Gay Joines is the owner of Honey’s Baking Co. — a home-based baking business in Boling that creates custom cakes for special occasions, cupcakes, breads, holiday cookies and other sweet treats.
“She was one of those who would let you try anything, no matter the mess. She never hesitated to share her knowledge with me.”
“While I was working for the Boling Independent School District, I would only be able to do so much during my time off,” Joines told The County Gin. “Now that I have retired and created my business, I have to schedule time off from cooking and baking. It’s so funny. When people get engaged and want me to create their cake, I’m now one of the first people they call to get on the calendar.
“I only sell cookies a few times throughout the year. I don’t take orders for them except for Halloween, Christmas, Valentine’s Day, Easter and this year, I added the Fourth of July. I sell limited amounts of those because I know my limit. I’ll announce it on Facebook and accept orders until I hit my limit. Most of the time I do have some extras, but not all the time.”
Joines spent many days of her childhood watching her grandmother bake, learning the eyeballing-it measuring technique and recipes she still uses in her kitchen today.
“I remember watching my Granny bake. That sparked my love for baking,” she said. “She was one of those who would let you try anything, no matter the mess. She never hesitated to share her knowledge with me.”
Like her grandmother passed to her, Joines passed the passion of baking down one further generation to her daughter. The mother-daughter duo make up the Bluebonnet Bakery and spend weekends selling their products at local farmers markets.
Working full time and with little time for leisure, Joines put her talents to work by baking items for local bake sales, raffles and auctions to assist needing families and organizations within her community.
“You just get that feeling like, ‘This is something that I need to do.’ I knew I could make an impact.”
“I’ve always cooked and baked. Especially, if there was a cause,” she told The Gin. “I know whatever amount I would want to personally donate, I could triple or quadruple if I were to use that to purchase supplies and put together a sale.
“When I started my dad’s scholarship (Jimmy Somers Memorial Scholarship), which I only did for 10 years, that’s when I really started to sell baked items to build up funds.
“People don’t mind spending money on a good, consumable product, and sometimes, they are immediately ready to buy more. Once people know your cooking and baking and if you are consistent, they will gladly purchase items again and again.”
Shortly following her retirement, the area suffered a devastating flood with Hurricane Harvey. Joines immediately sprung into action to help those in need by doing what she knows best — cooking and baking.
“I used to tell my students to be happy in your work. Idle hands are the devil’s playground. You should make your little corner of the world better and that’s what I am aiming to do.”
“Since my husband and I were both retired and we weren’t affected, we were able to help,” she said. “We also took our money that we were planning to donate and fed people for a couple of months.”
Joines saw that same need when Hurricane Laura came ashore on the Texas/Louisiana border.
“I’ve got kinfolk in Louisiana,” she said. “My sister is in Lecompte and then I have kinfolk in Morgan City and Baton Rouge. I couldn’t get to them to help. So, this was the best way that I could help without physically being there. My sister gave me the name of the organization that helps people, not only in that area, but all throughout Louisiana.
“You just get that feeling like, ‘This is something that I need to do.’ I knew I could make an impact. I put an announcement out on Facebook and within two hours I had what I set as my limit of orders.”
Joines was able to raise $1,305 to donate toward aiding hurricane victims, but hasn’t stopped there. She announced on Wednesday that she would be selling another round of cupcakes to donate to the Louisiana Baptist Convention.
“I’ll be doing different flavors this go round,” Joines said. “This time there will be strawberry, lemon, almond and pumpkin spice. I hope to sell out again in order to aid more people.”
She still feels her grandmother’s presence while in the kitchen and credits her Granny as the inspiration for her desire to lend a hand.
“My grandmother was a generous soul,” Joines told The Gin. “She fed farm hands at her table and always had a place for anyone who was hungry. Not only did she feed others, she served as well. I know of several wedding dresses that she made for those who could barely afford the material. Her selfless, giving nature made a great impact on me growing up.
“I used to tell my students to be happy in your work. Idle hands are the devil’s playground. You should make your little corner of the world better and that’s what I am aiming to do.”
To follow Joines and her endeavors, visit her Facebook page.
