Baker's Pride

One of those days…

This is a picture of my mailbox. Notice something different?

Seem a little short?

I came home the other day and did a double-take as I drove into my driveway.

It just so happened that someone was driving and choked on a cough drop, swerved and hit my mailbox. She is O.K. and that is not the funny part.

The funny part is she put the mailbox back up (see picture ). I don't know why. Did she think no-one would notice? That the mail carrier would pay no mind? That I wouldn't notice when I picked up my daily mail?

It get's better…she promises to replace it when she get's help from her boyfriend. Two days later I come home to a brand new mailbox the same height as the one she knocked to the ground!

This is when I have to smile; I actually chuckled. Clearly, she did her best. Her intentions were good. She could've just drove off and left the mailbox laying in the street.

It was just one of those days…

Sunday's at Larsen Bakery

I usually open on Sunday mornings. For the past few Sundays I haven't been able to. Whether it was a family commitment or Memorial day I just haven't been here.

The alarm went off at 5am today, and I was "not" in the Sunday groove anymore. Everything seemed to go slow, everything was an effort and I thought, " I am not liking Sunday's anymore".

With the store full of people an energetic woman pulled me aside and said I"must" tell you a story. ( I was not in the mood for a story!) I smiled politely and she proceeded to tell me how ever since she was a child she had Larsen's Bakery. She named every major life event, birthdays, catechism, graduation, and then of course her wedding.

Fourteen years ago she had gotten married and even though the wedding was over 150 miles away she had to have her wedding cake from Larsen's. So her mom took the wedding cake (Danish Layer of course)up to Northern WI and her wedding was complete. Today she was so happy we were open on a Sunday.  She was hoping we had something "Danish Layer" that she might remember her wedding 14 years ago.

Luckily we had made a fresh batch of Danish Layer cake slices this weekend. She took four and with a sparkle in her eye thanked me from the bottom of her heart for being able to help her re-member and celebrate her wedding 14 years ago.

She left as quickly and suddenly it was quiet again in the bakery.

I smiled and chuckled, " that's why I like to work Sundays..."

Dave the Dishwasher

Today we made a cookie for Dave, our dishwasher. Dave has been Larsen Bakery's dishwasher for well over a decade, and we are darn proud of that. Dave rides his bike to the bakery during the summer and is never late. He always stays until the work is done, and is there the next day to do it again. Some people might make light of Dave's dishwashing task, but in reality it is a very important position in our bakery. Without clean pans, bowls and utensils the bakery stops. Literally stops.

So today we made a cookie for Dave, a big cookie to thank him for the work he does daily and the work he has done over the years. I think he liked it ...anyone who came into the bakery and was in within earshot was invited by Dave to see "his cookie".

Today he left and I had to smile when I saw him pass our front window riding his bike with his cookie under his arm. It's people like Dave that brighten my day when I come to work, and I am glad we had a chance to thank him today.

Dance Inc. and Marquette University

We at Larsen's always strive to give back to the community and it's always nice to hear back and find out how it has affected other people and their lives. We are pleased to hear the Kringle were a hit and a part of Dance, Inc's fund raising success.

My name is Hannah Kultgen, a junior at Marquette University, and secretary of a completely student run organization, Dance Inc. Each semester we put on a great show and this semester we were able to get main stage, but this meant we would have to pay some stage fees.

One day at a meeting I decided having a bake sale would be a great way to help raise some money. I called Larson’s and asked if they would be willing to make any sort of contribution. They were more than willing, and as an organization we are so very thankful for the very generous donation Larson’s bakery gave to us. My apartment was literally filled with Kringle and I was inviting all my friends to come check it out! I cannot even express to Larson’s how thankful the organization was and me especially. We made way over our goal and definitely couldn’t have done it without Larson’s generous donation. The Kringle were a huge hit and everyone loved them. Thanks so much and next time I and anyone else is in need of some bakery I know where I will be going!

Larsen Kringle in Alaska

We were doing our annual cleaning that I suppose all bakers and bakeries do after the rush of Holidays, and I came upon a letter and picture from a Kringle lover in Alaska. It was dated December 31st, 1994!

It is hard to believe that we have been making Kringle for over 39 years. I still find it so gratifying, and appreciate the postcards, letters, and pictures even more as I grow older. There is something about working in a bakery that I never grow tired of. Watching kids come in for their Birthday Cakes, locals bringing family in to share the Kringle Kraze with them, and Weddings and Anniversaries that get shared with us. We are lucky to be a part of that, part of our community after all these years...

I am attaching the picture and the post card from 1994 for your enjoyment.

... and if any of you have any pictures or stories to tell please feel to comment, send them to share or just enjoy some of the ones we will continue to post.

Don