An Introduction

First of all, I have to thank my new friend Nira Minniefield, co-owner of the Lunch By Nature - Natural Life Cafe, for 2 things. 1 - coming up with, what I think, is a pretty catchy name for this blog. She was very quick with it, and I'm sure it's just a hint of her creativity. I particularly like the "rising" part of it.........not risen. Rising still suggests a work in progress. Oh God, nothing could be more accurate!The next thing is nudging me to create this blog. I'm not quite sure where this will lead - - if anywhere - - but, I do like to write, and if nothing else this may help me gather and structure my thoughts on past, current, and upcoming events.

Before I go any further, I should say this, also. Although I really like the name Nira gave to me, it's a little misleading. I have, over the past 15 years or so, taught myself how to bake some really wonderful breads. That being said, I can't honestly claim the I'm "Self-Rising". I've already mentioned some help from Ms. Nira, and that doesn't begin to explain what else she's doing for me (I'll get to all that........again, the work-in-progress thing). I should also give credit to Ms. Eshe Armah, Nira's partner at the cafe. I have to mention my wife, Debbie, my parents Elwood & Betty, and a great number of people from the community that loyally supported my first bakery, Allred's Breads. For that reason, I'll say I'm not self-rising. I'll take credit for the initiative, but not for all of the outcome.

What you may find funny is, as fond as I am already of Nira Minniefield and Eshe Armah, we haven't met yet........in person. But there's something good about to happen here, and I think the 3 of us can feel it. Nira & I met through emails after I posted an ad on craigslist looking for someone who might be willing to share commercial kitchen space with me as I try to get my 2nd baking venture off the ground. Out of the blue, I think I'm getting much more than I could've expected, or even hoped for. Nira, Eshe, and I are getting serious about the idea of me baking exclusively for their cafe - - - concentrating on the healthier whole-grain, whole wheat, multi-grain side of breads that would compliment their already health-minded foods. (I like that they describe it as REAL food........no artificial ingredients, fresh produce, etc. ...........Amen.) This is a fantastic opportunity for me! Not only am I getting another chance to do the one thing I love to do, making and baking bread, but I'm also going to be doing it around like-minded people and for like-minded people. Their customers must already have a desire to live better, healthier, and, subsequently, happier lives. For someone that loves to create food, what more could you ask for? Actually surrounding yourself with people that enjoy and appreciate what it takes to produce such quality foods. Needless to say, I'm very excited.

At the time of this posting, there's still a lot of planning and decision making that has to happen. What I like to call, the crap. ha. But yet, necessary crap. Planning, scheduling, marketing, costing, testing, and on and on and on. Actually, the testing is pretty fun. ha. Who am I kidding? It's all fun! And I can't wait to get started.