I’m really looking forward to my two days off, Monday and Tuesday. The schedule I’ve worked since becoming the general manager of our store has kept me so busy that I’ve barely had any time at home to prepare meals. It’s better than diet pills for weight loss, too, since I now find myself working even harder than before.

I think I work harder, though, not because the job demands it but because I demand it of myself. I am even more interested in our store doing well because it’s a direct reflection on me if it doesn’t. I am ever more vigilant to make sure things the customer sees are kept really clean and that their orders are perfectly done. I am also more watchful about food waste. That is, the amount of food that winds up being thrown away because it’s been held. That food has an expiration time after it’s prepared, and preparing less means less waste after the alloted time, if it’s not all sold.

I am more watchful about correct procedures, too. These are in place so the customer experience is the same at our store as it is at any store of ours across the nation. As I told one of the crew members, “You don’t have to be original or creative here. All procedures are in place and designed to give the customers exactly what they expect.”

Technorati Tags: schedule, general manager, food

What’s the first thing you do when you get home, whether from work or from an outing? The first thing I do is get a tall glass of ice water. It’s the one thing I really crave after work and after the long drive home. I probably should take bottled water with me all the time in a small cooler, but so far I haven’t.

These hot days require us all to drink more water. Since my car doesn’t have air conditioning, I am especially hot and drained when I arrive home. When you sweat, you get rid of some toxins, but you also lose some electrolytes. You also lose water, which is a vital nutrient for the human body. Drinking water will replace the moisture that has drained from your body and will give you more ability to think straight.

I usually drink plain water, but I’m thinking I should at least buy some bottled water that’s enhanced with vitamins and minerals. The Mayo Clinic offers some excellent guidelines about how much water to drink every day or during strenuous exercise. As you probably already know, the amount of intake each day depends on your gender, your health, and the level of your activity.

Technorati Tags: water, bottled water

I guess I better head to bed soon. The party kind of got me wired, even though there was nothing at the party to cause such an effect. I think I was just excited that I could have such a thing in the home I’ve moved into.

Even though this kind of a party mainly presents things like sun screen and acne treatment, to keep your skin in top condition, I enjoyed it so much that I’m sure I’m going to do it again. I love being able to invite people into my home, regardless of the reason, and I hope to become a better hostess as I go along - the kind of hostess I used to be.

I already know that parties don’t have to be lavishly appointed for everyone to have fun. And I know that the hostess doesn’t have to spend the whole party, stuck in the kitchen while her guests enjoy themselves in another room. I would, however, love to know what kind of things you serve at parties.

Technorati Tags: party, hostess

I wound up with only one guest at my spa party, but that’s just fine because she placed an order and she agreed to host a party herself! She is in high school and has lots of friends that would be interested in going to her party. Of course, I’ll either attend it or will order so that she can have a successful party.

The nutritious snacks were a big hit with her, my daughter, and my son, who graced us with his presence when it was time for snacks. Sliced apples, cubes of cheddar and colby jack cheese, thin sliced deli meats and cheeses, as well as caramel dip, made for a lite but tasty snack after the spa party was at an end.

There are plenty of snacks left, too, for us to have on hand for the next few days. These are exactly the kinds of things we love to grab out of the fridge and eat while watching movies.

Technorati Tags: spa party, nutritious snacks

I had really hoped to finish the glass painting project before today. However, between work and rain, it hasn’t gotten done. See, glass paint won’t dry very well on damp days. I can do the painting on plates and windows just fine, but I can’t handle the projects until they are dry, which just isn’t happening now.

Probably the only solution would be to place them where basement dehumidifiers could dry the air and allow for the paint to dry. I’ve found, too, that when I’m making jelly, the same thing applies. If the air is very damp, as it is today, the jelly won’t set up as nicely as it does on a dry day. Also, bread doesn’t seem to rise as well when it’s a rainy day. I suppose the air, heavily laden with moisture, affects all kinds of processes.

I just hope it doesn’t keep people away tonight!

Technorati Tags: jelly, bread

I have been busy trying to pull things together for the spa party tonight. Just about all I have left to do now is get snacks and drinks prepared.

The snacks will be simple. Some fruit and cheese, and probably some roll ups made with smoked turkey, salsa, and cream cheese. It will all be finger foods.

The roll ups can be made with just about anything you want, but we like these the best:

Tortilla Roll Ups

Lay out a flour tortilla. Spread it with cream cheese. Spoon on a little mild salsa. Add a layer of deli sliced smoked turkey. Roll it up tightly and chill it for a little while. Slice into one inch pieces and anchor them with either toothpicks or pretzel sticks.

One pack of tortillas will make a lot of roll ups! Don’t fill them too full or the ingredients will squish out when you’re handling them.

I will also get grapes, cubed cheddar cheese, caramel dip, and apple slices for a fruit tray.

Technorati Tags: spa party, snacks, roll ups

The past two and a half years have been spent with me learning who “Ann” really is. I find that I’m a much more complex person than I really thought I was. While my true loves are evidenced in my home, especially my kitchen, I’m becoming more aware of my abilities to direct the tasks of others instead of just doing everything myself. Even so, it might be time to read A New Earth, Awakening to Your Life’s Purpose, from Oprah’s Book Club.

I think we can all learn more about ourselves - about our purpose here on this earth, as temporary as our stay here may be. When we learn what our purpose is, then we can function effectively and make a positive impact on those around us. This is food for the soul.

Technorati Tags: kitchen, Oprah’s Book Club

Tomorrow night will mark my first get-together that’s not just family. Well, in this house anyway. I’m having a spa party and I hope a few people show up. I’ve invited quite a few so maybe some will come. You know how that goes, though.

Younger Daughter is actually doing the demonstrations of products. I’ll put out some snacks for the ladies who attend, as well as a variety of things to drink. Not heavy drinks, of course. Things like punch, iced tea, and coffee will be all that’s necessary. We’ll light aromatherapy candles and put some relaxation music into the DVD player for a restful atmosphere.

I’ve got some sugar free punch mix that I’ll use, for those who are sugar-conscious. I have two very nice pitchers to serve from and some disposable cups. However, since this will probably be a small gathering, I think I’ll just use regular glassware. I really don’t care for drinking from plastic cups. I’ve got a nice variety of Coke glasses and also some pretty stemware that I can use, if I choose.

Snacks can be served from my new dinner plates, I think, so the presentation is nicer.

I finished adding the painted glass plates to my kitchen window in a combined arrangement of hung plates and plates resting on the windowsill. I’ve got a sweet potato plant as the center of attention in the window, and it’s really growing well.

I’m really looking forward to this little get-together. It’s a chance for some folks to see the house we’ve moved into as well as a chance for me to have some time that doesn’t include McAnything else.

Technorati Tags: spa party, relaxation music, punch

One of my favorite kitchen tools is actually my crock pot. This simple appliance makes it easy to prepare meals without having to stand over them, stirring and turning. I can place meat, vegetables, and seasonings in the crock pot, turn it on, and walk away, confident that in a few hours my food will be perfectly done and full of flavor.

My crock pot can be cooking my dinner while I’m away at work or at home, engaging in other activities such as crafts or playing on the playstation 3. I can make a shopping trip to town and leave the crock pot on while I’m gone. I don’t worry about the power usage because it uses so little electricity while it’s operating.

What is your favorite kitchen tool or appliance?

Technorati Tags: crock pot, dinner, appliance

I still don’t have my regular refrigerator in my house. The smaller one that was already here is still in place, and I’m tired of not having enough room in it for a fridge pack of Cokes to sit the right way for accessing the cans inside. The way it is now, I have to practically ram food containers into this small fridge in order to keep things cold. If anything is the least bit forward, the door of the fridge won’t shut!

I’d also like to have my ice maker running. I’ve been buying ice, which is crazy when I’ve got a fridge that will make all the ice we need. I’ve just got to get a couple of other guys over here to pull the other refrigerator out and install mine. A former tenant obviously had an ice maker refrigerator because the water line for that is already in place.

Technorati Tags: refrigerator, fridge, ice maker