Ok,
So I've got this interview (cooking part) coming up this weekend for a Summer gig in the Hampton's. Even though I am trying not to get to excited about this, the thought of spending the entire Summer in a cottage on an estate in the Hampton's is somewhat enticing ( putting it mildly). I know I know, I don't have the job yet, but I am preparing myself as to what decision to make based on living my life in the moment thingy :)
At the moment I am working at a retirement community, which is in no way glamorous. There is no creativity here, or challenges. It consists of days where I either puree or mechanical ( don't ask) food for the residents, or work other kitchens for more independent living residents, which consists of cooking the food and storing it in steam pans until service :)
No real responsibilities, steady pay, benefits, every second weekend off, co workers are for the most part tolerable, although most of them are middle aged menopausal women that have worked there for over 20 years. It's their way or the highway kind of thing, and have already thrown me under the bus once. Lets blame it on the new guy!
Prospect of the Hampton's, creative freedom, no budget restraints when it comes to food, 2 people, 1 kid, some dinner parties, great money, not sure if there are benefits (who needs em). it's the Hampton's.....It's Summer, beach, fun,
How do I come to a decision? As I've been told, it will come to me....I will leave it at that, to be continued!
Thursday, April 30, 2009
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
menu for my interview on Sunday
Grilled Lollipop Lamb Chops with Mojito Drizzle
Served on a bed of Baby Mache Lettuce tossed in Vinaigrette with Oven Roasted Cherry Tomatoes
Seared Wild Salmon
Served on Puff Pastry with a Leek and Shiitake Mushroom Cream Sauce and a hint of Bacon
Steamed Baby Vegetables
Quinelles of Pureed Celery Root
Apple Pear Tatin with Vanilla Ice Cream
Monday, April 27, 2009
Fire Fighting
Part of this new life I set out to carve was to also include volunteer work. Before moving here, I really had no idea what that would entail. I couldn't pinpoint what I liked doing, and I felt it needs to be something I enjoy doing if I am going to give it MY time. Perhaps not knowing what to do was due to being consumed with owning a business and just not having any time for anything else at all. I figured as with everything in life, give it time it will come or be shown to me in some shape of form. That is definitely something I am becoming very aware of, if I don't know the answer to something in my life instead of getting frustrated by it I just let it go, and say "it will come to me" there really is something to be said about if it's meant to be it's meant to be. Probably the closest to recognizing some sort of faith ( whatever that might be).
Shortly after moving here, David and I went to Spaghetti Night at the local Fire station. I'm not sure what it was but as soon as I walked in, a sense of calm came over me and I thought , wait this is something I want to do.....no not make spaghetti:) become a Volunteer Fire Fighter. We met some of the Volunteers, and 2 of them a gay couple ( I guess it's the new hip thing to do) talked to us as to what to do to join. I came home thought about it, which for me is also rare, I usually just jump right in and then regret it later. But I really did think about it for a week, this is not some small time commitment, it is also life threatening. I came to the conclusion that this fit all the criteria I wanted in a volunteer position. Hot guys, Hot uniforms, and never boring......
It is a real thrill to hear the air siren go off and my new firefighter beeper. to be able to help out in some way. We live just around the corner so I'm usually the 2 nd or 3rd guy to report for duty. Although I am not certified yet, long from it. That involves 3 to 6 months probation, to see if I am committed and then school for 140 hours. But when the alarm calls us, I get to come along so I can learn.
However, little did I know that to learn I got thrown into the "hands on" experience section, as in like today, we were called out for a brush fire between 2 homes, I get there (rode on the big fire truck, sirens going, adrenaline flowing) they hand me a hose and I am directed to the fire....mind you, most of it was put out by the time we got there, I just had to make sure that any new hot spots were under control. It was such a rush and exhilarating experience to be able to help out and make a difference. of course riding on a big red truck with sirens going off is way COOL!
However next time I do think I need to accessorize a bit better, bring moisturizing sunscreen, those flames and smoke really dry out your skin. a camel pack filled with Fresca to quench my thirst maybe with a little vodka to calm the nerves , and perhaps a lighter material for my firefighter suit, that thing is so heavy:)
Shortly after moving here, David and I went to Spaghetti Night at the local Fire station. I'm not sure what it was but as soon as I walked in, a sense of calm came over me and I thought , wait this is something I want to do.....no not make spaghetti:) become a Volunteer Fire Fighter. We met some of the Volunteers, and 2 of them a gay couple ( I guess it's the new hip thing to do) talked to us as to what to do to join. I came home thought about it, which for me is also rare, I usually just jump right in and then regret it later. But I really did think about it for a week, this is not some small time commitment, it is also life threatening. I came to the conclusion that this fit all the criteria I wanted in a volunteer position. Hot guys, Hot uniforms, and never boring......
It is a real thrill to hear the air siren go off and my new firefighter beeper. to be able to help out in some way. We live just around the corner so I'm usually the 2 nd or 3rd guy to report for duty. Although I am not certified yet, long from it. That involves 3 to 6 months probation, to see if I am committed and then school for 140 hours. But when the alarm calls us, I get to come along so I can learn.
However, little did I know that to learn I got thrown into the "hands on" experience section, as in like today, we were called out for a brush fire between 2 homes, I get there (rode on the big fire truck, sirens going, adrenaline flowing) they hand me a hose and I am directed to the fire....mind you, most of it was put out by the time we got there, I just had to make sure that any new hot spots were under control. It was such a rush and exhilarating experience to be able to help out and make a difference. of course riding on a big red truck with sirens going off is way COOL!
However next time I do think I need to accessorize a bit better, bring moisturizing sunscreen, those flames and smoke really dry out your skin. a camel pack filled with Fresca to quench my thirst maybe with a little vodka to calm the nerves , and perhaps a lighter material for my firefighter suit, that thing is so heavy:)
Saturday, April 25, 2009
Yesterday I had this nagging feeling that I forgot something in my blog! I realized that even though living in the Wild West was mostly miserable, there where some people, new friends we made that made it tolerable. Karen and Tom, and their adorable kids Dilan and Hannah. Dilan who stated that I am the Uncle he never had (even though he has many) and during a sugar induced high jumped around the kitchen, laughing and saying I love you but don't know why I just said that....that moment is forever ingrained in my brain! Oh and he was 8 at the time :) Hannah and I have had a love hate relationship, but Twilight keeps us together.....
Karen, I love you, a voice of reason and a bottle of wine solves all problems! Tom, understanding, strong, towering :)
Heidi, Jen and Em (no not that evil witch Heidi I use to work for) so supportive throughout the years, and helpful in our final months there.
Mike.......who worked for us but soon became my pal, nothing shocked him, the dirtier the better, and someone who can drink like no one I know, and still function the next day! A dedicated worker and pillar of strength during our darkest hours!
Pat and Paula, your visits to us were so special, your ability to make everything look so easy no matter how difficult the situation, the wine, the food, the laughter, guitar playing and singing, how life is meant to be lived.
Karen, I love you, a voice of reason and a bottle of wine solves all problems! Tom, understanding, strong, towering :)
Heidi, Jen and Em (no not that evil witch Heidi I use to work for) so supportive throughout the years, and helpful in our final months there.
Mike.......who worked for us but soon became my pal, nothing shocked him, the dirtier the better, and someone who can drink like no one I know, and still function the next day! A dedicated worker and pillar of strength during our darkest hours!
Pat and Paula, your visits to us were so special, your ability to make everything look so easy no matter how difficult the situation, the wine, the food, the laughter, guitar playing and singing, how life is meant to be lived.
Friday, April 24, 2009
A New Beginning Part 2
Since we have arrived here in Bucks County, I have been reaffirmed over and over that this was the right decision! Within 2 days of being here, we had neighbors visiting us bringing gifts. Such as the biggest pound cake either of us had ever seen, the usual bottles of wine, which came in handy to calm our nerves as we unloaded the moving trucks on treacherous ground. Meaning the path to the back door was covered in ice snow and more ice. We raided the barn for wood planks and made a make shift path. Anyway the point I was getting at is that in all the years we lived in Sparks no one ever welcomed us. Perhaps another clue that we should NOT have lived there. Reconnecting with old friends has been incredible, it's as if time had stood still for a few years and we just picked up where we left off.
Danielle and John still as beautiful as ever, with 2 gorgeous kids Max and Julian or is it Damian :) Danielle still cooks as if every meal is going to be our last, and now with the help of a steroid stove!
Gina and Mike are an inspiration to me as to how they manage to have the most behaved children, Ruby and Jo just beautiful and confident! They should write book on raising children. Conversations with them have been so stimulating that the cobwebs of my brain are finally dissipating.
Kent what can I say, he is my best friend in the whole wide world! Caring, loving and so smart his kids Dodger and Mike of the canine kind are so entertaining.
Ann Marie, Matt and Skyler unfortunately they are moving to Amsterdam, but we got to chance to hang a few times and experience real New York Deli food.
Back to where we live, the people here are just so great, entertaining to say the least.. It’s just a great mix of locals and New Yorkers. Oh and did I mention that our house was at one point the KKK headquarters, quite ironic I think.......
Danielle and John still as beautiful as ever, with 2 gorgeous kids Max and Julian or is it Damian :) Danielle still cooks as if every meal is going to be our last, and now with the help of a steroid stove!
Gina and Mike are an inspiration to me as to how they manage to have the most behaved children, Ruby and Jo just beautiful and confident! They should write book on raising children. Conversations with them have been so stimulating that the cobwebs of my brain are finally dissipating.
Kent what can I say, he is my best friend in the whole wide world! Caring, loving and so smart his kids Dodger and Mike of the canine kind are so entertaining.
Ann Marie, Matt and Skyler unfortunately they are moving to Amsterdam, but we got to chance to hang a few times and experience real New York Deli food.
Back to where we live, the people here are just so great, entertaining to say the least.. It’s just a great mix of locals and New Yorkers. Oh and did I mention that our house was at one point the KKK headquarters, quite ironic I think.......
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
Official Website of Eckhart Tolle, Author of A New Earth
Official Website of Eckhart Tolle, Author of A New Earth
I know it's corny, but his books actually changed my life!
I know it's corny, but his books actually changed my life!
A new beginning
My reason for this blog is to document a major change in my life during these economic times. I will have to backtrack somewhat, because all of this started for me in May, 2008.
But actually I need to go back a few years before that. In 2003 I had been working as a private chef/estate manager for almost 8 years. I had it all, 2 houses, 3 cars, motorcycle, money, fancy clothes, etc. Then I got fired and decided to start my own business with my husband David. We really believed that with hard work and a bit of luck we would be able to make it. We financed this venture with our own capital, because apparently we were the only ones who believed in ourselves. Little did we know:) 4 years later we had gone through all our capital, sold almost everything and were on the brink of bankruptcy. That is when we came to a decision that would alter the course of our lives for what I believe to be a better one.
We did file bankruptcy and we decided to sell everything we owned that had any value and start realizing our real dream. Having also turned 40 last year, and realizing that there had to be more to life than working 80 to 90 hours a week might have helped in the decision. Both of us had talked many years ago of owning a farmhouse and having animals, gardening etc.
As I watched over the years our small fortune disappear, something else took its place. The realization that money even though we need it, does not bring happyness, and all the material stuff does indeed trap you into many things, gathering dust, wanting more, bigger, faster, shinier!! As we started selling our stuff, a sense of freedom came upon me, it's hard to describe except it felt as if a blanket of calm came over me. We did keep some stuff, some items would not sell such as art, and antique furniture, our new IRA's!
The next realization I had was that their are three things I feel are important to me at this time,
Fun, Family and Friends in any order. Life is too short not to have fun, friends, most of mine live on the East Coast, and all my family live in Europe. I made the changes neccesary to get all three in my life. David and I packed whatever we had left, apparently a lot more than we thought( we had so much shit) loaded up a 28 foot truck, suburban and trailer, 2 chickens, 1 cat, 3 dogs and drove accross country from Reno, NV to Erwinna, Bucks County, PA in 7 days this past January.
We found our farmhouse, renting instead of buying, and are closer to friends and family! Why didn't we do this earlier :) But then maybe we would not be where we are now. There seems to be a path one has to take to get from point A to point B, and I guess there can be different paths to take to get to B, this happened to be the one chosen for us. Lesson learned, thank you!!!!
So here we are, not a pot to piss in, but happy as clams! No longer do we wake up in a panic, vomiting before going to work, wondering how to pay this bill, or employees. David is finally sleeping through the night again, and a sense of normalcy has returned to our lives. We don't need much, just enough to pay rent, food and gas. I live life in the moment, I don't think to much about the future, and the past belongs exactly there. I try not to worry about stuff, and enjoy the little things in life.
But actually I need to go back a few years before that. In 2003 I had been working as a private chef/estate manager for almost 8 years. I had it all, 2 houses, 3 cars, motorcycle, money, fancy clothes, etc. Then I got fired and decided to start my own business with my husband David. We really believed that with hard work and a bit of luck we would be able to make it. We financed this venture with our own capital, because apparently we were the only ones who believed in ourselves. Little did we know:) 4 years later we had gone through all our capital, sold almost everything and were on the brink of bankruptcy. That is when we came to a decision that would alter the course of our lives for what I believe to be a better one.
We did file bankruptcy and we decided to sell everything we owned that had any value and start realizing our real dream. Having also turned 40 last year, and realizing that there had to be more to life than working 80 to 90 hours a week might have helped in the decision. Both of us had talked many years ago of owning a farmhouse and having animals, gardening etc.
As I watched over the years our small fortune disappear, something else took its place. The realization that money even though we need it, does not bring happyness, and all the material stuff does indeed trap you into many things, gathering dust, wanting more, bigger, faster, shinier!! As we started selling our stuff, a sense of freedom came upon me, it's hard to describe except it felt as if a blanket of calm came over me. We did keep some stuff, some items would not sell such as art, and antique furniture, our new IRA's!
The next realization I had was that their are three things I feel are important to me at this time,
Fun, Family and Friends in any order. Life is too short not to have fun, friends, most of mine live on the East Coast, and all my family live in Europe. I made the changes neccesary to get all three in my life. David and I packed whatever we had left, apparently a lot more than we thought( we had so much shit) loaded up a 28 foot truck, suburban and trailer, 2 chickens, 1 cat, 3 dogs and drove accross country from Reno, NV to Erwinna, Bucks County, PA in 7 days this past January.
We found our farmhouse, renting instead of buying, and are closer to friends and family! Why didn't we do this earlier :) But then maybe we would not be where we are now. There seems to be a path one has to take to get from point A to point B, and I guess there can be different paths to take to get to B, this happened to be the one chosen for us. Lesson learned, thank you!!!!
So here we are, not a pot to piss in, but happy as clams! No longer do we wake up in a panic, vomiting before going to work, wondering how to pay this bill, or employees. David is finally sleeping through the night again, and a sense of normalcy has returned to our lives. We don't need much, just enough to pay rent, food and gas. I live life in the moment, I don't think to much about the future, and the past belongs exactly there. I try not to worry about stuff, and enjoy the little things in life.
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