Hi, my name is… Jamie Andrews and I’m the owner of a licensed home-based bakery called Sparkling Divine (sparklingdivine.com).
I’ve lived in the North Peoria area for 24 years and the surrounding area for a total of 38 years and I love it because… It’s far enough from downtown Phoenix, Glendale, or Peoria but close enough to most everything you could want or need to enjoy the city life. We’ve lived here for a long time and have made so many friends and connections that it would be difficult to leave. I love the weather and the community, and I’m so happy to call it home.
A typical day in my life includes… I always start my day on the treadmill (even when I’m sick), watching my favorite TV shows. Next, I spend the morning with a homemade mocha latte (I used to be a barista), answering emails and text messages, creating invoices, and planning out my day. Then it’s off to baking or decorating all those delicious treats for my orders going out that week.
My family is… My life. I’ve been married for 29 years, and we have two daughters who are 26 and 23 years old. My oldest, an ultrasound tech, just got engaged and will be getting married next year. My youngest will be finishing up her schooling this month to be a sterile processing technician and already has interviews lined up for potential jobs.
One thing I cannot live without is… Chocolate and coffee.
My favorite movie I could never get tired of watching and why… “The Sound of Music.” It’s been a favorite of mine since I was a child, and I was always thrilled when I could watch it with my girls when they were little. However, they never really appreciated me singing all the songs at the top of my voice for some reason.
When I was younger, I wanted to be… An astronaut, veterinarian, or a teacher. I have a teaching degree in Elementary Education but gave up my career early on to stay at home with my girls.
The song I would sing at Karaoke night is… Any song from Journey or Cyndi Lauper.
The people who motivate me are… My family. Everything has either been for them or with them.
The last thing that made me laugh out loud was…Hands down our dog Chewie! He’s our little severely anxious Cockapoo that speaks to us. He is the silliest and most loving dog and a source of constant entertainment every day.
The perfect day… Is taking a day trip somewhere in Arizona with my husband and daughters. We’ve had so many adventures including hiking in Sedona, shopping in downtown Prescott, and many years ago hanging out with Farmer Buzz at Young’s Farm that used to be in Dewey. It always involves finding hidden gems to eat or have coffee at.
My favorite local nonprofit is…
The Joy Bus Diner. It is such a great local restaurant and organization that provides meals once a week to families going through cancer treatment. A dear friend of mine put me in touch with them a couple years ago and I’ve been contributing desserts once a month ever since. Their restaurant just opened back up not too long ago. Make sure to stop by one day for breakfast or lunch. You can find more info at thejoybusdiner.com.
My life is… Not perfect but it’s the one that I’ve been given. I’ve worked hard to be who I am and where I am. I don’t take many things, friends, or family members for granted. I know they can be taken from me any day, so I try be grateful for what I’ve been blessed with in my life.
The best gifts I’ve ever received was… My daughters. I never knew how difficult and satisfying the role of a mother could be.
My dream vacation would be… Spending time in Maui with my husband and daughters. We took a trip a couple of years ago and it was the best vacation we’ve ever had. I would not have changed one moment of that trip and I wish we could escape there more often.
The best piece of advice I’ve ever received… “No one can make you feel inferior without your consent,” from Eleanor Roosevelt.
