Long time no see ... I am back

Cally's bakery... Blue Ribbon Bakery

It has been a few years since I have even thought about working on my blog. I went missing in action when I helped Cally with a new adventure. Cally started an online bakery called Blue Ribbon Bakery.

Her first adventure was selling from her front porch. I helped her with the baking and on Saturday mornings she had customers come pick up their orders from a shelf in her driveway. We baked and sold Cakes, Cookies and her famous Cinnamon Rolls ... they are so yummy!

She did this for a bit and then jumped into the Farmers Market Scene in Springfield. For a couple summers thru fall we set up a booth in downtown Springfield on Saturday mornings. She sold many different baked goods (Cakes, Cookies (many flavors), Pies, Breads, Original Cinnamon Rolls, Apple Crisp Cinnamon Rolls. Lemon Blueberry Cinnamon Rolls, Cookie Butter Cinnamon Rolls, Cinnamon Roll Knots, Mini Cinnamon Roll Cups, Donuts and I know a lot more than I am remembering) and different flavors of Granola. She got the nickname ... the Bread Lady :) One of her top sellers was her flavored breads ... Orange, Lemon and Strawberry Crunch Bread.

I have also helped Cally with a winter market and she did a few Craft Fairs during the Christmas season.

In September of 2025, Bill and I made the decision that I would retire from my job of the last 36 years. In November I made it a reality and I retired. With my retirement, Bill and I decided we would start traveling (more than just going to CO, which I have now visited 13 times since 2019 -- I have fallen in love with Estes Park and consider it my second home) so I decided to step back some from helping Cally as much with the bakery.

Since I retired and we are now through the holiday season and are in the quiet period of her baking adventure, Cally has also decided she is going to take a step back and for the time being is only going to bake for family and friends. Yesterday was a sad day when Cally informed me of her decision.

This phase of our lives has been a fun experience! I was blessed that Cally chose me to stand there beside her and help her get the business going .... and going she did as she was one of the popular booths each summer/fall of the Springfield Market. She also grew a following as many customers would follow her to the next show she would do. We met a lot of people who became familiar faces to us the last few years. We sure will miss those friends we have met!

Since my last blog update, my family has also expanded. I now have a Granddaughter, Olivia💗

Melvin just turned 6 a few days ago and Olivia will be 2 in April. Grandchildren are the absolute best!

Since my last update Cally has a boyfriend.... meet Matt

Family Halloween - Trick or Treat with the grandkids

Cally and Matt

My hope is to start blogging again sharing recipes, vacation stories and pictures. Since I have been retired, we have done some remodeling, a lot of cleaning out closets and cupboards and decluttering. I am starting to get more caught up on everything that I seemed to be short on time for while I was working so hopefully that includes being able to blog more 😊

Here are a few pictures to show glimpses of the last few years of my life that I have been missing in action.