“A lot of people spread the word and got involved,” says Lea Anne Somerville, owner of Willow Basket Bread Company, who presented a $200 check to the Neptune family of Fairfield to assist with medical expenses for daughter, Lexie. This soon to be 5-year old has been battling a cystic brain tumor.
Somerville, who bakes handcrafted breads, scones and cookies, dedicated 25% of sales from the last week of July toward a fundraiser for the Neptunes. She says she was pleased with the response from customers.
Parents, Aaron and Sarah, were joined by their children, Aiden, Lexie and Anah, who took time to show of their new haircuts. Their smiles were infectious.
Willow Basket Bread Company is a home-based business, although Somerville says she would love to see it grow into a commercial bakery.
Each week, customers may order from a variety of breads, scones and cookies. Deliveries may be picked up at either Fairfield Homes and Land (Hwy 84 in Fairfield) or Wash Mart Laundry in Mexia.
Most recently, Somerville served her wares at the Teacher Breakfast, hosted by Fairfield Chamber of Commerce for faculty and staff of Fairfield ISD. “I made 100 scones for that event,” she says.
Many are familiar with her, what has been dubbed, “Oh, Jesus!” cookies. The name for these Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies came “They really are good cookies,” says Somerville. She relates altering a friend’s recipe in coming up with this scrumptious treat.
This passionate baker grinds her own wheat berries and uses organic ingredients, whenever possible. “There are no preservatives. All fresh ingredients,” Somerville says.
Although the business only started this year, Somerville says she has always baked, and has been grinding her own wheat for the past twenty years. Last week’s order form included Whole Wheat Bread, Cinnamon Raisin, Pumpkin Oat Bread and Tuscan Harvest Grain Bread.
According to Somerville, the Tuscan bread is has a bit of a tang to it, as it is slowly fermented over 24 hours. The pretty round loaf includes grains and seeds.
Thanks again, to Willow Basket Bread Company customers, for such a wonderful response to the recent fundraiser.
