We said goodbye to Montana with the news that….
We are future Great Harvest Bakery owners!!!!
I tend to be pretty reserved about things that aren’t certain until they are confirmed, so now I can officially get excited about this amazing opportunity and lifestyle adventure!!!!! And I’m kind of in shock! I can’t believe we’re doing this, yet I know in my gut and my heart that it is such a perfect match for us. The next year – with my ADA Internship, all of the tasks involved in opening a small business and MOVING – is going to be quite the whirlwind. So excited to move onward!
***
More really fun news: because of my Delta silver medallion status from the billions of miles i accumulated going to Africa this year, we were upgraded to first class on our flights today! I didn’t even ask – we were just called to the front. How awesome! I collected some Biscoff and a banana on our first flight to save for later.
Upon arrival in Minneapolis, we had exactly one hour to change planes. Since hundreds of you recommended the French Meadow Bakery, we made every effort to go. After a very brisk 15 minute walk to the complete other end of the airport, we found it, not realizing it was a sit-down format.
However, Junior, the friendly bartender, coerced us in and said we’d have plenty of time to dine.
He was a very good salesman because he managed to sell Matt a beer (although how hard could have that been, really!)
You know I had a few sips too 
Plus a sample taste of the Budweiser Wheat Beer that he gave us. I didn’t think it had that much flavor though
We had to quickly decide on lunch and I really wanted a salad, but with some heft. I eventually settled on a veggie burger on a sprouted grain bun that came with organic greens
I didn’t know it came with cheese, but it sure tasted good. I blame the bun for the goodness!! The greens were fabulous too with hints of rosemary.
No thank you
Matt got a croissant turkey sandwich with baked potato wedges – it was pretty good too!
The only con to the restaurant: $$$$!!!
By the time we’d taken a few bites of lunch, we figured our plane was boarding and we had a hike to go to the gate. So we packaged up the sandwiches to finish in the air.
I finished my whole burger on the plane – I was starving because of my cereal breakfast. I told you I never holds me over as long.
And had a Biscoff from flight #1 for dessert!
Mid-flight the flight attendant came through the first class cabin taking LUNCH orders!! D’oh!! I imagine our lunch was better than the chicken wraps and chef’s salads that were served, but you know I can’t pass up free food so I asked if I could just have the fruit and brownie portion.
I was pleased to find a Dancing Bear brownie!! However, I wasn’t really in the mood for dessert having had lunch not too long ago, so I’m saving it for later. I did eat the fruit and my vodkaless vodka cranberry 
And finally, you know they give out free alcohol on first class flights (boy did we score with this upgrade!)
I didn’t need or want wine, but I think she misunderstood my "no thank you" with a "thank you" and Matt and I were served anyways!
And you know I drank most of my glass
I’m feeling so good about my school work load this week and am excited that the next two weeks will be pretty low-key with minimal traveling. And a birthday!!!
A big thank you to Amanda for picking us up from the airport!!
Now…what’s for dinner?
{ 116 comments… read them below or add one }
Congrats! I sort of hate when I say that. We are so happy for you. A tiny bit jealous.
Yay! Congrats! So glad you found out your news in the *west*!
I”ve been reading for awhile, but am a first time commenter.
I just wanted to say congratulations!
Congratulations, Kath and Matt, that’s awesome. Will you both be working in the bakery, Kath, or will you be working as a RD as well?
Are we talking a move to Charlottesville Miss Kath????
I really like that (kiddie’s) fleece jacket you scored up in Montana. It looks great, and it’s a wonderful color.
Talk about fantastic news!!!!!! First class rocks and being future bakery owners ain’t too shabby either
.
Congrats and that is one store I hope to visit someday!
B
Congrats on the bakery!
I hope Matt chose the Summit… it is brewed right here in St. Paul!
Congrats to the KERF household
CONGRATS!!!
I’m super excited for you all *especially since your bringing yummy breads to C’ville!!*
I can’t wait to see what the future holds for you all!
Congratulations! I’m glad you guys enjoyed our Mpls airport, even though it is a tad early for Christmas music and the food can be pricey
Can’t wait for the adventures to unfold!!!
congrats!
Hooray!! Good for you guys! And congrats on the first class upgrade — what a pleasant surprise and good way to celebrate your successful trip!
Hoooray! So excited for you guys and super excited that you will be in C’ville! By then, I will be an almost yoga teacher and will need some guinea pigs
Congratulations! I am so excited for you! What a perfect ending to a fun weekend!
Let the baking begin…err… continue!
How exciting!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I’ve been keeping up with your trip!! Looks like such a “great” experience!!
Congratulations K&M!! 
You are so deserving!! 
Congratulations!!! You deserve it.
Congratulations!! What a great adventure it will be!
I knew you two could do it! Congrats on the huge changes coming up
BTW Score on the upgrade!
Yay, congrats!!!
Congratulations! I have always joked that in my next life I want to own a bakery, so this will be very exciting to read about!
Congratulations!! Such exciting news!!!
congrats on the bakery! how exciting.
french meadow is the best place in the MSP airport, if you ask me. glad you guys had a chance to give it a try. their breads are really awesome.
where are you guys moving to??
CONGRATULATIONS KATH & MATT!! I can’t even imagine how excited you guys must be right now! Can’t wait to see behind the scenes of opening a bakery – how cool!!
I read your blog every day, and dont usually comment, but I just wanted to say CONGRATULATIONS on your amazing success with the bakery! Im SO looking forward to following the process!
That’s so exciting. Congrats!
Congrats!
Congratulations on being future owners! That’s so exciting! I can’t wait to see how everything develops in the coming years!
Congrats! Sounds like a fun next step! They load you up with booze in business class – last time I was upgraded, I got a full solo cup full of wine – it was like college
CONGRATS! That is so exciting… I envy you and your soon-to-be-bakery-owner self!
congrats! what great news for you guys!
That is great news! Congratulation to both of you!
congratulations!! A dream come true!!
Congrats!!! Moving?!?
Hey Kath.. this isn’t related to your blog post but I couldn’t find an email for you and I have a question.
I got my body fat percentage measured today and the guy who worked at the gym (in fact two guys told me this today) told me that I need to be consuming 100g of protein a day! That seems kind of high and since I’m a vegetarian it seems like a daunting number to achieve. I am going to start adding some whey protein into my diet but I was wondering if you think 100g of protein is too much?
WOW!!! Congratulations and very best wishes to you and your husband!
#1 Your lunches look AWESOME and I’m totally going to the French Meadow Bakery next time I’m in the Minneapolis airport! Yum!
#2 CONGRATULATIONS!!!!! What an exciting opportunity for both of you! You will be great franchise owners and I’m excited to hear about the adventure!
On a sort of related note… We have a Great Harvest here in Lincoln, NE, and I’ve been meaning to try it out for a while. After all of your amazing descriptions of the different breads and rolls, I’m totally motivated to get out there!
woo hoo! happy dance for you guys!
Congrats to you and Matt. I look forward to watching this new chapter unfold.
Congrats Kath! That’s really exciting news.
Congrats!! How exciting!
Congratulations! I look forward to reading about the trials and tribulations!
Random reader here. Just wanted to say CONGRATS!
That is very exciting. I go to school in Urbana-Champaign, IL and I believe we have a Great Harvest, though I’ve only bought its goods at the farmers’ market.
Yay for you guys!!! I can’t wait to follow you on your next adventure!
Congrats, that is so exciting! So happy for both of you!
I’m a huge fan of your blog but haven’t commented before. Looking forward to reading all about your next big adventure. Congratulations!
Congrats! That’s really exciting and awesome! Will you take requests for sunflower seed bread? Haha, my fave!
First of all, congrats!
Second, it’s Dancing DEER, not Dancing BEAR. Just a former Bostonian here wanting to represent.
CONGRATS Kath & Matt!
Congratulations! I think you will be awesome bakery owners
Congratulations, that’s so exciting! Best of luck in the next hectic year! And I’m jealous of your upgrade- sounds like you had a great flight!
I’m pretty sure a rock could sell Matt a beer. “But Kath, he made it sound SOOO good!”
Congratulations you guys…that is phenomenal. We love the GH….come West!
Congrats!!! I’m looking forward to reading about your new adventures!
Ahhh!!! Congratulations! I was anxiously awaiting that news–you two are perfect candidates! I can’t wait to see where this all takes you! Now I must hunt down a GH and test the breads!
CONGRATS!!!! OH I have SO many questions!!!
CONGRATULATIONS!!! What exciting news for you guys! I have really enjoyed all of your pictures/stories from your Montana trip! I really loved the Bocker spottings too. You two are so cute!
How fun to have first class too!
I hope one day I can visit your bakery!
Congrats, guys!!
Congrats on the great news! On the status issue… you are never going to not want to have status. Once you get upgraded on a regular basis you are not going to want to go back to coach
Congratulations Matt and Kath…I am so happy for you!
Congrats from one small business owner (& her partner husband) to another! Its the most wonderful, stressful, fulfilling thing ever! Good luck! I can’t wait to follow along!
Congratulations!! So excited that you get to move into this exciting new phase of your life!!
Congrats!!!!! Great news!
CONGRATS!!!! I have such a great feeling about this and I know it will be the perfect venture for you both. How exciting!
I’m SO excited for you! This sounds like a perfect match – I can’t wait to read about all your upcoming adventures.
Congratulations! So exciting that it worked out! So does this mean you will have to switch schools to finish up your RD program or will you be done with the classes by the time you move?!
Congrats on the bakery!! Can’t wait to visit ya’ll wherever the bakery ends up!
Delurking to say Congratulations! So excited for you two. Their bread looks so good, I wish there was a location in my neck of the woods!
Wow, congrats on the bakery! That is so exciting, I can’t wait to read all about it.
Congratulations! Super exciting news about the franchise! I wish you guys lots of luck and success.
I love your new Patagonia fleece by the way–great color! Patagonia is headquartered here in my hometown of Ventura, CA and it’s always been a fave of mine. Wear it in good health
Congrats! You guys will be awesome bakery owners!!
Congratulations! How exciting! Hope you had a great flight back!
Congratulations Kath, Matt & Bocker! I knew that rainbow sighting in Dillon had the deal sealed. What a great 2010 you will have!
Wow Kath, this is truly amazing. My biggest congratulations to you and Matt on this remarkable endenvour. Your lives are about to change in so many wonderful ways but with every new facet will be a world of enriching experiences. This could not have happened to two more deserving people.
Now GO CELEBRATE!
WOW!! What a wonderful way to end your trip!! Congratulations to you both – so great to be able to do something you are passionate about
CONGRATULATIONS KATH!!! What amazing news. I’m so happy for you and Matt.
I congratulated you on twitter but just wanted to say it again – CONGRATS!! So many exciting things in store for you two
Congrats Matt + Kath!! You guys deserve this amazing opportunity. I’m so happy for you guys. Good luck with your new chapter!
Jenn
congrats~
Oh man, you gotta have booze in first class! That’s what makes it feel like first!
Congratulations! How exciting! I would love to be a small business owner but you are actually doing it…you go girl!
Congrats Kath and Matt! What an amazing opportunity!
Congratulations! C-ville is such a great place to live! So happy for you guys!!
Congrats!!!
Yay! Congrats! That’s so exciting!
CONGRATTTTTTTTTTTS!
Congrats you guys! This was very well deserved. I wish you all the luck in the world. I am so excited for you!!!!
What fantastic news! Congrats to you both!
Oh my goodness!! How exciting!! Although I never really had any doubts.
Congratulations, that is great news!
congrats to you two!!! That’s so exciting
Woohoo! Congratulations Kath and Matt! How awesome is that???? You guys will be great! Looking forward to hearing more about your new adventures!
THANK YOU ALL!!!
Christine,
He did choose the Summit and it was awesome!!
Sammi,
100 grams is way more than you need. Divide your weight by 2.2 and multiply that by 0.8 – that’s about what you need. Some people like to eat more protein for satiety’s sake, so anywhere from 0.8 to 1.0 per kg is totally normal. And even a little more is not harmful, but it’s unnecessary unless you are sick, injured or a serious body builder.
That’s why trainers shouldn’t give nutrition advice
Anna,
Haha. Clearly I had bears on the brain!
Kath
CONGRATULATIONS!!! So, SO fabulous!
Congrats, this will be such an amazing adventure for you and Matt!
I said it on Twitter but I`ll say it again. CONGRATS!
That is such great news!
Time to celebrate!
congratulations to the KERF household!!!
that is stellar news – you guys must be so excited!
i wish we had Great Harvest bakeries in Canada – they sound really amazing!
and from one nutrition student to another, I love that you’ll be able to do both your counselling AND the bakery! dream job for a foodie!
megan (looooong time reader, first time commenter)
Congrats!!! I’ve been waiting to see if you two got it, and i’m so excited for you!!!
Congrats!
Congratulations! That’s great news for you guys. I am already looking forward to hearing all about it
WOW—what a perfect opportunity for you and Matt! It seems as though you two will be the perfect pair for this feat–all my well wishes sent your way!!! Can’t wait to see your new journey unfold.
I know I’m a little late but I wanted to congratulate you and Matt! That’s such a great adventure for the two of you!! I wish you guys the best of luck with your new chapter in life
Late to the party, but CONGRATULATIONS!
What exciting news! Best wishes for an exciting and happy year.
CONGRATS!!!! That’s amazing!
Congratulations on the bakery!!! What an exciting venture! My grandparents were bakers in the Bronx, NY years ago, so it is nice to see a couple embarking on this worthy endeavor together! Way to go, first class!
Congrats Kath and Matt!
I am so jealous. For the past several years, I have thought about how it would be my dream job to open up a bakery. I’ve never had the courage to actually go through with it though. I will just have to look forward to living vicariously through you two…
That’s so awesome. I love that bread. You guys are going to make great business owners!!
Congrats!! What a journey it’s been…and it’s only getting started!
CONGRATULATIONS!! When are you coming to C-ville?!??! haha
How exciting!! Congrats a thousand times over! I never had any doubt you two would get that bakery!
Congratulations to you both! Can’t wait to follow your adventure, you guys are going to do amazing things, I just know it!
congratulations kath! that so awesome can’t wait to hear about the whole journey!
Congrats Kath and Matt!!
Congrats on the Bakery! That’s awesome! We have a GH here in Lawrence, KS and LOVE it. In addition to being wonderful bread, they are great with philanthropy and education! AWESOME things await you!
Congrats! I am glad you were able to enjoy French Meadow. Next time you are in Mpls. be sure to try a Summit brewery beer. EPA is there signature, but the Red Horizon is one of my faves
We got upgraded to first class this past weekend coming back from Vegas. Too bad we were in no mood to drink to enjoy our complimentary beverages!
Congrats on the Great Harvest!
I think you guys will do great!
CONGRATULATIONS!!! I had no doubt that you all would get it because you are right – it’s a perfect fit! I think we may just have to plan a trip out there for some bakery sampling!!! I am so excited for you all because you both worked so hard to get where you are and where you are going. You really do deserve all the great things that come your way.
Good luck ~ the best is STILL yet to come!
P.S. I am sad you are leaving your house though – I personally LOVE it