10/18/2026
I'm still processing yesterday, and I truly don't know if I'll ever have enough words to express just how thankful I am. 🥹♥️
I don't know about anyone else, but after an event, especially one like yesterday, you're kind of on this high. Your cup is full. Overflowing, honestly.
I get to see so many of you. We talk, catch up on life, check in on each other's families, share hugs, and sometimes share things that are a little heavier on our hearts.
And I want you to know something. Those conversations don't leave me when the market ends. I remember them. I think about you. And when I tell you I'm praying for you, I truly mean that. ♥️
By the time the tent comes down, everything is packed up, and we get home to unload (which, let's be real, unloading might actually be the WORST part 😂), it all starts to sink in.
The conversations, the familiar faces, the new friendships, the happy updates, and even the struggles some of you are walking through. It's emotional. Happy emotions, bittersweet emotions, and sometimes just an overwhelming feeling of gratitude.
And yesterday? Oh my goodness. Yesterday was something special.
AppleFest 2026 was RECORD-BREAKING for Starting All Things Sourdough! 🍎♥️
This was the most I've EVER baked for a single-day market. We went ALL OUT!
🍞 89 loaves of sourdough bread
🍎 Over 100 scones
🍪 Well over 100 cookies
♥️ Nearly 50 cinnamon rolls
And every single one of those 89 loaves of bread was gone in FOUR HOURS!
FOUR. HOURS. 🥹
I've baked a whole lot of bread over the years, and goodness knows I've worked my poor bread oven HARD since the day I got it. 😂 But with AppleFest, the weather, and the size of the event, we decided to go big.
And even then, I had my doubts.
But you guys SHOWED UP.
I heard so many things yesterday that I wish I could have written them all down.
"Oh my gosh, you're back this year!"
"I've been looking everywhere for you! I thought I was reading the map wrong, but I found you!"
"I came early because I knew how fast you sold out last year!"
"We're going to stop back here because she has the BEST stuff. I just don't want to carry it around all day!"
"We just saw you last weekend at Fall Fête, and someone told us you'd be here, so we came!"
And then there were those sweet comments I overheard as people walked past my tent, not even realizing I could hear them.
You guys. 🥹♥️
I don't think you realize what those little moments mean to someone who has poured so much of her heart into a small business.
There were moments yesterday when I genuinely wanted to cry. Happy tears. Grateful tears. Just completely overwhelmed by the kindness and encouragement.
And then there's my family. ♥️
My daughter, who worked alongside me yesterday, kept telling me, "I'm so proud of you, Mom."
My husband told me how proud he was, too, and reminded me that he knew I could sell all that bread, even when I doubted myself.
And as a mom of six, you better believe I was watching that clock because I had a son's baseball game to get to! 😂⚾
And somehow, after one of the biggest days my little bakery has ever had, I made it in time to catch the end of his game. What a way to end the day. ♥️
I am so thankful for my family, who supports this little dream of mine, jumps in to help, and cheers me on through all the late nights and early mornings.
And I have to give a HUGE shout-out to Downtown Business Council of Chambersburg 🍎
You guys put on an incredible event. From the advertising and organization to the little details and the way you care for your vendors, it does not go unnoticed.
And Brittany, our block manager, deserves some extra love! ♥️
She is FABULOUS. She pays attention to every single detail, checks on us throughout the day, and genuinely cares about how we're doing.
Yesterday morning, while I was setting up, she came over and said something along the lines of, "I can't wait to see what you do today! How long until you sell out?"
The encouragement before the day even started meant so much.
Thank you, Brittany, and thank you, Downtown Chambersburg, for such a wonderful event!
Now, I have to brag on another small business for a minute! 🥹♥️
You guys know my cake pop lady, Bright Ideas Bakery!
We try to set up beside each other whenever we're at the same events, and yesterday we were right next to each other again.
And OH MY GOODNESS, did she have a DAY!
She was hoping to get close to her previous record from Corn Fest. Well, she didn't just get close. She PASSED IT!
And then she set her sights on an even bigger goal. Nearly 500 cake pops at ONE market!
As we were starting to tear down, she was just SIX cake pops away from that goal.
SIX!
And you better believe I was hanging around to see if she needed anything, because I was determined to see her reach it! 😂
But she didn't need my help. SHE DID IT!
And then, after I had already left for my son's game, she messaged me to say she had sold even MORE!
Another record-breaking day, right next to mine.
I cannot even begin to tell you how happy I was for her. There is something so special about watching another small business owner work so hard, reach a goal, and then surpass it.
I am SO proud of you, friend! ♥️
And speaking of other small businesses, I have to mention a few more people who made yesterday special.
Amber Myers from The Trendy Bean! And Presley ♥️
They stopped by to see us yesterday, and it meant so much. When you run a small business yourself, your days off are precious. And to spend part of one of those days coming out to another market, supporting your fellow small business friends, and stopping to say hello? I just love and appreciate you guys so much.
And 717.thriftz ♥️
We've been at a couple of the same Bean Queen markets, but when you're vending at those busy events, you don't always get the opportunity to walk around, shop, or even introduce yourself to other vendors.
Despite that, she has already ordered from me twice and supported my little bakery twice!
And yesterday, she and Mr. 717 stopped by to see us!
It was so wonderful to finally connect. Those little connections between small businesses mean more than you know.
That's something I absolutely love about this community. We cheer each other on. We support each other. We celebrate each other's successes. And there is room for ALL of us to grow. ♥️
And to every single customer, whether you've been supporting me for years, found me for the first time yesterday, stopped just to say hello, shared a kind word, or sent someone my way...
THANK YOU. THANK YOU. THANK YOU.
I truly wish I could thank each and every one of you individually.
To those who have already messaged me about your breads, scones, cinnamon rolls, and cookies, I see your messages, and I promise I'll get back to you! Reading how much you're enjoying everything makes my heart so happy.
If you've made it this far through my very long, emotional Sunday morning rambling, bless you. 😂♥️
I know this is a lot. But yesterday was a lot, in the most beautiful way.
There are so many late nights, early mornings, and long days that go into this little business. Sometimes I question myself. Sometimes I wonder if I've made too much, taken on too much, or dreamed a little too big.
And then days like yesterday happen.
Not just because of the sales or the records broken, but because of YOU.
The people. The conversations. The friendships. The hugs. The encouragement. The community.
That's what fills my cup.
So today, I'm taking a little time to rest, reflect, and just be thankful.
Downtown Chambersburg, AppleFest 2026 was truly one for the books. 🍎♥️
From the bottom of my heart, thank you for continuing to show up for Starting All Things Sourdough. I could never do this without you.
I love and appreciate you all more than I could ever put into words.
Have a wonderful Sunday, friends. I hope you get a little time to rest, recharge, and enjoy the people you love.
And again, THANK YOU. 🥹♥️
