https://www.facebook.com/148103935228576/

Roots of Goodness, 570 Johnstone Road, Parksville, BC (2026)

11/01/2020

What a lovely evening!

Thank you to everyone who helped make last night special by bringing your children by for trick-or-treat fun.

If you took a photo of your little goblins last night I’d love if you shared one here (extra fantastic if you took one here at the Roots of Goodness stand!). I am guilty of not having taken a single picture - even after my mother-in-law asked so nicely to see pictures of kids in their costumes (no trick-or-treaters at their house 😢)

I estimate we had 100(ish) kids - and their amazing parents/grandparents come by... many just for this one stop on our street (💕💕💕). It was a slow and steady trickle which in our “covid world” actually made it quite lovely to handle. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for making my evening so wonderful by sharing your joyful energy! 🤖🎃👻

Happy day-after Halloween!
..
I’m start... this is a collection of some of my favourite Halloween-y costumes and moments with the kids... (apologies to the oldest two, the older you are the fewer photos I have at the ready on social media!...maybe that’s a good thing?!...and to my sons gf...could you maybe not mention that I posted these??? 😘)

10/31/2020

The excitement is building! I’m looking forward to seeing trick-or-treaters in the neighbourhood tonight!

🎃🤖👻🤡👽🤠

10/28/2020

Halloween is fast approaching... and despite the current state of our world/communities, I simply cannot let it slip by.

It has been a full year since I have posted on this RoG page. Coming into spring of 2020 I was filled with anticipation and excitement for the year ahead... dreams and plans of breads and goodies flowing from the new kitchen space danced in my head as I put back together the pieces of my family life. Nanny and Papa... who are still doing fantastically well, were settling into their new home at Berwick, Qualicum Beach as I grappled to regain the positive state of my own mental health post-full-time-caregiver.

Enter 2020.
Ha!

I won't get into the nitty-gritty of what is to come... but I promise the plans to reopen are still on the horizon.

In the meantime... Halloween has long since been a joyful tradition in my family and home. I am known for loving the phrase "it takes a community to raise a child" and giving back to the community that has helped to raise my children is a huge part of that for me. I delight in seeing the the costumes and feeling the vibrant energy and excitement as kids get to indulge in simply being kids. Growing up, my Nanny would spend weeks making bundles of homemade goodies that neighbours children would line up for when the lit pumpkin was placed in the front window. It is a tradition I feel passionate about safely maintaining.

This Saturday, October 31st from 4:30-7:30 I will keep with the Roots of Goodness tradition and will be out at the roadside stand with bundles of homemade caramel corn and fudge for children both young and "old". Social distancing measures will be in place and treats will be pre-bundled and given out safely.

Whatever your current world looks like amidst this time of unknowns, I wish you goodness, safety and love. May we each move through this in a way that protects our families, supports our communities and gives room for understanding and acceptance of the needs and feelings of those around us.

In the words we have heard so many times this year... "Be calm. Be Kind. Be safe"

Happy Halloween. 🎃

10/31/2019

Teamwork! The family all gathered around the kitchen table late last night to package 200 bags of caramel corn and chocolate fudge... hmmm... now that I’m “ahead of schedule” maybe I have time for “a few” peanut butter cup cookies too!!!

Happy Halloween! 🎃

See you tonight!

10/30/2019

The heavenly scent of caramel corn and homemade chocolate fudge is filling the air...

See you tomorrow from 430-830 for trick-or-treat goodness!

10/27/2019

Oh my goodness... is it Halloween in just 4 more sleeps???

Yes it is... and once again my love of homemade bundles of goodness and Halloween fun is kicking into high gear!

This Thursday, October 31st from 4:30-8:30(ish...or until the treats run out!)... we will have chairs out around the fire for those who wish to pop by for some social time and goodies for the trick-or-treaters!

A little Halloween history... My Nanny always made homemade treats. Popcorn balls, homemade fudge, caramel corn and candy apples - right up until a few short years ago when her loss of eyesight limited her culinary abilities. Over the years she had created a following of families who, long after they had moved from the area, would return to visit on Halloween night. Nanny loves children and watching these kids grow up and catching one small glimpse of them each year brought her endless joy. When they sold their home on Cottonwood Drive in Qualicum in 1991 and moved to Belson Street in Parksville people followed them...and the tradition continued. Bringing this tradition to the Roots of Goodness family was as natural as the creation of the business itself.

To honour the questions that I know will follow... I miss you all dearly and cannot wait to return! I am unable to offer a timeline right now and I am cautious of making promises I cannot keep, but please know that the plan is still to return to RoG. My choice to step back and care for my grandparents was a far bigger undertaking than I ever could have imagined. At this time, they are well... but Nanny is experiencing TIA's (mini strokes) with multiple ambulance trips and hospital visits over the last few months and Papa, though as charming as ever, is requiring an extra special level of patience and care that seems to be directly related to that nearly-101-years-old achievement.

From my heart and home to yours... please join me (and my loved ones, who I assure you will be working tirelessly behind the scenes) in celebrating the "roots" of Roots of Goodness traditions this coming Thursday evening.

05/23/2019

Who am I, what do I do...and why?

(if you chose to read this, it may be the longest FB post you ever read!)

We have quite a few new people on this page lately... I am SO grateful... and I thought I would take a minute to explain a little about this little RoG business I love so much.

I am Cara...aka "the bread lady", "the pie lady", "mom" or "granddaughter" to Nanny and Papa (the two amazing people you will get to know a bit the longer you spend here). Four years ago I moved my family from our rural home to become "townies" in order to care for Nanny and Papa. They have always had my back...so as they aged (and had given up their drivers licences) I knew it was my turn to have theirs. The balance of an - at the time - massage/holistic health practice and the solo-mama gig along with their needs was a little bit of a juggle (and by a little bit of course I mean A LOT!), so one day (at a wee bit of a breaking point) I decided I needed to do something that A) I LOVED and knew was goodness for my mind and soul, and 😎 could be flexible enough that I would be available to drop everything and go whenever the family needed me. So... I put a little card table at the end of my driveway (the same one I grew up playing cards at with Nanny), printed out a sign and spent the day baking bread. Day one was a bust. Day two I got a little braver and wrote a post on a local FB site. It rained that day...hard. The phone rang and I was suddenly called away. I updated the post and moved my little table to the front steps covered with fresh loaves of bread, banana bread, muffins and a few cookies. When I came home at the end of the day everything had sold. You, my people... read the post and drove to my house, got out of your cars and walked in the rain to my door to buy bread. Confession... I may have shed a tear or two (or three hundred) of gratitude that night. Within a few short weeks I had upgraded to a tent in the driveway...and then another when the wind blew it down... and then another. Quickly I convinced a buildy-kinda-friend to help me create a farm stand I had seen on Pinterest (ask any buildy-guy how much he loves the phrase "I saw this on Pinterest") ...the same little stand we all know so well. I put in extra parking space and started setting the alarm for 4:00am (typically 4 hours after I had laid my head on the pillow). A successful little business was built... and my family had the support they needed.

Fast forward to one year ago... when at 99 years old, Papa decided it was time they give up their home and move in... with me! I "pressed pause" on RoG and the last year has been spent acclimatizing to our new living situation and growing (patience, love, future business plans, etc...). Together, we have celebrated Papa's 100th birthday and Nanny's 92nd. We've worked through the aches and pains that come with moving a strong minded elderly man in with an independent "middle aged" (said in a whisper) woman. I've watched the delight on their faces as they get to experience the day-to-day dynamics of living with an active teenager. We've introduced them to new technology, new foods, new neighbours. Not every day is as sugar-coated as FB will make people believe... but I am proud of our choices and soooo delighted to see them flourish.

Now... for the future of RoG. In December I started construction on a new kitchen so I could bake again. I have missed it - and all of you. I am tiptoeing back into being "open" with a few test days to check for equipment failures (yep...I've had a few!) and to find my rhythm again. I can't guarantee a lot yet, but I am excited to watch it all unfold again. I still require the flexibility to be on call for Nanny and Papa. The endless calendars of elder-care appointments do consume a lot of time... and... I have made a promise to myself to maintain my own mental health by making sure I still maintain my own independence and sense of self (so easily lost in the demands of our new living situation)... which requires some "me days". My goal right now is simply two or three days/week and to build again from there (we all know four or five...or seven will happen from time to time).

How it works. I post on days that I am open and let you know what is available. At this time I am not taking holds, but as things progress and the rhythm is established I will bring back the tote bin system where you can comment on posts with items you want and they will be held for you so you can pick up at your leisure (FB has changed business page settings making this a little more challenging for me this year, hence the time to create and establish new systems). The business operates on the honour system. Pop by and pick up bundles of goodness. Items are priced (generally $3-8) and cash can be placed through the slot and change can be made from the mason jar. My business is only as good as my neighbours are happy so I do ask that you park on the gravel in front of the stand or in my driveway so as to not damage the surrounding lawns.

Welcome. I am so happy to see so many new names and faces. I try to pop out as I am replenishing baked goods... and Papa is getting the greatest kick out of sitting in the swing in the front yard and watching people come and go (please feel free to give him a wave).

*closed this weekend, but I will see you again next week!*

❤ Cara

05/22/2019

The stand is open and filled with muffins, scones, breads and cookies. I am juggling family appointments this morning so will do I little more in the afternoon... but for the first few hours hopefully what is there will sustain you. ❤️

Out now...

Nanny’s Bread
Artisan Dutch Oven Bread
Cinnamon Raisin Dutch Oven Breads
Harmony Carrot Raisin Bran Muffins
Apple Muffins
Chocolate Zucchini Muffins
Rhubarb Crumble Cakes
Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookies
Peanut Butter Cookies
Blackberry Scones
and...for the first time...
Apple, Cinnamon Raisin Scones!

Happy Wednesday!

05/21/2019

Rhubarb crumble cake... top with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for the perfect sunny day dessert... or have it warm with your coffee on your way home if you stop to pick it up now!

05/21/2019

Blackberry scones ☺️

On the stand by 12:30!

Mmmmmm...

05/21/2019

It's been a wee bit of a whirlwind morning as I learning to navigate the nuances of the new kitchen space.... I am OPEN! (hurray).... with Artisan Dutch Oven Breads, Cinnamon Raisin Dutch Oven Breads, Nanny's Breads, Chocolate Zucchini Muffins, Harmony Carrot Raisin Bran Muffins and Apple Muffins on the stand. Peanut Butter Cookies will be out shortly and a few scones for the afternoon. A lovely friend brought me fresh rhubarb this morning too....hmmm.... Rhubarb Crumble Cakes? Stay tuned and I promise you'll be the first to know!

(no holds today)

05/21/2019

Okay...so what if...I just prepped just a few loaves of bread for tomorrow??? 😉

(Yep...that’s what all of those bowls are!)

I need a test day (or two...or three!)... and I KNoW how incredibly patient you have all been so I KNoW you will be okay when I say I’m not going to take holds for the first little while as I get my feet back under me (don’t worry...your tote bins will return soon enough...I promise to polish the rust off my skills quickly!)... but tomorrow I will do a small run of breads and muffins (okay...probably cookies too).

Eek!!! Let the good times roll! (Roll... get it... bread... never mind... let’s just say... I’m excited!)

Roots of Goodness

11/01/2020

10/31/2020

10/28/2020

10/31/2019

10/30/2019

10/27/2019

05/23/2019

05/22/2019

05/21/2019

05/21/2019

05/21/2019

05/21/2019

Address

Website

Alerts

Contact The Business

Shortcuts

Share

Category

A roadside bakery...