When my kids were little, I would try to give them a thematic birthday party based on something they were really into at the time. Then I’d *attempt* to bake a cake that included that theme, or make a banner, or at least have some kind of activity. Only, I could never execute these ideas the way they looked in my brain at the time. One year, Cal wanted his birthday to be “spiders and origami.” The octopus/weird starfish cake I ended up baking was quite the disappointment. Another year he wanted cupcakes with vanilla frosting and big red dot on the top of each one. In the heat of the day, those red dots melted and the cupcakes looked like a group of large, disgusting bloodshot eyeballs. Or the year Bree wanted a “pirate party.” One of the kids looked at the cake and asked, “Why is Charlie Brown wearing an eye patch?”
I wish I’d had the help of Syl’s Delights back then. From now on, when your kid asks you for something unique, unusual, or tricky, enlist Syl’s help. I mean, when her daughter wanted a llama-and-cactus-themed party, Syl didn’t bat an eye. JUST LOOK AT HOW CUTE THESE ARE!
You might notice that Syl’s treats look more sophisticated than what you’d usually get for a birthday party. They are. They are cleverly designed, baked, and decorated, and you won’t find anything quite like them anywhere else. They *almost* look too beautiful to eat, but don’t be intimidated. You deserve a beautiful cupcake or a perfect cake pop just as much as anyone.
Syl’s been selling her creations at the Harrisonburg Farmers’ Market since December 2017. Her business started as a result of a birthday party she was planning for one of her six children. Guests loved her treats so much that she was asked to cater a wedding. Feeling like she might be onto something, she secured a spot at the Farmers’ Market. Customers of all ages are excited to see her on the 1st and 3rd Saturday of each month.
On the day we visited, she had a lot to choose from. The Ferrero Rocher cupcakes with Nutella buttercream icing featured a hidden Ferrero Rocher candy baked inside! The Oreo Cookies & Cream cupcake contained a whole Oreo cookie as its base. She also had two adorable cake pops, an assortment of cakesicles (these are shaped like a popsicle), chocolate covered pretzels, coconut truffles, and a Caramel Macchiato cupcake.
In addition to her unique and whimsical sweet treats, she sells savory Surinamese delicacies, too, such as pastei (puff pastry with peas and carrots) goegerie (chickpeas in a spiced tomato paste), and a made-to-order gyro. Wash it down with two traditional drinks: orgeade (a sweet almond drink) or Dawet syrup drink, which contains coconut milk.
If you cannot get to the Farmers’ Market, you can visit Syl’s Etsy shop, where you’ll see many more of her adorable creations, including Wonder Woman pretzel sticks, Easter bunny/chick cake pops, and even Aladdin rice crispy treats! One way or another, visit her soon!
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A chef walks into a sandwich shop… and creates something Harrisonburg hasn’t had before.
Both a market and a sandwich shop, Gray Jay has what you need if you’re hungry now or will be later. On the market side, there are dry provisions and chilled provisions and provisions for every occasion. Like charcuterie provisions. And I’m-Not-Sure-What-To-Bring-To-This-Party provisions. My-In-Laws-Are-Coming provisions. Or I-Just-Need-A-Damn-Bloody-Mary provisions. 
They’ve got crackers and salami, assorted vinegars and oils, multiple flavors of Backpocket Provisions Bloody Mary Mix. They’ve got mustard and honey and cheeses and sausages. Prosciutto spread and jars of kimchi and curtido.
They’ve got Gearharts chocolates and Tate’s Bake Shop cookies, Field Trip brand jerky, veggie burgers, and ice cream. And a wide selection of Grown Up Sodas, Maine Root sodas, and Fentimans botanically brewed sodas. 
At the counter, you’ll see their small but sophisticated and thoughtfully designed menu. It changes with the availability of fresh, local ingredients; on the day we were there, they offered a roasted tempeh sandwich with sweet potato, pickled red onion, and mushrooms; a sliced pork sandwich with sweet potato and kimchi; a line-caught tuna sandwich with caper aioli, pickled red onion, and arugula; a baked tofu sandwich with shiitake aioli and kimchi; a chicken confit sandwich with herb mayo, arugula, and pickled red onion; and a sunflower butter open face sandwich with honey and 
All sandwiches are served on their house-made sourdough bread. This sourdough goes back a long time. Its starter is a blend of co-owner Michelle’s starter from Austria, created from wild airborne yeast and spring water, and co-owner Seth’s starter. The bread holds up to the demands of a hefty sandwich, yet gives easily between the teeth. And you can take a loaf of your own home with you: $6 for a small loaf and $9 for a large. And when I say large, I mean it’s the biggest dang loaf you’ve ever seen in real life.
In case you’re wondering about the name, the Gray Jay is a mascot of sorts. While reading about this little bird, I came across words like 
You know how in old TV shows like I Love Lucy or The Brady Bunch, one character would visit her friend across the street after the kids left for school, and they’d sit together at the Formica kitchen counter and drink coffee? Maybe the hostess would whip out a coffee cake or some Danish and the two friends would leisurely laugh and chat as they sipped and nibbled, with several hours of sunny, blissful banality before them.
In her polished glass case that day was chocolate chip shortbread, hummingbird bread (banana, pineapple, and coconut), lemon ginger scones, King Kong cookies, chocolate walnut chubbies, and peanut butter chocolate sandies. She always has gluten-free options available, plus a wide selection of tea, juices, and soda, in case coffee’s not your thing. Brandy, Blake, Ella, and I ordered sticky buns, raspberry coconut bread, spinach quiche, and a spinach, egg, and Havarti cheese croissant, which we salivated over — patiently, for time was on our side that morning — until Brandy was done photographing it.
The snow lining the windows of the old building somehow made the sticky buns a little sweeter, the spinach quiche a little more decadent. Maybe because we were subconsciously dreaming of simpler times, we started talking about minimalism. A discussion of the book 
As if you need more reason to go in there, much awaits you at the Hardesty Higgins House (which my kids have called the “Higgy House” ever since they were tiny and couldn’t say it correctly). You can find hundreds of maps, brochures, and publications about the goings-on in the Shenandoah Valley, from Civil War museums and re-enactments, to the 
Heritage Bakery and Cafe is open Monday – Saturday, 8:30 – 5pm, with a monthly Sunday afternoon tea.
i love my burg. 