Expanding my horizons

Well, I survived my first big cooking foray this weekend.  I made stuffed shells for approximately 220 people.  I had so much fun doing that (I can say that now that it's done).  Had the 80's music rocking, the dogs drooling (yes, they got some treats while I was cooking), and was wall to wall pasta, sauce and cheese...but it was FANTASTIC!

     I had one of the best non-verbal compliments I could have though.  I watched teenagers go back for seconds, even some of the girls.  You see, it was Revolve weekend at Bay Life Church.  That's where kids from middle and high school go to host homes and grow closer to God and each other.  They have all sorts of activities planned throughout the weekend like flag football, road ralley's, and other things at the church.  They eat lunch and dinner at the church, then go back to the host homes at night for their life group times.  So, as for the non-verbal communication, it was either a compliment, or they were just really hungry.  LOL

     Now, on to a more somber note of the weekend. I know this is a food blog, but I need to get this out there.  I met a couple of really terrific ladies tonight.   Let me start at the beginning...Mom has been telling me about a couple of homeless ladies she met, and tonight my mission was to go with a friend to pick up a bicycle and bring it to the church for one of the ladies.  Well, when we got to the church, Mom was there with all 3 eating some pizza and pound cake (left from this morning's church service-I make something for our 'Corner' every week-where new people to our church get to come and meet the pastor and others every week).  Anyhow, we were all just sitting around talking while they were eating, and I wanted so much to 'fix it' for them, and I can't. One of the ladies actually apologized to me for being homeless and not being able to take a shower.  I have never had that happen before.  At that point, we made sure she knew there was nothing for her to be sorry for.

     After worship service tonight, I was going to take them back to one of the ladies home for the night and I gave them the few things I had thrown in a bag for them.  It was like someone had given them a bag of gold.  It was only a few non-perishables and some handy-wipes.  Let me just say that my view on life and things took a sharp 180.  So, on the way to Bennie's we stopped to get some dog food (their dogs had not eaten that day), and we picked up a couple raw hides..every dog needs a little something extra.  It was breaking my heart that they were so much more worried about the dogs than themselves at that point. 

     I don't know if it's the mom in me or what, but even though these ladies are older than I am, I just wanted to hug them and tell them it was going to be alright.  Now I know I cannot do that, but I can't stop thinking about what I can do.  Looks like it's time to put some of the contacts from all my years in the medical field to good use. 

     So, to everyone that reads this post, please stop and say a prayer for these ladies...and all those that for whatever reason or circumstance have no home.  It may not seem like much, but let me tell you, the power of prayer is awesome!

Bread's done!

Here's how the bread turned out:

p.s.  My house smells wonderful now.  :)

Just because you have a business called Polarbear's Kitchen..it doesn't mean we have to live in an igloo.

     Good morning to you to, hon.  hehe  That was the statement I was told this morning as I came back inside with the dogs.  My wonderful husband (and I do mean wonderful..he's AWESOME!) closing all the windows and doors in the house.  Ok, just because it was 62 in my house this morning does not mean we live in an igloo.  Close, but not quite (lol).

     On that note, I was talking with dad (my father-in-law), and was telling him maybe it was a good thing Jesse closed up the house since I was making bread today.  Before I could say anything, he piped up with "Well, you can always bring the dough next door to our house to rise".  LOL, Now you see where Jesse gets it from.

     I have to admit, that thought did cross my mind.  As for the bread I'm baking today...it is a Sun dried Tomato Braid.  The upside of a new business, I have to practice alot.  The downside, someone has to taste everything I'm making.  Wonder if I can find anyone to be my taste testers and give me honest feedback?  (yes my friends, that is my short-lived attempt at sarcasm).

     As for my business, I had my first client on Thursday, and I had the honor of being able to make lunch for my EY family while I was cooking for my client.  Now that's fun!  I love being in a kitchen cooking while there are lots of people around talking, laughing and generally having a good time (as long as they stay out of the kitchen..lol).

     From the feedback I've gotten, I think things went well.  I do have to say, one of the dishes I made (Habanero and Spinach Stuffed Chicken) came out better than I have EVER made it at home.  Jesse even told my client he was tempted to come to their house for dinner.  I take that as a huge compliment. 

     I'm blessed to have my first client be someone I know, so I can be sure I will get honest feedback.  It also allows me to use them to work out the kinks in my service.  I was able to make a list of things I needed that I did not bring, notes to make the flow a little smoother; things like that.  So THANK YOU to my client (they know who they are).  I hope you enjoyed eating it as much as I loved cooking for you.  :)

     I'll let you know how the bread turns out!  Happy eating!

Here's to New Beginnings!!!

     As of approximately 10:30 this morning, I officially became a tax paying business owner.  Yay!!!! (except maybe about the taxes thing..lol).  Allow me to introduce myself:  I am the owner of Polarbear's Kitchen, a Personal Chef Service.  I'm your chef, Fluffy!! ;)

     Ok, so maybe not the best name (Fluffy), but an apt description of me.  It's alright though.  Would you want to hire a personal chef that looks like they can make a clementine last a week?  I know it could be said that a 'fluffy' chef not be ideal either, but it's my blog...so I'm going with 'fluffy' chefs are better.  :)

     I have my first client tomorrow, and I am literally brimming with excitement.  Now I know how my dog feels when she's looking out side, whole body quivering and sitting at the ready, when she thinks I'm going to let her out after the bird. (Calm down, no bird-homicide, but she doesn't know that). 

     As much fun as I have had brain-storming to come up with my first menu, that's nothing compared to when I actually go to my client's home and start cooking tomorrow.  So, are we going to start a pool to guess how many times I check and re-check to be sure I have everything packed that I might need?  I'll start...at least 4. (hey, if it's more than that, and you guess right..maybe dinner on me for the winner) 

     There's a bonus about my first client; her grandmother came to the U.S. direct from Italy, and my client has her cookbook and has said I can 'peek' at them and maybe 'tryout' some recipes.  Wonder if she'd notice a scanner and laptop set up next to it...hahaha

     Well, off to start getting things together.  I wonder if maybe I should sleep on the couch tonight so Jesse can get some sleep.  I know I won't..but that's just fine with me. 

Confused much?

     Well, it's been a little while since I've been on here.  Alot has happened since then, besides the holidays.  So many things whirling around in my head, hard to know where to begin.

     Had a wonderful road trip through North Carolina, then on to West Virginia and LOTS of snow; great family time, and then back to North Carolina for the USF bowl game.  We were lucky enough to get seats between the 45-50 yard line, behind USF's bench, on the first row field level.  YAY!!!

     Now, for the reason I'm so confused, hehe.  After a lot of discussions and out-loud dreaming, I think we (Jesse and I) have a plan.  Since my ultimate goal is to own my own cafe in Sun City Center (I just love old people), I really need to do something in the meantime to hone my skills, make some money, and kind of, I don't know, get my name out there.

     So, next week I will file for my business license and fictitious name with the State of Florida so I can be a personal chef.  Yay!!!!  I'm so excited about this, it has made me impatient.  I was on the sunbiz.org site to check and be sure the name I want to use has not been taken, and it has not.  BUT (and it's a BIG but), I have to wait until Jesse and I do our budget and get things in order to file for it.  Then I can go get my business license on Tuesday (since they are not open Monday).  This is where God has really blessed me with wonderful people in my life.  Friends and family that have the knowledge, skills, and connections that are making this process quite a bit easier for me than it should.

     As for the 'skill honing', I got to cook for my EY family this past week.  Had such a great time!  Made stuffed shells, Parmesan crusted chicken, scalloped tomatoes, and a cheesecake with raspberry sauce.  The night before that, I got to cook for the ladies in my lifegroup.  We had chicken with apples and leek, pasta, and creme brulee, with french bread and brie with apricot and pecans and a nice Chianti to start things off.

     Now, I have to find a way to make my friends (family) understand when I ask for feedback, I need more than "That was good" or "That was wonderful".  LOL  I need things like, "it needs more or less of this" or "I don't think these things go together very well".    :)

     So, remember when I said sometimes God moves you when you think you can't or won't because He has other plans?  Well, I think I'm beginning to see the 'other plans' He has for me.  At least, I hope I'm headed in the right direction.   Either way, I'm going to have a blast finding out.  :)