For as long as I can remember my mom's, my grandma's and her grandma's kitchen were the center stage of everything. It was where family gathered. It was where you’d laugh so hard, you’d cry. And sometimes it was where you just cried. It was where creativity and collaboration were encouraged! It was where everyone was welcome, and conversations were not in short supply. It was where everyone called home, even if you didn't rest your head there. And it's where all the snacks are!

For as long as I can remember I have always wanted to help people. And for longer than that  I have enjoyed being creative in the kitchen. I just didn’t know how I’d ever mingle the two. And here we are. 

But with anything great there is usually a messy backstory that fosters the good.

In October 2017, my world stopped when my son was hit and killed by a car. About eight weeks later my oldest son’s dog (Ginger) of almost 14 years had to be put down. And a couple weeks after that my dad unexpectedly died from a side effect of the cancer drug he was receiving. I didn't know if I'd ever be able to breathe again. 

I've always been convinced that Ginger let us know it was time to go so Skyler wouldn't be alone. And my dad's last promise to me was to  be with Skyler. And my dad never broke a promise to me, ever. 

For years I was beyond paralyzed. Completely non-functional. Lost. And self medicated myself almost to my grave. 

Fast forward some years from my waking coma and baking became my escape, my passing of time when there was too much time for thinking. 

Food makes people happy, and that makes me happy. One of my favorite memories was when my dad would come home from a local bakery with all kinds of bread. Focaccia, Boule, sourdough and others that I don't remember the names. We gathered, ate bread and we were happy. I would even partake as my angry teenage self and still remember it joyous behind my goth blackened eyes. 

Fast forward to July of 2022 and my mom started what would be a series of three hip surgeries and too much time in the hospital. I don't think I need to go into detail about hospital food, but I was cooking for her often. We got to talking about bread and I decided to get a sourdough loaf from a bakery and was disappointed. I knew I needed to make my own and make it amazing! So I did.  Turns out my dad had sourdough starters all over his kitchen when my mom first met him. Something I didn't know before my adventures in sourdough. I feel like I channel him when I bake. And that is why I have this obsession with sourdough, beyond the fact that it is absolutely magical, complex and simple all at the same time. 

Cheesecake has always been my fav!  But was often disappointed, so once again set out to make the perfect cheesecake over 20 years ago!  I would like to say there's always room for improvement, but I have been told it is heavenly!  And there are others who believe I should offer a 12 step program to accompany my treats.

Now you might be wondering how I came up with the name? Well, let's just say my son was a snack guy and his middle name was Danger. He always had candy or snacks in his pockets, or hiding in his bed, backpack, or anywhere he could stash them!  He would even tape them under his desk at school!

After he passed there was a mom from his school who shared how special he was to her son. Her son had autism and most of the kids were mean to him, but Skyler would sit with him at recess and share his snacks and made him feel loved. 

The name Dangerous Pocket Snacks came from a dream I had of him. It was so vivid and he was wearing a teddy bear outfit he had as a baby. He came running up, snacks in hand, gave me the biggest hug and looked at me giggling and whispered, "Dangerous Pocket Snacks." I added on the "& Co." because company is always welcome and company often becomes family and everyone should have a place to feel at home. 

I have chosen to support victims of violence because it is part of my story. Which is a story for a different day.  

I don't know what my end goal is...but I am always down for a good adventure. Pop-ups, food truck and maybe even catering for the Pope or Sage Francis. 

In the end, I would love to have a community kitchen where we would bring farm to table baked goods and other delicious endeavors for your mouth hole.  I would focus on providing employment to survivors and give them an opportunity to be financially independent.

So stay tuned...as there is much coming! Thanks for reading…and thank you for your support! I can't wait to see where this goes next! 

At Dangerous Pocket Snacks & Co., we offer a wide variety of baked goods.  While cheesecake and sourdough are my jam, I am crafty and creative in the kitchen with everything I do. 

I use the best ingredients I can find, using organic where I can and making sure my products are responsibly and sustainably sourced.  I love our planet and all living things, so what we consume shouldn't hurt what we live on and rely on.

Everything, and I mean EVERYTHING is made from scratch and a lot of love!

I am a one woman army.  But without my fans and supporters I am just a baker.  But I would like to think I stand for those who may not have found their voice yet.  I find food to be my love language.  

20% of all profits go directly to PorchLight, part of the family justice center for Jefferson and Gilpin Counties who help victims of violence.

Family Justice Centers are Multi-Agency Centers that provide services to victims of inter-personal violence including, intimate partner violence, sexual assault, child abuse, elder or dependent adult abuse, and human trafficking. Both public and private partner agencies assign staff on a full-time or part-time basis to provide services from one location. Centers focus on reducing the number of times victims tell their story, the number of places victims must go for help, and look to increase access to services and support for victims and their children.

www.porchlightfjc.org