I didn't pack for Denver until late last night and got up in plenty of time this morning to finish packing. Poor Ah Choo was very sad I was leaving, he meowed and moped all morning. :-(
Jordan took me to the airport where my plane left for Denver without incident. We actually arrived early in Denver! I took the SuperShuttle to Capitol Hill Mansion B&B. I rode into town with a group of techies that were here for an IT Architecture Conference. Wow! You meet all kinds of people in Denver!
When I got to the B&B, there was a note on the door for me from Carl. He gave me the Paintbrush Room on the first floor right off the lobby. It's a beautiful room. I have it for three nights then I move to another room. Adventure! Carl was not here. There was a Chamber Mixer and he was there. He called to see if I got here. Guess I'll see him in the morning.
As I was on my own, I walked down to Potager (which is five blocks away) for dinner. I sat at the bar and had a flight of three new world red wines, a spinach salad and a potato pancake topped with duck confit and dried cherries. Holy cow! I almost feel like a culture deprived woman. The spinach salad was topped with a lemon confit, diced kalamata olives, dried cranberries and crushed toasted bread crumbs. Unbelievably tasty, that or I don't get out much anymore!! The potato pancake was crispy on the outside and creamy on the inside. The duck confit was a little crunchier than I like but the flavor was still very good. And the cherries set it off just right. They do not make their own bread, but it is made by amlocal bakery and it is still as good as I remember! I decided to have dessert (good thing I was walking home!). It was between the bruleed lemon tart and rhubarb cake with rhubarb jam topped with mint ice cream. I decided on the rhubarb cake. Very moist, slight rhubarb taste. The rhubarb jam was tart but off set the cake nicely. And the mint ice cream was like nothing I've ever tasted! Not at all like the green mint ice cream we usually get! It was like eating fresh mint! I decided that if I was really poor and had just a little money, I'd rather have a good meal than anything else, lol.
I walked back to the B&B and am now relaxing in my king size bed. Class starts at 12 noon tomorrow, so I don't have to worry about getting up early. And someone is going to make me breakfast in the morning!
On a sad note, my friend Michael's father died this morning. His health has not been good lately but it is still always sad to lose a loved
one.
Thursday, March 31, 2011
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
"If only emotional baggage came with those cute little emotional wheelies". -The little book of inspirational thoughts
I finished my food safety course, ServSafe. Yeah!! And more importantly, I passed the post-course exam (86-I just need to accept I am a solid "B" student, lol). Now all I need to do is get proctored to take what they call the certification exam. I contact Pete Allen, one of the instructors on the WCHD list of approved instructors and he will proctor the test for me the week of April 11-15. I guess that works. $125 for the ServSafe course, $70 to be proctored, $28 to get a certificate ID from the WCHD, then $107-$130 for a food permit. I feel like singing that song by Abba in "Mama Mia" that goes "Money, money, money.....it's a rich man's world". Lol.
A few errands today, playing with the cat, still taking Advil for the sinus headaches, and then dinner with Janell, Jordan and Eva. Eva is from Russia, where she was a journalist. When she came over here and married, she decided to go to nursing school. It's been a hard road for her as language has sometimes been a barrier. We ended up at BJ's Brewery over by Legends in Sparks. There are two BJ's now, one in Sparks and one at the Summit shopping center, south of town. We had a nice time.
Once I got home, I finally packed for my Denver trip. My plane leaves at 1:40pm tomorrow. Direct flight (thank goodness) and no checked baggage!! Yeah, again!!! Ah Choo watched me pack. He wanted to put his little stuffed mouse in the suitcase but I convinced him otherwise. Now it's bedtime. I will keep up my blog in Denver and let you know all the things I learn and do.
I finished my food safety course, ServSafe. Yeah!! And more importantly, I passed the post-course exam (86-I just need to accept I am a solid "B" student, lol). Now all I need to do is get proctored to take what they call the certification exam. I contact Pete Allen, one of the instructors on the WCHD list of approved instructors and he will proctor the test for me the week of April 11-15. I guess that works. $125 for the ServSafe course, $70 to be proctored, $28 to get a certificate ID from the WCHD, then $107-$130 for a food permit. I feel like singing that song by Abba in "Mama Mia" that goes "Money, money, money.....it's a rich man's world". Lol.
A few errands today, playing with the cat, still taking Advil for the sinus headaches, and then dinner with Janell, Jordan and Eva. Eva is from Russia, where she was a journalist. When she came over here and married, she decided to go to nursing school. It's been a hard road for her as language has sometimes been a barrier. We ended up at BJ's Brewery over by Legends in Sparks. There are two BJ's now, one in Sparks and one at the Summit shopping center, south of town. We had a nice time.
Once I got home, I finally packed for my Denver trip. My plane leaves at 1:40pm tomorrow. Direct flight (thank goodness) and no checked baggage!! Yeah, again!!! Ah Choo watched me pack. He wanted to put his little stuffed mouse in the suitcase but I convinced him otherwise. Now it's bedtime. I will keep up my blog in Denver and let you know all the things I learn and do.
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
I had another doctor's appointment today, catching up on all things health related. Then I met Calvin Willey, who is a local landscaper and old tree expert. He works with his brother and they are an entirely family run business. He was the one who brought in the 25-30 foot pines at the side of the property in the front. It was quite the production! Our front yard could use a little help, as could the rest of the yard, so he is going to see what he can do, things that won't cost a fortune. He'll get back to me next week when I get back from Denver.
While I was at Dr Mullins office, his nurse came up with the idea of getting a coffee cart for downstairs in the lobby of the St Mary's Center for Health building. She loves my pastries and says she sees people all the time walk in with coffee cups and little treats in a bag so thinks I should set up shop. I'd have clientele in the office people and also from the fitness center, not to mention patients and vendors that come in to the building all the time. She says most people walk over to Starbucks to get coffee. It seems like an idea to consider. A coffee or espresso cart could be mobile should business not be good there. The cost of a cart seems to run anywhere from $2000-$15,000. What I've been reading on the web says you can make anywhere from $200-$1500 a day, depending on what you sell and foot traffic. I could sell coffee and espresso drinks, tea and my baked goods. Dr Mullins chimed in that I could work mornings and still have the afternoon to bake desserts for restaurants. Something to think about...
I am almost finished with my ServSafe online class and getting close to the exam or post-test, I think they call it. I am feeling better but I still am getting sinus headaches as well as having pain in my upper teeth. Yuck! As long as it is mostly gone by Thursday when I leave for Denver, I'll be happy.
Betty's funeral was today. I am glad I chose to stay home, although had it been affordable, I probably would have gone. It was important to spend time with her while she was alive and that's what I did, so no regrets.
I made more chocolate cookies, this time using Fleischman's margarine so I could see if there was a difference between these and the chocolate chip cookies made with butter. At this point, I like the butter better (that was not the case even last year) but I will do a taste test tomorrow. I took a bunch of cookies to Dr Mullins office and they seemed a big hit. I like making people smile when they eat my cookies. Makes me feel good, too.
While I was at Dr Mullins office, his nurse came up with the idea of getting a coffee cart for downstairs in the lobby of the St Mary's Center for Health building. She loves my pastries and says she sees people all the time walk in with coffee cups and little treats in a bag so thinks I should set up shop. I'd have clientele in the office people and also from the fitness center, not to mention patients and vendors that come in to the building all the time. She says most people walk over to Starbucks to get coffee. It seems like an idea to consider. A coffee or espresso cart could be mobile should business not be good there. The cost of a cart seems to run anywhere from $2000-$15,000. What I've been reading on the web says you can make anywhere from $200-$1500 a day, depending on what you sell and foot traffic. I could sell coffee and espresso drinks, tea and my baked goods. Dr Mullins chimed in that I could work mornings and still have the afternoon to bake desserts for restaurants. Something to think about...
I am almost finished with my ServSafe online class and getting close to the exam or post-test, I think they call it. I am feeling better but I still am getting sinus headaches as well as having pain in my upper teeth. Yuck! As long as it is mostly gone by Thursday when I leave for Denver, I'll be happy.
Betty's funeral was today. I am glad I chose to stay home, although had it been affordable, I probably would have gone. It was important to spend time with her while she was alive and that's what I did, so no regrets.
I made more chocolate cookies, this time using Fleischman's margarine so I could see if there was a difference between these and the chocolate chip cookies made with butter. At this point, I like the butter better (that was not the case even last year) but I will do a taste test tomorrow. I took a bunch of cookies to Dr Mullins office and they seemed a big hit. I like making people smile when they eat my cookies. Makes me feel good, too.
Monday, March 28, 2011
Monday, March 28, 2011
Early to rise for a doctor's appointment (my yearly- all good news). On my way to errands, I got two calls, one requesting culinary advise from my neighbor wanting to know how to precook ribs to serve in the evening. The other a lunch invitation fro my friend, Ric. Arlington Gardens of course (surprise, surprise!). I had potato cheddar soup and half a meatloaf sandwich (actually quite tasty!). Always researching the competition, lol. Afterwards, I stopped at Batch, a cupcakery on Booth and California. All in the name of research, lol. Gotta scope out the competition. I tried to talk to the owner, but apparently she is only there from 7-10am each day. It sounds like she bakes then leaves, but I could be wrong. I was also hoping to interview her for Examiner.com, but will have to go back for that. I tried a chocolate cupcake with cream cheese frosting. The frosting was a little too sweet for my tastes and the cupcake a little dry on the outside but moist on the inside. I also bought a German Chocolate cupcake, a Red Velvet cupcake and a Pumpkin Spice cupcake. They were $2.25/each, but any specials they run are $2.75/each. A nice way to get a little bit of cake without the commitment of an entire cake. I will go back and try to interview the owner at some point.
I came home and worked on my ServSafe class, then met Anne, my old boss from SCOR for a drink at Peirino's on 5th and Keystone. We had a nice visit. She asked me to cater for the SCOR board meetings in the future. I will be gone for the next one, which is this Thursday. We'll see what happens. Then home to make dinner.
Looks like I will get to see friends in Denver after all. And I found out Jackie, from Cook Street, is also taking the class so she says she will be "hanging out with me all weekend". Imagine that! Otherwise, a quiet day in Reno, Nevada.
I came home and worked on my ServSafe class, then met Anne, my old boss from SCOR for a drink at Peirino's on 5th and Keystone. We had a nice visit. She asked me to cater for the SCOR board meetings in the future. I will be gone for the next one, which is this Thursday. We'll see what happens. Then home to make dinner.
Looks like I will get to see friends in Denver after all. And I found out Jackie, from Cook Street, is also taking the class so she says she will be "hanging out with me all weekend". Imagine that! Otherwise, a quiet day in Reno, Nevada.
Saturday, March 26, 2011
Saturday, March 26, 2011
"Life is either a daring adventure or nothing". -Helen Keller
My cold morphed into a sinus infection so I am resting, taking Keflex and drinking lots of fluids. Can't taste a thing! At least Ah Choo is better and back to his "I want salmon, meow!" mode, lol.
I worked on my Food certification class. I feel like I'm back in nursing school as a lot of what I covered today was about bacteria, parasites, yeast and mold and viruses. Kinda makes you not want to eat shellfish! After reading this class and looking back on things we did at Bolongo that are do not do's in this course. And it would seem there are other food businesses that don't follow all the rules either (they use lots of "stories in the news" examples). I do find it interesting, though, which is good.
And I am still waiting for spring in Nevada. It can come any time now!
My cold morphed into a sinus infection so I am resting, taking Keflex and drinking lots of fluids. Can't taste a thing! At least Ah Choo is better and back to his "I want salmon, meow!" mode, lol.
I worked on my Food certification class. I feel like I'm back in nursing school as a lot of what I covered today was about bacteria, parasites, yeast and mold and viruses. Kinda makes you not want to eat shellfish! After reading this class and looking back on things we did at Bolongo that are do not do's in this course. And it would seem there are other food businesses that don't follow all the rules either (they use lots of "stories in the news" examples). I do find it interesting, though, which is good.
And I am still waiting for spring in Nevada. It can come any time now!
Friday, March 25, 2011
Friday, March 25, 2011
My friend, Betty, died this morning after a more than seven year battle with breast cancer. Although I am extremely saddened by the loss of one of my best friends, I know she is in heaven and free from pain. She loved to read this blog, telling me more than once, it was better than a soap opera! I think she was one of my biggest fans. I will miss her...
I also have a cold and my cat threw up during the night and is not eating this morning, I think, because of the vaccines he received yesterday. Hopefully Ah Choo will feel better soon, as well as his owner, April!
I started my ServSafe online class ($125) but even though I can take the class online, it looks like I'll need to have the exam proctored, so I'll have to contact someone on the list of improved instructors.
Otherwise, I spent a quiet day, read, watched cooking shows (surprise!), talked to my Mom (she is always encouraging!), my sister Janell and Kasia (breakfast invitation for Saturday morning). I made chicken pot pies for dinner tonight (using roasted chicken thigh meat, organic vegetables from Trader Joe's (carrots, green beans, corn and peas), made my own chicken gravy and used puff pastry to top it off. Then baked it in the oven at 375. It turned out well, even if I can't taste much!
Early to bed for more rest. Thanks for all your prayers!
Thursday, March 24, 2011
Thursday, March 24, 2011
My days have not been too exciting since I returned home, unless you count shoveling snow(!), something I haven't done for a very long time! Yesterday, I finished my online Sanitation 101 class only to find out today, that Washoe County has it's own class people in food service need to have. You can either go to a 16 hour class then take an exam OR you can take ServSafe online and take the exam. At that point, you become a "Certified Food Protection Manager". (How exciting is that?!). Once you have proof that you passed the exam, you go into the Washoe County Health Department, with the certificate, a picture ID and your checkbook and they give you the credentials that start you on your food service path. The woman, Susan, that I talked to wasn't sure if I would fall into a bakery status or a manufacturer status. She told me I would need to talk to an inspector. I think I'll do the online class. Except the ServSafe site is down this afternoon. I'll check the site again tomorrow.
I made Oatmeal Raisin Cookies yesterday using the "Silver Palate Thick and Rough Oatmeal" as well as the recipe inside the box. This oatmeal is cut a little thicker than regular oatmeal, which makes it more chewy. I did as I usually do and followed the recipe. I should know better, as the longer I bake and the more I read, I can tell now when the results are not going to be what I want. That being said, I did bump up the vanilla to 1 tablespoon when I made them. The flavor was great, the cookies were crunchy on the outside but chewy inside. They were flatter than I wanted, which means I need to increase the amount of flour in this recipe because I don't want to decrease the amount of butter.
I'd also like to compare Jennifer Bushman's original chocolate chip cookie recipe made with Fleischman's margarine and the same recipe made with butter to see if I can taste a difference. Some time ago I morphed Jennifer's cookie recipe into my own and making them with
butter still gives me the results I want. Another experiment! Any taste tester volunteers? "Do you prefer cookie A or cookie B?"
I'm still writing for Examiner.com and if you are reading this and haven't done so already, please subscribe to me on Examiner.com. I would appreciate it! I try to do an article every couple of days.
I took Ah Choo (my cat) to the vet today to get his little butt shaved so he wouldn't be what I (not always lovingly) call a poopy butt. He also got his leukemia and rabies booster. When we walked into the animal hospital, he meowed SO loud everyone turned to look at him. Apparently Ah Choo did not want to be there and wanted everyone to know because he kept it up for some time! After we got home, he was still "talking". Poor guy!
As I write this it is snowing like crazy! I went and shoveled the walk and the driveway so Jordan could get in the driveway. I came in soaked! And cold! Really wet snow, lol! A little hot chocolate helped that.
I pulled out a book I bought last year called 'Start & Run a Home-Based Food Business'. I'm going to take another look at it as I think I am going to need all the help I can get. I still need to come up with a name for the business. Which, I hope, will be the business of providing desserts for Reno area restaurants.
I made Oatmeal Raisin Cookies yesterday using the "Silver Palate Thick and Rough Oatmeal" as well as the recipe inside the box. This oatmeal is cut a little thicker than regular oatmeal, which makes it more chewy. I did as I usually do and followed the recipe. I should know better, as the longer I bake and the more I read, I can tell now when the results are not going to be what I want. That being said, I did bump up the vanilla to 1 tablespoon when I made them. The flavor was great, the cookies were crunchy on the outside but chewy inside. They were flatter than I wanted, which means I need to increase the amount of flour in this recipe because I don't want to decrease the amount of butter.
I'd also like to compare Jennifer Bushman's original chocolate chip cookie recipe made with Fleischman's margarine and the same recipe made with butter to see if I can taste a difference. Some time ago I morphed Jennifer's cookie recipe into my own and making them with
butter still gives me the results I want. Another experiment! Any taste tester volunteers? "Do you prefer cookie A or cookie B?"
I'm still writing for Examiner.com and if you are reading this and haven't done so already, please subscribe to me on Examiner.com. I would appreciate it! I try to do an article every couple of days.
I took Ah Choo (my cat) to the vet today to get his little butt shaved so he wouldn't be what I (not always lovingly) call a poopy butt. He also got his leukemia and rabies booster. When we walked into the animal hospital, he meowed SO loud everyone turned to look at him. Apparently Ah Choo did not want to be there and wanted everyone to know because he kept it up for some time! After we got home, he was still "talking". Poor guy!
As I write this it is snowing like crazy! I went and shoveled the walk and the driveway so Jordan could get in the driveway. I came in soaked! And cold! Really wet snow, lol! A little hot chocolate helped that.
I pulled out a book I bought last year called 'Start & Run a Home-Based Food Business'. I'm going to take another look at it as I think I am going to need all the help I can get. I still need to come up with a name for the business. Which, I hope, will be the business of providing desserts for Reno area restaurants.
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
"Some days are hopscotch kind of days, some days are getting-nailed-at-dodgeball kind of days".
The cat got me up this morning, "feed me", he meowed! I was awake already so I didn't mind. He will let you stay in bed a bit later if you rub his tummy, lol.
I talked a bit to my friend, Betty, this morning, as well as to her sister, Judy, and husband, Don. The hospice nurse says Betty only has a week, maybe a little more. It has been hard on everyone there. She will definitely be missed!
After checking emails, I went off to 'Nothing To It' (NTI) to get a bottle of Nielssen-Massey Madagascar real vanilla. I wanted a big bottle of vanilla as I seem to go through it so quickly. I ended up buying a 32 oz bottle (I know, sounds like a lot, but I started adding one tablespoon of vanilla to my cookies rather than one teaspoon so it goes fast!). An eight ounce bottle was $19.50 but 32 ounces was only $40. So I figured, why not?
While I was there, I ran into Jay Buschman, who co-owns NTI with Lara Ritchie. I know Jay from back when I worked in a doctor's office and he was a drug rep. We started talking and I told him I had left nursing to go to culinary school, Europe and finally St Thomas to intern. He had some advise and also said we should have lunch when I got back to Reno from Denver. Apparently he is quite familiar with Cook Street School, having grown up in Boulder, CO. He says one of his friends used to teach there. Small world! Jay also offered to rent out his commercial kitchen to me! That is, as long as I get all my licenses and certificates, which I will start working on tomorrow. Cool, huh? I also talked to him about whether or not he could use any help either at NTI or when they cater. He said we could definitely talk about it, although they do not need any more staff at NTI right now. So when I get back to Denver, I will call him to see if he and Lara will have lunch with me. That also means I need to contact Judy at Zozo's to see if she is still interested and also the people at Squeeze-In to see if
they are still interested in my cookies. I also need to work up food costing and pricing. Get packaging, get business cards, call the Health
Dept, get a business license, etc, etc, etc. Lots to do!
Jordan is having a great time at USC. Lots happening there. I'm not sure he wants to come home, lol! Much more going on there than at UNR. Hopefully, though, he will be home tomorrow night.
The cat got me up this morning, "feed me", he meowed! I was awake already so I didn't mind. He will let you stay in bed a bit later if you rub his tummy, lol.
I talked a bit to my friend, Betty, this morning, as well as to her sister, Judy, and husband, Don. The hospice nurse says Betty only has a week, maybe a little more. It has been hard on everyone there. She will definitely be missed!
After checking emails, I went off to 'Nothing To It' (NTI) to get a bottle of Nielssen-Massey Madagascar real vanilla. I wanted a big bottle of vanilla as I seem to go through it so quickly. I ended up buying a 32 oz bottle (I know, sounds like a lot, but I started adding one tablespoon of vanilla to my cookies rather than one teaspoon so it goes fast!). An eight ounce bottle was $19.50 but 32 ounces was only $40. So I figured, why not?
While I was there, I ran into Jay Buschman, who co-owns NTI with Lara Ritchie. I know Jay from back when I worked in a doctor's office and he was a drug rep. We started talking and I told him I had left nursing to go to culinary school, Europe and finally St Thomas to intern. He had some advise and also said we should have lunch when I got back to Reno from Denver. Apparently he is quite familiar with Cook Street School, having grown up in Boulder, CO. He says one of his friends used to teach there. Small world! Jay also offered to rent out his commercial kitchen to me! That is, as long as I get all my licenses and certificates, which I will start working on tomorrow. Cool, huh? I also talked to him about whether or not he could use any help either at NTI or when they cater. He said we could definitely talk about it, although they do not need any more staff at NTI right now. So when I get back to Denver, I will call him to see if he and Lara will have lunch with me. That also means I need to contact Judy at Zozo's to see if she is still interested and also the people at Squeeze-In to see if
they are still interested in my cookies. I also need to work up food costing and pricing. Get packaging, get business cards, call the Health
Dept, get a business license, etc, etc, etc. Lots to do!
Jordan is having a great time at USC. Lots happening there. I'm not sure he wants to come home, lol! Much more going on there than at UNR. Hopefully, though, he will be home tomorrow night.
Monday, March 21, 2011
Monday, March 21, 2011
"Nothing is insignificant." -Samuel T. Coleridge
Jordan flew off to LA and USC this morning. Just me and Ah Choo here til Wednesday. When Jordan called tonight, he said USC took him and the rest of his department to Roy's-must me rough, lol. Roy's is a VERY nice restaurant although there are about 30 of them around the USA. I went once when I was visiting Maui. I was impressed!
I realized last night or this morning, that I needed to finish my online class on sanitation. That is a slip of paper often asked for when you get hired on in food service. They want to know you know to keep raw food separate, hold to properly handle food and then how to clean up the kitchen. It's been a good class so far and I am about three quarters done with it. Hopefully I can get it done in the next day or two.
No baking today either. I need vanilla extract but I want to get a larger bottle of the good stuff, so I am hoping to get down to 'Nothing To It' Culinary Center to buy some. If they stopped carrying it, I may need to order it online. King Arthur Flour carries a lot of great baking supplies, but I'd really like to get it locally if I can.
My next article for Examiner.com is going to be about the magazine "Edible Reno Tahoe", which is all about eating local and being green and sustainability. I would like to be more supportive of local producers and small stores when I can. I am still working on that for myself. I was reading a magazine that said they thought the "mom and pop" type stores were coming back. That would be kinda nice, wouldn't it?
I got a really nice email today from Amber who helps run the Great Basin Food Co-op. She read my article on Examiner.com and really liked the article. She also thanked me for "spreading the word" to the community about the food co-op. I thought that was very kind of her!
Not much else to tell. I've been trying to scope out the competition and see what other people's websites look like and what services they offer. Part of the problem with that is that not all of them are current. But it still gives me ideas. I will also try and visit some of the establishments I've been reading about. More research, lol!
Jordan flew off to LA and USC this morning. Just me and Ah Choo here til Wednesday. When Jordan called tonight, he said USC took him and the rest of his department to Roy's-must me rough, lol. Roy's is a VERY nice restaurant although there are about 30 of them around the USA. I went once when I was visiting Maui. I was impressed!
I realized last night or this morning, that I needed to finish my online class on sanitation. That is a slip of paper often asked for when you get hired on in food service. They want to know you know to keep raw food separate, hold to properly handle food and then how to clean up the kitchen. It's been a good class so far and I am about three quarters done with it. Hopefully I can get it done in the next day or two.
No baking today either. I need vanilla extract but I want to get a larger bottle of the good stuff, so I am hoping to get down to 'Nothing To It' Culinary Center to buy some. If they stopped carrying it, I may need to order it online. King Arthur Flour carries a lot of great baking supplies, but I'd really like to get it locally if I can.
My next article for Examiner.com is going to be about the magazine "Edible Reno Tahoe", which is all about eating local and being green and sustainability. I would like to be more supportive of local producers and small stores when I can. I am still working on that for myself. I was reading a magazine that said they thought the "mom and pop" type stores were coming back. That would be kinda nice, wouldn't it?
I got a really nice email today from Amber who helps run the Great Basin Food Co-op. She read my article on Examiner.com and really liked the article. She also thanked me for "spreading the word" to the community about the food co-op. I thought that was very kind of her!
Not much else to tell. I've been trying to scope out the competition and see what other people's websites look like and what services they offer. Part of the problem with that is that not all of them are current. But it still gives me ideas. I will also try and visit some of the establishments I've been reading about. More research, lol!
Saturday, March 19, 2011
Saturday, March 19, 2011
"Sometimes we stare at the door that has closed on us, that we fail to see the window that has open." -Helen Keller
I didn't realize I hadn't written since Thursday! So I guess I better catch up.
Friday I baked Rhubarb Custard Bars in the morning. They did not come out of the oven until it was time to leave to meet Ric for lunch, so I didn't get to share them. Ric and I had lunch at the Country Restaurant at Arlington Gardens. It's Ric's favorite place, but unfortunately for him, not his friends favorite place to go. Since I'd last been there, they changed and updated the decor and recrafted the menu. Some items are still the same, but they did add some different items. I asked who made their desserts and apparently their chef cooks all the food on the menu as well as makes all the desserts. Nice job! Ric had a salad and I had clam chowder. It was tasty. I decided to try their Bailey's Irish Cream cake (chocolate). It also was good, but as Ric and I shared a piece, he thought they should add brandied cherries. I thought they should have added coffee to the chocolate to enhance the chocolate flavor. After lunch, I met Kasia at Tuesday Morning and we walked over to the Convention Center to see a bead and jewelry show. Admission was free and we both got a yellow canvas bag with a little bracelet in it. Kasia found some beads she wanted in amythyst. Afterwards we walked to the Atlantis and had a cup of coffee and a pastry before heading to Grassroots Bookstore on Grove Street. They buy and sell new and used books. I think I'm going to take some of my old cookbooks there and see if they'll buy them. Can't keep them all!!
Dinner was leftover steak and baked potatoes from our meal at the Outback Steakhouse. I just added some asparagus. Jordan made what he calls Hollandaise sauce but it is a mix of mayonnaise, sour cream, lemon juice and some aromatics. They always turn out nicely, he does a good job! It was snowing(!) when we went to bed last night-yuck!
Today it was snowing when we got up! I worked on two articles for Examiner.com while Jordan worked on his lesson plan for his USC class. After it stopped snowing, he ran errands while I stayed home. I talked to my friend Betty, she is fading some. I'm glad I went to see her when I did. I read, no baking because we were planning on leaving for LA in the morning but now I don't think I at least, will end up going. There is snow forecasted for the next 4-5 days in the Sierra Nevadas. Not a good idea to drive if we don't have to. Jordan already has an airline ticket and has a staff meeting at USC, so he needs to go. I will likely stay home unless the weather clears. I do NOT want to get stuck up on Donner pass! We'll make a final decision in the morning. Too bad, because my Mom goes back to Dwight on Thursday. It would have been nice to see her before she went back to Illinois. Such crazy weather!
I didn't realize I hadn't written since Thursday! So I guess I better catch up.
Friday I baked Rhubarb Custard Bars in the morning. They did not come out of the oven until it was time to leave to meet Ric for lunch, so I didn't get to share them. Ric and I had lunch at the Country Restaurant at Arlington Gardens. It's Ric's favorite place, but unfortunately for him, not his friends favorite place to go. Since I'd last been there, they changed and updated the decor and recrafted the menu. Some items are still the same, but they did add some different items. I asked who made their desserts and apparently their chef cooks all the food on the menu as well as makes all the desserts. Nice job! Ric had a salad and I had clam chowder. It was tasty. I decided to try their Bailey's Irish Cream cake (chocolate). It also was good, but as Ric and I shared a piece, he thought they should add brandied cherries. I thought they should have added coffee to the chocolate to enhance the chocolate flavor. After lunch, I met Kasia at Tuesday Morning and we walked over to the Convention Center to see a bead and jewelry show. Admission was free and we both got a yellow canvas bag with a little bracelet in it. Kasia found some beads she wanted in amythyst. Afterwards we walked to the Atlantis and had a cup of coffee and a pastry before heading to Grassroots Bookstore on Grove Street. They buy and sell new and used books. I think I'm going to take some of my old cookbooks there and see if they'll buy them. Can't keep them all!!
Dinner was leftover steak and baked potatoes from our meal at the Outback Steakhouse. I just added some asparagus. Jordan made what he calls Hollandaise sauce but it is a mix of mayonnaise, sour cream, lemon juice and some aromatics. They always turn out nicely, he does a good job! It was snowing(!) when we went to bed last night-yuck!
Today it was snowing when we got up! I worked on two articles for Examiner.com while Jordan worked on his lesson plan for his USC class. After it stopped snowing, he ran errands while I stayed home. I talked to my friend Betty, she is fading some. I'm glad I went to see her when I did. I read, no baking because we were planning on leaving for LA in the morning but now I don't think I at least, will end up going. There is snow forecasted for the next 4-5 days in the Sierra Nevadas. Not a good idea to drive if we don't have to. Jordan already has an airline ticket and has a staff meeting at USC, so he needs to go. I will likely stay home unless the weather clears. I do NOT want to get stuck up on Donner pass! We'll make a final decision in the morning. Too bad, because my Mom goes back to Dwight on Thursday. It would have been nice to see her before she went back to Illinois. Such crazy weather!
Thursday, March 17, 2011
Thursday, March 17, 2011
Happy St Patrick's Day!
Yesterday I did some baking. I made Apricot muffins (with yummy cream cheese in the batter) and ran some errands while driving my car as much as possible so it would pass the smog check and I could get it registered for another year. I guess when you change your battery, your car "forgets" certain things that the machine uses to check for a smog check. You have to drive the car so a new memory builds up. High tech anymore I guess! I also heard from one of my culinary classmates that she was asked to interview for a teaching position at Cook Street. Apparently Chef Lexie, who has Celiac's Disease, has become so sensitive to wheat that she can no longer even be around dough and batter! She was the Pastry Chef instructor. What an honor for Kim to be asked to interview for the position! Go Kim!!!
Today I had lunch with my friend Michael. We went to Beaujolais Bistro, a French restaurant down on West Street. Pretty much a classic French bistro. I had Boudin Noir with mashed potatoes, fried egg and asparagus. And what is Boudin Blanc you ask? Do you really want to know? Ok, it's blood sausage. Don't know if you remember but we learned how to make Boudin Blanc in school (essentially a chicken mousseline filled sausage). We tasted but never made Boudin Noir. It was tasty, actually. Michael had Crocque Monsieur (ok, just a fancy grilled ham and cheese sandwich) served with a salad. We had a nice visit. Then it was off to see my lawyer friend, John Springgate to pick his brain about opening a business. He is very practical and I have always found him to be honest and up front (I know, you don't exactly expect that in a lawyer, lol). So he had a few good suggestions and a few keep your feet on the ground, be realistic about it comments. I owe him lunch for the consult. A bargain at half the price!
My sister, Janell, bought some corned beef and cabbage, and dropped it off at the house. So I cooked the corned beef in the oven (350 degrees, one hour per pound) with some spices, water and beer, then at the end added cabbage, small potatoes, onion and carrots. Janell came over, as well as my neighbor Sandy. Everyone seemed to enjoy it. One of those meals you really only need once a year, lol.
My friend Stephanie, from Baltimore, is trying to help me come up with a business name. She sent me a little exercise to figure out what kind of business I wanted to have, what I was good at and if I had a specialty or not. Love to make cookies, but also like to make muffins, quick breads, brownies, and easy cakes. At the same time, I would like to make desserts for fine dining and upscale casual restaurants. Sophisticated desserts, individually portioned with a presentation that makes people admire and appreciate what they are going to eat. At the same time I also want to offer comfort type desserts, such as bread pudding, but presented in a more upscale manner. Homey yet sophisticated. Is there such a thing? We'll see.
Stephanie also asked me to cook food for a women's event in October called the 2011 Wild Goose Chase. It takes place in Cambridge, Maryland. Apparently there is not much in the way of restaurants there and the vendors that show up don't have food of substance, nor do they have anything vegetarian. So Stephanie thought of me. As this ride is a fund raiser, I would have to get myself there, find my own kitchen help, buy my supplies (unless I can find a sponsor), then keep whatever I make selling this food. She thinks there is a high school kitchen I could cook at. so I guess I'll think about it. The sponsors of this bicycle race are Terry Bicycles. I guess I'll think about it...
Yesterday I did some baking. I made Apricot muffins (with yummy cream cheese in the batter) and ran some errands while driving my car as much as possible so it would pass the smog check and I could get it registered for another year. I guess when you change your battery, your car "forgets" certain things that the machine uses to check for a smog check. You have to drive the car so a new memory builds up. High tech anymore I guess! I also heard from one of my culinary classmates that she was asked to interview for a teaching position at Cook Street. Apparently Chef Lexie, who has Celiac's Disease, has become so sensitive to wheat that she can no longer even be around dough and batter! She was the Pastry Chef instructor. What an honor for Kim to be asked to interview for the position! Go Kim!!!
Today I had lunch with my friend Michael. We went to Beaujolais Bistro, a French restaurant down on West Street. Pretty much a classic French bistro. I had Boudin Noir with mashed potatoes, fried egg and asparagus. And what is Boudin Blanc you ask? Do you really want to know? Ok, it's blood sausage. Don't know if you remember but we learned how to make Boudin Blanc in school (essentially a chicken mousseline filled sausage). We tasted but never made Boudin Noir. It was tasty, actually. Michael had Crocque Monsieur (ok, just a fancy grilled ham and cheese sandwich) served with a salad. We had a nice visit. Then it was off to see my lawyer friend, John Springgate to pick his brain about opening a business. He is very practical and I have always found him to be honest and up front (I know, you don't exactly expect that in a lawyer, lol). So he had a few good suggestions and a few keep your feet on the ground, be realistic about it comments. I owe him lunch for the consult. A bargain at half the price!
My sister, Janell, bought some corned beef and cabbage, and dropped it off at the house. So I cooked the corned beef in the oven (350 degrees, one hour per pound) with some spices, water and beer, then at the end added cabbage, small potatoes, onion and carrots. Janell came over, as well as my neighbor Sandy. Everyone seemed to enjoy it. One of those meals you really only need once a year, lol.
My friend Stephanie, from Baltimore, is trying to help me come up with a business name. She sent me a little exercise to figure out what kind of business I wanted to have, what I was good at and if I had a specialty or not. Love to make cookies, but also like to make muffins, quick breads, brownies, and easy cakes. At the same time, I would like to make desserts for fine dining and upscale casual restaurants. Sophisticated desserts, individually portioned with a presentation that makes people admire and appreciate what they are going to eat. At the same time I also want to offer comfort type desserts, such as bread pudding, but presented in a more upscale manner. Homey yet sophisticated. Is there such a thing? We'll see.
Stephanie also asked me to cook food for a women's event in October called the 2011 Wild Goose Chase. It takes place in Cambridge, Maryland. Apparently there is not much in the way of restaurants there and the vendors that show up don't have food of substance, nor do they have anything vegetarian. So Stephanie thought of me. As this ride is a fund raiser, I would have to get myself there, find my own kitchen help, buy my supplies (unless I can find a sponsor), then keep whatever I make selling this food. She thinks there is a high school kitchen I could cook at. so I guess I'll think about it. The sponsors of this bicycle race are Terry Bicycles. I guess I'll think about it...
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
I wrote another article today for Examiner.com on omelets and although they published it, they said it did not count as local because it had no local references. Oh, well, a learning experience, I guess.
I had lunch with Kasia at the Sushi Rose, a new sushi restaurant behind the Walmart on McCarran. Very fresh, very good sushi! After lunch Janell called and asked me to do some shopping with her. We went to The Home Depot and Bed, Bath and Beyond. While we were shopping, Anne, the SCOR administrator, called to say she could no longer offer me a per diem nursing job. Things had changed over the last 2-3 weeks and they had already hired three per diem nurses and she couldn't hire anyone else. So I am back to no job. Not sure what I will do, but I do need to find a job. All things work out for a reason (not to say my feelings weren't hurt over this).
I made lasagna for dinner. It turned out well, I think. A little time on the computer, then to bed. Tomorrow is another day, as Miss Scarlet said in "Gone With the Wind".
I had lunch with Kasia at the Sushi Rose, a new sushi restaurant behind the Walmart on McCarran. Very fresh, very good sushi! After lunch Janell called and asked me to do some shopping with her. We went to The Home Depot and Bed, Bath and Beyond. While we were shopping, Anne, the SCOR administrator, called to say she could no longer offer me a per diem nursing job. Things had changed over the last 2-3 weeks and they had already hired three per diem nurses and she couldn't hire anyone else. So I am back to no job. Not sure what I will do, but I do need to find a job. All things work out for a reason (not to say my feelings weren't hurt over this).
I made lasagna for dinner. It turned out well, I think. A little time on the computer, then to bed. Tomorrow is another day, as Miss Scarlet said in "Gone With the Wind".
Monday, March 14, 2011
Monday, March 14, 2011
Today is Jordan's birthday! He was somewhat excited about it and insisted he was 52 years young (not really but it makes us all feel better to pretend to be younger than we really are).
I went out to start my car this morning but it would not start. Jordan tried to give me a jump but my car just did not want to start. It has been sitting in the garage all winter and didn't get start once. That happens. I had to buy a new battery ($113!) and then it was right as rain. I baked again today. I seem determined to try recipes and improve them if need be. I baked carrot mini-bunt cakes with cream cheese drizzle for Jordan's birthday. They are his favorite. I also baked strawberry shortcake bars. I still am not sure how I feel about the way they turned out. They were hard to get out of the pan, despite the pan having been lined with foil and buttered. The flavor is good. Guess I'll think on it a bit. I wrote another article for Examiner.com on "easy supper soups". I will try another article tomorrow. Maybe I can get ahead a little on my writing so it doesn't get too overwhelming.
I did a little shopping with my sister Janell, a little reading, then Jordan and I went out to Outback Steakhouse (his choice, lol) for his birthday dinner. Not bad-we shared a "Bloomin' Onion" and then a Ribeye steak. Then home. He liked the carrot cake, which is good. "Good texture, good flavor", is what he said.
Not an exciting day, but not everyday can be exciting now, can it? Although with all that is going on with my friend, Betty, I am very thankful for each day.
I went out to start my car this morning but it would not start. Jordan tried to give me a jump but my car just did not want to start. It has been sitting in the garage all winter and didn't get start once. That happens. I had to buy a new battery ($113!) and then it was right as rain. I baked again today. I seem determined to try recipes and improve them if need be. I baked carrot mini-bunt cakes with cream cheese drizzle for Jordan's birthday. They are his favorite. I also baked strawberry shortcake bars. I still am not sure how I feel about the way they turned out. They were hard to get out of the pan, despite the pan having been lined with foil and buttered. The flavor is good. Guess I'll think on it a bit. I wrote another article for Examiner.com on "easy supper soups". I will try another article tomorrow. Maybe I can get ahead a little on my writing so it doesn't get too overwhelming.
I did a little shopping with my sister Janell, a little reading, then Jordan and I went out to Outback Steakhouse (his choice, lol) for his birthday dinner. Not bad-we shared a "Bloomin' Onion" and then a Ribeye steak. Then home. He liked the carrot cake, which is good. "Good texture, good flavor", is what he said.
Not an exciting day, but not everyday can be exciting now, can it? Although with all that is going on with my friend, Betty, I am very thankful for each day.
Sunday, March 13, 2011
Sunday, March 13, 2011
Saturday morning Jordan and I had lunch with our friends, Kasia and Gary, at a fairly new restaurant in Reno called Krumbles. It is behind Renown Medical Center on 2nd Street. It was started by two of the pastry chefs that were working at the Siena when it closed last year. They have a great pastry display case, with desserts (tiramisu, panne cotta, eclairs, cream puffs) as well regular pastries such as croissants, almond croissants, cinnamon rolls, etc. I had Strawberries and Cream French toast, Jordan has a huge cinnamon roll, Gary had the Meat Lover's Omelet and Kasia had two poached eggs and an almond croissant. Everyone seem pleased with their meal. Saturday afternoon I spent waiting for the Direct TV installer, who came earlier than I thought he might. Installation went well and it seems to work well. And it's cheaper than cable!
Saturday evening I made a soup of one package of sun-dried tomato chicken sausage by Adelle, 2 cloves of sliced garlic, 1 can of canellini beans, 1 can of diced Italian style tomatoes, 2 cups of chicken stock and 1 bunch of kale, torn into small pieces. it went together quickly and was done in about 30 minutes. It turned out quite well, if I do say so myself! I served it with slices of ciabatta bread. After dinner we watched the movie, 'The English Patient', on DVD. Jordan didn't like it much and I had seen it when it first came out, but not since then. Kind of a depressing movie.
Sunday we got up late (daylight savings time-spring forward, so we lost an hour). At least I feel like I am catching up on my sleep! A cloudy day, but we decided to drive up to Tahoe and Donner Lake anyway. Jordan wanted to check out the B&B in Donner we looked at last fall. It's still for sale, but there is so much snow up there, neither Jordan or myself would enjoy living up there year round. We took a driving tour of Truckee and found a small boutique winery called (surprise!) Truckee Winery. We did a red wine tasting, had some cheese (a minolette and a goat cheese), and bought two bottles of their Zinfadel, a 2006 and 2007. Both light and mellow, kind of a surprise for a Zinfadel. Their Merlot and Pinot Noir were someone sharp. After that, it was off to Cottonwood Restaurant for a light dinner. The menu was surprisingly innovative! We had an appetizer each. Jordan had roasted brussels sprouts with Parmesan cheese, I had oysters with sausage and fennel in a stout broth. They had bread from Truckee Sourdough Baking Co, always good! By the time we left it was snowing! The drive back to Reno was ok, as we were heading away from the storm. Back in Reno, we had a quiet evening. Jordan spent an hour or so with one of his USC students using Skype. She (the student) is in the military over in the Middle East. Amazing what you can do on the computer!!
I had tried to start my car this morning, but the battery is dead! It has not, unfortunately, been started since last November, so needs to get a jump or a new battery, one or the other. Guess that's one thing I will have to take care of tomorrow. Tomorrow is also Jordan's birthday, so I am making him little carrot cake made in mini-bundt pans. The mini-bundt pans are so cute! I am also atttempting to perfect a number of cookie recipes I have in anticipation of those being one of the items I will have available for sale. At least I have lots of volunteer taste testers, lol!
Friday, March 11, 2011
Friday, March 11, 2011
Well, it's official! I'm published on Examiner.com. I have attached a part of my email from Kirsten Verhaar at Examiner.com:
"Dear April,
Great job on your first article. I’m happy to inform you that you are now live on Examiner.com. You can find your page here: http://www.examiner.com/cooking-168-in-reno/april-woodward
Remember, you are a part of the Food & Drink channel and the Food & Recipes sub-channel. This reflects how users will navigate to and discover your content on Examiner.com."
Cool, huh?! Hope you'll check out my articles and "subscribe" to me on Examiner.com.
Jordan and I had dinner last night at Zozo's Italian Restaurant. They had a wine and food pairing, which they do twice a month. Small portion items off their menu paired with red and white wines they carry. All for $35, which includes tax and tip. They do a nice job. I also talked to Sid and Judy, the owners (who have been to Bolongo so we did some note comparisons) about the possibility of making their desserts for them. They have been buying some of them because the chef they hired to make desserts for them has been inconsistent in his results. And being consistent in quality and quantity is what helps restaurants to well and stay open. We'll see if the three of us can work something out. I would need a commercial kitchen first. Judy suggested a church kitchen. She knows a Reno chef that used the downtown Reno church on Second Street. I'll have to check it out!
I am getting a haircut today. I have not had a haircut in four months! My hairdresser cut my hair quite short in November so I wouldn't have to worry about it for a while. Now I can't wait to have a hairstyle again, lol! Still trying to catch up on my sleep, but I think it will take some time to re-acclimate to the PST zone. I have unpacked all the boxes sitting here for me and gone through my mail, but now need to go through the magazines and catalogs Jordan saved for me. Whew! There's a lot!
Sandy, my neighbor came over for a glass of wine and we spent two hours catching up on six months of news. It's nice to see my Reno friends again! Afterwards, Janell and I wet out for Chinese. Very good food! Then home to catch up with Jordan. He's been very busy these last three months, working at UNR, teaching online for USC and programming. Early to bed, still not caught up on my sleep!
"Dear April,
Great job on your first article. I’m happy to inform you that you are now live on Examiner.com. You can find your page here: http://www.examiner.com/cooking-168-in-reno/april-woodward
Remember, you are a part of the Food & Drink channel and the Food & Recipes sub-channel. This reflects how users will navigate to and discover your content on Examiner.com."
Cool, huh?! Hope you'll check out my articles and "subscribe" to me on Examiner.com.
Jordan and I had dinner last night at Zozo's Italian Restaurant. They had a wine and food pairing, which they do twice a month. Small portion items off their menu paired with red and white wines they carry. All for $35, which includes tax and tip. They do a nice job. I also talked to Sid and Judy, the owners (who have been to Bolongo so we did some note comparisons) about the possibility of making their desserts for them. They have been buying some of them because the chef they hired to make desserts for them has been inconsistent in his results. And being consistent in quality and quantity is what helps restaurants to well and stay open. We'll see if the three of us can work something out. I would need a commercial kitchen first. Judy suggested a church kitchen. She knows a Reno chef that used the downtown Reno church on Second Street. I'll have to check it out!
I am getting a haircut today. I have not had a haircut in four months! My hairdresser cut my hair quite short in November so I wouldn't have to worry about it for a while. Now I can't wait to have a hairstyle again, lol! Still trying to catch up on my sleep, but I think it will take some time to re-acclimate to the PST zone. I have unpacked all the boxes sitting here for me and gone through my mail, but now need to go through the magazines and catalogs Jordan saved for me. Whew! There's a lot!
Sandy, my neighbor came over for a glass of wine and we spent two hours catching up on six months of news. It's nice to see my Reno friends again! Afterwards, Janell and I wet out for Chinese. Very good food! Then home to catch up with Jordan. He's been very busy these last three months, working at UNR, teaching online for USC and programming. Early to bed, still not caught up on my sleep!
Thursday, March 10, 2011
Thursday, March 10, 2011
Well, I'm back in Reno, trying to get used to PST. My internal clock is still off so I can't seem to catch up with my sleep!
It was nice to see Betty for a week. I did some cooking and baking and managed to give Don a cooking lesson as he is doing a lot of the cooking now. He catches on pretty fast. He thought I should offer cooking lessons for people like him, who didn't know anything but wanted to learn. It's an idea! Betty is such a jewel, with such a good attitude about things! Makes me never want to complain about anything again, cause I've had it pretty good by comparison to a lot of people!
I am unpacked, washing clothes as I write (still multi-tasking) and getting used to being back home. Feels like I have been gone forever! And I have been gone almost four months. It is good to be back with Jordan, as busy as he is with UNR and teaching for USC. I have my kitty back, Ah Choo, and boy has he grown! He's a big guy now. I'll attach a picture of him.
I also started writing for an online company called Examiner.com. My official title is "Reno Cooking Examiner". I will be writing 2-3 articles a week about food and recipes and relating it locally to what is happening and available in Reno. It pays a little so maybe I'll get spending money out of this, lol! It will also be good experience for me. I just wrote my first article for them this morning but because I am new to Examiner.com, it must be reviewed by the editorial staff before it can be published. After that, I guess, I can publish at will. Having a blog apparently was a plus with them (who'd of thought?). I'll let you know when you can check me out!
I am slowly catching up with people, letting them know I am back in Reno. And now comes the hard part of life, trying to decide what to do with all this education and experience! Should I start a cookie business (which Jordan and I have talked about for over a year now)? Should I see if anyone will take me on as an apprentice baker to learn more about baking? Should I check and see if any of the personal chef companies or catering companies are hiring anyone? Should I see if some of the local restaurants would be willing to let me make desserts for them (a great many restaurants apparently buy their desserts because they do not want to hire a baker/pastry chef full time)? I am looking at the ACF job board online where they have jobs posted across the country. Should I try and contact Eric Ernest, the new executive chef at USC to see if he would let me participate in his plans to open a bakery on campus? Should I look up Dr Kressler, who told me to contact him when I get out of school (as he was thinking about getting out of medicine) and see what if anything he has in mind? Lots of choices. And I am sure there are a lot more out there that I have yet to think of! I am still planning on taking the Per Diem nursing job in pre-admit at SCOR. That will certainly help pay the bills while I look at all my options.
In the meantime, I will continue to blog, using it as a journal but perhaps also turning it into something useful to friends and family (and anyone else reading) for helpful cooking and baking tips as well as a source for tried and true recipes. If anyone wants to let me know of something you'd like to see added to the blog or questions you may have-let me know!
It was nice to see Betty for a week. I did some cooking and baking and managed to give Don a cooking lesson as he is doing a lot of the cooking now. He catches on pretty fast. He thought I should offer cooking lessons for people like him, who didn't know anything but wanted to learn. It's an idea! Betty is such a jewel, with such a good attitude about things! Makes me never want to complain about anything again, cause I've had it pretty good by comparison to a lot of people!
I am unpacked, washing clothes as I write (still multi-tasking) and getting used to being back home. Feels like I have been gone forever! And I have been gone almost four months. It is good to be back with Jordan, as busy as he is with UNR and teaching for USC. I have my kitty back, Ah Choo, and boy has he grown! He's a big guy now. I'll attach a picture of him.
I also started writing for an online company called Examiner.com. My official title is "Reno Cooking Examiner". I will be writing 2-3 articles a week about food and recipes and relating it locally to what is happening and available in Reno. It pays a little so maybe I'll get spending money out of this, lol! It will also be good experience for me. I just wrote my first article for them this morning but because I am new to Examiner.com, it must be reviewed by the editorial staff before it can be published. After that, I guess, I can publish at will. Having a blog apparently was a plus with them (who'd of thought?). I'll let you know when you can check me out!
I am slowly catching up with people, letting them know I am back in Reno. And now comes the hard part of life, trying to decide what to do with all this education and experience! Should I start a cookie business (which Jordan and I have talked about for over a year now)? Should I see if anyone will take me on as an apprentice baker to learn more about baking? Should I check and see if any of the personal chef companies or catering companies are hiring anyone? Should I see if some of the local restaurants would be willing to let me make desserts for them (a great many restaurants apparently buy their desserts because they do not want to hire a baker/pastry chef full time)? I am looking at the ACF job board online where they have jobs posted across the country. Should I try and contact Eric Ernest, the new executive chef at USC to see if he would let me participate in his plans to open a bakery on campus? Should I look up Dr Kressler, who told me to contact him when I get out of school (as he was thinking about getting out of medicine) and see what if anything he has in mind? Lots of choices. And I am sure there are a lot more out there that I have yet to think of! I am still planning on taking the Per Diem nursing job in pre-admit at SCOR. That will certainly help pay the bills while I look at all my options.
In the meantime, I will continue to blog, using it as a journal but perhaps also turning it into something useful to friends and family (and anyone else reading) for helpful cooking and baking tips as well as a source for tried and true recipes. If anyone wants to let me know of something you'd like to see added to the blog or questions you may have-let me know!
Thursday, March 3, 2011
Thursday, March 3, 2011
Vicki left today. It was so nice to see her and I'm glad she came even if only for a few days.
Yesterday we had a late breakfast (oatmeal, Betty's favorite!), then Vicki and I set off to do a little shopping. We wanted to pick up a few groceries and I wanted to get a couple of long sleeved shirts or sweaters. It did get up over 50 yesterday but the weather is not tropical, lol. Betty called us and told us to go out to lunch before we came back so we went to the "Golden China" restaurant. Vicki wanted Chinese food and they have a lunch buffet. Not bad and I have not had Chinese for months! Vicki says she doesn't get Chinese much because her husband doesn't like it. We got back to the house and tried our hand at a puzzle, or rather Vicki and Betty did. I made Peanut Butter Cookies (the 1 cup of chunky peanut butter, 3/4 cup fo white sugar and 1 egg). They were a hit, and they were cookies Vicki could eat. She's trying to stay away from wheat and dairy products because of her asthma. Betty's mom, Beatrix-Trixie, came to visit. She knew us girls were visiting. She looks good for 83! While Trixie was here we went for a walk. Betty was feeling good and wanted to get out. It was a beautiful, sunny day. I made dinner with Vicki. We made Ina Garten's recipe Mac and Cheese, steamed broccoli and pork chops with a Marsala reduction. It's great to be cooking again on a personal level and in a beautiful kitchen. :-)
We watched "Legally Blonde" after dinner, at least us girls did, Don sat that one out, lol. Then bed for everyone.
Thursday: Today I made an Apple Pancake for breakfast, one of my favorite recipes! Yummy! Then we did a lot of nothing: talked, Betty did some watercolor painting, Vicki read a book, I made an Almond Cardamom Cake. Then we ate lunch (Chinese Chicken Salad) and then it was time for Don and Vicki to drive to the airport. Since Don's Dad likes close to the airport, Don is going to see him after he drops Vicki off. So the rest of the day and evening, it's just me and Betty. We took a walk again. Sunny today but not as warm as yesterday, lol, only 43! Betty and I worked on her puzzle some more, but she is a better woman than I am, I got frustrated because the puzzle pieces are odd shaped and don't all snap together. So I went back to reading. Betty is still working on the puzzle. It will be a quiet night. OK by me!
Yesterday we had a late breakfast (oatmeal, Betty's favorite!), then Vicki and I set off to do a little shopping. We wanted to pick up a few groceries and I wanted to get a couple of long sleeved shirts or sweaters. It did get up over 50 yesterday but the weather is not tropical, lol. Betty called us and told us to go out to lunch before we came back so we went to the "Golden China" restaurant. Vicki wanted Chinese food and they have a lunch buffet. Not bad and I have not had Chinese for months! Vicki says she doesn't get Chinese much because her husband doesn't like it. We got back to the house and tried our hand at a puzzle, or rather Vicki and Betty did. I made Peanut Butter Cookies (the 1 cup of chunky peanut butter, 3/4 cup fo white sugar and 1 egg). They were a hit, and they were cookies Vicki could eat. She's trying to stay away from wheat and dairy products because of her asthma. Betty's mom, Beatrix-Trixie, came to visit. She knew us girls were visiting. She looks good for 83! While Trixie was here we went for a walk. Betty was feeling good and wanted to get out. It was a beautiful, sunny day. I made dinner with Vicki. We made Ina Garten's recipe Mac and Cheese, steamed broccoli and pork chops with a Marsala reduction. It's great to be cooking again on a personal level and in a beautiful kitchen. :-)
We watched "Legally Blonde" after dinner, at least us girls did, Don sat that one out, lol. Then bed for everyone.
Thursday: Today I made an Apple Pancake for breakfast, one of my favorite recipes! Yummy! Then we did a lot of nothing: talked, Betty did some watercolor painting, Vicki read a book, I made an Almond Cardamom Cake. Then we ate lunch (Chinese Chicken Salad) and then it was time for Don and Vicki to drive to the airport. Since Don's Dad likes close to the airport, Don is going to see him after he drops Vicki off. So the rest of the day and evening, it's just me and Betty. We took a walk again. Sunny today but not as warm as yesterday, lol, only 43! Betty and I worked on her puzzle some more, but she is a better woman than I am, I got frustrated because the puzzle pieces are odd shaped and don't all snap together. So I went back to reading. Betty is still working on the puzzle. It will be a quiet night. OK by me!
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
I was up at 5:30am. Oneal, the taxi driver, is taking me to the airport. He says he'll be there between 6-6:30a and when he says we go, we go. Taxis are definitely not the same here as in the States. They run taxis here more like the mafia, lol. I came out at 6:15a, O'Neal was at the front desk, but he said we were waiting for another couple, who finally showed up around 6:40a. Guess they didn't get the memo! Turns out the couple were the friends visiting Janee this last week. They are from Colorado and have known Janee for years. They opened a restaurant in Salinas, CO seven months ago with great success. Sounds like their timing was perfect! While I was waiting, Millie came up and gave me a good-bye hug, as did Gloria (Glaa-ree-a) and Miss Viola. My last good-byes, no one else is there that early.
Once I got to the airport, I got checked in, then had to take my bags with me to take through customs, filled out a customs form, went through customs (they still don't know what a culinary intern is, lol), dropped my bags off in x-ray, then went on through security. Very interesting. I did not get breakfast so bought a Johnnycake with cheese at the airport. My last opportunity for Johnnycakes, lol. Don't know if you remember, but Johnnycakes are a slightly sweet dough that can have several shapes (small round or large and flat) and then get deep fried. A little is good, a whole one would give me a stomach ache! Our plane to San Juan was a puddle jumper prop plane. It was not full but it was small enough that no one was allowed a carry-on (with the exception of purses, briefcases and small backpacks). The plane from San Juan to Dulles (Washington, DC) was much larger. I ended up with an exit row seat. Tons of leg room, a nice surprise! It's a 30 minute flight from St Thomas to San Juan, Puerto Rico and a four hour flight from San Juan to Washington. Both flights were uneventful. My flight, however was half an hour late getting in. Vicki was at the gate to greet me. She looks the same! It was great to see her! It took a while to get my luggage, It's funny--I had the checked bags and Vicki only had a carry on. Usually it's the other way around!
Don was waiting in the cell phone lot to pick us up. Because it was late, and rush hour, he took the back roads instead of the beltway because of traffic. Beautiful country, even in winter. Lots of trees and rolling hills. We stopped and got dinner at a restaurant called Bravo. Pretty good Italian food. It was nice to catch up. When we got back to Betty and Don's house, Betty had already gone to bed, but got up to see us. She looks ok tonight. She had just taken a shower and felt better. We'll see how tomorrow goes. It's so nice she has Don to take care of her.
I was thinking on the flight back to the mainland, that I was pretty relaxed about the trip (even when it took forever to board and deplane on the San Juan to Dulles portion, lots of older people needing wheelchairs) and my future and was hoping the laid back island mentality lasts for a bit. Don't want to be lazy, but do not want to take things too seriously. Time will tell, lol.
Time for bed, boys and girls. It's good to be with close friends again.
Once I got to the airport, I got checked in, then had to take my bags with me to take through customs, filled out a customs form, went through customs (they still don't know what a culinary intern is, lol), dropped my bags off in x-ray, then went on through security. Very interesting. I did not get breakfast so bought a Johnnycake with cheese at the airport. My last opportunity for Johnnycakes, lol. Don't know if you remember, but Johnnycakes are a slightly sweet dough that can have several shapes (small round or large and flat) and then get deep fried. A little is good, a whole one would give me a stomach ache! Our plane to San Juan was a puddle jumper prop plane. It was not full but it was small enough that no one was allowed a carry-on (with the exception of purses, briefcases and small backpacks). The plane from San Juan to Dulles (Washington, DC) was much larger. I ended up with an exit row seat. Tons of leg room, a nice surprise! It's a 30 minute flight from St Thomas to San Juan, Puerto Rico and a four hour flight from San Juan to Washington. Both flights were uneventful. My flight, however was half an hour late getting in. Vicki was at the gate to greet me. She looks the same! It was great to see her! It took a while to get my luggage, It's funny--I had the checked bags and Vicki only had a carry on. Usually it's the other way around!
Don was waiting in the cell phone lot to pick us up. Because it was late, and rush hour, he took the back roads instead of the beltway because of traffic. Beautiful country, even in winter. Lots of trees and rolling hills. We stopped and got dinner at a restaurant called Bravo. Pretty good Italian food. It was nice to catch up. When we got back to Betty and Don's house, Betty had already gone to bed, but got up to see us. She looks ok tonight. She had just taken a shower and felt better. We'll see how tomorrow goes. It's so nice she has Don to take care of her.
I was thinking on the flight back to the mainland, that I was pretty relaxed about the trip (even when it took forever to board and deplane on the San Juan to Dulles portion, lots of older people needing wheelchairs) and my future and was hoping the laid back island mentality lasts for a bit. Don't want to be lazy, but do not want to take things too seriously. Time will tell, lol.
Time for bed, boys and girls. It's good to be with close friends again.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)