Banquet

I realize I wasn't going to put cakes here anymore, but what's the point of being in charge if you can't break the rules now and then?

It wasn't my most amazing cake, but it was enough. There was a lot of interest in it and I did get my name to several people who do flowers and other things for weddings. I had to go take it down last night at 11pm, so I did meet some people as they were leaving. I just couldn't believe how amazed some people were. Makes me wonder what their wedding cakes looked like.

The GM for the hotel where this was held thought it almost looked like a fall cake with all the orange and the sunflowers. She's a quickie. Not getting one past her. I was almost worried about that. I was just thinking it was too far past fall to do a fall arrangement, but as the other tables were going up, I was seeing everything. There was another fall table, as well as a couple Christmas ones, so I have no idea why she thought I wasn't shooting for a fall theme, but there it was. It's hard not to look at people funny when they say something like that. Then again, I couldn't be snippy because I really want to get my cakes back in there. I used to do a lot of business in that hotel, but when Michael left his job there I just wasn't given any more work. Probably should learn not to be snippy altogether, but I tell ya, some people just bring it out. I suppose God puts those people there to see if I've learned anything yet. I'm trying.

Hanging up the hair net

Yep, it's all over. Have to change my profile. Things were getting tense enough at the bakery, and business has been picking up enough at home that Michael and I decided that I just didn't need to be there anymore. However, I will be picking up my Southern Living at HOME business, which I really can't figure out why I ever dropped at all. I love that. Anyway, since quitting I have received business and offers that I never imagined. I also have a friend that wants to set me up with a real website. That would be cool. But one of the offers I received was to make a cake for the Chamber Banquet tomorrow night. Wowsers. Big time. So what am I doing here? Good question. For one thing, I'm supposed to be making business cards. Have to get on that. I'm just so excited I can't see straight, let alone focus. The bow for the top is drying right now and I thought I needed some lunch before I start the detail on the cake. So just filling you in! Have to get back to it!! Pray for me!!

Bummer

I had a major accident getting out of the shower yesterday. Really stupid, but whacked my toe on the metal track for the sliding doors. Pretty sure it's broken, but Michael has said enough about his broken toe that I had no desire to go to the doctor. Besides, I had a 4-H meeting and had to work. So, the 4-H meeting wasn't too bad. No pressure or anything and I could move slowly. Work was a different story. I had taken a couple of orders that no one in their right mind would have taken in the first place, and didn't put very specific instructions because I knew what they wanted. That kinda locks me out of calling in sick. So I called over to explain the situation and that I was sure I could manage those two, but that I was leaving after that. And I certainly was NOT parking in the back lot. Well, Bonnie was sick with coughing type stuff, which you just can't mix with cake, so I was pretty much locked in to a whole day. Not the first time a mom's had to press on. But I still didn't park in the back lot. Bonnie's husband was there and fully willing to fetch the cakes to and from the cooler as I finished them and as people came to pick them up. That was a huge help.
It didn't take long before something else came up. We have really heavy sliding doors on our cabinets, and I kind of missed and slammed my fingers in that metal track. I'm not sure if this knocked me off balance or if there's some other reflex involved, but at the same time I kicked the milk crate stand I use to perch my bucket of frosting. I went down so fast. I could hear people on the other side of the counter but I just didn't care. I just laid there crying for so long. So much for security cameras. If I had tried to swipe some sprinkles they would have seen it, but could they see how badly I needed help?? NOOOOOOO...
Anyhoo... press on. It was only about two and a half hours later when two gals (employees) that I dearly love crossed paths right in front of the counter and simultaneously asked how I was doing. Well, I just fell apart. Diane could really do nothing for me, but Kimmy put on an apron and got to it, sending me out the door. I'm so glad for good friends. Especially when they know how to decorate cakes!
When I got home, my family was really great to me and took really good care of me. Grandpa stopped by with some painkillers, some of which he didn't really understand. Whatever... at least I got some sleep. On the couch with my foot way up on top. Now it's Sunday and I'm actually thinking of going to church without a shower. Just too scared right now and Michael's already gone.
Well, I have some tracks to make and I better figure out how I'm going to make them.
Bye for now and hope you all have a great time in God's House this morning!

Another adventure

Picture, if you will, a young restaurant critic seated at her computer...

It has been over a year now since our last adventure to a restaurant, not because our kids get us thrown out, but because if someone isn't trying to kill me with pepper, Michael is so disappointed with the food he gets a little unbearable. Fortunately, tonight was his turn. On our last visit, we chose a Red Lobster. I decided on a perky Captain Morgan's Pineapple Shrimp. My favorite rum, my favorite seafood and a lovely fruit to blend them together in sweetness. Now who would ever dream of adding pepper to that? Well, Red Lobster. And as I was gasping for air and trying not to soil their carpet, three different people came to tell me that I was not actually having a reaction because they had all read the ingredients and there was no pepper involved. This was a completely miserable experience only to be topped off by someone actually confessing that they had no idea what was in it because there was a dry batter involved that had no label. Did I mention that our appetizer had a hair in it? Twice?

So: on to our new adventure. I've grown a lot since then. Second guessing recipes just doesn't work because you never know if they're using the grill that they just used for blackened catfish or the tongs that they are also using to saute the habaneros. Waffles. Waffles and French Toast are usually pretty safe. So I order the waffles. A little later our petite waitress tells me they are out of waffles, and would I like pancakes instead? Well, ok, but at our house we pretty much just put the pancake batter in the waffle iron, but whatever. Pancakes are good. (You don't even have Eggos in the freezer for break time??)
Now Michael has ordered something that only a chef could pronounce and includes ingredients that, had they not been on a menu, I'm not sure I'd guess they were food. What he got was rock hard bread, grisly chicken (he mentioned something about knuckles in it), and cold onion rings. He later realized that some of those ingredients I couldn't remember weren't there, either. Anyway, their chef sent the waitress back to tell him he was wrong. She was very flustered. I filled our friends in on the wonderful relationship between waitress and chef. Michael and I lasted three months, if that. Anyhoo... after she heard what she was saying, she offered to get the chef to come talk about the sandwich. Big mistake. Michael was astounded that someone would actually treat a customer like this guy did. He just reiterated how wrong Michael was and how this was exactly how this sandwich should be made. I had to remind Michael about Red Lobster.
So, no stars for the Avenue Grill. Sorry.