on the doors offering a free loaf of bread and introduce himself. <br />
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We also collected all the churches names and addresses in our neighborhoods and sent out a letter. In the letter we explained that we would love to help and support them in any way we could. If they had folks in their congregations that needed help with food - call us. If they were having an event and needed bread - call us. <br />
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I'm not sure a lot of the groups believed us at first, but we continued to ask - and slowly the calls started to come in, allowing us the opportunity to serve in another way. The schools allowed us to come in and slice bread for free - and then they sold it as a fundraiser to raise money for their play - or the track team, etc. <br />
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I started doing field trips for preschool groups, and then scouting groups, and young women and young men groups. Then I started speaking to women's groups... Sharing the stories, the lessons, learned, and the simple truths that baking bread teaches. <br />
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If I were to sum up that first year of Rand & Jo's Big Adventure it would be to state that, We baked it, we loved this community, and They came. <br />
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Belief is such a big part of living a courageous life... But Belief is just the beginning... Action is required if you want to see big things happen... If we Bake it... They will come...<br />
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Thanks for continuing to come!Bakery Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17710150309324392640noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7204693094537004525.post-86143313920796616122016-04-10T23:23:00.003-07:002016-04-10T23:23:48.912-07:00Rand & Jo's Big Adventure...<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Times; font-size: 16px; line-height: normal;">
<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;">We couldn't have chosen a more appropriate name for our business. Little did we know 21 years ago what a crazy adventure this would turn out to be. Yet life is like that. We have a plan, we start making choices, and 21 years later, we are still in the community, in a new building, but still making the countries best bread. (Yep, we just won the award again!)</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;">Rand & Jo's Big Adventure came about as we were sitting with the franchise folks and they explained we needed a separate business name to set up our franchise. Of course, being the practical person I am, I'm thinking "Kneaders and Bakers" or "Bakers of Taylorsville" - Rand laughed and said, "Rand & Jo's Big Adventure" - and the decision was made.</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;">Truly though, to be honest - our Big Adventure began in February of 1988 when we committed to each other to love, laugh, and live passionately for the rest of our lives. One of the promises Rand made to me at that time was that my life would never be boring! He has fulfilled that promise without stumbling. Boring would never be a word I would use to describe any part of our life together.</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;">When we bought the bakery on May 1, 1995, we really didn't have much of a plan. We just thought it would be a great idea to run a bakery. Rand is an English Major and I was a licensed Recreational Therapist. Not a business class between us. We purchased the Taylorsville Great Harvest from Paul Maurer. He was the original owner of the Holladay Great Harvest, and he had opened the Taylorsville store in 1992. </span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;">Both Rand and I were working for Paul at his Holladay store when Paul decided to sell his existing stores. We considered ourselves blessed, and we moved forward with faith. Rand had been baking for several years before we bought our store, so the actual process of baking bread didn't overwhelm us so much. It was the financial end that seemed a bit daunting. </span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;">Our biggest challenge was figuring out how to increase sales quickly - for truth be told - we had a debt payment to make, and it was truly a leap of faith to think that we would be able to do it on what the bakery was currently producing in sales. </span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;">When we started this adventure Rand was 34 and I was 28, we were young, willing to risk all we had (especially since we didn't have too much :o), and eager to try our hand at creating our own little corner of the world. At the time, Tyler was ten, Alesha was two and Jackson wasn't even born yet. We jumped in and simply started figuring things out through trial and error. </span></div>
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Lesson 1: Dare Greatly! Life is lived a day at a time, and truly, we get to choose if we LIVE it or if we OBSERVE it... Rand and I decided to jump in with both feet and LIVE it... We haven't made that choice perfectly through the years, and we each have had seasons of simply hanging on and trying to breathe through the next moment, or day, or week. However, the lessons remains - We learn the most when we Dare Greatly! </div>
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Stay tuned over the next few weeks for, as Paul Harvey used to say.... "The Rest of the Story"...</div>
Bakery Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17710150309324392640noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7204693094537004525.post-81094799303036438952014-09-17T22:54:00.001-07:002014-09-17T22:54:35.881-07:00It's FALLING around here...As you drive today, look at our amazing mountains - and pause... the tapestry is being woven on the mountain sides all around us... the oranges, golds, and reds... It's AWESOME! <br />
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As you notice the colors, see if you can smell autumn in the air... It's always amazing to me that fall contains so many sensations... The smell of cooler nights, leaves turning, earthy warm smells that are very different then spring or summer smells... and I do believe fall smells are my favorite! Then there is the lighting - as the sun begins to head south - the light just looks different. The angle of light through the trees, the way the sun hits our beautiful mountains... There's a different feel in the air... It's brisker, a bit more invigorating, it causes me to smile really big!<br />
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Then there is a sense of coming home. A desire to pull out my plaid shirts, my sweatshirts and jackets. I even want to light a fire in the fireplace (I realize today reached 90 degrees - so that would be ridiculous) but the desire is there...<br />
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Part of my love affair with fall - is the flavors. Pumpkin Chocolate chip, Pumpkin Oh's, Pumpkin Spice cake, Pumpkin Pie (okay I'm a bit obsessed with pumpkin), soups simmering, fresh salsa made from the garden tomatoes, peach cobblers, apple everything... and of course fresh homemade bread...<br />
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Truly though- evening runs as the leaves change, morning bike rides up the canyon with the colors flaming around us, drives with family and friends, walks on the parkway with crunching leaves... I guess I'm just immensely grateful... for all of it! For this beautiful season.... and the people that walk this journey of life with me...<br />
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What are some of your favorite aspects of fall? In our crazy fast paced lives, it is so very important to take the time to ponder, to remember, and of course to participate in those activities that bring peace and contentment to our lives.<br />
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Enjoy!Bakery Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17710150309324392640noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7204693094537004525.post-79749333971666290252014-08-11T14:07:00.000-07:002014-08-11T14:07:00.239-07:00In search of Authentic Happiness...Have you ever noticed that themes tend to come into our lives if we open ourselves to them? It's as if the universe is directing and/or preparing us for the next step... Okay, I admit that sounds a bit odd, but that happens a lot in my life...<br />
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I'm a random library bookie... I go into my public library knowing there is a book with a message for me, and then I head to the shelves and wander picking up books that catch my eye. Three out of the last few books I picked up were, "Happier at Home: How I learned to Pay attention, Cram My Day with What I love, Hold More Tightly, Embrace Here, and Remember Now" by Gretchen Rubin, "The Noticer Returns" by Andy Andrews, and know I'm just finishing "Flourish" by Martin Seligmen. <br />
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All three books are about increasing your sense of well being. They present different views, ideas, and exercises to deepen and increase what we often refer to as happiness... Happiness is not the absence of misery... That I believe is emptiness... Happiness is a deeper sense of self, of joy, of peace, of calmness, and more... I have come to believe that Happiness is within each of us. It is not a destination. It is more innate and simply can accompany us on our journey of life if we choose to open the door to our happiness within... (sounds easy - but requires more work that that... I don't mean to down play the process...)<br />
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I strongly believe one of Gretchen's truths, which is, that happiness doesn't always 'feel happy'! - We often do things that are hard, or inconvenient, or a challenge - for they bring happiness in the aftermath. An example might be cleaning out a cluttered closet or drawer, or having a hard conversation with a family member or co-worker; however, the act of accomplishing or working on these tasks brings an increased sense of well being.<br />
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Andy Andrews reminded me over and over that perspective matters! When life is feeling a tad overwhelming, shift your perspective. See the gifts, see the teachers who are in your life to help you understand the situation, and be open to the gifts that the difficult situations are bringing to you...<br />
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And Martin Seligman has done serious research on Applied Positive Psychology and the difference it makes in our lives if we exercise it. He has an incredibly scientific approach of breaking down, testing for, and presenting findings of simple activities that we can all do, that will increase our overall sense of well being.<br />
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Now - I consider myself a pretty happy person... My life is full of activity and people that I love and adore. I LOVE my job, and yet like all folks - my life has some serious ups and downs... as well as moments of confusion coupled with a sense of feeling a tad lost... I can't count the number of times when it's late at night and I'm working on a project, and I'll look at my doodles on the side of the page to realize I have written the word "HELP" in the margin of my page...<br />
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The universe, I believe, is sending me help - through some very thought provoking books... If you too might be seeking more happiness - and a greater sense of well being - give any or all of these books a try, or wander into your library and try the same test :o)<br />
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You might just be surprised at what you find... And if you find some good ones - comment on this blog and share with all of us... for great book recommendations are one of my favorites!Bakery Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17710150309324392640noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7204693094537004525.post-74294364059227615332014-07-27T15:29:00.000-07:002014-07-27T15:29:49.242-07:00Happy Sunday...<br />
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I just finished reading Sue Monk Kidd's latest book entitled "The Invention of Wings"... and it has left me pondering the truth that none of us stand on our own. This isn't a new notion; however, this time around, it feels incredibly poignant. There isn't a day that goes by that I don't have the opportunity to learn, to grow, to speak my mind, to run a business, raise a family, to travel by car, bike, or even plane. And all these 'opportunities' have come from the incredible, amazing, difficult, dedicated, daring, hard work of so many people before me!<br />
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In the novel, Sue Monk Kidd tells a story based on truth - of a group of women who had the courage to stand for what was right, even though it was culturally, legally, and by some considered morally wrong. It's the story of slavery in Charleston, it is the story of women's rights, and yet it is also the story of us today. <br />
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I have found myself asking the questions: Am I living with gratitude for those who have gone before? and, What kind of a torch am I passing on to those who come after me? Am I living my life according to my highest good? Am I loving more today than I did yesterday? What am I willing to stand up for even if it means standing alone?<br />
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Lots of questions, and honestly some days I like my answers better than other days. I am grateful for amazing books that make me think, the brave and courageous folks who have walked before me, and I'm grateful for those who are traveling this journey with me now, that continue to lead out, each in their own way - as they strive to be the best person they know how to be, thus leaving a legacy and a path for those who are walking after and along side them... We truly never walk alone... and for this truth and more... My gratitude is deep and abiding! <br />
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<br />Bakery Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17710150309324392640noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7204693094537004525.post-22012637419336078422014-05-28T23:07:00.001-07:002014-05-28T23:07:07.790-07:00So this is Holland...I was at a class last week, and the instructors shared a story about the reality that life (and in this story they were specifically speaking of parenting) doesn't always go the way you plan... The story was written by a Mom when she was asked what parenting was like...<br />
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The story has been making me smile all week, so I thought I'd share the general idea of it...<br />
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Your whole life you have this plan of traveling to Italy. You are so excited every day when you wake up, because you know you get to plan this amazing trip. You start learning the language, until you are pretty fluent... you study the guide books, and you map out an ideal travel itinerary that will allow you to be sure that you hit all the major sites. <br />
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You start experimenting with new "Italian" foods. You create a passion for the flavors, smells, and textures. You begin to listen to "Italian" music... You can recognize the different composers, and your excitement just continues to grow...<br />
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You get on the plane, you find yourself talking to all your traveling companions, you are so giddy with excitement you can hardly sit still.. And you land... and you get off... and nothing looks like it is supposed to... You begin to feel a bit panicked, and you finally find someone to ask, and you explain that something must be wrong, this doesn't look, sound, or smell like Italy.<br />
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The individual smiles, and simply says - "that's because this is Holland"... You don't understand, there must have been some mistake! You try to get back on the plane, and you are told that there is no way to get back on. You have arrived... and this is Holland...<br />
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You jump on Facebook, twitter, and instagram, and everyone else seems to have made it to Italy... It feels like everyone except you!<br />
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Sometimes life feels like that... and as this Mother describes it, sometimes it takes a while to realize that Holland has a lot of nice points. The windmills are beautiful, and the tulips bloom every spring. The language is definitely not Italian, but you are able to communicate if you take the time to learn it... <br />
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There is a point that we must all make a decision... Of choosing to see the beauty of Holland... Of releasing the dream if Italy... Of setting up a home, and making a life here in Holland...<br />
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May we all celebrate wherever we have landed... Holland, France, Ireland, Scotland, Taylorsville, or West Valley... May we take the time to learn the language, and to find the beauty and celebrate where we are... <br />
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Here's to our individual Hollands ;o)<br />
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Have a great trip!Bakery Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17710150309324392640noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7204693094537004525.post-82367573742413624942014-05-13T21:27:00.000-07:002014-05-13T21:27:02.135-07:00Sometimes you're the windshield...It was a beautiful run this evening down on the Jordan Parkway, but the words to the Mark Knopfler song "The Bug" kept going through my mind... <br />
"Sometimes you're the windshield... Sometimes you're the bug... "<br />
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There was a hatch of something tonight, so if I was fishing - this would be a great thing! But for runners and bikers, well... it's just buggy!<br />
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I passed folks who were choking on bugs, some with masks, some with frustrated hands swatting, and every sweaty person I passed had little black dots stuck on their faces and arms... I was smiling (for I almost always smile when I'm running) so of course when I looked in the rear view mirror - I had beautiful black bugs in my teeth!<br />
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This experience made me reflect on how life is so much like my run this evening... Sometimes you are just running along - and then out of nowhere - you find yourself in a cloud of bugs! - It's not anything you did, or didn't do, it just is there... And when you hit one of these bug clouds, I believe we all get to make a choice... We can get frustrated, we can blame, we can yell and scream, or we can just smile and keep running... knowing that - this too will pass... - and if it doesn't pass quickly - we can smile at those around us - and hopefully help lighten their loads - by giving them something to smile back at (a buggy grin!)<br />
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Here's to a great run! Bugs and all!Bakery Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17710150309324392640noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7204693094537004525.post-39857907533963052772014-05-11T23:50:00.001-07:002014-05-11T23:58:18.710-07:00Still learning...I'm a reforming control freak. There, I said it. Those who have known me for a long time have accepted this truth, and continue to cheer me on in my efforts to 'stay loose'... and I thank you!<br />
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On the eve of this Mothers Day, I find myself reflecting on the lessons I have learned from motherhood, I am celebrating the progress I have made towards releasing the control! For me, Motherhood allowed me to see my desires to control my universe. This was as true at home, as it was for me in the bakery. I have always wanted the best for people, and in the beginning, I just couldn't understand why everyone didn't want my version of what was best for them!<br />
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Saturday I was handed a large stack of pictures that dated back from 1995 through probably 1999. They were pictures of the bakery crew, of my kids in the bakery, of customers, of Rand and I, all doing different things in and around the bakery. The images made me smile, but they also brought back some hard lessons I've learned. <br />
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Controlling others is never the way to freedom, it is never the way to joy, and it is not the shortest route to success. I didn't understand that then, and because of that - there was a certain amount of sorrow as well as joy as I browsed through those pictures. I found myself wanting to send messages to some of our past employees to apologize for my micro-managing. I can truly say that I realize that this journey of life is about learning lessons, and for me, the bakery has been an amazing place to learn those lessons!<br />
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Those feelings brought to mind a quote from Kahlil Gibran's "The Prophet" when he is asked to speak on Joy and Sorrow. He says, "Joy is your sorrow unmasked." He goes onto explain, "The deeper that sorrow carves into your being, the more joy you can contain."<br />
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This has been true in my life, and in my journey at the bakery. I find such incredible joy in working with the people I work with, with the customers, with my children and my husband. I love the art of milling and baking products. I love problem solving, and the chaos. I enjoy the creation process of food, of gifts, of ideas. Yet truly - as I reflect on these joys, they fill the well in my soul that has been carved by choices and events that created sorrow in me as well. <br />
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It's one of the many ironies of life I think, and I am okay with that... <br />
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My goal is not to sorrow over my past lessons and mistakes, rather I choose to see them for what they are... simply that, lessons of life. For those incredible people who were involved in my learning process - I thank you! I beg your forgiveness for the times my lessons caused you pain, and I want you to know that I am grateful for the part you have played in helping me to become the woman I am today. I am grateful for the opportunity to have walked a portion of this journey with you...<br />
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My Joy is overflowing as I have the opportunity to continue to do what I love, with people that I love. And for all of you that are on this part of my journey with me now, I offer the same truth... I beg your forgiveness for the lessons I continue to learn through my mistakes, I am so grateful to each of you for the part you play in helping me learn... and thanks for walking this portion of my journey with me!<br />
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In my daily reformation - I am becoming more of who I desire to be, and that is a journey I am loving - with all of it's joys and sorrows!<br />
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<br />Bakery Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17710150309324392640noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7204693094537004525.post-60953068675863022742014-04-25T16:43:00.001-07:002014-04-25T16:43:50.525-07:00All we Knead is LOVE As you are aware, if you've ever been into the bakery, we hire some of the most amazing individuals! Each employee brings their own unique set of gifts and talents to share with each of us, and with each of our awesome customers...<br />
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As I was contemplating what to post this week... Amber was explaining that she had written a paper about her experience working here at the bakery... She printed a copy and brought it to me... And it made me smile...<br />
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So today - I share with you Amber's words... Thanks Amber! <br />
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">All we “knead” is love</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>To work at Great Harvest, you really do need to understand the words of John Lennon and the Beatles when he said “all we need is love.” The mission statement of the company is just that – Love. At Great Harvest we believe in running fast to serve our customers, baking phenomenal bread and giving generously to name just a few. When you walk into a Great Harvest, you will always be greeted by someone who is kind, generous, honest and genuine. As a company, they attract employees that love learning because it is fun. Our bakeries and business are an adventure and a place to play and grow while working and building our communities. </span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Customers truly enjoy coming to Great Harvest for the amazing service they receive, but just as importantly for the delicious products we make. We bake our breads with simple and fresh ingredients which makes all the difference. All of the wheat is purchased from local farmers in the US and milled in each store fresh for its own bakery. We try to limit the number of ingredients to make our products as simple as possible. When you use fresh ingredients, there is no reason to cover up the delicious tastes. Most of our breads start with just five simple ingredients. We use Fresh-ground whole wheat flour, water, fresh yeast, salt, and local honey to sweeten. We test our products personally to make sure they are perfect for our customers. Many of the bakeries even make soups and sandwiches that are make fresh with locally purchased produce. You can also always count on getting a free slice of bread or some sort of treat even if you don’t buy anything. It’s our gift to you to tell you how much we appreciate you and value the time you took to be with us that day. </span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>What does the future hold for bakeries such as Great Harvest? I believe strongly that they will continue to grow and thrive. Younger generations are becoming more environmentally aware and health conscious. Many people are looking to support local smaller businesses that give back to the community. Great Harvest does all of those things and will only continue to grow because of the unique exchange of ideas between franchises. They work together to help each other grow as well as the company. </span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Great Harvest employees and the many owners of different bakeries from all around the country that I have met are all amazing people. They truly believe in the product they make and sell. They believe in the company, the mission statement, and the communities they are in. Because of this passion and energy, it brings people back to their bakery time and time again. They generosity and kindness they show each customer really does prove that “all we knead is love!”</span></div>
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<br />Bakery Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17710150309324392640noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7204693094537004525.post-83329949743338236192014-03-25T22:24:00.000-07:002014-03-25T22:24:48.777-07:00Choosing Love...This last week I checked out the movie "Defending Your Life" from the library... It's an older Albert Brooks movie (probably late 80's or early 90's) starring Meryl Streep and Albert Brooks. I remember seeing it years ago, and I remember enjoying the message, thus the last minute check out.<br />
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I am so very glad I did... and I would encourage those who like to ponder, to take the 90 minutes to watch. It's a story about choosing love rather than fear. A choice that I believe we all get to make almost every hour of every day. <br />
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As I've been pondering this movie, and the implications it has in my own life I am beginning to believe that fear and love are polar opposites. That it's kind of like darkness cannot exist in a room of light. When we choose to love we choose to release our fears. When we choose to love, we have courage, we have joy, we have confidence. I believe that choosing love has more to do with the truth that... it is a choice...<br />
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I choose to be loving... Which includes loving myself, and loving all those around me. Not because they are loveable all the time, nor even that I am always loveable. Rather, I choose to be loving, for that is the person I desire to be. <br />
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When I make that choice, I find that the "fears" I was so worried about are released. I find that other drivers don't bother me, for as I choose love, I choose to see them as human beings, each with their own lives that are lives of importance. It's incredibly freeing! What others think of me is irrelevant, for I am choosing to love, and I have absolutely no control over their thoughts and actions anyway.<br />
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The other odd thing I've noticed - is that the actions in my life may not change depending on the choice. For instance, I can get up and take on "my list" for the day - either in a state of fear, or in a state of love... The list may get accomplished either way, but I'm finding the difference to be my inner state of being. When I'm afraid, I'm constantly looking for outward approval and acceptance. When I'm choosing love, I find joy in the doing, and I'm open to the changes and opportunities that come my way. Interesting. <br />
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However, lest you be under the illusion that I have figured out a way to do this continually... alas... Just like in the movie, there are still times that I am completely sidelined by fears... But I was inspired. I am finding it easier to take the leap, to continue to move through the moments of the day choosing love... and perhaps, choice by choice, I will find that I have released my need to be afraid... And in the terms of the movie, I hope to 'move onward.' Here's to hoping! <br />
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As spring sets into the beautiful valley we live in, why not try a scientific experiment... Try making a conscious choice to love the next time you are feeling a bit afraid... and just see what happens... It might be fun! Have a super loving week!<br />
-JoBakery Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17710150309324392640noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7204693094537004525.post-55018000148689698522014-03-13T22:35:00.000-07:002014-03-13T22:35:42.158-07:00This past week, I was finally cleaning out the old bakery closet... (Stuffed full with promotional material from 19 years ago...as well as some camping gear!) when I stumbled across a pile of old menus... I realize you may be wondering why that might be exciting for me... but for those of you who were customers all those years ago, you might remember that every month, I included a message on the back of each menu... A short essay of thoughts I'd been pondering on, and I sat down and read a bunch of them... And well, that is why I'm stumbling through my first blog post...<br />
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I loved rereading the journey from so long ago... Some things ring so true, so profound, and so simple. It's interesting how life trips along it's bumpy path, and we remember parts with smiles and giggles, and then you see parts that are shadowed in grey's and blues... Yet all these different memories make up the tapestry that we call life... Truly, as I reflected on my journey of the last 19 years as a bakery owner, as a wife, as a mom, as a friend... I smile... Not because it's been easy. Not because it's been fun all the time. Not because it looks like what I imagined my life would look like! But because it has shaped me into the woman I am today, and is preparing me for the journey that lies ahead of me...<br />
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I'm grateful for those memories, I'm grateful for the amazing people that have walked parts of that journey with me, and I am so grateful for the lessons, that life has handed me in so many different packages!<br />
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So with this first blog, I begin a new dialogue... One that I hope we can learn from together. A place where we can share lessons learned, and new discoveries made as we skip, run, crawl, jump, and sometimes even fall on this journey called life...<br />
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Here's to new adventures... and grand possibilities!<br />
Lovingly,<br />
Your life seeking baker - JoBakery Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17710150309324392640noreply@blogger.com3