Flour Girls and Dough Boys

35 N. Barrat Avenue
American Fork, UT 84003
801-763-9232
Mon-Thur 7:30am-7pm, Fri 7:30am-8pm

There is a wonderful treasure, tucked away on a side street in American Fork. You wouldn’t even know it was there if it wasn’t for a sign out on the main road with an arrow and the words “toasted sandwich and homemade soups.”

I’m talking about Flour Girls and Dough Boys, of course! Let’s go there together. I’ll point out all the things I love as we go along. First off, how great is it that it’s just slightly off the beaten path? As we enter, I point out the various kinds of chandeliers hanging from the ceiling. Then I redirect your attention to the floor which is tiled in orange white checks.

However, your attention has been wholly taken up by the gorgeous array of baby cakes and cupcakes in the display case to the left. Hungrily, your gaze rakes over the shortbread chocolate chip cookies, the muffin tops, and the pumpkin chocolate chip bars with cream cheese frosting. Behind the counter, the racks are filled with baguettes, alpine sourdough, sunflower honey oat, and focaccia.

















Let’s stay for lunch. I’ll have the chicken, avocado, panini. I can see you’re torn between a meat pie or the turkey and brie sandwich on cranberry walnut bread. I’ll also have a cup of the Tuscan sausage and white bean soup which is packed with vegetables, so I’ll feel good taking a couple of large, soft ginger cookies home with me.

Everything at Flour Girls and Dough Boys is made from scratch. Heavenly!

Thanks for joining me. Your company is a pleasure anywhere, but the aroma of freshly baked break makes it a perfect outing.

Flour Girls and Dough Boys also has a dining area tricked out with some fun stuff for kids. So next time, bring’em along.

Strawberry Days!

In 1792, a young pioneer, missionary and husbandman named Darryl Strawberry trekked across the U.S. frontier, planting strawberries and sharing the word of God.

Okay, not really. That was Johnny Appleseed. But the strawberry is the fruit of choice in Pleasant Grove, and we're celebrating it in a big way this week!

I've lived in Pleasant Grove for seven years. I love this little community. From the annual Firemen's Breakfast to the concerts in the park, P.G. loves to get together and celebrate. The City of Fun carnival is in town this week, located at the city park right on Pleasant Grove's historic main street. In addition to the carnival there is a pie eating contest, art show, parade, charity chili challenge,and of course, the nationally famous Strawberry Days Rodeo.

















A friend recently clued me into a Strawberry Days tradition I hadn't yet participated in, Huck Finn Day. They flood Battlecreek Park, stock it with fish, and allow everyone in the community to bring fishing poles. There are also pony rides and pioneer games. You can view a list of Strawberry Days activities and their details here.

















For the past couple of years, I've had a booth at the Strawberry Days Boutique in the Old Community Center. I make bits and bobs with paper, each year experimenting with something different. The booth is actually an indulgence in my hobby rather than a money-maker. You've got to have a lot more artistic talent than I've got to make a profit. But every year, somebody buys a thing or two and I feel validated in my crafting craze. Some people have enquired about my website...I don't have one. I'm not that organized, but this year I set up a blog where people could go to see the kinds of things I'm making. If you're interested, you can take a gander at "Your Picture Here." It's not a blog that I update on a regular basis. I've simply created an entry for each type of craft I'm working on.














This weekend, consider coming to Pleasant Grove and getting a cup of strawberries and cream for $1. Take a whirl on the ferris wheel. And be sure to try the fresh cut fries!

Favorite Things

Simply Splendid
Bistro & Boutique

www.simplysplendid.com
67 S. Main Street
Pleasant Grove, UT 84062
801-796-0742

I remember a lunch period in 7th grade, I was walking around outside on a gray, misty day eating a pastrami sandwich and thinking, “pastrami is delicious, Marvin is cute, and all’s right with the world.” A slight variation on Robert Browning. (Look it up.)It didn’t matter that my pastrami sandwich was of the homemade variety rather than a NY deli special. It didn’t matter that Marvin didn’t return my pink-candy-heart sentiments. I was happy with the little things; they made it bearable to go to math class after lunch.

Now I’m bit a older and I prefer my pastrami sandwiches on toasted rye with sauerkraut. I still like men who make me laugh. And it’s still the little things, my favorite things, that can save a gray, drizzly day. Lest I sound too Pollyanna-ish, I’ll bet that if you think about it, you’ll agree. What are some of your favorite things?















I took an informal poll:
Ding Dongs
Mike Rowe
nesting dolls
ice cream
canvas shoes
Skittles
Laffy Taffy wrapper jokes
Mt. Dew in vintage cans
books on tape
tulips
grandma’s button box
the feeling after a long hard run
an stolen hour with a good book
hearing my favorite song on the radio
diet Coke

A new boutique store in Pleasant Grove combines two of my favorite things: unique gifts and historic down town main streets. Oh, and oreo truffles... three things. And cupcakes. And chicken salad...on croissants. Okay, five of my favorite things.

Simply Splendid is a gift boutique and bistro serving delicious homemade sandwiches, soups like tomato basil and creamy broccoli and cheese as well as cupcakes THE SIZE OF YOUR HEAD. Pleasant Grove's main street has long needed an eatery, and now they've got one.
















The gifts available at Simply Splendid range from purses, scarves and jewelry to pieces of art and home decor. I love to find gifts for people that reflect their personality. A meaningful gift says "I know you, and I notice your personal preferences and quirks." Simply Splendid's wide range of jewelry charms is a great way to pick a personal gift. Their jewelry artisans will create pendants that pay tribute to favorite teams, individuals, and even missionaries.



The premises of Simply Splendid are an old historic home right on Pleasant Grove's main street. It's rooms are full of sunshine, hardwood floors, and old-fashioned fixtures.

Gorgeous place to browse, I recommend Simply Splendid for an outing with friends. Get a sandwich and a diet Coke or treat yourself to one of their gourmet cupcakes. And don't forget to place an order for cookies to be delivered to your missionary. Simply Splendid knows their clientele...and they know they're hungry.

What are some of your favorite things?