We’ve been busy outside this week getting ready for spring. We planted six apple trees, a crabapple, and a bunch of berry plants and bushes. The rain watered them in! Fruit trees are new for us, and while we have much to learn we’re also grateful for the chance to do so!
The bread of the week brings an exciting partnership with Ad Astra Coffee! If you don’t know about their coffee yet, you are in for a fantastic brew. Ad Astra’s goal is to create extraordinary quality in the cup, value for our producers and customers, and strong local communities. 
Coffee and bread, you might think? The combination in this coffee swirl sourdough, while unexpected, is a grown up twist on a cinnamon swirl bread. The dough itself is infused with brewed coffee, and I’m using Ad Astra’s Hillsdale blend. Then, that delicious coffee flavored, barely sweet dough is rolled up with a swirl of finely ground coffee, cinnamon, and sugar. Plain, toasted with butter, smeared with jam or Nutella, this is an outstanding pick-me-up at any time of day. Even if you’re not a fan of coffee, I think the other flavors in this bread will make it one you’ll enjoy – give it a shot!
All of Ad Astra’s coffee is ethically sourced from premier quality producers – from small family farms directly, or from local co-ops. They take fair-trade as a minimum and always ensure their farmers receive a fair wage. They do specialty coffee which means the quality of the cup comes from the top 20% of coffee worldwide. The Hillsdale blend being used in the coffee bread this coming week is a blend of premium arabica coffee from Africa; a well rounded and smooth coffee that tastes like home.
Always on offer here is my house sourdough. If you’re new to my bread list and haven’t tried this one, this is pure artisan sourdough, made with real ingredients and freshly milled whole grains. I had a slice for breakfast this morning, toasted, with peanut butter, honey, and sliced banana. Just the right thing to start the morning!
By the end of the summer, you can enjoy a cup of great coffee in Ad Astra’s full-service cafe space in conjunction with St. Joe’s Pizza Kitchen in downtown Hillsdale! It’s going to be a great addition to downtown. The good folks at Ad Astra are looking forward to serving the Hillsdale community excellent coffee in a beautiful space.