Of all the food on the planet, can you think of anything that requires as much time and concentration as eating an artichoke? Peeling away the leaves and running them through your teeth, each one individually; gently pulling back the thistle choke to expose that vibrant heart, not to miss a morsel. There is no hurrying an artichoke. And so, at 10:30 this evening, I finally was able to eat dinner--one simple, beautiful artichoke. I stood at the kitchen counter, feeling the need for something not cake or pie but having no patience for boiling noodles. Though I did find time to reheat 3 meatballs. I was afraid to sit down and enjoy my food, for fear that I would be too tired to eat it once I started.
This morning was an early morning. I knew it was going to be a busy day, with all the baking I needed to do. The pool is a very cold place to be at 6:30 in the morning. But I soon warmed up and really enjoyed my short swim.
We rushed to get JE to work, so I could get my shopping done and start baking. The thing with baking isn't necessarily the time spent prepping, but the time spent cooling and finishing. These things I am doing all require so many steps, individual processes that make my products exceptional. There is no hurrying good baking.
I arrived at the wine bar around 3 and was greeted warmly. When I laid my wares on the counter, I realized that I had brought far too much. How could anyone try all of that without feeling sick? Apricot pie, berry pie, zombie bars, coconut cream pie, fresh strawberry pie, hazelnut torte, carrot cake. Yes, I baked my guts out. And it was really well received. The greatest concern is shelf life, because it is all so fresh and doesn't keep long. However, they are totally interested and will be contacting me soon. The Zombie bars were a huge hit. May need to rename them... Posh bars?
I missed my run today, there was no down time, all day. So glad I got my swim in this morning!
Monday, June 13, 2011
Day 254: Rest Day
Laguna Beach was crowded this afternoon. It always catches me off guard when summer comes and so do the tourists. As we walked Heisler park, we heard languages from many lands. The tide was really high, crashing on the beach and flowing all the way to the cliffs. The water is so cold right now, too cold to wade let alone swim. Yet, there were people in the water.
Earlier in the day, we went to church. Our good friend Allan is going to Fresno to serve as a missionary. We got to hear him talk, he is a great young man. He has been so concerned with learning how to be a good missionary, but has been feeling overwhelmed by how much he thinks he needs to know. So much of everything we do, is just simply doing it. Yes, there are figurative dues to be paid in advance, but there is nothing like doing something to actually ease the mind and heart that we are indeed adequate for the task at hand. It's how we really learn and gain confidence and trust in ourselves and God.
Sink or swim. I prefer to swim.
Plan for the week
Monday: AM: Swim for 35 minutes--recovery. I need to pick up some ingredients and bake my guts out until 2...
PM: Run--Speed intervals for 4 miles. Sets*. Drop off rental car--hopefully pick up our real car?
Dinner: Meatballs and pasta in red sauce
Yogurtland with LaBrue family
Tuesday: PM: Bike--speed intervals--add a mile per every 5 minutes for 60 minutes. Nike Training Club
Dinner: Pita and Hummus, Cucumber salad, pickled beets, green salad
Wednesday: AM: Swim--Speed intervals for
PM: Run--recovery (an easy 4 miles). Sets*
Dinner: Fish with oven fries and steamed vegetables
Thursday: PM: Bike--recovery--back bay loop. Yoga
Dinner: Steamed red potatoes and cauliflower with cream sauce and Cheetos (I like mine with boiled eggs, too--JE says it's icky)
Friday: AM: Long swim--54 laps 2160 yards
PM: run--long. 6.5 miles-Live Strong! Sets*
Dinner: Pork burgers with coleslaw
Saturday: AM: Cycle--
Dinner: Pad See Ew (one of these nights is dinner at Pete's, where he will make us Thai Curry and I will make him this dish!)
Stake conference
* Sets= 100 tiny crunches on the exercise ball, 50 oblique crunches, 100 tiny crunches. 60 walking lunges with 20 pounds of weights. Squat thrusts with an 8 pound medicine ball. 30 push ups. Lateral squat walk the living room x4 with elastic band at ankle. Wet pants living room x 4. Leg lifts x20 with elastic. Plank 30 seconds x3.
Earlier in the day, we went to church. Our good friend Allan is going to Fresno to serve as a missionary. We got to hear him talk, he is a great young man. He has been so concerned with learning how to be a good missionary, but has been feeling overwhelmed by how much he thinks he needs to know. So much of everything we do, is just simply doing it. Yes, there are figurative dues to be paid in advance, but there is nothing like doing something to actually ease the mind and heart that we are indeed adequate for the task at hand. It's how we really learn and gain confidence and trust in ourselves and God.
Sink or swim. I prefer to swim.
Plan for the week
Monday: AM: Swim for 35 minutes--recovery. I need to pick up some ingredients and bake my guts out until 2...
PM: Run--Speed intervals for 4 miles. Sets*. Drop off rental car--hopefully pick up our real car?
Dinner: Meatballs and pasta in red sauce
Yogurtland with LaBrue family
Tuesday: PM: Bike--speed intervals--add a mile per every 5 minutes for 60 minutes. Nike Training Club
Dinner: Pita and Hummus, Cucumber salad, pickled beets, green salad
Wednesday: AM: Swim--Speed intervals for
PM: Run--recovery (an easy 4 miles). Sets*
Dinner: Fish with oven fries and steamed vegetables
Thursday: PM: Bike--recovery--back bay loop. Yoga
Dinner: Steamed red potatoes and cauliflower with cream sauce and Cheetos (I like mine with boiled eggs, too--JE says it's icky)
Friday: AM: Long swim--54 laps 2160 yards
PM: run--long. 6.5 miles-Live Strong! Sets*
Dinner: Pork burgers with coleslaw
Saturday: AM: Cycle--
Dinner: Pad See Ew (one of these nights is dinner at Pete's, where he will make us Thai Curry and I will make him this dish!)
Stake conference
* Sets= 100 tiny crunches on the exercise ball, 50 oblique crunches, 100 tiny crunches. 60 walking lunges with 20 pounds of weights. Squat thrusts with an 8 pound medicine ball. 30 push ups. Lateral squat walk the living room x4 with elastic band at ankle. Wet pants living room x 4. Leg lifts x20 with elastic. Plank 30 seconds x3.
Sunday, June 12, 2011
Day 253: Rest
Had a great day, filled with rest and eating well. The eating well part, I feel great about. I really wanted a corn dog, but went for light and healthy instead. And tonight, I really didn't want to swim, but swam my 48 laps and felt happy. Time for some much needed sleep.
Saturday, June 11, 2011
Day 252: Zombies
For some reason this failed to show up last night:
Most of my morning was spent finishing my orders. Apricot pie,
chocolate hazelnut torte, cheesy mushroom tart. When I stopped my my
first delivery, the girls at the counter got really excited and told
me about how well my last delivery was received.
When we were on St Kitts, we found a tiny churchyard cemetery. The
most prominent headstone read the man's name followed by the word,
Sugar Baker. Of all the people buried there, that was the only
headstone baring a profession. He must have had similar experiences to
what I had today.
When I delivered my next delivery, one of my clients took about two
dozen of my Zombie Bars. The outsides of each of the boxes were
labeled with large letters in silver permanent marker, "Zombie Bars."
The unfortunate thing is that she was taking them to a funereal.
Rode 22 miles day on the back bay. About half way down my left knee
started really aching. I think the configuration of JEs bike may be
the issue. At any rate, it ruined me for my run. It's still stiff and
sore. The same knee I fell on last winter. It's getting worse.
Most of my morning was spent finishing my orders. Apricot pie,
chocolate hazelnut torte, cheesy mushroom tart. When I stopped my my
first delivery, the girls at the counter got really excited and told
me about how well my last delivery was received.
When we were on St Kitts, we found a tiny churchyard cemetery. The
most prominent headstone read the man's name followed by the word,
Sugar Baker. Of all the people buried there, that was the only
headstone baring a profession. He must have had similar experiences to
what I had today.
When I delivered my next delivery, one of my clients took about two
dozen of my Zombie Bars. The outsides of each of the boxes were
labeled with large letters in silver permanent marker, "Zombie Bars."
The unfortunate thing is that she was taking them to a funereal.
Rode 22 miles day on the back bay. About half way down my left knee
started really aching. I think the configuration of JEs bike may be
the issue. At any rate, it ruined me for my run. It's still stiff and
sore. The same knee I fell on last winter. It's getting worse.
Thursday, June 9, 2011
Day 251: What Irises do best
Fun morning at the bakery, though it was so quiet! There were very few people coming in and it made me glad today was a baking day for my little bakery.
This afternoon, I spent baking at home--experimenting with recipes. Peanuts are apparently not good with wine, so I adapted a peanut butter recipe and refitted it with roasted hazelnuts. Tasty! JE's workmates have become my guinea pigs (so to speak). I'll also take Apricot pie and Zombie bars.
My mind was whirling today, as I was thinking about what on earth to take Monday for samples. I started reading all these new recipes and getting anxious that I hadn't tried them and would not have time before then to try them out. It dawned on me that even though these recipes that are so familiar to me are--well, so familiar to me, they will be all new to someone else. I make a fine pie, and cake, and zombie bar... I am good at that.
Ran tonight. My diet sucks right now. Every time I go the the bakery, I forget to eat. Not eating leaves me energy-less and unable to complete things without feeling tired. Also dehydrated. Not a good combo. Somehow I need to figure out a way to get my veg in during the arvo. No yoga, darn it. But it was a great day anyway, and my run was fun. Speed intervals with JE. My last interval, JE said I was running a 6 minute mile, if only I could sustain that for a mile!
This afternoon, I spent baking at home--experimenting with recipes. Peanuts are apparently not good with wine, so I adapted a peanut butter recipe and refitted it with roasted hazelnuts. Tasty! JE's workmates have become my guinea pigs (so to speak). I'll also take Apricot pie and Zombie bars.
My mind was whirling today, as I was thinking about what on earth to take Monday for samples. I started reading all these new recipes and getting anxious that I hadn't tried them and would not have time before then to try them out. It dawned on me that even though these recipes that are so familiar to me are--well, so familiar to me, they will be all new to someone else. I make a fine pie, and cake, and zombie bar... I am good at that.
Ran tonight. My diet sucks right now. Every time I go the the bakery, I forget to eat. Not eating leaves me energy-less and unable to complete things without feeling tired. Also dehydrated. Not a good combo. Somehow I need to figure out a way to get my veg in during the arvo. No yoga, darn it. But it was a great day anyway, and my run was fun. Speed intervals with JE. My last interval, JE said I was running a 6 minute mile, if only I could sustain that for a mile!
Wednesday, June 8, 2011
Day 250: Skinny
Recently I posted a photo of myself online. Several comments were about my thinness. I am not thin--at all. Loads of muscle and plenty of fat cells lay in the way of the true definition of skinny. Recently, I decided I don't like that word and the connotations of it. In this culture, skinny is perceived as a compliment. But skinny is, what exactly? A long body with some skin draped over it? Emaciation? A friend of mine commented about how she hates fashion magazines because of the host of frightened little girls dressed like zombies with their dark eye make up and blue or black finger nails and lips. Our culture is so weird. Anything resembling health and vitality is mocked as being cheesy. I like cheese. Cheese can kick skinny's butt any day of the week. (Would it be contradictory to celebrate the fact that I have lost about 3 pounds since I started focusing on weights and running?)
The bakery needed a new flyer, so I spent quite a bit of my day at my computer today. My bakery is getting a website soon! So excited! and I have Randi Cate to thank for helping me there. Sometimes things seem daunting without someone to show the way. I will continue to work on it tomorrow, but I have a couple orders to fulfill for Friday.
I make a bar cookie-chew thing, packed with dried fruit and nuts that is in high demand right now. It was dubbed by one good church-going lady as "the best thing I have ever put in my mouth." I finally came up with a name for them: Zombie Apocalypse Energy Bars, or Zombie bars. The rational is that if the Zombie Apocalypse were to happen, you'd want all the energy packed into one of these. Also, they would be the absolute best thing to eat as a last meal...
Writing cover letters is a difficult thing, but writing a Hey-Please-Buy-My-Stuff-Letter is far more difficult. I finally wrote to the wine bar today and asked for a sample-my-wares-meeting. Feeling emboldened by that, I swam my 52 laps, fixating on new embellishments for such a savvy venue. Time flew, laps flew. It was a wonderful thing!
The bakery needed a new flyer, so I spent quite a bit of my day at my computer today. My bakery is getting a website soon! So excited! and I have Randi Cate to thank for helping me there. Sometimes things seem daunting without someone to show the way. I will continue to work on it tomorrow, but I have a couple orders to fulfill for Friday.
I make a bar cookie-chew thing, packed with dried fruit and nuts that is in high demand right now. It was dubbed by one good church-going lady as "the best thing I have ever put in my mouth." I finally came up with a name for them: Zombie Apocalypse Energy Bars, or Zombie bars. The rational is that if the Zombie Apocalypse were to happen, you'd want all the energy packed into one of these. Also, they would be the absolute best thing to eat as a last meal...
Writing cover letters is a difficult thing, but writing a Hey-Please-Buy-My-Stuff-Letter is far more difficult. I finally wrote to the wine bar today and asked for a sample-my-wares-meeting. Feeling emboldened by that, I swam my 52 laps, fixating on new embellishments for such a savvy venue. Time flew, laps flew. It was a wonderful thing!
Tuesday, June 7, 2011
Day 249: The Why
An older couple wandered into the bakery this morning and found a table before I could help them at the counter. I took their order and chatted with them for a moment. Their food was ready, and I delivered it. As I approached their table, they were engrossed in a rich conversation embossed with gentle hand gestures. They were splitting a Black Forest Ham Sub with a side of macaroni salad.
Food has a unique way of bringing people together. It is one of the most social things we do, in almost any culture.
As a tailor in the theatrical world, I often work in open workrooms. This allows people to converse when we work, sometimes from across the room, more often from across the table. However, when I am home sewing things to sell online, my only company is news radio until I feel like the whole world is in utter chaos and I have to turn it off. oO books on CD if I remember to pick some up at the library. And online social sites, like Facebook.
My hope is/was that as a baker, I would bring people together, and to myself. I like people, generally. I am a nurturer by nature and love to know that someone is enjoying something I made for them, particularly food.
Last weekend, I had determined to give up this baking idea. Perhaps because I was disenchanted by the realities of what some bakers do to cut corners, perhaps because I didn't think it could be successful. Today, with a level head and a little hope, I returned to the bakery and helped. I talked with the baker about what he does and what he hopes to accomplish. He has a rich background in baking beautiful breads. He adds a lot to his menu that he cannot bake himself, but that can fetch a good price. His wallet needs that augmentation to pay off. I have been trying to encourage him to bake the breads that are so natural to him, stick with what you love and you will find success.
So, today, as I was hunting around for inspiration in one of my foodie magazines, I found yet another successful and thriving pie shop in Seattle. Simple. Just good pie. Whole food made with real ingredients, by people who care about quality and passion. Inspiring! I have nothing else lined up for the bulk of this summer and aside from missing an opportunity to go crazy doing absolutely nothing, I have time to build a bakery. And learn a hell of a lot in the process.
This afternoon, I met JE at his work, riding his bike to his work. We mostly ran and walked a bit of 4 miles on the trail near there. It wasn't a strong running day for me, but I did kick butt at Nike Training Club. I forget how much I enjoy that, I was pouring sweat!
Food has a unique way of bringing people together. It is one of the most social things we do, in almost any culture.
As a tailor in the theatrical world, I often work in open workrooms. This allows people to converse when we work, sometimes from across the room, more often from across the table. However, when I am home sewing things to sell online, my only company is news radio until I feel like the whole world is in utter chaos and I have to turn it off. oO books on CD if I remember to pick some up at the library. And online social sites, like Facebook.
My hope is/was that as a baker, I would bring people together, and to myself. I like people, generally. I am a nurturer by nature and love to know that someone is enjoying something I made for them, particularly food.
Last weekend, I had determined to give up this baking idea. Perhaps because I was disenchanted by the realities of what some bakers do to cut corners, perhaps because I didn't think it could be successful. Today, with a level head and a little hope, I returned to the bakery and helped. I talked with the baker about what he does and what he hopes to accomplish. He has a rich background in baking beautiful breads. He adds a lot to his menu that he cannot bake himself, but that can fetch a good price. His wallet needs that augmentation to pay off. I have been trying to encourage him to bake the breads that are so natural to him, stick with what you love and you will find success.
So, today, as I was hunting around for inspiration in one of my foodie magazines, I found yet another successful and thriving pie shop in Seattle. Simple. Just good pie. Whole food made with real ingredients, by people who care about quality and passion. Inspiring! I have nothing else lined up for the bulk of this summer and aside from missing an opportunity to go crazy doing absolutely nothing, I have time to build a bakery. And learn a hell of a lot in the process.
This afternoon, I met JE at his work, riding his bike to his work. We mostly ran and walked a bit of 4 miles on the trail near there. It wasn't a strong running day for me, but I did kick butt at Nike Training Club. I forget how much I enjoy that, I was pouring sweat!
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