Lavender and a French bakery

The lavender farm

I'm crazy about lavender, but I don't get to see much of it in eastern Montana. So one of my first stops when I arrived for my visit in the Seattle area was the Woodinville Lavender farm.

I've been following them on Facebook and reading about the lavender ice cream bars, the calls for volunteers to help cut lavender, and various activities that make me smell lavender all the way over in Montana. It's a sweet smell, but one better savored near an actual lavender plant.

Unfortunately for me, September is past the lavender season, but I enjoyed walking in the rain among the trimmed plants. They are pretty even after they lose their blossoms.

And of course, this being Western Washington, there were a few plants that did still bloom.

Inside the shop is where you find the full fragrance of lavender. You can also buy dried buds, essential oil, cookbooks and how-to books on growing lavender, and of course the longed-for lavender ice cream bars.

If you're in the area, be sure to stop in!

The French bakery

Down the road is The Vineyard, a fully stocked French bakery, although you might have to slow down to see it. It's nestled among tractors, which I didn't find odd at all since I see big machinery everywhere in Montana.

Marilyn, my hostess, says her husband cannot see the bakery. He has a kind of male blindness that only allows him to focus on the tractors. So just a warning: do not send a man to pick up the brioche for your fancy French dinner. He might come home with farm equipment instead.

And anyway, why wouldn't you go yourself? The brioche is fantastic, making outstanding toast and French toast. I found tasty Opera Cake, which you just don't see all that often. (Note that I have included a link to a recipe. But having made this myself, I can only warn that it is far easier to buy the cake and with much better-looking results.) Coconut cream tarts, cookies, eclairs . . . all the usual goodies in delightful display and good taste.

 

Tipsy Cupcake

Any day is more special with a cupcake, don't you agree? And here it is Christmas, and the Tipsy Cupcake in Billings is helping folks celebrate in a very sweet way.

Kari Jones, the cupcake queen who owns the Tipsy Cupcake shop and makes all the delicious treats for sale there, told me, "We hope to bless people with a little treat every day."

The cupcakes are fresh each morning and come in an imaginative variety of flavors, which vary from day to day. Above, sporting the Merry Christmas tag, is Salted Caramel (delicious). Below, you see it along with (starting at the upper right) Lemonhead, Chocolate on White, and Black Tie (all equally delicious).

So if the cupcakes are fresh each day, what happens to leftovers each night? Sure, folks come in all day to buy goodies and to snack before and after the movies next door, but inevitably there will be a few cakes lingering when the doors finally close.

Kari told me that she donates extras to (and sometime makes special batches for) area nursing homes, schools, youth groups, and the women's and children's shelter. She also caters weddings and other events and supplies corporate gifts for area businesses.

"We're all about love here," Kari admitted. Oh, yeah, that's easy to believe. You can feel the love just by looking around the cozy shop.

Repeat customers are common, and Kari enjoys thinking about each one. One man comes in from Miles City to buy bribes for his kids. An elderly couple buys several to freeze and thaw out over the coming week for evening snacks. (I can personally assure you the cupcakes freeze well.) Others drive in from faraway places like Great Falls and Wyoming. Not just to buy cupcakes, of course. But then, maybe they do . . .

Kari emphasizes that this business is "homegrown" and not a franchise. It's her very own creation, made small batch by small batch.

"It's a lot of work, but fun," Kari assured me.

And I believe her. The atmosphere is warm and friendly. Everyone who enters the shop comes in smiling with anticipation. What flavor will they choose? The shop's Signature Pink Champagne? English Toffee Crunch? Wedding Cake? Root Beer Float? Peppermint Mocha?

Or perhaps a milkshake made from a cupcake crumbled into ice cream?

The gals behind the counter feel they are part of a blissful experience and find no trouble in following Kari's philosophy that they treat a customer as if they are welcoming a guest to their home.

After all, isn't a cupcake what makes a home a happy one?

Have a cupcake . . . perhaps Orange Creamsicle?

 Tipsy Cupcake

1001 Shiloh Crossing Blvd., Suite 7 

(next to Shiloh 14 movie theater)

Billings

(406) 656-5666

Best snack: hummus and bread

Although it hasn't seemed like it at times, the winter is speeding by and spring is about to, well, spring forth. This morning I heard the first sound of a woodpecker in the woods behind my cabin, and all day I have listened to the happy chirping of sparrows as they sit in the sun. They spent the winter with me here and are no doubt looking forward to something to eat other than bird seed from the grocery store.

So I have neglected this blog because of many winter things to do, such as keeping warm (tote them logs, build that fire).

But at last I aim to maintain this blog with at least weekly updates, hopefully more.

I begin my belated new year's resolution by presenting what I consider one of the finest snacks on earth: creamy hummus spread thickly on crusty pain au levain bread.

In this case, I recommend two Montana products, both made in Bozeman: Z's Hummus and On the Rise artisan bread.

Today I had a loaf of garlic pain au levain, with big chunks of roasted garlic, which was a perfect complement to the Roasted Red Pepper variety of hummus I had bought at the Livingston Town and Country Foods.

I love Z's Hummus because it is fluffy. I don't know how else to describe it. Most store-bought hummus is compacted into containers like paste. I won't say they don't taste nice, but it was a pleasant surprise to find Z's looking somewhat like -- dare I say it --- whipped cream. It spreads nicely and is so light. I'm trying to figure why I detect a bit of sharp tang with the first bite, something not expected, by me at least. Lemon juice? Citric acid? But oh, after that first tangy bite, it's heavenly.

When you're in Bozeman, be sure to visit the On the Rise bakery. You can buy their artisan bread in stores in and around Bozeman, but at the bakery itself you get a wider variety of baked goods, like cookies and brownies, and can enjoy a slice of pizza right out of the oven. I was told the brick oven is not only unique but was built especially for the store. They don't plan to move to a new location any time soon!

On the Rise Bakery

1007 West Main

Bozeman, MT 59715

406-582-0272

Z's Hummus

available at many local shops

order information: 406-570-1361

Another delicious bazaar

Every year I look forward to the popular Big Timber Women's Club bazaar, which takes place on the first Saturday in November.

Vendors are smiling, customers are smiling, and everyone is just, well, happy.

Of course there are lots of artisan things to buy like handmade dolls' clothes (how about a kimono for your Barbie?), wooden cutting boards, and Christmas trees formed from barbed wire. But for me, it's the food.

Downstairs at the Legion you can buy homemade pie or a light lunch, which are fund-raisers for the Women's Club and St. Joseph's Church.

Jolie and her mom and grandmother (three generations of cooks--what a lucky family!) were at the bazaar again, selling Jolie's tasty lollies and grandma Sally's sweet-faced dolls.

Lucky early shoppers got to taste Windy Bakery fresh-from-the-kitchen scones, buckeyes, caramel rolls, and cheese bread.

The Friends of the Library were selling books as well as homemade cookies.

The Sons of Norway (who I am certain should be called the Daughters of Norway since I have never seen a Son at any public event; where are they hiding the guys??) had a table covered with lefse and Norwegian cookies. This year one member is sharing the secrets of making lefse through the adult education program at Sweet Grass High School (November 16, 6-9 pm).

Two new varieties of Tumblewood Teas are available this season: one flavored lightly with orange and another redolent of pear. Tumblewood Teas are always fresh, always tasty, and always so healthy. I like the clever names, too. (In case you're wondering, the shortbread bites are provided to cleanse your palate between tea tasting; there were plenty to taste at the bazaar.)

Since the bazaar is divided between the American Legion building and the Civic Center, shoppers must walk two blocks. Luckily, today was warm and sunny. (The area is expecting snow on Monday.) Even luckier, the kettle corn man was there to warm tummies with delicious popcorn.

Some nonedible items were tempting nonetheless. I have long enjoyed the "flavors" of Nature's Bliss soap (made in Bozeman). Today I bought a jar of Vanilla Sugar and Cinnamon Body Butter. Oh, so very nice on the skin, but I hope it doesn't drive me to craving cinnamon toast every time I use it. If you missed the bazaar, you can sample these products at the Gallatin Valley farmers market next summer.

And last, but certainly not least, is a new business called It's A Wrap, where you can order candy bars, bottles of water, and even dog biscuits wrapped in a customized label. Email Lisa in Big Timber at ljcberg@cablemt.net if you want to order something for a special occasion (or make a dull occasion special).

A new bakery in town

Who doesn't love a nice bakery? Big Timber happily welcomes De Notre Cuisine ("From Our Kitchen"), where locals are enjoying freshly baked cinnamon rolls, scones, and muffins, accompanied by Yellowstone Coffee, Tumbleweed Teas, and Ghirardelli hot chocolate.

Many people lined up at the summer Tuesday farmers market to taste Jay and Kristine Vallandingham's fruit tarts, artisan breads, cheese crackers, granola, fleur de sel caramels, and rosemary cashews. Now everyone can find these tasty treats year round in a cozy shop on the main street downtown.

The bakery opened January 26 and still looks a bit bare. But Jay and Kristine have delectable plans. Chilled shelves will showcase lemon cream tarts, eclairs, deli items, and more. The menu will include breakfast foods like savory croissants and sausage rolls. One room will be a gourmet market, and in another groups will gather for catered meals.

But for now, customers are welcome to sit at a table to watch the world in Big Timber go by or warm themselves by the fire, knitting and sipping tea.

Kristine also points out that if you don't see something on display, ask for it. You can order anything and expect prompt service.

"If it's not on the shelf, it doesn't mean we don't have it," she said. "Special orders are not only expected, they're encouraged. We like to be useful to the community."

Cakes and fancy desserts might take 24 hours, but if you get in early to order dinner rolls, they could be ready that evening. While you're in the shop, look through the book of photos of past culinary marvels, and you will be ready to order red velvet cake, iced cookies, and a dozen other goodies.

My enthusiasm for baked goods can easily be whipped up to a frenzy. But without letting my emotions get out of control, I can say that the food made by the Vallandinghams is very nice indeed. I noticed this last summer at the farmers market, where the fruit tarts always tasted fresh and the rosemary cashews were a perfect balance of savory and sweet.

During my evening visit near closing time at the bakery, the oatmeal raisin scone was light and flavorful. This morning, a cinnamon roll was soft, with exactly the right amount of spice and sweetness, even with a coating of sugar icing.

They could have truthfully named this bakery Just the Right Touch.

De Notre Cuisine

104 McLeod Street

Big Timber

406-932-5115

Tuesday - Friday, 9 am - 6 pm

Saturday, 9 am - 3 pm

Sunday and Monday, closed