Birds of a Feather... Bake Together?

Last Sunday my bakery chums and I had our "We Survived the Holidays" party. We went over to Stacy's house for a potluck celebration. Of the 13 employees only two were missing.

All of us can cook and our spread definitely showed. Included were free-range beef sloppy joes (they smelled really good), a beautiful pineapple turnover, lentil soup, and homemade ice-cream. There were no dish assignments, just brought something, but had a balanced entrée/dessert ratio. And only one person brought bread.

We sat at one of two tables but eventually migrated to the larger dining table. As we told and listened to each others' stories, shared recipes, or reminisced about customer encounters, I felt like we were at a reunion.

I looked around and realized these people had become an odd little family to me. Some are younger, some are older, but there seems to be a vibe of familiarity, value and respect. I even supported some outside of work: VJ and his gospel choir down at the Zoo Bar and Naomi with a pottery exhibit.

Things will eventually change and new people will come and some of us will go. But for the moment I wouldn't have us any other way.