Coming Soon!

Historic Lower Mill, 61 N. Main Street, Honeoye Falls, NY.

Dear, sweet Michele....we will miss you.

Michele Marie O'Brien
Aug. 16, 1967 - Mar. 23, 2009

Funny thing...life.
One minute you think you're at the top of your game and the next, you're down for the count.
Last night, my son Khyle received a call from his brother Adam exclaiming that something was terribly wrong with their
"step mom" and that he needed to get to the hospital right away.
He had found Michele laying very still beside her treadmill and although he tried to revive her with the help of his friend Emily, nothing. The two waited for the ambulance hoping that Michele would respond to the EMT's expertise.
Khyle left our house in a hurry....he had a half hour drive to the hospital...there wasn't any time to waste.

Sadly enough, Michele did not recover.
In an instant, she became that shooting star, soaring across the night sky, ever so bright.

Michele was an awesome role model for my boys. She worked extremely hard at whatever she put her mind to, including, raising her two wonderful children, receiving her Masters Degree from SUNY Brockport (as a single parent), maintaining a full time position at Kodak, teaching college math part time, providing my children guidance whenever summoned...the list is endless.

Those of us that were fortunate enough to have been touched by Michele, are better people for sure. In the past ten years, I learned that her greatest strength was her ability to see the positive in everything.
Amazingly, she was able to bring Tom (my ex-husband) and I to a better place, one, finally free of anger and resentment toward each other; it took awhile but she was not going to take "no" for an answer. I will be forever indebted.

This past Sunday, my birthday, Tom and Michele brought Adam back home. It was so good to see her and she looked prettier than ever....she was glowing. We caught ourselves up with what we had missed out on the past several months, made a tentative plan to see a Chris Botti concert on May 16th and said our goodbyes.

Little did I know...

One must realize their own mortality at a time like this and if Michele were here, she would know exactly what to say and how to comfort all of us so that it made sense.

I wish you were here Michele!

See You There!

A cause near and dear to my heart!

Three years ago, I was diagnosed with breast cancer.......it was Good Friday and time stood still. I was in the "Goya" aisle at Wegman's (a local super market) and shopping for Easter Basket fillers...my cell phone was going in and out, nonetheless, I managed to hear the Doctor's voice on the other end...her message was loud and clear. "Your results were found positive".....wow....it was so surreal.

I was meeting my son Khyle in twenty minutes which meant that I needed to finish my shopping and keep it together long enough to hand him the twenty dollars he had requested earlier that day. I did it! Khyle had no clue that anything was wrong.

Calling my husband from the parking lot was next on my agenda. He was careful to not overspeak.....we needed a plan which we decided within an hour of my return home...it was simple....get rid of it!

I had been bitten by the cancer bug but I was determined to beat it! Clearly, it was time to make some changes. Eating healthier, exercising and eliminating stress were at the very top of my priority list. Changing my career was the next step to survival which is what has brought me here today.

The past year has been spent researching recipes for assorted gourmet cookies. My "Signature Sauce" is becoming a household name in my hometown. I orchestrated a meatball throwdown at my sons college baseball game....and yes, I expect this to become an annual event in years to come! I have a haywagon that is parked out front providing all of my specialties during the summer months. Life is good!!!

Currently, my dear friend Sylvie and I are in the process of opening a gift shop at the Lower Mill in Honeoye Falls, New York called

"Twigs & Faeries"......... http://www.twigsandfaeries.com/.

We are so excited about the possibilities of our newest direction which promises to provide unique gifts for that special someone.

I've been given a second chance to make a difference.

Donating to all of the cancer centers this past year along with contributing to the various events sponsored by the Breast Cancer Coalition of Rochester are my way of saying thank you.
I am so very blessed!

Happy Valentine's Day...

From Twigs and Faeries

Welcome to my Blog!

My name is Mary Rapp Reakes and I am the person behind
kokopelli a la carte. This is a blog about my life and all of the ups and downs of being in this business.

I am well known for my assorted desserts featuring gourmet cookies, cakes and sweet breads.I have also perfected my “Signature Sauce” using roasted home grown tomatoes and fresh basil…it’s got a “kick” to it and yet, a whisper of sweetness still.

My philosophy is to create culinary treasures that are unforgettable every time you dare to indulge yourself.

Should you like to contact me with questions or suggestions, please email me at rapraxe2@rochester.rr.com. I look forward to hearing from you!!!