There was an exact moment I fell in love with baking—thousands of feet above the earth: March 13, 2017. Flying home from Cabo San Lucas, I watched Julie & Julia in the clouds, and it was like a switch I didn’t know I had was flipped to ON. I was captivated. The movie isn’t exactly about baking, but it’s filled with love and passion for food—and Paris! Though I’ve never been, I dream of going—the boulangeries, patisseries, the flowers and cafes.

The next day I checked out a pile of books, including Julia Child’s Mastering the Art of French Cooking and Brodpassion by French baker Sébastien Boudet. I attempted Julia’s baguettes and Sébastien’s croissants.

I was intrigued by Sébastien’s story—his father was a baker, and though his mother warned him against the demanding lifestyle and sleepless nights, he couldn’t resist. He went to college but kept sneaking off to bake. Eventually, he dropped out to follow his true passion. I could understand because of whatever feeling had been stirred up in me.

One part of his story stuck with me: as a child, he and his father would drive through towns at sunset, giving away unsold loaves. The image of them bouncing along in the bakery truck, God’s golden sunlight shining down, blessing others with the work of their hands, warmed my heart.

Baking is just that—God’s gifts growing from the earth, shaped by centuries-old techniques, turned into something that nourishes and, if we’re so blessed, delights us!

I baked obsessively for a year, learning from bakers on YouTube and binging The Great British Baking Show.

I would knock on neighbors doors with fresh from the oven baked goods because we couldn’t eat it all. My favorite memory was going door to door with hot beignets in a snowstorm! One neighbor was stunned because they actually had made a French meal! Another was having a big party and I ended up taking them multiple platters.

Eventually I slowed down, focused on my specialties, and started a home bakery and delivery for my sweet neighbors. Funny that one of my favorite things when we bought our house was the little blue and white kitchen with a black and white checkered floor, like a French bakery! Not until 12 years later would I actually start baking in it : )

Now, I’m excited to try farmers markets and blend my love for baking with art and creativity—offering little luxuries like prettily packaged Parisian Hot Chocolate mix, Rose Petal Sugar Cubes, mini floral paintings, and my children’s book about a little French baker girl, all alongside my pastries!

I don’t know how far this will go—I used up my all-nighters in my early advertising years—but for now, I’m happy with small batches that bring all my passions together: art, design, flowers, and the simple magic of turning flour, butter, and time into something special—something that brings delight to others and helps support my family.

Baking can be hard work. I quit for a long stretch, but a friend reminded me, "Jenni, I think you need to embrace your home bakery—it’s special that you have customers waiting for you!"

And just like that, something clicked again. Sometimes, a little change in mindset makes all the difference.