MS Design Maven

Monday, April 28, 2014

Baker Man: Sweet Delights Delivered

I have served Baker's mini cheesecakes at my studio
for several recent events, each time to rave reviews.

I love to present them sprinkled with berries.

As I'm sure I've already told you maybe more than once, Clarksdale is like home to me, although I have never really lived there.

I was born in Clarksdale and lived in the neighboring Quitman County through Elementary School.

My Mother, my Daddy, and my Grandmother Nanny were always taking us to Clarksdale for something or another, and it usually involved shopping of some sort.

It might have been Powers for dresses, Woolworth's for sundries (and of course the candy counter), the Gift and Art Shop for decorative items (yes, I loved decor at age three), and as we got just a little older Charlie Connerly's for shoes.

But one place we nearly always visited on every trip was Al's bakery on Delta Avenue. My sister Susan and I would get big iced and decorated gingerbread men. And we often argued about what hurt the gingerbread man least to eat first,

the head or the arms and legs.

On birthdays, it was always a white cake with white icing and icing roses in the current favorite color, except the year Susan had the circus cake, but that is another story for another day.

Now I'm spending lots of my time on Delta Avenue in Clarksdale again,

but alas beloved Al's Bakery is no more.

But never fear,

I have found the antidote

to my sweet tooth.

There is a new Baker Man in town,

long time Clarksdalian

(who now lives in Batesville) and self-avowed sweet tooth himself,

Baker Patton!

Baker delivering to 233 Delta Avenue in Clarksdale.
Al's Bakery was just down the street when I was a child.

Baker is a cheesecake aficionado.

He began making cheesecakes back in the 80's using a family recipe that his

mother-in-law Rachel Grochau had learned from a Jewish friend of hers

from years past in Memphis and

had passed it down to her daughter.

Some of the ingredients for a Baker Cheesecake

Baker admits that his

early efforts weren't perfect.

The cheesecakes would often crack.

Once he had everything ready to pop in the oven in his spring form pan, but when he picked up the pan the whole thing fell apart, ingredients flew everywhere.

But Baker has long since perfected his cheesecake technique,

and his business is growing.

He has been known to make up to 10 in a day, as he did right before Christmas.

It takes him 20 or 30 minutes

to mix up the cake.

Snickers Cheesecake Batter

The crust is ready!

and he bakes them

for an hour and 30 minutes.

Baker has my Snickers and my
Godiva Chocolate Cheesecakes in the oven.

Of course the exact recipe and

technique is a secret, but Baker does offer several tips if you want to bake your own cheesecake:

* Use a good spring form pan

* Always spray the pan with Pam

* Make sure the very middle is cooked

* Be creative in designing and flavors

They are done, and NO cracks!

But really, why bother.

Baker can pop right in on Delta Avenue

or pretty much anywhere with a

hand-made, hand-delivered

Baker Man cheesecake.

He has delivered cheesecakes to Jackson, and shipped them to as far as Seattle. He regularly delivers cheesecakes

to the Como Steakhouse.

Baker himself is a sweet delight of a man, baking cheesecakes to please others.

He says, "I truly enjoy getting all the ingredients together for a cheesecake, knowing that the person who ordered it will be enjoying the cake soon. Seeing the smile on their face when they taste it is a special thrill for me. That makes me smile!"

I have to say,

I am very picky about cheesecakes.

Baker's cheesecakes are truly perfect, neither too dense nor too airy and whipped. And the flavors are numerous and delicious. I'm pretty sure I've now tasted them all.

I'm definitely partial to the Godiva Chocolate and the Snickers,

I was at my client's the other morning and she served
Baker's Godiva Chocolate Cheesecake
for our tea party.

but then again I love

the blueberry and the plain too.

The Blueberry Cheesecake
Baker makes the topping himself.

And of course the praline is to die for.

The Como Steakhouse serves The Praline Cheesecake.

Baker's personal favorites are

the plain and the Snickers.

Baker is very happy with the Snickers Cheesecake he brought me.
It was delicious!

The Snickers Cheesecake

To order one of his

truly fabulous cheesecakes,

contact Baker as shown below,

or feel free to get in touch with me!

Baker's Cheesecake flyer

Baker making those mini cheesecakes you saw in the first photo in this post.

Mother's Day is the perfect occasion for a Baker Man Cheesecake.

My Mother loves them!

For my Mother's 75th Birthday on April 22nd,
She requested Baker's Godiva Chocolate Cheesecake.
(No white cake with white icing this year!)
She is taking her first bite of one of his cheesecakes here.
She loves it!

And the Baker Man WILL deliver!

THANKS, BAKER MAN!

photo credits: Marilyn Trainor Storey, Baker Patton

Monday, March 10, 2014

Crimson and Clover, I'm Lucky!

(For My Dearest Sister/Friend Madge on her birthday. I am so very LUCKY to have her!
She is an inspiration!)

Last Thursday morning, I was soaking AGAIN in Madge's big, luxurious tub.

(Click HERE to read more about

Madge's big tub and

how I love to soak!)

My morning soaking/shower time is typically the only time during the day that I really just let my mind wander aimlessly.

I let my creative juices flow as they will, unrestrained, unfettered.

And as a result,

it's often my epiphany time.

I have no idea what is going to show itself!

For some reason THAT morning,

it was CLOVER.

Clover IS lucky,

Well at least the four leaved ones

are supposed to be.

The leaves on a Lucky four leaf Clover
are for Faith, Hope, LOVE, and Luck!

Maybe I was feeling lucky?

Really lucky?

I do have a little collection

of vintage Clover jewelry

that I like to wear this time of year.

I can never have too much luck.

And I do wear men's

"Lucky You" cologne quite a bit.

Yes, the men's!

Someone I love loves it and

suggested I try it.

I do get lots of compliments

when I wear it.

And of course I have always had a penchant for Red Clover,

as it grew in the pecan Grove in my backyard when I was growing up.

(Click HERE to read more about

my beloved Grove and to see my

grandfather in Red Clover.)

We often had a flock

of sheep grazing in the Grove.

Even now, I get a thrill in the spring

when the Red Clover comes up

along the exit ramps on I 55

in Jackson for a few short weeks.

It's just something about that mix of the Crimson ......

Maybe it's like you ...

And the green Clover.

And Me...

I honestly couldn't stop myself from

singing aloud in the tub.

Believe me, you do not want

to hear me sing it,

but click HERE to hear it.

I confess, I did sing it 'over and over',

and actually downloaded it on iTunes while I was in the tub.

And I daydreamed about that color combination, Crimson and Clover.

I do also savor my morning tea/creative time!

As you know, I love a well-defined lip

And a bold eye, sometimes THIS green.

But would you dare combine the two?

Alas, even I probably would not!

But aren't both of the colors

magnificent on their own?

I'm certainly into bold earrings.

These rubies would NEVER be wrong.

And I would love these jade earrings with one of my concocted outfits.

(Stunning with black, I think!)

And yes,

the mix of Crimson and Clover

here would definitely work.

I've never had a pair

of Crimson glittery heels.

I have had Clovery ones.

Every springtime when I was little,

and I watched the "Wizard of Oz" during it's once and magical yearly showing,

I did dream of a pair of wonderful, magic Crimson shoes like Dorothy's.

But of course they wouldn't have been as special without the Emerald "Clover"City.

Some bombshells wear Crimson.

That other Marilyn!

Others wear Clover.

Some REALLY southern girls

wear Crimson .....

And Clover.

And of course the Clover velvet drapes remind me of fabrics and interiors...

I'm not sure I like this one.

But I do love the pop of a studded Crimson ottoman with this Clover.

And the Crimson jolt of the silk pillows against the lacquered Clover walls.

And I would never turn down Crimson Fortuny ....

Or Clover Fortuny, separate or together.

I am a fan of this Bohemian interior with Crimson beams and 'Chandy'

and Clover woodwork

And the juxtaposition of the Crimson lanterns with the Clover ceiling.

I am into this abstract "Crimson and Clover" by Madeline Denaro.

And this Victorian in Crimson and Clover has an appeal and ....

reminds me a bit of the Pillow-Thompson in Helena where we attended the Mardis Gras Wine Tasting to be benefit the Downtown Helena Association the very night of my "Lucky Clover" epiphany soak.