So glad I started the day with a 7:15 Jazzercise class because the rest of the day was filled with food.  After class it was home for breakfast and since I hadn't shopped for about 3 weeks, it was lucky we had eggs, bread, and juice.  We relaxed a little and then headed out. 

I wasn't finished with the blog last night but needed to get some sleep so I could be fresh for today, our last cooking club of the school year. We're making some fresh fruit sorbet, cookies and have some end of club gifts to give out.  Fun!

It is not cold in Atlanta anymore!  In fact, we were in the 70s yesterday, hotter today and lots of sun.  Yesterday I had a day at home.  I did some computer work, compromised and cleaned until 11, then went to the deck with a book and Perrier and relaxed.  I had plans for dinner but my husband got home and said "why ruin your relaxing day, let's go out".  Who am I to argue?

I've had a weekend away planned for a while and I wasn't sure I'd get to go with the eye surgery, but the doctor said "go" and off I went.  

I had such a great time in New Orleans!  I drove down on Monday with my friend Rosemary.  It's an easy trip, nothing tricky.  We arrived about 5:30 and checked into our hotel, Maison Dupuy.  The hotel is very nice, gorgeous courtyard with fountain, pool, tables for visiting.  Rosemary and I were joining about 13 other personal chefs from around the country and Canada.

Our dinner reservation was at 7 at Herbsaint.  I'd never been and was looking forward to it after looking at the menu online.  There were 12 of us for dinner.  I decided on no appetizer although that was a tough decision to make.  I wanted to leave options open at dessert time!

I had the tuna on roasted eggplant with couscous and charmoula sauce for dinner.  It was wonderful.  And for dessert I went with the warm banana tart in brown sugar butter crust.  Very good decision!



Tuesday morning started with a class on dessert garnishing.  We learned the basics of fondant roses, marzipan and gum paste.  I'll need more practice on all of this but we had a lot of fun!

After the grueling class we headed to Dooky Chase restaurant owned by Leah Chase.  There were about 15 of us and we had the side room which is beautiful.  We had the buffet meal.  Chef Leah Chase is very gracious and spent some time talking with us, getting pictures and signing books.  If you haven't read Leah Chase: Listen I Say Like This by Carol Allen, check it out.





We broke into smaller groups, some napped, some shopped.  I was with Rosemary, Diane from Texas and Michelle from Toronto.  We did some shopping and I stopped at one of my favorite stores Louisiana Loom Works.  Check out the website at www.customragrugs.com. 

We headed back to the hotel to rest up for dinner.  Dinner was a combination dinner and cooking class.  We went to The New Orleans Cooking Experience for a cooking class given by Poppy Tooker.  The facility is beautiful.



There were 14 of us and we gathered around the counter to learn to make several authentic New Orleans dishes. 



The appetizer was Calas with Remoulade Sauce.  The batter includes cooked rice and in this case tasso ham.  They are dropped into hot oil and served with the sauce.  I have to make them soon for home eating.



In addition we learned about gumbo, crabs, chicken with picante sauce, creole sour cream, satsumas and dirty rice.  When everything was ready we headed to the dining room to enjoy the meal.  This was a great experience.



Wednesday morning started with a class about press releases with the whole group.  Good information from everyone.  we had lunch with a guest speaker, Chef Frank Brigtsen.  He talked about what's happening in New Orleans from Katrina and from the oil problem. 

After lunch we headed off to do different things,  some of us went to the New Orleans Cooking School to get more education.  We had corn crab chowder, gumbo and pralines.  Lots of new recipes!



Wednesday night was dinner at Brigtsens by trolley car.  I have no pictures on my camera I think because I started with a sidecar cocktail.  It was very tasty and I relaxed for dinner. Kind of forgot I had a camera.   I had butternut squash shrimp bisque, veal with osso bucco sauce, tastes of 3 desserts, 2 appetizers and another sidecar.  We were responsible and took cabs back to the hotel.

Chef Frank Brigtsen chatted with us after dinner and we got a nice group shot with him.  At least I have one picture that was taken by his niece Sophie.  He has the dark hair and glasses.



Yesterday was the last day.  We headed out in separate groups but somehow ended up together at Cafe du Monde for beignets.  We said out goodbyes and hugged and headed home. 

Rosemary and I had a nice, uneventful drive back.  What does a personal chef have for dinner after several days eating in New Orleans?  An egg sandwich with provolone cheese and hot tea.  Perfect!

Now back to work.

Last Thursday, after my morning interview, I headed north on 85 to Greenville SC for a baby shower.  My step-daughter is due in early December and was having a "Girls Night Out" shower.  She's having a girl and wants to start her off right! 

We had a good evening of food, friends and cute baby things, I stayed over with my other step-daughter and headed back south on 85 on Friday morning. 

I needed an easy dinner Friday since I wasn't sure when I'd get home, so I foraged in the freezer for chicken soup.  It was delicious, I finished it for lunch just now. 

Saturday I had some hours of work for KitchenAid and we went out for dinner to make things really easy. 

Sunday we went to church, bought a few groceries and headed north on 85 to a niece's wedding in NC.  The wedding was outside, the day was perfect and the food was wonderful.  I expected the food to be wonderful once we got there and discovered that the food was provided by The Purple Onion in Saluda.  My sister-in-law and brother-in-law (bride's parents) own The Purple Onion.

We had delicious appetizers, grilled vegetables, cheeses, crackers, breads.  We then had the main course - pork tenderloin, salmon, potatoes, macaroni and cheese, salad, rolls, green beans, probably more that I am forgetting.  Then of course the cake, or in this case chocolate or carrot cake cupcakes.  Very good! 

We stayed in either NC or SC last night and then it was south on 85 this morning. 

I've been working at my desk, getting ready for my Tuesday client, a client meeting Tuesday night, my Wednesday client and some reports for KitchenAid.

I unpacked while my soup heated and now I hear that laundry needs to be folded!  Life is good!

Wow, what a wonderful couple of days.  Lots of hard work for no pay, but I learned so much and experienced so much.  It all started about a year ago when I volunteered to work with Virginia Willis www.virginiawillis.com and Gena Berry www.culinaryworks.net when they needed help with a shrimping something.

Last year the trip was canceled due to storms and the Coast Guard saying "no way right now".  I didn't have many details about the trip like where exactly we were going, what exactly we would be doing, but I was ready and disappointed that it didn't happen.

This past weekend all of my questions were answered and the trip happened!  I discovered that this was a test shoot for a potential tv show, we were going to Saint Simon Island Georgia and I would do whatever was needed.  Off we went! 

On Friday I left my house to get to Gena's by 6:30 am so we could load the car and head to Saint Simon's Island.  I discovered that I would be staying at Gena's mom's house.  We made good time on the trip and were in Brunswick Georgia for lunch.  We ate at a very small, delicious hot dog place.  I got the pork sandwich. 



We continued to Saint Simon where we checked out the docks and the shrimp boats.  We wanted to meet our shrimp boat captain and find out the schedule for Saturday.



We met Brande, she seemed to be very nice and we agreed to meet her at the boat so we could leave the dock at 5 am Saturday.  We headed to check into our sleeping places and then went to dinner and had wonderful fried shrimp.  We went to bed about 10 since we needed to get up and going at 3:45 am. 

Mike and Olivia getting ready to shoot, still dark but the sun does come up!





Brande and Virginia talking about how things will work with the nets, the nets in the water, the test catch and full nets. 





Once the nets come up, the catch is released on the deck, the shrimp are sorted into baskets and then into the cooler. 



We were quite popular with some of the other animals of the water.  The seagulls followed us in hopes of food and while it did seem like we were in the movie The Birds, the seagulls did not come onto the deck and steal anything.  They waited, not patiently, and yes we all but Gena were decorated with bird droppings.  We also had the dolphins following the boat and a pelican.  Very cool. 



We got back to the docks about 2 pm and then had to hurry home to burn our clothes, take showers and get ready for guests for dinner that night.  We were having a shrimp boil of course!  Company was arriving at 6:30 at Gena's sister's house.  We had appetizers to prepare, salads, grits and the main course.  A feast.



I had a great time even though it was pretty exhausting.  We finished Saturday about 11pm and I slept very well.  We set no alarms for Sunday and I woke about 7am.

We had to pack to get ready to leave, we had to take the heads off of our personal shrimp, about 120 pounds and we had to drive back to Atlanta.  I have about 5 pounds of fresh caught, hand cleaned, wild Georgia shrimp in my freezer for later. 

We stopped for lunch before we left Saint Simon and did not have seafood.  We ate wonderful barbecue pork sandwiches.  Perfect!



I had a great weekend.  We didn't really burn our clothes, they did get washed Saturday night.  My Keds made it, I bleached them yesterday in the washing machine.  My suitcase may not make it, it is pretty stinky.  Nothing compares to the aroma of Virginia's car though.  I hope the super detailing it needs will fix it.

This weekend was a test shoot for a tv show with Virginia Willis about food and what it takes to get to your dinner.  I can't wait to see the film that Mike and Olivia shot.  How cool to see what happens with food, the people, the love and passion they have.  Let's hope we get to see some shows. 

My niece is having a baby in September.  I figure if I say it often enough I'll start to believe it, so far it's not working, I know she's grown, but even seeing her it's hard to believe! 

I left Friday morning to drive to Pittsburgh for the shower.  I really like driving and the car was loaded.  My husband went also and we had a nice picnic lunch in Virginia on the way up.  I like to stop, relax and enjoy a meal. 

We got to my sister's about 9:30 Friday night because we had to have dinner before I went to my sister's.  In fairness I did call her and ask if she wanted to join us at Carl's Tavern but they had already eaten.  I have to go to Carl's when I go to Monroeville to eat the fried fish, fried zucchini and onion rings.  Yes, everything is fried.  Lots and lots of fried. 

It has been ridiculously hot and even with the air conditioning in the car on the way up, I headed straight to my sister's pool when we arrived.  After eating.  So refreshing to be in the water.  We chatted and floated and all was well.  We made our Saturday plans which for me was cooking dinner Saturday night at my sister's.  Of course that meant a trip to the Strip! 

Saturday morning we picked up my nephew and headed downtown.  It's all about food in the Strip so we waited in the hot, hot sun at DeLuca's for breakfast.  Not as long a line as it was when we left.  I had to have the seafood omelet with Italian toast.  My husband had a breakfast burrito, my nephew French toast.  Once fortified with food, we shopped.

Yes, I made Scampi with Linguine again.  We needed Italian bread from Mancini's, produce, cheese from Pennsylvania Macaroni, a steak for my sister Cathy, shrimp from Wholey's.   We also needed to stop in at Penzey's Spices because we could.  We didn't do too much extra shopping, it was hot and after about 2 hours we were done.   And ready for the pool again.

Saturday afternoon my nephew made salsa for an afternoon snack.  He is growing peppers and wanted to use them.  I made a Caprese Salad, Romaine Salad, heated bread, made scampi for 12 even though we had 10 for dinner we like leftovers and my sister cooked her steak.  On the way home from the Strip we stopped for dessert at Moio's Italian Bakery and picked up a carrot cake, German Chocolate Cake and fruit tart, again planned leftovers.

Back to the pool after dinner. 

Sunday we had the baby shower.  I didn't have to do anything Sunday but attend.  I rode with  my sister Cathy and we headed back to the Strip to Lidia's restaurant for a brunch shower.  The grandmothers and my niece's best friends did a great job with the shower.  Lidia's did a great job with the food. 





We headed home bright and early Monday morning.  Just a quick visit since my gift to my niece is a personal chef service.  I'll go up in my car with all my cooking stuff early in September to stock the freezer before the baby gets here.  He's due September 17th.  My niece loves to eat and this will give her and her husband some easy to get to food when things are busy.  I have to take care of the people who are taking care of the new baby!

We left Monroeville about 6:30 am so we stopped for breakfast about 10:00 and had a real treat.  Breakfast was good but the parking lot was the best part of breakfast.  The Budweiser drivers also stopped for breakfast and gave the horses some air and let customers ask questions and take pictures.  They were headed to the Greenbrier for a golf tournament I think. 





Back to work now.  I have all my paperwork ready for my personal chef client tomorrow.  I have a first  meeting with my contact at a school in the area as part of Chefs Move to Schools and I have two library programs this week also.  Lots of fun, no boredom.

About two weeks ago I received an email from the executive director of Women Chefs and Restaurateurs (WCR).   I am a member of a couple committees in WCR and because of that, was one of the members chosen to be asked to go to the White House.  Yes, THE White House. 

I quickly filled out the required forms and mentioned to my husband that I was going to the White House.  Very exciting.  It was a pretty quick turn around with not a lot of details, but the invitation was for June 4th when the First Lady was kicking off a part of her child nutrition program (www.letsmove.gov) called Chefs Move to Schools.  I knew that it was June 4th, probably in the earlier part of the day and there would be a kickoff breakfast with Share Our Strength ( www.strength.org).

I packed up the car and headed to DC on Wednesday.  I like to drive and knew that I would stay overnight on the way up.  Stayed in Richmond, did some shopping and saw the Tiffany exhibit at the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts.  Wonderful!

I left Richmond Thursday afternoon so I could check into my hotel and meet up with fellow WCR members at Commonwealth Gastropub (www.commonwealthgastropub.com) in DC.  Jamie Leeds is the owner and she is also president of WCR.  She invited our group to be her guests for dinner.  Yes, a bunch of chefs in a private room, eating, and talking about going to the White House the next day.  Lots of fun. 

Friday morning was sunny and no rain was expected.  Yay!  I headed out of my hotel at 7:30 to stroll to the JW Marriott for breakfast.  Oh my!  I knew there were many chefs invited, but this was pretty amazing.  There were about 600 chefs for breakfast!  Imagine the chefs in the Marriott kitchen making the breakfast. 



We listened to a panel of chefs and principals already working together.  We got some tips on how to work with schools and how to start.  At about 10:15 we all headed to the White House.  It was quite a sight, 600 chefs from 37 states leaving the hotel and walking a couple of blocks to get in line.  There was security you know.

As we stood in line we met new people, chatted with our friends, wondered if the line would ever move and tried to cheer up the Colorado chefs who were really suffering in the heat and humidity.  We were in line about an hour before we got to the first check point.  One of the new people I met was Rochelle who is a member of WCR and owner of ChefWear (www.chefwear.com).  She brought chef jackets for the entire Obama family including the first dog.  Yes I took a picture of the cute gift bags and the chef line.



Once we reached the beginning of the line, we formed into 3 single lines where there was an official person checking our names off the list.  I was hoping I was on the list since we had received no confirmation.  I made it through, he crossed off my name.  Eight more feet and there was another official person with a list and he too was crossing off names.  Made it through that too!

Once through the name checkers we went through the little room with the xray machines.  We had been told what not to bring and that if we had any of the not approved items that we would not be going inside.  We were allowed to take cameras, purses and phones though.  I made it through again!

Once through there we headed up a driveway and there it was, the White House!  Lots of chefs taking lots of pictures.  The Marine band was also playing.



I was surprised that once inside it was very relaxed.  We were just roaming free.  I know there were boundaries and there were Secret Service police and Marines all around, but they were very unseen.  We mingled, went to the garden, chatted and had well needed water. 

The garden is beautiful and I took lots of pictures of the First Garden. 









We mingled and took pictures until about 11:45 when there was some signal and we all moved close to the White House to the rows and rows of chairs set up.  We added some people after the breakfast so I would guess there were about 1000 chairs set up for 1000 chefs. 

The White House assistant chef Sam Kass spoke first and introduced the speakers - chefs from DC with their school principals.  They spoke on what they were doing, how things started, how things had grown.  After that Chef Kass introduced The First Lady and she spoke to us.  She is very invested in helping kids and families learn to eat better and have better choices available.  I got some pictures, a little difficult but I tried.



The program ended at 1:00 and we were told to remain seated until the First Lady was away from the lawn.  She was going to the garden to harvest and cook with kids.  We left and are ready for the next step.  I got a picture of one of the boundary keepers.  I asked first and he was very nice. 



I went back to the hotel, changed out of the chef uniform.  It was 90 degrees and sunny in Washington on Friday.  I went to the Renwick Gallery and then to Restaurant Nora (www.noras.com) for a delicious dinner.  Nora Pouillon is also a member of WCR and is very much dedicated to organic eating and sustainability.  This was a very nice dinner. 



Saturday was the long drive back to Georgia, about 11 hours and then dinner of chicken soup from the freezer.  Perfect comfort food.  Today is relaxing mostly and getting ready for my first week's session of kid's cooking camp at The Cook's Warehouse tomorrow. 

I had a great birthday weekend with little to no time on the computer!  Friday I met a friend for tea and made cupcakes for my birthday.  I always like to get my cake done the day before so if I want, I can have cake for my birthday breakfast.

We went out to dinner Friday night, I closed the kitchen after the cupcakes were done.  We went to Greenwood's and I had trout, collard greens and cheese grits.  Delicious.  Once home we had Lemon Meringue Cupcakes for dessert.  No need to wait for breakfast!



Saturday morning I was awake early and off to Jazzercise at 7:15.  If you are going to eat lots of birthday cupcakes you have to be a little practical.  Once done with Jazzercise it was home for a quick breakfast and to get ready for the day.

We had decided to go to DeSoto Falls since it was such a beautiful day and I packed a picnic.  I am not a cold sandwich person so my cooler had shrimp, cocktail sauce, guacamole, cheese, oranges, salad, crackers, Perrier and cupcakes. 

We did the walk of 1/4 mile first to the lower falls and then the 3/4 mile walk to the upper falls.  What a perfect first day of spring !







After the walk we had our lunch.  We're taking a class at church on Wednesday evenings and have homework to do for that every week, so we did that sitting by the stream in the sun. 

I had a very nice birthday.  Today we woke up to cooler weather and rain.  No outside stuff today.  I have a roast planned for dinner and I'll post the recipe if we like it.  This will be the first time I've cooked a tri tip cut of beef. 

Now I'm going to read the paper and maybe knit a little.  It's still my birthday weekend!