You can always tell an Oregonian every time the sun peeks out. We pour out of our homes and work, just to feel its rays on our skin. This year, I can’t help but laugh at myself, as I find myself almost in a panic to get home to enjoy it while it lasts.

I longed for the recent time change, much like I used to anxiously await the arrival of my birthday as a child. Finally, I can resume my favorite pastimes: hiking, biking, boating and camping.

As we make more time for outdoor activities, all of our obligations to celebrate birthdays, anniversaries and family parties linger. It’s so great to be able to have a place like Market of Choice where you can always get high-quality baked goods and deli foods whenever you need them.

Gone are the days where you grab something off of the table at the store and have to make excuses like “Sorry I didn’t have time to bake.” Go ahead grab the items we have ready to go for you and serve them with pride knowing we are here doing our very best to make your event great, no matter how much pre planning was done on your part.

We love to accommodate custom orders, but when life gets in the way of pre-planning we are here for you. You can buy with confidence knowing we have sourced the best local ingredients. And rest assured knowing that our bakers take great pride in creating your family’s favorite desserts. Just sit back, relax and enjoy every last compliment.

Here are just a few of the great items always available at your Bakery:

• Moist and delectable 8” Single Layer Cakes with all-butter icings (no shortening). We can write anything you’d like in just a few minutes. These cakes come in a variety of flavors and serve 8-10 people. We split and fill every single layer to provide just the perfect balance of cake and filling.

• Delicious and satisfying 8” Double Layer Cakes with three layers of filling. Beautiful inside and out, these cakes feed 10-15 people.

• Thick and creamy, our 8” Market Cheesecakes are made from scratch.

• An all-time favorite, Market Brownies are rich and fudgy and all natural.

• Handmade Pies, made with local fruit, are always available.

• Individual Desserts. These show stoppers are great for small, last-minute gatherings. We love variety.

So grab those boots, go for a hike, get in touch with nature and soak up the sun, knowing you can grab a great dessert on your way to the party and still be a first-class host or guest!

I love spring in Oregon when all of the bulbs are popping up and getting ready to bloom. Looking out my window today, I witnessed some sure signs of spring.

It’s the time of year when I leave my coat in the car because it’s so warm, only to have it downpour in the afternoon, bringing with it a craving for a steamy cup of coffee and a chocolate-dipped cookie. Isn’t it amazing how a sudden downpour can make you want to dive into those comfort foods? I love our chocolate dipped shortbread!

When the weekend rolls around, there's nothing better than a traditional French toast breakfast. I love French toast made with our Apple Cinnamon Bread, filled with big chunks of locally grown Granny Smith apples, as well as cinnamon, eggs and buttermilk.

For a healthy twist on French toast, I use our 100% whole wheat bread – no corn syrup, no preservatives. Just great whole grains dipped in egg whites and cinnamon. Top that with some sugar-free syrup and you have the makings of a delicious, healthy breakfast.

Just the other day, my husband picked up a blueberry coffee cake from the Market Bakery, and every weekend he makes Stumptown coffee for me because he knows how much I love it. I’m so spoiled! That coffee cake was so good he had to hide it from our boys and me, so he would have some for himself Sunday morning. When you have two teenage boys, treats don’t last long.

I am looking forward to more glimpses of the sun, but for now it’s great to cozy up with the family. Those are kids growing up too fast anyway. We have to make each moment as special as we can.

As you rush through this holiday season, consider simplifying your life with holiday goodies from your Market Bakery. It’s easy. And everything you'll find here tastes great, just like Grandma used to make.

Only simple, wholesome ingredients make it into all our baked goods. You can find Sugar Cookies and delicious Molasses Gingerbread Cookies, hand decorated and ready to go, as well as Buttery Shortbread – one of my favorites. There are so many wonderful cookies, the hardest part is choosing! Luckily, we offer cookie trays loaded with a variety of Market Bakery favorites. Just like all of goodies we carry, our bakery trays are beautifully decorated.

This year, we have even more gift items to choose from, including festive dried fruit with less sugar than most. Made without preservatives, these dried fruits make a wonderful, healthy gift for that special someone. We also have an attractively packaged trio of nuts and fruit, making it a great gift choice.

Sweets always make great gifts, too. Choose from a wide variety of all the best, locally produced chocolates, truffles, marzipan, cookies and candies. A couple of my favorites are the Cranberry Sweets, made on the Oregon Coast – simply incredible! We also have Cherry Country Chocolate Covered cherries. These are not the artificial, syrupy variety. These are straightforward and delicious – just dried cherries dipped in your choice of Dark or Milk Chocolate. Yummy! As usual, we have a great selection of Moonstruck chocolate and Taza Stone ground chocolate, a popular soy-free favorite! You'll fill a gift basket with uniquely Oregon gifts in no time.

It’s fun to partner with you in making this holiday a special one for your family and friends. Happy shopping. I’ll see you at the Market!

Isn’t it amazing? As soon as summer ends we yearn for those fall comfort foods and traditional favorites such as pumpkin scones, pumpkin muffins, pumpkin coffee cake… everything pumpkin!! Though there has been a rumored pumpkin shortage we’re still going crazy over pumpkin in your Market Bakery. This November we’re releasing some fabulous new Pumpkin Muffins and a delicious Pumpkin Coffee Cake. Moist and delicious, both are super satisfying and made from scratch in our bakeries with simple, wholesome ingredients.

I wonder if we get hungry for ginger and spice due to a nutritional need when fall arrives or maybe it’s just a seasonal craving ingrained from childhood? Who knows; just pass me my Ginger Molasses Cookie to go with my chai tea. I love to kick back with a tall cup of coffee and a delicious Pumpkin Cream Cheese Scone.

Did you know our bakers make our pumpkin pie filing from scratch? The difference is evident in every bite! So creamy and delicious we top each pie in freshly whipped cream with just enough vanilla and sugar - not too sweet. These pies are trans fat free and made with natural ingredients. Oh man, I want a slice right now!

We have so many locally made treats perfect for hostess gifts. Choose from handmade marzipan, beautiful chocolate holiday bark in a variety of flavors, Chocolate-dipped Pumpkin Marshmallows, seasonal decorated cupcakes and a wide assortment of other goodies. We even have candy dipped sunflower seeds that are dangerously addicting. Come in and enjoy the lovely assortment. We carry so many choices because we love the season too!