Tuesday, February 23, 2010

The first week of Culinary School...

So, I made it through the first week of culinary school. We had our first test today. It wasn't too bad, I think I missed maybe 4. It was multiple choice and some T/F.

Today I felt the pure happiness of living a dream. I realized I am so blessed to be attending school full time and not having to work. Not only that, it's culinary school. Something I've dreamed about for probably the last 7 years.

I'm loving it so far. Today we got our knife kits. They are very complete with several tools I can't wait to use like my microplane/zester, my whisk, and my sheet pan rubber thingy (although I don't think that is the name of it)...lol...I'll get the hang of all this name stuff. I'm learning that a saucier makes sauces, hot hor'dourves, stews and sautées foods to order and that Boulanger first starting serving soups he called "restaurants" or "restoratives" in 1765 in Paris.

We practiced some knife cuts today, julienne and brunoise. These cuts are very small, only 1/8". They are pretty difficult, but I know with practice it will get easier.
I'm not sure what my plans will be after culinary school...maybe a food writer, or working in a kitchen somewhere...there are so many possibilities.

I'll have to take some pictures of all the fun I'm having and share them. No actual food is being made yet. Well except for my own cooking at home. :)

Wednesday, February 17, 2010

Closing Sweet Scrap Deal

Hi friends!

I just wanted to post that I will be closing the site SweetScrapDeal.com. It's been fun running my own business, especially doing something I love. However, after starting culinary school I'd like to focus on that. Remember my word this year is FOCUS! ;)
I will be closing the site down sometime on Friday, February 19th. So, if there is something you were wanting to get, but have been waiting, now is the time to get it. The site will be removed by Saturday.
I think I will still have a couple more Meet Ups because I still have a couple projects in the works. Also, if I have extra items from the class, I may post it here for sale as well.
Thank you so much to all my customers. It's been a pleasure serving your scrapbook needs!
I hope those that love food and love to eat will still read my posts and enjoy them! So far I've had 3 days of culinary school and love it! We're learning knife cuts right now, small dice, baton, julienne and brunoise. I get my knife set on Monday and we have our first test! I need to go practice cutting on my carrots...

Wednesday, February 10, 2010

A Thank You Card

I made a few thank you cards for my mom and this was one of them. I used my Stampin' Up demonstrator's card as an example. I just replaced one of the squares with the Thank You stamp from Four Square. I just love these design papers Sending Love from Stampin' Up. They go perfectly with the Real Red cardstock they sell too. My Martha Stewart butterfly punch came in handy...until I get my Butterfly Beautiful Wings Stampin' Up! Embosslits Die :) (on backorder until March 1st) :( I'm also posting a card on my Ippity site too, so please head over HERE and check it out!

A Game, an Engagement & a Giveaway!

So, did you know that Bunco is all the craze?? I found a steal of a deal on the game at Wal-Mart in their kid's toys section. They were $4.97 and included a score pad, 3 pairs of dice, 1 bell, and a fuzzy die for traveller. If you have never played, it's a super fun and easy game for 6 or more people. It works best with 12,but I have played with 8, 9 10, 11 etc.
I purchased a Bunco box (Wal-mart $2.00) so that I would have all the contents on hand, and decorated it using my Cricut. The dice on the box I just cut freehand and rounded the corners. Then I used my Crop-a-dile to punch black circles.
Just something fun to dress up the box!



...................................


I also have been a bad blogger and I do apologize!! For this reason I had an earlier blog giveaway that I'm changing. To enter the old one, you would have to leave a comment on every blog post...But there weren't many posts! SO, just leave 1 comment on this post to win blog candy. I'll pick a name on Sunday, the 14th and announce it on the 15th. Here are the yummy Valentine goodies you can win:

...................................


And...last but not least, I just wanted to share that on Saturday, my boyfriend Galen asked me to marry him!!! I was so, so shocked! I didn't see it coming at all. I am so so happy and it shows. :) I just wanted all my blogging friends to know. I've been through a lot of stuff in the past and it was really hard to see a happy ending. We haven't set a date yet. I'm also starting Culinary school on Monday!!! It's going to be a year of exciting and new experiences! I hope to share my journey with you and maybe some tips and yummy recipes! Oh, you probably want to see the ring??? He did good, it's dainty yet elegant - I LOVE IT! I feel like the luckiest girl....