I'd like to thank each and every one of you for all your support through my baking journey.  I know I could not have gotten as far as I did if it was not for your kind words and unending encouragement.  Unfortunately, the wonderful experience of owning a home bakery is coming to an end for me.  I am just weeks away from graduating high school and have many new opportunities to explore.  I have more adventures ahead, and I know that my bakery experience will stay with me as I start working for a company next year.  Once again, I'd just like to say thanks for everything.  God bless you all!

~Gracie Harmon

Gracie's Bakery is Returning to the Fenton Farmer's Market for the 2015 Season!

Beginning this Thursday, June 25th, Gracie will have her booth at the Fenton Farmer's Market every week through the summer.   The market runs from 5:00 until 8:00 every Thursday (except July 2nd) and is held in the parking lot behind the Fenton Community Center.  The 2015 season marks Gracie's 3rd year with the market!  She will be in her regular spot in front of the tennis courts, so be sure to stop by and say hello.  

Gracie will be returning with all of her customer's favorites like pumpkin chocolate chip cookies, apple pie, strawberry jam, pumpkin bread, zucchini bread, and flourless peanut butter cookies.  

She will also have child & doll-sized aprons, 2 books that she's authored, brownie mix, and banana bread.  All of Gracie's breads come in both small and large loaf sizes.

Thanks to everyone who came out to Gracie's Bakery class at the Brandon Township Library tonight!

Gracie had a great time sharing all kinds of information about organic ingredients, local food sources, and healthy snacks.  She even shared the secret of why bad food tastes SO good to us (hint: the science behind how the food giants hook us centers around perfect ratios of salt, sugar & fat!).  

Everyone made their own granola bar mix to take home, too.  

But the best part of the night was when Gracie passed out samples (and recipes!) of some of her healthy homemade snacks:  fruit leather, pumpkin chocolate chip cookies, vegan macaroons, peanut butter pudding, banana bread, and of course - granola bars!   

If you are interested in receiving several of Gracie's recipes mentioned above, please email Grace here and request a copy.

Gracie's Bakery class at the Brandon Township Library

Attention all home bakers!  Join Gracie Harmon, owner of Gracie's Bakery, on Wednesday, April 15th, for an evening of healthy food preparation at the Brandon Township Library in Ortonville.  

We will be sampling healthy baked goods and snacks (recipes included!), making our own mix for granola bars to bake at home, and learning about local resources for healthy eating.

There will also be a discussion about the benefits of organic foods, a short video about processed food addiction and a demo about Grace's bakery and self-published books.

Gracie will provide all of the ingredients for your granola bar mix, for a materials fee of $5 per person.

Date:  Wednesday, April 15th
Time:  7:00 - 8:30 p.m.
R.S.V.P. via the Brandon Township Library's website

New Product at the Farmer's Market Today!

Gracie is happy to announce that she'll have a new product at the Fenton Farmer's Market today .. Sugar-free Honey Walnut Cookies! 

Last year, many customers asked about a sugar-free treat, so here it is! 

Ingredients: unbleached flour, raw honey, free-range eggs, walnuts, butter, baking soda, vanilla, aluminum-free baking powder, sea salt

Gracie's Bakery class at the Brandon Township Library

Attention all home bakers - no matter your skill level!  You are invited to join Gracie Harmon, owner of Gracie's Bakery, on Monday, June 9, for an evening of hands-on baking at the Brandon Township Library in Ortonville.  

You will learn how to prepare from scratch your own loaf of healthy, delicious quick bread with high-quality, organic ingredients (just in time for a perfect Father's Day gift!).  You will grind your own wheat and learn about the benefits of using non-GMO products; free-range eggs; natural, unrefined sweeteners; organic ingredients; and aluminum-free baking powder.  

Gracie will provide all of the ingredients for your bread, for a materials fee of $5 per person.

During the class, Gracie will discuss options for finding fresh, local ingredients to use in your baking as well as the health benefits of eating unrefined foods.  You will learn simple ways to adapt unhealthy recipes containing refined products & chemical-filled ingredients into wholesome food that your body will benefit from.

Gracie will share her knowledge and love of baking with you - as well as a few baking tips!  She will suggest several ideas of ways to bless others with your baking, too.  Finally, Gracie will tell the story of how she started Gracie's Bakery in her mother's kitchen and how her bakery has become involved in the community over the past few years.


So join Gracie's baking class - you'll leave the library with a healthy new recipe, the knowledge to recreate it at home, and the delicious loaf of bread you made in the class.


Date:  Monday, June 9th
Time:  7:00 - 8:30 p.m.
R.S.V.P. via the Brandon Township Library's website

Author Tea Party

Gracie is excited to be returning to the Brandon Township Public Library as a guest speaker on March 8, from 1:30 - 2:30.  

She will be speaking to youths in grades K - 6 about the inspiration for her latest book, The Sheppard Twins & the Mystery of the Three Thieves, and her experience with writing a novel and the self-publishing process.  

Gracie will also be signing copies of her books & have them for sale.  

She'd love to see you there!  

You can contact the library's Youth Desk to register for the event, or RSVP online here.

Pick up some of Gracie's snacks at H.E.A.R.T.H. Homeschool's Winter Rejuvenation Event!

This Saturday, Gracie's Bakery will be among the vendors at H.E.A.R.T.H. Homeschool's Winter Rejuvenation Event:  A Day of Encouragement for Homeschooling Parents.  

We will have lots of healthy treats - pumpkin chocolate chip cookies, brownies, and mini loaves of all varieties of Gracie's breads.  

If you'll be attending, stop by our table any time between 10 & 4 for an easy & delicious breakfast, snack, or dessert! 

 If you'd like to attend but have not registered, you can view details here.

The keynote speaker will be Israel Wayne (of Family Renewal).  

Other featured speakers will be Tom Houck (of Parenting for Purity), Karen Braun (of Spunky Homeschool), and James R. Glenn (of College Plus).  

The vendor hall will be open all day, and there will even be door prizes!  

Also, new for 2014 is a Teen Track!

We hope to see you at Flint First Wesleyan Church!

Gracie's in the Newspaper!

The last few weeks before Christmas have been very exciting here at Gracie's Bakery!  Thank you so much to everyone who has ordered breads, jams, pies, potholders, and books.  Gracie's been baking like crazy, and we've all had a great time packing up orders with extra care.  

But perhaps the most exciting events during the month of December have centered around Gracie's new book, The Sheppard Twins and the Mystery of the Three Thieves!  Several local newspapers have contacted her for interviews, and as a result, two wonderful articles have been written in The Citizen Newspaper and The Oakland Press.

Gracie and Susan Bromley, a reporter at The Citizen Newspaper

It's a Mystery—Youth Pens Second Book

(The Citzen Newspaper, by Susan Bromley)

December 18, 2013 - Groveland Twp.- Gracie Harmon is just 12-years-old, but she is already the author of two books. Her latest, "The Sheppard Twins and the Mystery of the Three Thieves," was self-published Dec. 1, using CreateSpace.com. "I've always read mysteries and I just really wanted to write one," said Gracie. "It's about twins and their cousins who solve a mystery together." According to the description on CreateSpace.com, "when twins Maria and Hannah Sheppard discover the robbery that occurred at Frank's Fine Dining, nothing can stop them or their sleuthing cousins, Martin and Caleb, from trying to solve this baffling case." The characters are teens, but like the author, they are Christians and homeschooled. Receiving an education at home actually helped Gracie to become a published author. "I am homeschooled and that makes it easier to write a book because I can do it whenever I want," she said. "I usually get all my school done as fast as I can so I can write. Sometimes I get stuck and the next day I come back and finish." She began the book this summer, completing it in just months, also inspired to write quickly by her grandmother, who lives in Indiana and to whom she sent chapters by e-mail as she finished writing them. "She was the only one allowed to read it while I was writing," said Gracie. "She just really encouraged me and said it was great. She asked questions that made me think about what to write next. I feel like the characters come to life for me. I just want to keep writing to find out what happens next. I don't have any plan when I sit down." Gracie is a fan of the Hardy Boys mysteries, which she has been reading since she was 8. Occasionally, she will read Nancy Drew mysteries, but called Nancy "a frilly girl who never gets in trouble," whereas the Hardy Boys "do exciting things." Gracie's writing career began when she was 9-years-old after she and her older sister, Anna, and younger sister, Marie, were sent to bed one night. "I had no intention of sleeping and I started telling them a bedtime story and my sister Anna said I should write it in a book and the next day I got out my netbook and started to write," Gracie said. That book turned out to be "Joel and Grace," about a pauper who meets a princess and their life together as they move west. Set in 1880, Gracie said the book is the Hardy Boys and "Little House on the Prairie" wrapped together, a three-part story for which she researched information on bears and land claims. Her learning is expanded through her writing and she has also gained knowledge on publishing. "Joel and Grace" was published a year ago. "I was so excited to hold the first copy of my book, I called everyone I knew and I think all my neighbors heard me," Gracie said. "It's really exciting to know that I did it and I write books and I finish them." Gracie is already at work on her next book, again featuring the Sheppard Twins, this time solving a mystery at a circus. She hopes to make the Sheppard Twins a series and publish one book per year. She also has plans to use profits from her books, as well as sales from her home-based business, Gracie's Bakery, to attend culinary school one day. "Although I love writing, I love baking more," she said. "The hardest thing about writing is making sure everything makes sense and there are no loose ends. What I love most about writing is making everything up and I can write whatever I want. One of the things I like best about my books is they have a Christian theme and most books out there don't. My books are for kids 8-14, I tried to appeal to both boys and girls." "The Sheppard Twins and the Mystery of the Three Thieves," 137 pages, in paperback or in digital format for Kindle, is available at CreateSpace.com or amazon.com.

12-year-old Holly Township girl becomes professional baker, published author

Gracie Harmon, 12, of Holly Township started her own bakery, called "Gracie's Bakery" out of her home. Her favorite thing to make it pumpkin bread. Photo by Amy Harmon 

By Monica Drake, The Oakland Press

POSTED: 12/27/13, 12:50 PM EST |

Gracie Harmon is only 12 but she has already published two novels. Photo by Amy Harmon 

FYI

To order baked goods from Gracie’s Bakery, visit gracies-bakery.blogspot.com or email  gracies.bakery@yahoo.com. Visit her on Facebook at bit.ly/graciesbakery. Her novel “The Sheppard Twins and the Mystery of the Three Thieves” can be purchased on amazon.com, on Kindle or on createspace.com.

When 12-year-old Gracie Harmon isn’t doing schoolwork, she is running her own bakery business out of her Holly Township home.

Harmon learned how to bake when she was 7 years old and decided to make a business out of it to help pay for culinary school. She wanted to create a bakery that uses only natural ingredients and eggs only from chickens that are raised humanely.

“I only bake with sucanat and cane juice crystals, which are less refined forms of sugar. I also use free-range eggs and I grind my own whole-wheat flour. I use organic ingredients and aluminum free baking powder and non-GMO (Genetically Modified Organism) canola oil,” said Harmon.

She makes her own pumpkin bread, zucchini bread, apple pie, pumpkin chocolate chip cookies, gluten-free banana bread and strawberry and black raspberry jam — just to name a few.

Her mother Amy said, “Ever since she was able to stand on a step stool, she helped me in the kitchen.”

Amy said that her daughter started the business and cooks all the food by herself.

Harmon says she spends about four days each week baking. She will ship orders of jams, mixes, potholders and aprons, and her and her mom deliver the baked goods to nearby communities. Every summer, Harmon also has her own tent at the Fenton Farmer’s Market to sell her baked goods.

Not only is Harmon an entrepreneur, she is also a published author of two novels. Harmon says she hopes to write one book every year.

“One night I was telling a story to my sisters. My older sister Anna encouraged me to make the story I was telling her into a book,” said Harmon, who is home schooled and has five siblings.

Her newest book is titled, “The Sheppard Twins and the Mystery of the Three Thieves,” which she describes as a “girl version of the Hardy boys.”

Harmon’s book is about the fictional 14-year-old Sheppard twins, Hannah and Maria, and their cousins who solve a mystery together.

“A restaurant is robbed and they have to figure out who did it. ... They have a lot more adventures than Nancy Drew, that’s for sure,” she said with a laugh. “I enjoy being able to write about whatever I want and nobody gets to tell me what I can and can’t write.”

She said when she first held a hard copy of her book in her hands, she was so excited.

“I think all the neighbors heard me scream,” Harmon said.

To anyone wanting to start a business or write a book, Harmon gave this advice: “Don’t just drop it because you think you can’t do it. ... Don’t give up.”

Her mother Amy said she is so proud of her daughter.

“She amazes me. She’s quite the overachiever. And I want to encourage her as much as I can,” said Amy.

Gracie's Newest Novel is Here!  It's a Mystery...

 

Youth author Gracie Harmon, age 12, has done it again! 

Her newest novel, The Sheppard Twins and the Mystery of the Three Thieves, has just been published. 
It becomes the second book in less than a year that Gracie has written and published! 

She will be speaking at the BrandonLibrary in Ortonville, Michigan, on March 8, 2014,

 as well as signing copies of her new book. Hope to see you there!

The Sheppard Twins and the Mystery of the Three Thieves (description below)

is available for purchase through CreateSpace.com and Amazon.com. As well as the paperback version, it is also available in a Kindle version. For a signed copy of the book, email Gracie, and she will send it to you for an additional shipping fee.

 

Description:

When twins Maria and Hannah Sheppard discover the robbery that occurred at Frank's Fine Dining, nothing can stop them or their sleuthing cousins, Martin and Caleb, from trying to solve this baffling case. Walk with them through this exciting mystery, and see how the four cousins experience hope, fear, frustration, disappointment, and anticipation in their quest for answers. Through it all, the Sheppard Twins realize the importance of their Christian faith.

Full of adventure from beginning to end, The Mystery of the Three Thieves also teaches lessons in obedience and family relationships. It has all of the elements of a good mystery – a crime, menacing thieves, determined detectives, surprise evidence, even a kidnapping … and lots of suspense! Join the Sheppard Twins for more adventures in this captivating series.

 

137 pages

Juvenile fiction, Christian mystery, chapter book

Recommended for ages 10 - 14

First Farmer's Market was a Blast!

Gracie's table at the market

Thanks so much to everyone who stopped by our booth at the market tonight.  

Gracie's Bakery's first official farmer's market was a success.  
The weather was perfect & we loved meeting everyone!  

Look for us each week at the Fenton Farmer's Market - we'll be in front of the tennis courts.  Hope to see you there! 

Tomorrow is the Fenton Farmer's Market!

Come on out & visit us at the Fenton Farmer's Market TOMORROW (Thursday, June 20th) from 5 - 8 p.m.   We'll be bringing all kinds of goodies, and we'd love to see you there!

For directions to the market (150 South Leroy Street, Fenton, MI 48430), click here.

Here's a sneak peek at what we'll have at Gracie's booth ...
Pumpkin Bread
Grandma's Banana Bread
Grandma's Banana Nut Bread
Amish-recipe Zucchini Bread
Amish-recipe Zucchini Nut Bread
Honey Wheat Bread
Gracie's Famous Apple Pies
  Soft Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies
Blueberry Snack Cake
Gracie's Brilliant Brownie Mixes
Gluten-free Banana Bread
Gluten-free Banana-Nut Bread
Gluten-free Pumpkin Bread
Gracie's Flourless Peanut Butter Cookies (Gluten-free)
Strawberry Jam
Copies of Joel & Grace book
Pinwheel Quilt-block Potholders
18" Doll Aprons
"Sweetie Pie" Aprons

 

 See you there!

Gracie is a Guest Speaker!

Gracie enjoyed speaking to a local GEMS (Girls Enjoying their Mighty Savior) group tonight at North Oaks Community Church during their end-of-the-year Tea Party.  She shared with the girls, their mothers, and grandmothers about her life, her faith, and her experience writing and publishing her first book, "Joel & Grace."  

She also got to mention Gracie's Bakery!  

 Afterward, Gracie signed some copies of her book and chatted with the girls.  

Thanks so much for inviting us & including us in your springtime celebration!

Support for Carriage Town Ministries

Gracie's Bakery is donating lots of yummy breads & cookies for a fundraising event to support Carriage Town Ministries.   A local homeschool group (Hometeam II) is having a bake sale to raise enough money to purchase a semi truck full of food to distribute in downtown Flint, Michigan. It will go to those that are homeless or in need of food.  Gracie's Bakery is proud to be a part of this event!

Book Signing!

Gracie's first book signing for "Joel & Grace" at the Brandon Township Public Library was a success! Thanks to everyone who came out today. She enjoyed speaking with everyone at the Pioneer Party. 

 

CHRISTMAS 2012

Enjoy the taste of summer all winter long with our delicious jams!

Thank you for all of the Christmas orders!  We appreciate the business.  

Sending everyone warmest wishes for a blessed Christmas season and a happy & healthy New Year!

We're on Facebook!

Announcing the launch of Gracie's Bakery Facebook page!
Come on over and check it out!

Farmer's Market

Thank you to everyone who stopped by Gracie's Bakery booth at the farmer's market this season!  We had a great first season & made the easy decision to return next year.  

Our products this season included:
Apple pie with crumb topping 
Pumpkin bread
Grandma's banana bread
Grandma's banana nut bread
Amish-recipe zucchini bread
Amish-recipe zucchini nut bread
Honey wheat bread
Pumpkin chocolate chip cookies
Blueberry snack cake
Chocolate chip muffins
Strawberry jam
Pinwheel quilt-block potholders

We look forward to bringing new products next season, such as:
Aprons
Jar mixes
Fresh chocolate mint
Fresh veggies
New quick bread flavors (lemon poppyseed is one...)
Copies of the new book Joel & Grace - a princess adventure story written by our very own Gracie!