Kitchen Capers

Week # 2 has almost come to a close---my second full week of being an honest to goodness gracious caterer!!! And, I still love it!!!

This morning I had to be in Tulsa at 6:30 AM!!! AM!!! Do you know what time I had to get up this morning??? No???? Try 3:45!!!! AM!!! My cat thought I had gone bonkers. He just sat on the end of the bed and stared at me with his sleepy kitty eyes. He seemed to be imploring me to "please come back to bed"! Finally he gave up the starefest and went back to sleep---I don't even think he knew I had left til I came back by the house at 11:00!

I delivered breakfast to a company for 10 execs. A business meeting breakfast. Oh I love being on this side of the work force!! They had a breakfast casserole, yogurt (no I didn't culture that!!!), a fruit tray ( it was pretty), bacon and ----- HOMEMADE biscuits!!! I had never made biscuits before, and had already purchased some "commercial" frozen ones, but then the guilt sat in. I found a recipe in our church cookbook (the person who submitted it is a big ole gal, so I figured they'd be pretty darn good) and gave it a go. They were yummy!!! I had a couple left over, and sent them home with my dad this afternoon. He called while ago to tell me how good they were----hours old and cold!!! So the execs MUST have enjoyed them!

That was all I had to deliver today, so after making a Sam's run, I went back, mopped the floor, and made a couple of pies. Sent a coconut cream one to my father-in-law (he's been delivering meals for me), and had a piece of a chocolate one, then took a couple of pieces to my mom & dad, and called Penny the Queen and told her to stop my--I had something she needed!!! Just sent it to her house. We'll all be roly polys if I'm not restrained!!!

I only have one delivery tomorrow---a wedding reception for 75 here in town. And most of that work is done. Hopefully I can get some correspondence out, and tweek my kitchen's website. And take a nap!!!

Well lovelies, I'd best get this flour out of my hair, my eyebrows, my nostrils, etc., etc.

Have a cozy night!

Mountains of Meringue

After delivering the meals for today & tomorrow to the tennis club, I came back to get ready for the meal for tomorrow! Another 7am-7pm day!!! (Repeat after me, Pam, I like this--I wanted this---I love to cook). Seriously, I am having a great time!! My sister went with me to deliver today, and at the tennis club we ran into some old friends. Small world!! Then we went to a new shoe store and I bought a pair of shoes---like I will ever have time to wear them! They are DEFINITELY NOT work shoes.




So, after getting back here's what I did: (and this is for 50 people) Mandarin Orange Salad, Hot Rolls, Green Beans, Party Potatoes, Beef Brisket, and
(drum roll please!), 6 HOMEMADE cream pies--no pudding here--not even the cook and serve. No Way! These are "scratch" pies on "scratch" crust. 2 lemon meringue, 2 coconut meringue and 2 chocolate meringue! And then I made 2 fresh strawberry pies!! This after 20 cobblers for the tennis club today!!!





Hubby helped me in the kitchen today, and after I finished with the bowl for the chocolate pie, I left some in and told him he could have it. He said "Boy those people will have their tongues slapping against their lips to get this down!!" and then I looked around, and as he was taking his finger and skimming out the last bit of chocolate he said "I'm trying to figure out how to get my face down into this bowl" ! He was cracking me up!!! Now you see why I enjoy him helping out?? That plus he loves to cook and he likes the "commercial" dishwasher. He'll do a load and announce "Another full load in less than 2 minutes!". He's a sweetie pie. (No pun intended)





I have gotten some of the sweetest cards from some of the people I worked with at school. Some that I wouldn't have even thought cared! Just goes to show--if you treat people with dignity and friendship, they remember! I have always tried to get along with everyone else--life is just too danged short to feel mad or any other way but happy---and since I'm the one in control of my own happiness---I choose to be happy !!!






And sappy!!! Sorry about that left turn!





Anyway--the feet are a bit tired tonight, and I have magazines stacked up to look through. And the sofa is calling my name!




So all of you have a great Sunday and I'll keep you up on the wonderful world of catering!!!

My New Kitchen--(or, where my life is now!!!)

This is where I spend my mornings, noons, and nights!! These, of course, are chafing dishes--gives a new meaning to a "stainless steel" kitchen!!!
This is the "project" board. It holds jobs for a week at a time, and when that day is finished it is erased. This shows Sat & Sun jobs I have. Today we prepped all the salad stuff for Sat--100 people both days, three salad choices each day, cobbler each day and bread each day. And all delivered by 11:00 tomorrow morning!! Needless to say, I was on my feet ALL DAY today!
Here's my new office! I used to have a rather professional looking office at the school, but I have to say, I like this one better!!
All the dry goods & the ice maker! Lots of staples, lots of seasonings. But we have to replenish quite frequently!!




I'll stop here. I have some more pics to share, but right now, my feet are throbbing and I just want to recline on the sofa!! Hubby is at the home opener football game, so I don't even have to talk to anyone!




And would you believe I'm having Cheerios for supper!!! Hey if Seinfield can so can I!!!


Have a great Friday evening!

Adventures in Catering--Day 1

Man oh man oh man!!!! This has been one heck of a day!! Got to the kitchen at 6 this morning, and we had only one lunch to prepare & deliver. And it was a salad bar, so it wasn't much work at all.


Then, as we were picking up supplies, got 2 calls for tomorrow!!! And we had one on the calendar. So, we shopped for food, went back and prepped all that we could, made bread dough, made pies for Friday, and cleaned up. At 4:30 we left for the day!!!


I am quite tired. No, I am REALLY tired!! Most of the work for tomorrow is finished, but there is prep for Thursday. If we get too many for Friday, I think I'll call in sick--ha ha ha.


What is on the menu for tomorrow? Creole Chicken over rice, Herb Roasted Chicken, Italian Green Salad, Napa Cabbage Salad, Green Beans, Homemade Bread, Italian Cream Cake, Strawberry Cake, and Banana Pudding!!!!! We will have served 96 people. In three different locations!!


Anywho--it is an experience. And I am enjoying it (grimace face---yes, I am!!!). Hopefully it will get smoother and a bit easier--dare I think that?????


But on Thursday I shouldn't have to go in at 6---probably will start late, you know, like 7!!!


I'll keep you posted!!

Please Pray for My Friend

Hey everybody--please pray for a friend of mine, JeanAnn. She lost her 14 year old daughter to cancer in July of this year, and she is having a very difficult time. I am sure she is going through the grieving process, but she needs prayer to hold on. She has two younger sons, and works at the school, but yesterday in Sunday School, a couple who are very close to her expressed their concern for her. And asked for prayer. If you want to read her desperation, go to caringbridge.com and type in Mackenzie Sunday. It tells her daughter's story. In the "journal" side, JeanAnn posted last Thursday evening. You can feel her pain, and her overwhelming grief.


As I said, there are so so many who have gone through this before her, and agree that this is part of the process, but I would just like to reinforce her recovery with prayer. Haley's mother (from Owasso) sent JeanAnn the nicest email, and I hope they can make contact with one another. Haley lived only 10 or 15 miles south of us.


Anyway, that's all I have to post for now. And I appreciate your prayers so very much.


Have a great week, and remember to be thankful for the blessings you have in the here and now.

Doors Closed & Windows Opened

Doors Closed: My final day at the school was Friday. I didn't want any type of "goodbye" anything--I prefer to slip out quietly. But my dear dear friends and co-workers had other plans. This is the cake they had made for a farewell reception. It was gorgeous, and delicious. The closed door is that after 16 years, my morning routine--in fact, any routine, is going to be very very different. I kind of breezed through the week, thinking this was not going to be any problem at all! But on Thursday night it hit me-- the desk wasn't to be mine anymore--I wouldn't look across the hall and see a familiar face--no one to run down the hall and tell jokes to--no one to laugh with and have fits with--no one to gripe at -- and it began to feel like my heart was made of lead. And Friday, it was way too cheerful around there--false cheerfulness on my part. It was touching that these people, who have become more than friends after all this long, would send such wordy cards, attempt to show their care through the wonderful gifts, flowers, etc. But I made it till 4:00 without a tear shed. Then I got in the car, closed the door and drove away from the office for the last time as "one of the gang". And my heart physically hurt--it felt a bit chipped and raw. And the tears flowed. Uncontrollably--sobs coming from deep down inside. I don't like change--with people anyway. I want to keep everyone in the same spot forever and ever. And this spot was erased. It broke my heart.

The above an below pics are of the beautiful flowers I received. Can you believe one of my boss's friends (and a dear friend of mine also) sent me a dozen red roses!!! They are really really stunning and they smell so fragrant. Just a sample of the expressions of thanks and care I received.

Windows Opened: This morning I met with the "previous" PREVIOUS I SAY! owners and handed over a lump sum of my life. We went over bookkeeping, deliveries, orders, and started making plans to begin working together on Tuesday morning. It's really here. I own a catering company--and I have orders!!! I went down to the kitchen THREE times today---just because I have the key and I CAN!!! It's mine---I can open any drawer--look in the frig and freezer, and I emptied the trash and brought the dirty towels home to wash. Then I went for the groceries that we need for Tuesday, and made arrangements to have both orders delivered. This feels comfortable and right. And I have more confidence than I have had in weeks.

So, that's what's been going on in my life the past 48 hours. It's time to raise that window and let the new in!!!

Have a great weekend!

Straight From The Horse's Mouth!!

So tonight I am tired of hearing myself go on and on about what's going on in my life. I'll bet you are too!

I found this fill in and thought I'd do some "lite" posting. I'll answer these "fill ins" and if you want, you can too.

Then later on I'll rant and rave some more!!!

5 Things You Love With Each Of Your Senses:

Smell: Baby powder, cookies baking, new mown grass, new plastic baby dolls, lilacs

Sound: Hank's voice, my son's laugh, my daughter's small voice, a cardinal's twerp, jazz music with no words

Sight: Christmas decorations, my family, sunrise, ocean beaches, a clean house

Touch: my husband's arm around me, my cat's fur, flannel pjs, Hank's arms, clean, warm sheets

Taste: chocolate, Dr Pepper, Pixie Sticks, cool water, hot tea

And those are the things I love with my senses.

Ever thought about that? It's not as easy as it seems. We know what specifics we love, but in generalizations, it's more difficult. And yet, if we lost one of those senses we'd suffer terribly. So, think about what you love with your senses and be grateful for having your full capabilities.

Have a good evening!