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Working as an education specialist at a local 1880’s Living History Farm, Deb extensively researches 19th century baking methods, recipes, and tools. Anyone can look at the gorgeous pictures of her products on our website or take a single bit and appreciate her talent. But once I learned this dedicated artist uses a 19th century recipe to make her own hops and potato yeast, and grinds organic einkorn, winter wheat and rye berries for her flours, how could I not be captivated?

When I stepped into her home, built in 1839, to learn about her techniques and watch her create historic products, I was instantly amazed at the organization of her kitchen, which she assured me took years to perfect. I’d never seen a more efficient workplace… her ingredients, recipes, notes, and supplies were all within reach, ensuring that in the 15 minutes I watched each step of her bread baking process, not a single unnecessary step was taken. Incredible!

She had such a system that when I arrived, I was able to see everything… the making of her yeast, dough that was in the midst of its 16-hour long rise, the kneading, stretching and counter-slamming of her doughs, shaping them… I learned more in 15 minutes than I would’ve thought possible.

It is obvious she’s a teacher, has worked tirelessly to perfect her craft, and is more conscientious about her process and products than I realized possible. Never drying her hands with a towel, “as you don’t want the worry of hair or bacteria”, she only uses paper towels that then go on the compost pile. All her equipment is air dried, and stored on wire shelving… plenty of circulation! So much thought behind every step of her routine… I have a completely new appreciation for what it takes to make her scrumptious baked goods. “That’s it in a nutshell… and then the dishes,” she laughingly admitted.

“Oh, would you like to see the breads baking in the Dutch ovens? Just a peek… every time you open the oven you lose 70 degrees! And that, Jennifer,” she said with a smile, “is a loaf of bread.” Could it be that simple? Of course not! Oh, what goes into her loaves of bread!