I was up early this morning. Ate breakfast, loafer a bit, then headed out the door with my seven big boxes of 4 dozen cookies each and ten tall boxes of 2 dozen cookies each, dropped them off at SCOR, then headed to the grocery store to buy flour and brown sugar. After the grocery store, I went to the bank to open a business checking account. That took almost an Blair and a half! They were nice though,so it wasn't too bad.
After the bank, it was back home, lunch and another start on cookie baking. I figured out by the time I am done, I will have baked 1200 ( it was 1500 originally but Anne changed the order)! At the end of the afternoon, I had filled seven boxes, so only three more to go (don't know why I didn't get the numbers straight yesterday!). I have more dough mixed but I just couldn't bake any more cookies today! Tomorrow!
I will be working again tomorrow on my Personal Chef job. Hopefully I will be more organized and it will be a shorter day! Should be, only four meals to do instead of six.
Bill, the elderly gentleman called me back. He only wants to pay $15-18 for a meal of meat, potatoes or rice, a veggie and a salad. So we are both trying to think what each of us are willing to do. He'll call in a couple of days to talk again. Yikes! We'll see. I need to think about what I am willing to do. But not tonight!
Monday, May 9, 2011
Sunday, May 8, 2011
Sunday, May 8, 2011
It was kinda cold today! It did not rain though. We got up late, had breakfast and then I went to Walmart to get more eggs and pecans. Can't make cookies without those two things, at least I can't make the chocolate chip cookies I have been making.
When I got back, I started in baking cookies again. I made an additional seven boxes today, all containing four dozen cookies. I am almost done!! I miss counted so only have six more boxes to go. It hasn't been bad though, because I love baking!
After dinner, Jordan asked me what I was going to do with the baby lemons and limes I bought last week. Good question! So I got out my recipe books and found two recipes to try. One was for a lemon cake from the San Francisco paper, that Michael had given me years ago. As I remember, it was quite good! So that's one recipe. (I ended up with more juice and zest that I thought I was going to get!) So I am making lemon bars also. They sound yummy but this will be a new recipe. So after baking cookies most of the day, I am now baking lemon dessert for recreational purposes, lol. Ah, well, it is fun, for me anyway. I realize now everyone likes to bake or cook for that matter.
No word today from Bill, the man who wanted five meals a week cooked for him. Ca La Vie! (just pretend you can speak French and I can spell in French!)
When I got back, I started in baking cookies again. I made an additional seven boxes today, all containing four dozen cookies. I am almost done!! I miss counted so only have six more boxes to go. It hasn't been bad though, because I love baking!
After dinner, Jordan asked me what I was going to do with the baby lemons and limes I bought last week. Good question! So I got out my recipe books and found two recipes to try. One was for a lemon cake from the San Francisco paper, that Michael had given me years ago. As I remember, it was quite good! So that's one recipe. (I ended up with more juice and zest that I thought I was going to get!) So I am making lemon bars also. They sound yummy but this will be a new recipe. So after baking cookies most of the day, I am now baking lemon dessert for recreational purposes, lol. Ah, well, it is fun, for me anyway. I realize now everyone likes to bake or cook for that matter.
No word today from Bill, the man who wanted five meals a week cooked for him. Ca La Vie! (just pretend you can speak French and I can spell in French!)
Saturday, May 7, 2011
Saturday, May 7, 2011
"Through love, through friendship, A heart lives more than one life.". -Anais Nin
Today was the day of the cookie. We slept in this morning, both of us more tired than we realized. After breakfast, I started mixing more chocolate chip cookie dough. I am in the process of making almost 1500 cookies! 20 boxes of four dozen cookies each and 10 boxes of two dozen cookies each. A LOT of cookies! Mixing the dough is the easy part. Although there really is no hard part to making cookies. I have a small scoop I use to scoop them out, making them, one, of a consistent sized; and two, making them "pretty". After my last cookie scoop stripped it's gears, I bought another one. Jordan did fix the first cookie scoop but now is not the time to find out it no longer works!
My sister, Janell, came over with her wire cooling racks and the bowl to her Kitchenaid to see if I could speed things up a bit. She also brought lunch-Burger King. I can't even remember the last time I had Burger King! We decided to take a break and go look at Kohl's for cooking and serving pieces. I bought two small square bar cookie trays, a medium sized platter, some other serving pieces and socks (and PJs). It was a nice break.
All in all, I made 200 cookies today before I ran out of eggs. Only 1300 more to go, lol. (Oh, no!!!). I'll start again tomorrow.
I did get a call from the gentleman Lara told me about yesterday-Bill. I told him what I did, how much I charged, etc. He says he needs to think about it. He wants fresh meals every day, which means cooking twice a week for him. He also does not want me to cook at his house, I think I can accommodate him. So I'll wait to hear back from him tomorrow. Dr. Lynch also sent me a nice note, complimenting my cooking from Thursday evening. That was very nice of him. We'll see what work he brings my way. Now all I need to do (besides bake cookies) is organize my office.
I roasted pork for dinner tonight with a little Cranberry-Port sauce that was extra from Thursday, made some rice and had broccoli as a side. Very good dinner! And now it's bed time!
Today was the day of the cookie. We slept in this morning, both of us more tired than we realized. After breakfast, I started mixing more chocolate chip cookie dough. I am in the process of making almost 1500 cookies! 20 boxes of four dozen cookies each and 10 boxes of two dozen cookies each. A LOT of cookies! Mixing the dough is the easy part. Although there really is no hard part to making cookies. I have a small scoop I use to scoop them out, making them, one, of a consistent sized; and two, making them "pretty". After my last cookie scoop stripped it's gears, I bought another one. Jordan did fix the first cookie scoop but now is not the time to find out it no longer works!
My sister, Janell, came over with her wire cooling racks and the bowl to her Kitchenaid to see if I could speed things up a bit. She also brought lunch-Burger King. I can't even remember the last time I had Burger King! We decided to take a break and go look at Kohl's for cooking and serving pieces. I bought two small square bar cookie trays, a medium sized platter, some other serving pieces and socks (and PJs). It was a nice break.
All in all, I made 200 cookies today before I ran out of eggs. Only 1300 more to go, lol. (Oh, no!!!). I'll start again tomorrow.
I did get a call from the gentleman Lara told me about yesterday-Bill. I told him what I did, how much I charged, etc. He says he needs to think about it. He wants fresh meals every day, which means cooking twice a week for him. He also does not want me to cook at his house, I think I can accommodate him. So I'll wait to hear back from him tomorrow. Dr. Lynch also sent me a nice note, complimenting my cooking from Thursday evening. That was very nice of him. We'll see what work he brings my way. Now all I need to do (besides bake cookies) is organize my office.
I roasted pork for dinner tonight with a little Cranberry-Port sauce that was extra from Thursday, made some rice and had broccoli as a side. Very good dinner! And now it's bed time!
Friday, May 6, 2011
Friday, May 6, 2011
I was up early this morning, making sure I had everything I needed. It was much easier this morning than yesterday, a good sign! I packed up all my "stuff", went over to Walmart to pick up last minute supplies (a BIG container for salad-ended up going with an aluminum roaster), an extra clear container for a second Strawberry Triffle, chives, paper towels, Clorox Disinfectant wipes, another container that was meant for ice, but would hold salad, etc, if needed. I came back to the house, made a second triffle, then headed out the door to NTI. Uneventful ride down there-didn't forget anything yet! I started off making kabobs-they were going to take the longer to make and to cook. I almost forgot the veggie kabobs (which should have been done first, but oh, well)! Got those made. Baked the beef kabobs as I made them, roasted at 350 degrees. Mixed the Orzo and put it in an aluminum pan and mixed in the lemon juice and zest, chives and olive oil. I put the salad together, then it was out the door, without cleaning, so I could get the food to SCOR in a timely fashion. I made it to SCOR on time but discovered I had forgotten the dessert! I ended up going back to NTI to pock up dessert and to cleanup my mess. Then went back to SCOR and visited for a while. Like old home week!
I got home around can 2pm, had a nice lunch and worked on my computer. Jordan took me out to dinner tonight because I had been cooking all week for other people. We went to Zozo's. Had a very nice time! Still no word from Judy about making desserts for Zozo's.
I got home around can 2pm, had a nice lunch and worked on my computer. Jordan took me out to dinner tonight because I had been cooking all week for other people. We went to Zozo's. Had a very nice time! Still no word from Judy about making desserts for Zozo's.
Thursday, May 5, 2011
Thursday, May 5, 2011
Behind again! I thought yesterday might be a quieter day, but I spent time on the computer making sure I'd have everything ready for today. And dispute making a double batch of cookies, I was only able to fill four boxes. Only 26 more to go, lol! Ah Choo is definitely feeling neglected. As I write this, he has his head propped on my leg and is turned toward me so I can rub his tummy. Very cute. Now if I could only get a picture, lol. I made my dessert for tonight last night. The Pear and Honey Custard Tart. I was up til midnight trying to get it done!
This morning, I went to the dentist to get my teeth cleaned, chatted with the office girls (I need to schmooze with lots of people!), then went to Nothing To It (NTI) at 10:15am. The hygienist, Kim, is quite nice. I was a little stressed having to pack up the car for NTI before I went to the dentist, hoping I didn't forget anything! But as Jay reminded me, catering is a list-oriented profession. I think he's right. I have GOT to get more organized! It will come, though, it will come.
I prepped my beef for marinade, so they would marinate overnight. I had found 2 gallon-sized Baggie's but they seemed flimsy, so Jay ( the owner of NTI) gave me some gallon sized freezer bags I could put the meat and the marinade in a disposable bag. (Note to self: buy freezer bags and a roll of paper towels and some disinfecting wipes.). There really wasn't time for anything else before the lunch rush. I met a woman there, Linda, who helps Jay with catering and waitresses at lunch and does the baking for the deli. She and her husband live in Truckee. They used to own a BBQ business (which is where they met Jay and Lara), but all the health Dept fees help drive them outnof business. Nnowmshe wantsmto be a personal chef!! She would work the Truckee/Tahoe area. Interesting. As a personal chef, you have fewer restrictions on you because you work in your client's home. She seems very nice. Even gave me a few pointers!
I left NTI, and came back home to do a little prep and check my recipes and supplies. I couldn't go back to NTI after the lunch rush. At 2:30pm, I headed out the door. After arriving at NTI, I put a large pot of waternon to boil so I could make the Orzo for tomorrow. Then I started my rice for the partnership meeting, then browned my pork roast on one of the stove tops and put it in the oven to roast ( with a little salt and pepper). I have a new Fagor 3 in 1 machine that is a rice maker, a pressure cooker and a crock pot. You can also brown in it. It is
SO cool! I will definitely use this a lot! My roast took longer to cook than I thought it would but I have to be careful to get the internal temperature upmto 140 degrees F with pork. Gotta be safe! Once that was done, it was on to the Cranberry-Port Sauce made in the same pan I roasted the pork in. And while doing all this, make sure I clean and wash my own dishes! I forgot my recipes in the afternoon because I had taken them out for review but I remembered most of it so everything turned out ok.
I did manage to get out by 5:30pm, but I had to go home and get my chaffing dish, the salad and the dessert. I JUST made it to SCOR on
time! Anne had a table already set up so it worked out well. I saw Dr. West and Dr Dan Sorensen, the doctor who took over from Sammy Zamzam as medical director. I got hugs from everyone. I set up and left. I went home and did more prep work for tomorrow morning.
Anne called me after the board meeting and told me everyone LOVED the meal, especially Dr Lynch, who wants to hire me as a personal chef! Yeah! The board also voted to have me do all their dinners, lol. And my other client likes his meals also, so everything this week has been successful! Hallelujah!
I am excited but tired, so off to bed for me. I need to get going early tomorrow so I can get everything done. Wish me luck!!
This morning, I went to the dentist to get my teeth cleaned, chatted with the office girls (I need to schmooze with lots of people!), then went to Nothing To It (NTI) at 10:15am. The hygienist, Kim, is quite nice. I was a little stressed having to pack up the car for NTI before I went to the dentist, hoping I didn't forget anything! But as Jay reminded me, catering is a list-oriented profession. I think he's right. I have GOT to get more organized! It will come, though, it will come.
I prepped my beef for marinade, so they would marinate overnight. I had found 2 gallon-sized Baggie's but they seemed flimsy, so Jay ( the owner of NTI) gave me some gallon sized freezer bags I could put the meat and the marinade in a disposable bag. (Note to self: buy freezer bags and a roll of paper towels and some disinfecting wipes.). There really wasn't time for anything else before the lunch rush. I met a woman there, Linda, who helps Jay with catering and waitresses at lunch and does the baking for the deli. She and her husband live in Truckee. They used to own a BBQ business (which is where they met Jay and Lara), but all the health Dept fees help drive them outnof business. Nnowmshe wantsmto be a personal chef!! She would work the Truckee/Tahoe area. Interesting. As a personal chef, you have fewer restrictions on you because you work in your client's home. She seems very nice. Even gave me a few pointers!
I left NTI, and came back home to do a little prep and check my recipes and supplies. I couldn't go back to NTI after the lunch rush. At 2:30pm, I headed out the door. After arriving at NTI, I put a large pot of waternon to boil so I could make the Orzo for tomorrow. Then I started my rice for the partnership meeting, then browned my pork roast on one of the stove tops and put it in the oven to roast ( with a little salt and pepper). I have a new Fagor 3 in 1 machine that is a rice maker, a pressure cooker and a crock pot. You can also brown in it. It is
SO cool! I will definitely use this a lot! My roast took longer to cook than I thought it would but I have to be careful to get the internal temperature upmto 140 degrees F with pork. Gotta be safe! Once that was done, it was on to the Cranberry-Port Sauce made in the same pan I roasted the pork in. And while doing all this, make sure I clean and wash my own dishes! I forgot my recipes in the afternoon because I had taken them out for review but I remembered most of it so everything turned out ok.
I did manage to get out by 5:30pm, but I had to go home and get my chaffing dish, the salad and the dessert. I JUST made it to SCOR on
time! Anne had a table already set up so it worked out well. I saw Dr. West and Dr Dan Sorensen, the doctor who took over from Sammy Zamzam as medical director. I got hugs from everyone. I set up and left. I went home and did more prep work for tomorrow morning.
Anne called me after the board meeting and told me everyone LOVED the meal, especially Dr Lynch, who wants to hire me as a personal chef! Yeah! The board also voted to have me do all their dinners, lol. And my other client likes his meals also, so everything this week has been successful! Hallelujah!
I am excited but tired, so off to bed for me. I need to get going early tomorrow so I can get everything done. Wish me luck!!
Tuesday, May 3, 2011
Tuesday, May 3, 2011
I was not exactly up early for work today, but I was up and around before 7am. I made breakfast, starting packing up my gear for my first personal chef job, making sure I had everything I needed. I could not seem to get out the door before 9am, however! I arrived at Whole Foods about 9:15am or so and started shopping. I don't shop there a lot so it sometimes took me a long time to find what I needed. Several times I had to ask where a certain something was. I arrived at my client's house about 10:45am and unpacked the car, then unpacked the groceries and my equipment.
I had six entrees to make, about 8 side dishes and one dessert. I was not fast today, nor was I totally organized but that was helpful in pointing out some things I need to work on, like packing better. I am not very mobile yet so I have some work to do!
I just kept up slow and steady. I made Chicken with pancetta and sun-dried tomatoes, poached salmon in a creamy mushroom sauce, beef kabobs with peanut sauce, Turkey saltimbocca, Spaghetti alla Carbonara and Farro with butternut squash and chestnuts. Some were easy, some were harder but I think they all turned out well. I took a picture of the carbonara so I'll post that tomorrow. I was so slow that Michael came home from work before I was done, so one of his meals was a la minute ( made after he walked in the door!). He was very complimentary. And I had fun today!
But after dinner (and a run to the store for Janell, who hurtnher back), it's time for bed. I'm exhausticated again! All in all a good day, a good learning experience and hopefully Michael got some good meals out of this!
I had six entrees to make, about 8 side dishes and one dessert. I was not fast today, nor was I totally organized but that was helpful in pointing out some things I need to work on, like packing better. I am not very mobile yet so I have some work to do!
I just kept up slow and steady. I made Chicken with pancetta and sun-dried tomatoes, poached salmon in a creamy mushroom sauce, beef kabobs with peanut sauce, Turkey saltimbocca, Spaghetti alla Carbonara and Farro with butternut squash and chestnuts. Some were easy, some were harder but I think they all turned out well. I took a picture of the carbonara so I'll post that tomorrow. I was so slow that Michael came home from work before I was done, so one of his meals was a la minute ( made after he walked in the door!). He was very complimentary. And I had fun today!
But after dinner (and a run to the store for Janell, who hurtnher back), it's time for bed. I'm exhausticated again! All in all a good day, a good learning experience and hopefully Michael got some good meals out of this!
Monday, May 2, 2011
Monday, May 2, 2011
Sunday was the first nice day in a while. Both Jordan and I spent the morning on the computer (he for his students and me working with MenuMagic). We went out for a drive in the afternoon. The afternoon was gorgeous. There is still a lot of snow up in the mountains-six feet or more in some places. The sun reflecting off the snow covered mountains makes the snow look like meringue! A by-product of being wind whipped and melting, I am sure. We drove up to Donner Lake because Jordan wanted to touch the meringue for himself. And indeed the snow looks much different than we expected. It is coarse and even a chunk of snow looks likes diamonds reflecting off the sun. Amazing!
We drove to Lake Tahoe next via Truckee and Hwy 89. Very pretty drive and not too far away. We stopped at the CalNeva so Jordan could look at the facility for potential use for a seminar. Old, old facility, half in Nevada and half in California! We had a glass of wine there then came home.
Today I spent a lot of time on the computer, making sure all my paperwork was in order for the three jobs I have this week. I was going to start making cookies but it's a good thing I didn't! Anne emailed me in the afternoon saying she wanted all chocolate chip cookies, no variety packs. Oh, well, it will still be fun (1500 cookies and all). I did talk to Jay from Nothing To It. He is still on board with letting me use the kitchen at NTI. I think I have a mentor too, lol. I can use all the help I can get! I talked to my mom, too.
I ran some errands and stopped off in the Dollar Store, just to see what they had. I found some containers and a few other things. Always interesting to see what you can find! I spent part of the afternoon looking at recipes and reading about wine. Tomorrow I start my first day of work. How exciting! :-).
I did mix up cookie dough tonight. I am going to let it sit in the fridge to "age" until tomorrow, then start baking. From what I have read of late, cookie dough that is left in the fridge for up to three days is much better than dough baked right after it is mixed. We'll see!
We drove to Lake Tahoe next via Truckee and Hwy 89. Very pretty drive and not too far away. We stopped at the CalNeva so Jordan could look at the facility for potential use for a seminar. Old, old facility, half in Nevada and half in California! We had a glass of wine there then came home.
Today I spent a lot of time on the computer, making sure all my paperwork was in order for the three jobs I have this week. I was going to start making cookies but it's a good thing I didn't! Anne emailed me in the afternoon saying she wanted all chocolate chip cookies, no variety packs. Oh, well, it will still be fun (1500 cookies and all). I did talk to Jay from Nothing To It. He is still on board with letting me use the kitchen at NTI. I think I have a mentor too, lol. I can use all the help I can get! I talked to my mom, too.
I ran some errands and stopped off in the Dollar Store, just to see what they had. I found some containers and a few other things. Always interesting to see what you can find! I spent part of the afternoon looking at recipes and reading about wine. Tomorrow I start my first day of work. How exciting! :-).
I did mix up cookie dough tonight. I am going to let it sit in the fridge to "age" until tomorrow, then start baking. From what I have read of late, cookie dough that is left in the fridge for up to three days is much better than dough baked right after it is mixed. We'll see!
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