October. Really? Have I not been here since October? No, I haven't dropped off the face of the earth. NO, I haven't stopped cooking, or trying new things, but I have been too busy to come here and tell you all about the adventures.
It's been a wild few months. Granted running a business does tend so chew up your hours and when a few spare ones come your way the desire to just read, or cook, or maybe just stare at the wall for a bit overtakes the urge to come here and write something new.
I have some really, big, very big, amazingly good news to tell you, but I have to keep a zipped lip until after next week. In the meantime I'll try to quickly catch you up in pictures. I haven't been bringing the big Canon out lately, my iphone has been my recorder of choice so the quality may not be brilliant, but you get the idea.
I participated in an ethnographic study where I had to do homework and take photos relating to least favorite task each weekday, most favorite, typical meal, a picture of my favorite appliance and my laundry room, etc. Later they came to my house to watch me cook, do laundry and clean. It was pretty interesting and rather fun. I might be participating in more in the future.
As you know I lost my puppy, The Pooper, in August. I wasn't quite ready for a dog yet and our work schedules being as they are a dog really wouldn't fit in right now. I started prowling around the Siamese rescue groups to adopt a flame point like my Mom's cat Blizzard. I was approved for adoption with the group and then quite unexpectedly I happened to meet an amazing cat at Baypath animal shelter out in Hopkinton. We adopted The Stig (points to anyone who gets his name reference from my favorite television show, and NO not the new American version) in December. He is a handful with a HUGE personality and he is a giant love bug. Exactly what I wanted.
The holiday season keeps me mighty busy at Create a Cook. We do loads of corporate parties and functions on top of our regular classes and December vacation camp. My world was a whirlwind until after Christmas. New Years Eve we had my Mom and SD and our friends over to hang out and have Chinese food like every other red blooded American. Except in the case, I made it all instead of ordering take out.
Tom Ka Gai, Pork spring rolls,
Pork and Napa potstickers, Shrimp and Chive pot stickers,
Hoisin ribs, Fried Rice, Tod Mun,
Scallion Pancakes, Tori Kara Age, Sweet Chili Sauce and Sarah of She Devil Sweets made us this amazing, lime sorbet over lemon curd over angel food cake concotion topped in oven dried lemon slices. SOOOO good but sadly no photos - I was to tired by then!
A week later we cooked all over again for our staff party at Create a Cook. There were asiago and pepperoni pinwheels, smoked mozzarella and oven roasted tomato pizzas, pulled pork and pulled chicken from Blue Ribbon BBQ, mini Mac and Cheese, Black truffle polenta fries with with white truffle aioli, Bacon and cheddar toasts, Lilly's amazing ribs, Spicy stuffed mushrooms, spanikopita, supli al telefono filled with mozzarella and porcini, lasagna, nacho dip, spinach and artichoke dip, chocolate nutella fondue, cookies and cakes and who knows what else. It was a fest.
I had my friend Corin Ashley to do the music and he brought two lovely friends
and there was dancing in the aisles. It was my Fezziwig moment and I am so proud and happy that I was able to do it.
And then it snowed.
There, I think you are caught up. Now next week I am off to San Francisco to visit a very large company whose campus is not far away for some big news for Create a Cook. I promise to report back!
oooh, I can't wait to hear the news!!! I'm sorry about your dog tho.
"He is a handful with a HUGE personality"...perfect to name him The Stig then! Love that show!
Posted by: Janet | January 14, 2011 at 04:31 PM
Wow. Your Chinese spread looks absolutely amazing!! Seriously droolworthy. So glad you found a new four-legged family member. He looks like quite a character.
Posted by: Gena @ A Bluebonnet in Beantown | January 14, 2011 at 07:23 PM
Your cat is huge! Congrats on everything and I'm anxious to hear about your news!
Posted by: Karan | January 15, 2011 at 10:16 PM
The Stig is very handsome kitty! And your Chinese food looks sooo good! Best of luck in SF!
Posted by: Amy | January 16, 2011 at 05:31 PM
So pleased to hear that things are going so well. Long may it continue!
Posted by: Blue Witch | January 19, 2011 at 04:13 PM
Thanks for sharing, I want to make spring rolls and eat chinese!I like Create a Cook concept-what a great opportunity to teach others.
Posted by: Tiffany | January 21, 2011 at 05:25 PM
What a fantastic feast.. did you enjoy the band?
Posted by: Mobile Disco | January 23, 2011 at 03:43 AM