They are a way to share a piece of my soul with another, express creativity, and package one of life’s greatest pleasures…a hug, into a few sweet bites. Little did I know when my mom passed down her family recipe for Congo Squares to me years ago that this simple mixture of butter, brown sugar, eggs, flour, chocolate chips and nuts would stir an awakening of my spirit. The kitchen was my refuge fr
om the troubles of the world. It was my place to experiment, hone my craft and create combinations that would bring a smile to many a face. Uncompromising with my choice of ingredients, I made sure you could taste the nuts, the fruit or the chocolate. There were some disasters (stories best shared over a glass of wine), but thankfully there were more successes. As my confidence grew, so did the flavor combinations. I voraciously read cookbooks and magazines searching for interesting flavor profiles. My family, friends, clients and co-workers were my willing guinea pigs. At the encouragement of my friend Kenda, I started a blog and began posting recipes and cookie pictures online. I became infatuated with blogging and could not stop. Soon I was writing two blogs and baking up a storm. But somehow even this was not enough. Something was still tugging at my soul. My dream was to start my own business. I envisioned it. I had no money to fund it. And yet I baked and dreamed and gave out hugs…my heart continuing to sing every step of the way. My husband Mike, the scientist, was my biggest supporter. He quietly and methodically put plans in place to make my pipe dream something real and tangible. He wrote a business plan and surprised me with it when I returned from my weekend job. He shared his belief in me and my dream with his parents and his boss. His passion for my dream must have been contagious because Mike’s parents, Jo and Al, and Mike’s boss, Marieta pulled out their checkbooks to provide the start up costs for the business. Their generous spirits propelled me through the licenses, food handling classes, commercial kitchen deposits and supplies. At the end of June 2010, after much anticipation, Heartsong Cookies, LLC became a reality. Since then I have spread hugs throughout Central Florida from the Winter Park Farmers’ Market Saturdays from 8 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. and Maitland Farmers’ Market Sundays from 9 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. I introduced new flavors to rave reviews and experimented with breakfast cookies with promising results…all along dreaming of a retail spot to call home. I dreamed of Heartsong Cookies sitting proudly in the bake case of my favorite neighborhood café, Bikes, Beans and Bordeaux. Thankfully Jen and Darrell, the owners of B3 Cafe answered my tasty calling and Heartsong Cookies has found a home. I cannot think of a better place to be. I can be myself at B3 and my heart is filled with joyous song. Each week I will mix things up a bit with new flavors that strike my fancy, old favorites or special requests. I hope you savor every bite and feel the hug I tuck inside each and every cookie. Many hugs,
Kathy
