Hi! I’m currently taking time off from regular posting after having a baby this summer, but want to check in with a little update.
Sweet readers, I’m having a tough time right now.
Whether you’re (1) evacuating your home or have family/friends on the west coast during these devastating wildfires, (2) trying to find normalcy in a very not normal world, and/or (3) adjusting to children learning at home or back in school during this pandemic, this season of life feels very different. It certainly feels different for me. We welcomed our beautiful baby girl this past summer and are absolutely in love with her. From her big curious eyes down to her tiny little toes, she is honestly the sweetest. She’s such an easy baby, but maybe that’s because we have the experience under our belts. Our older daughter just loves her and wants to be around her all the time. We’re so blessed to have our health, home, and happy daughters.
My heart is just so full.
However, at the very same time, a piece of my heart feels like it’s missing.
Our beloved dog, Jude, passed away last month. Jude was diagnosed with cancer in August 2019 and fought it for a year. As pet owners know, pets are a very big part of the family. And Jude? He was my shadow. My sidekick. A true companion in every sense of the word. An irreplaceable part of this family. Wherever I was, he was. If dogs have souls, Jude has one of the biggest. Not only because he was enormous at 120 lbs, he just had a very big heart. He was the kind of dog who could sense how you were feeling. Laid with you while you were sick, sat with you while you cried, smiled at you (seriously!) when you were happy. For 12 beautiful years, Jude was our constant through it all: new homes, new jobs, cookbooks, our wedding, birthdays, book tour, miscarriage, pregnancies, babies, and all the other moments in between.
For anyone who thrives on routine, the loss of such a prominent part of your life feels impossible. Additionally, the transition from 1 to 2 children certainly has its difficulties. Pair all of this with postpartum recovery, postpartum emotions, sleepless newborn nights, and the isolation felt during this world pandemic and your emotional and mental stress feel like a mountain weighing on top of you. My husband, always looking on the bright side, reminds me of the silver linings we have. We’re so thankful our daughter got to meet Jude and that we even have a few pictures of him sitting beside her bassinet. And having activities and gatherings cancelled this summer has encouraged us to slow down. Maybe it’s the same for you too? We’re enjoying more time outdoors and savoring the present. And one last silver lining: While Franklin, our other dog, misses his big buddy, he’s certainly loving all the extra attention. He deserves it.
I mentioned this on social media and want to repeat it here. I know it might seem unseemly to grieve the loss of a dog when so many are losing their lives in the chaos of our world right now. But loss is loss and I’m feeling this one really hard. I recently experienced one of my best days and one of my worst. It’s been an absolute roller coaster of emotions and I’m still trying to work through it all.
I miss him so much. Jude was the happiest dog until those final few days.
I planned to post more recipes during my postpartum time off, but haven’t had the chance to clear my head and publish them all. I promise I’m trying my best to bring you fresh new recipes that I prepped while I was pregnant. Thank you for your patience with me and understanding that I need this time to be with my family.
On a brighter note, it’s Noelle’s 3rd birthday next week! I can’t believe my little girl is turning 3. No big parties this year, but we’re going to make the day as special as we can. She loves the Trolls World Tour movie and I plan to make her a special Queen Poppy cake. I’m terrible with fondant, so I’m thinking vanilla cake, rainbow frosting decoration, and a Trolls cake topper. Have you ever made a Trolls themed birthday cake before? I’m open to ideas!
We took a little vacation to Deep Creek Lake last week. It was a quiet and relaxing family getaway in one of our favorite spots. We just needed a change of scenery. If I’m being honest, sitting on the back deck with coffee and a view was all the medicine we needed. It was after Labor Day, so the lake wasn’t crowded. We lucked out with weather.
‘Tis the season for quick bread. We brought a loaf of the September Sally’s Baking Challenge recipe to the lake with us: cinnamon swirl quick bread. (There have been hundreds of participants so far this month!) This time I mixed 1 cup of chopped and peeled apples into the cinnamon sugar swirl mixture before layering it in. Same bake time. It tasted unbelievable– sort of like last week’s apple cinnamon babka but without a yeasted dough. I highly recommend it.
I was going to wait until the official start of fall, but couldn’t resist. Here’s my first loaf of pumpkin bread this season. I actually prefer it plain without the chocolate chips. I used whole wheat flour in this loaf and topped it with coarse sugar before baking. Same bake time. Always so moist and flavorful.
I want to lead by example not only for my daughters, but for my readers and followers too. In my last coffee break post, I shared my commitment to help break the unjust cycle of racism in our world and country. I hope we each yearn for a more loving and inclusive world and sometimes it’s hard to understand that in order for that to happen, we have to be the change… right now. Over the past couple months, I’ve thought a lot about the privilege I have simply because of the color of my skin. I found this article on Allure.com and while the entire piece is a great resource, the section titled “Reflect on all the ways you benefit from privilege” has been enlightening. (It links to a few more pieces and essays too.) I shared this on my Instagram account, but I joined Rachel Cargle’s eye-opening Do The Work course. It’s a free email course that provides comprehensive and concrete ways for being anti-racist. The emails also include links to articles, other resources, and videos. There is also The Conscious Kid organization. By joining, you have access to many resources for how to teach children (of any age) about anti-racism.
I’m still learning and growing in my own advocacy, but I hope to keep the momentum going that was seen earlier this summer. Racism has deep roots and as we continue to see it in the news every single day, it will not go away without the work.
Have you joined the sourdough bandwagon?
I just picked up a copy of New World Sourdough by Bryan Ford. I’m excited to finally learn more about from-scratch sourdough. I’ve always been intimidated by the entire process because the wealth of information online is overwhelming. However his book and comprehensive guide to sourdough (with FAQs) breaks things down into understandable steps. Super helpful if you’re a beginner like I am.
I also got Whole Grain Sourdough at Home. I haven’t had the chance to dive into it yet, but this book covers how to tackle sourdough using whole wheat flour and ancient grains. Recipes seem very easy to follow too.
I think that’s about it for now. Let’s end this post on a positive note though. No matter what we’re facing in this moment: loss, heartache, exhaustion, injustice, natural disaster, anxiety, change, and anything in between, I know that food can be healing. Baking has always lifted my spirits whether that’s receiving something homemade from a loved one, baking to ease my mind, or baking for someone who needs cheering up. It’s so much more than something sweet, it’s comforting for the mind and soul. Need proof? Last year I wrote a post called What Baking Means to You. The comments are beautiful.
Thank you for being here. xo
Sally,
Congratulations on your new baby girl! Your daughters are beautiful!
It’s hard to lay your emotions and feelings out there for everyone to see, but you’ve done so beautifully. I live in south Florida. Recently I wrote a letter to the editor of our paper regarding all the senseless killing, and blacks lives lost. I wasn’t sure how it would be received, and as you did, I just put my raw feelings and anguish out there. There were replies to the letter a couple of days later, and they were both positive. Seems like we’re all feeling angst on different levels.
I’m so sorry for your loss of Jude. Our pets are part of our family, and we miss them terribly when they die. I know too well the sadness of losing a pet. He had a loving home .
Thanks for providing a place for your readers to vent, and express their feelings.
Peace and safety to everyone.
Thank you for this life update. What a cute picture. The expression on Elise’s face is precious. So good to see a picture of the 3 of you.
So sorry for the loss of your dog Jude. I am sure it will take time to adjust. You will never get over it but you can adjust to a new normal.
Pray for comfort and peace during this time. Our world has gone insane and it is very hard to deal with. GOD BLESS!
Sally, I’m so sorry that Jude is no longer on this earth but he will always be with you in your heart. You must have such lovely memories of his time with you and that he got to be with both your daughters is really special. ‘To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven: A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted;’ Ecclesiastes 3. 1 – 2
You and your family will pluck up the love that Jude planted and it will carry you forward. God bless
I agree with Natalie about the sadness of losing Jude. He was so much a part of your life.
And yes, eventually it will become easier.
But, it’s hard right now.
You write such lovely letters to us, your followers. I have so much admiration for your ability to do that for us.
We care for you and family. Just know that.
Sally, I love your coffee break posts! I’m so sorry for your loss of Jude, I thrive off of routine and I know it’s what works to help calm my anxiety, I know how it feels to have that turned upside down! I hope it gets easier for you and your family everyday. I know I (and your other fans) will patiently wait for new recipes! Take the time you need to recoup and love on your babies!
Sally, what a beautiful and comprehensive coffee break. You covered it all, and so well. You brought tears to my eyes! Everything is harder right now and feelings, good and bad really are enhanced. I am so happy for your new addition and what a touching picture of you and your girls. Jude…I didn’t know him except through your newsletters and your cookbooks, but my heart breaks for you and loss is loss, and the grief is real no matter if he was a dog. His pictures exuded his big personality and his gentleness if that makes sense. I am so sorry and so sad for you and hope you will feel his soul with you and turn it into a bright thought and feelings when you are down. He was truly blessed to have you as his mom. You have a lot on your plate, having gone through many of life’s most emotional life changes this past summer. We just moved, and although it was only 4 miles, just doing that has been so hard and stressful. I will truly miss where we were, and love where we are now. I am giving up my dream kitchen though, but I already baked your cinnamon quick bread in our new kitchen…..so, am trying to make it feel like home. I am addicted to it, and thank you for such a timely recipe. Baking centers me! Thank you for your inclusive post and your genuine nature. It really hit home for me! Will keep you and your family in my thoughts and now, let me go give my special dog a hug in honor of Jude!
Dear Sally,
Thank you for sharing a Coffee Break post today!
I feel with you on the joyous and deeply sad moment that is right now. Please take all the time you need.
It’s wonderful that you got to go to the lake – a change of scenery really does help.
I’m currently making a lot of your recipes: in the past weeks, I’ve made the Blueberry Almond Power Muffins, I tried making snack bars from scratch for the first time (made the Spiced Pumpkin Seed Cranberry version), made Coconut Macadamia Nut Cookies – so good!, and made the Maple Brown Sugar Cookies yesterday. And all the granola I make is based on your Maple Almond Cranberry Granola – we have some variation of it at all times. Oh, and I’m so ready for Pumpkin Bread 🙂
So, I absolutely can relate to baking beeing helpful and healing, and I am grateful for the inspiration that comes from your blog. Thank you so much!
All the best to you and your loved ones! Sina
Sally, congratulations on the birth of your baby. Both girls are adorable!
Thank you for sharing your thoughts and feelings. I think that this particular post opens the door for so many of us who have been grieving in a plethora of ways during these strange times. For me, old wounds, feelings once thought were under control have erupted and are really consuming my mind.
Thank you for providing a place to have “coffee talk”!
Sally my heart and prayers are with you , it will be 2 years in November that we lost our little Riley to cancer after 12 years with this wonderful doggie . They are definitely a big part of your family and the loss is agonizing but your memories will soften the pain as time passes . Your little girls are absolutely gorgeous and even with the world so different right now we all have so much to be grateful for .
Congratulations Sally and we thank God for safe delivery. And my condolence for Jude it’s very sad I had a dog too my bestie I could say named blackie I loved him so much but he got knocked down by a hit and run driver just when I got pregnant I was heart broken and it took him some days before he died I feed him, gave him his drugs but he died this happened in 2012 and I haven’t been able to have any other pet so scared to go tru that pain again. But on a brighter side I love u and ur kids are adorably beautiful. Take heart, stay safe and God be with you
Hi there my condolences on your loss. Pets are a mainstay of the family. No unconditional love. Always there for us no matter what’s happening in our lives. They provide warmth laughter and most of all love. Great picture of your daughters. You’re truly blessed. Hang in there. I love to cook and bake. Going to try both bread recipes . Look yummy.
All the best !
God Bless
Thanks
Phil
Congratulations on your new baby girl. You have a beautiful family. So sorry for the loss of your beloved Jude. I have been following your blog since the beginning and know how much he meant to you. Sending hugs and prayers.
Sally
Congrats on you new addition in your house. Such joy! My condolences on the loss of Jude. I know the blessings of pets and the memories that you hold dear in your heart. Thank you for the message of anti racism and yes the reminder of priviledge. Keep doing the work you do as the baking helps us all bring love to those near and dear to us. For many of us it is this baking is a way to show love.
Peace to you and you family.
Sally, I started following your blog last year. I’m a seasoned Le Cordon Bleu pastry chef, I worked for Disney over five years, my dream job!! I have truly enjoyed your wonderful recipes. The last project I made was your gingerbread houses as gifts to my favorite people. They were great and I had so much fun. Baking is my passion, but I love it when it’s fun, your recipes are definitely fun !! I apologize for not sending a comment until now, just always busy baking. I have to say you are my favorite. I feel like the world has turned upside down. So much going on to wrap my head around it all and cope. Congratulations on your new precious baby, enjoy every minute , it goes so fast. I’m sorry to hear about the loss if your dear best friend. You have so much on your plate, to say nothing of the burden of the pandemic. My advice is , just do it at your own pace. Take care of yourself and your family at your own pace. Everything else can wait untill you are ready, take all the time you need. When you’re ready you can go back to your life with a few adjustments. Hopefully everything will work itself out for the better, God willing, you and your family are in my prayers.
Oh Sally, I know exactly how you are feeling and I am so sorry. Thank you for sharing – I started following you because of your name!!’ My mom’s name was Sally and I am glad I did!
Enjoy this time with your beautiful new baby and her big sister!
Love, love, love your recipes and always look forward to the next one!
Sorry for your loss Sally. I also recently lost our dog of 15 years. The pain, sadness, tears
Were to much. After much thought we got another puppy. While she will never replace our Abbigail, she brings great joy to our life. Hope you can also find great joy in your life with your family. I can not imagine what it would be like having a baby during Covid-19 or even with the racial injustice that is going on every day in our country. We all need to ban together as a whole, go back to being kind, compassionate, considerate Of each other. Take all the time you need, to grieve to be with your family. I don’t need a new recipe you have hundreds. Rest assured I will still be around when your able. Prayers for you, your family and all around for all that are having such hard times. Xoxo❤️
Take it slowly and enjoy your little ones. Losing a pet is losing a family member So hold on to the memories while you make new ones.
Sally,
Congratulations on your precious baby, Elise! Lovely photo.
I’m so sorry to hear about your beloved Franklin. It is heartbreaking when your fur baby passes. They bring so much love and joy to your life. They truly are a gift. Please take all the time you need to grieve. Your baking fans will be here supporting you! Will keep you in my prayers. Much ! Kathy
Oh Dear Sally, I am so sorry for your loss of your loved one Jude, pets are a big part of your life and family, a big hug coming your way. Your children are beautiful and what a blessing!! I so enjoy your blog, take your time with everything going on in your life right now and we will all be here when you are ready. Take Care.
Blessings on you and your family. Helping a fur baby over the Rainbow Bridge is painful, but usually the best thing you can do for them. No more pain. And I believe that when I pass over the Rainbow Bridge, all of my beloved pets will be there to greet me.
When I was a child, my mother always reminded me of the Golden Rule. I try to live by it, but I wonder why others don’t. It seems so fundamental to me. Treat others as you would like to be treated. Simple, to the point, and not hard to do. The world would be a much better place if we all followed it.
Sally, This is the first coffee break I remember seeing, but maybe it is because I am inundated with so many emails from even things I don’t subscribe too.( I do subscribe to you). I am so sorry for the loss, pain and sadness with Jude being gone. I have been asking my Lord, Jesus Christ for help for you as I am reading your post. My heart is touched, sorrowed. I am glad The Lord has blessed you with such a sweet family and Loving husband. Praise the Lord. He will help you, just lean on Him, I know, for He is my helper !!! Thank You for honestly posting. Congrats on having Elise !!! What a blessing children are.
Sally – the loss of a beloved pet or any family member is difficult on a good day and I speak from personal experience. I also discovered that non pet owners ( and perhaps even some pet owners) don’t GET IT that the loss of a pet (who you have spent many years together sharing perhaps 10-20 years of your life) is a traumatic life experience. What helped me cope with the loss of my pets was to remember the good, happy, sometime stressful times I shared with my pets and to embrace the notion of how much richer my life was and my pet’ s because we were members of each others families.
Fortunately, you have 2 young children to keep you busy and help you heal from the loss of Jude.
BTW – love your site and recipes etc. but in all honesty I would feel really guilty if I started to receive regular posts from your site. I would feel guilty because I would prefer you spent time with your children (especially considering the demands of a newborn), that you spent time your husband, that you take the time you need for self care, that you take the time to cope with the current unprecedent stresses of COVID-19 along with all the other stresses in society etc.
Seriously, no need to apologize and/or explain to anyone why you have not been able to post a new recipe. I for one understand and it goes without saying – if you could you would and when you are able your will post more regularly. I sincerely hope your other readers concur. That’s all for now and all the best, Nancy
Congratulations on your baby girl!
What a beautiful ray of sunshine with everything going on in the world. Also So sorry to hear about the loss of you’re beloved best friend. Can’t even imagine. Mine is 130lbs and by my side all the time! I have to say, I have never been on Facebook or have responded to any posts, but felt compelled to respond to yours. I know what you mean about this year.
I had to place both my folks in assisted living, sold their house, most of their belongings and have not been able to see them since March because of the virus. My daughter’s best friend lost her dad and my daughter lost her dad and his dog, which was his best friend. Sometimes you do feel all alone. We do have to remember to turn to God in these hard times, pray for each other and this country. You and your family will be in my thoughts and prayers as time will heal your loss. My daughter is also in her final year of Vet school, which is so exciting to know she’ll be taking care of all these beloved creatures that have so much love to give.
God Bless you and all of us!
Thank You for your recipes and sharing your life with all of us.
Love and Hugs
Sally, you are a breathe of fresh air! Reading your “Coffee Break” post, made me feel like I’m not the only one feeling like I do! Absolutely nothing unseemly about what you wrote about Jude or the grief. Like many others I feel the loss of a pet deeply as well. I’m one of those worrying about wether my house is going to be consumed by the horrible fire lurking only 8miles away we are packed for evacuation and smoke so bad can’t leave the house after being quarantined and I’m a real homebody but I’m starting to hope this is not a new normal. Baking does help. Made fudgey brownies yesterday chocolate picked up my mood;) Reading your post with real talk and comments from your readers really helps me feel not alone. I too do not have Facebook or comment too much to things online, but you moved me and I can relate to all you wrote. My heart goes out to all the mothers of children who have to homeschool. My son is 26 and married if this happened in the 90’s and I was working ,now I’m homeschooling honestly not sure it would turn out very well. yikes We need teachers! Hang in there and thanks again for real feelings it helped!
Thank you Sally for sharing. Sorry for your lost. Pets are family.
Anyone who has loved a pet knows the depth of your grief and loss. It’s a difficult thing to get through as I know all too well. May your sadness be tempered by great memories of the joy he brought you during his life. Xoxo
So so sad for the lose of your cherished pet, they are so much a part of our family and lives. Smile knowing you gave him a good life. And smile at the babies you have been entrusted to care for, such a blessing. I am glad you have chosen to take time away to help yourself and your precious little family deal with the craziness of the world and settling in with your baby. Sometimes it is just what we need to recharge and work ourselves back to some sort of normalcy. ❤️
Devastated to hear about Jude. Been following you since you and Kev got engaged and remember falling in love with Jude. I have no words.
Lovely tp hear from you & thank you for finding the time to update us all. Congratulations on the safe arrival of Elise , enjoy Noelle’s 3rd birthday celebrations.
Many condolences on the loss of your beloved dog
Oh Sally I’m so sorry you are grieving your sweet Jude. I lost my little Cocoa to cancer and I know how difficult it is to experience a loss like this. You have quite a lot going on right now with two little ones in the house. They are definitely a blessing, but it’s a lot of work so be kind to yourself and take breaks. I love the picture of you with your girls! They are so sweet and precious!
Thank you for the hard work you put into your wonderful recipes and providing a way for all of us to share our love and joy of baking.
Aloha Malala Pono
I know loss and I feel for you Sally.
The pain of losing Jude will never go away but I promise you it will get easier to deal with.
Cherish your family and look for even the smallest positives in life.
You are in our thoughts.
I agree with Natalie about the sadness of losing Jude. He was so much a part of your life.
And yes, eventually it will become easier.
But, it’s hard right now.
You write such lovely letters to us, your followers. I have so much admiration for your ability to do that for us.
We care for you and family. Just know that.
Dear Sally, such a lovely photo of you and your precious girls!
You have my deepest sympathy for the loss of sweet Jude. I understand your pain. I lost my beloved kitty a few years ago after nearly 20 years together. She, too, had been ill; but she bore it with such a humble dignity, as I am sure your Jude did. She opened my heart in a way that no one else ever could. It is a special blessing to share a deep bond and love with our pets. Their hearts are pure and their love is unconditional.
Take all the time you need. We, your readers, are here for you as you are here for us. Thank you for all your hard work. Your recipes have become a special part of my Christmas traditions.
Peace and blessings to you and your family.
Sally until you walked the walk no one knows how deep the heartache is. I understand your pain. I’ve walked that same walk. Time will heal the hole in your heart left by this huge loss and good memories will take place . Allow yourself the time to grieve. Its perfectly ok.