Blog Feature: Kate's Pastries

sweet potato bread

This month's shop is not only one shop that I admire on the internet, but I have also had the pleasure to meet in person many times at my local farmers market. Kathleen Moka of Kate's Pastries has been baking every since she was twelve years old for her friends and family. However, she started creating pastries as a business since September 2009.

peanut butter cookies

Kathleen bakes a yummy product of mouth watering mini pastries. She also creates a line of gluten free products including a variety of sweet breads and cookies, sweetened with brown sugar, stevia and or raw organic honey. Her recipes are made with only natural and organic ingredients, free of bleached flour, additives, preservatives, artificial flavor or food colorings. Kathleen decided to make gluten free products after many of her customers asked her if she would consider making gluten free products so their family members could also enjoy. She listened and is glad she did, so their loved ones can also enjoy healthy and delicious baked goods without compromising taste!

chocolate hazelnut cookies

Kathleen's other hobbies which include reading her bible, cooking with exotic ingredients and spices, watching family movies, and spending time with her family.

Before starting her business, Kathleen worked in education as a family development specialist and a preschool teacher.

original nutmeg

She bakes her products in a commercial kitchen that is certified and approved by the Department of Agriculture.

Kathleen advice to someone consdering starting their own food business, first of all, make sure you have a passion for food, do your research on starting a business, ask questions from trusted professionals in the food business, have faith and work smart!

Kathleen has generously offered to give one of my readers a bag of one of her yummy cookies. Leave a comment of which flavor of cookies you like for a chance to win. The winner will be announced next Monday.

Autumn is here!

Finally the trees are starting to slowly turn into beautiful shades of red. In honor of this beautiful season I made this ornment that will be available in my shop this week.

Festival Time

For those of you who live in Atlanta area, I will be at the Lilburn Daze Art Festival 9 to 5p.m. today.

Fall Pumpkins

My local grocery store and craft store are carrying pumpkins and all the beautiful fall decorations. I look forward to the cooler weather, and I'm noticing the trees are slowing changing colors.

Suwanee Day Festival

Here are a few photos of our cities festival this past weekend. My daughter Bethany was of course on the other side of the street. She is the third on the right hand side with the ponytail.

Miss. Georgia

Iwo Jima tribute. They didn't move.

You see that little guy in the front with the orange cap peeking his head out? That is my Jordy!

Michael and I enjoyed a yummy cupcake at the festival. They had arts and crafts and other businesses with booths.

Chocolate Sauce

Do you ever get those chocolate cravings at night? Well this little treat is delicious, but zer0 the guilt. I have been making this yummy chocolate sauce over my ice cream that was not just tasty, but low in sugar.

I use Hershey's cocoa, agave nectar, and vanilla.

First you add 2 to 3 Tbsp. of butter or margarine to the pan.

After the butter is melted I add about 3/4 cup of cocoa.

Then I add about 1/4 cup of milk. I might add a little more if it is to thick.

Once the milk is mixed in well with the cocoa, then I add the agave to taste. It is probably about 3 Tbsp. of syrup. I also have made this with soy milk for my daughter who is allergic to milk to add with her soy ice cream. The sauce should be stored in the refrigirator. It should last about two weeks in the refrigirator. Ours never last that long. Enjoy!

Mini Pillow

I purchased to get a thermofax of one of my designs made. I am still trying to get the hang of the screen as far as having a consistant color on the fabric. I'll show you my other attempts soon.