My debut at San Francisco & Los Angeles Women's Expos !

I've started another venture in hopes of achieving my goal to become a stay at home mom and still work from home doing things I love.  Timing is everything and my time is now to make this happen.  Some of you may think I am crazy- because this means I am working 60-70 hours a week while also attempting to get enough sleep and keep healthy for when we plan to have kids.  It will be worth it though, I can FEEL it.

So, in addition to my full-time job working for the State of CA, and my part-time job working as a cake decorating teacher at Michaels, I recently joined forces with a food product company based in Utah called "Shirley J" as an Executive Chef with exclusive territory here in the great state of California.  I am so excited about this, I do the pee-pee dance every time I think about it. (like right now!)

What do I do as an Executive Chef for Shirley J ?

I host "Cook N' Chats" or cooking classes/demonstrations to show off the Shirley J products and what they can do to simplify your life, save you money, and create delicious meals for you to enjoy with your family.  These products were tried and tested for over 30 years in commercial kitchens, and it is my job to make it available to every home chef and transform kitchens!

  In April, John and I will attend a weekend event at the world famous Sundance Resort to meet with the corporate executives and prepare for the product launch here on the coast. The Shirley J company is ALL OVER the state of Utah, so I am looking forward to seeing the success of other Executive Chefs while we are there.

In October, John and I will also be heading to Los Angeles and San Francisco for a couple weekends to participate as Shirley J vendors at the Ultimate Women's Expos. This is an opportunity we could not pass up- so look for us in a vendor booth giving out food samples and having ourselves some fun at these venues. I am pretty sure John and I will both enjoy the sightings of Kirstie Alley and Helen Hunt while we are there mingling with tens and tens of thousands of women who are looking to buy endless amounts of goodies.

You also may have seen my facebook and blog posts inviting you to attend the first ever Shirley J Cooking event and demonstration in Northern California:

 “Come Home to Dinner”

Class and Cooking Demonstration

Friday, April 8

7pm

Fairfield Inn by Marriott

10745 Gold Center Drive

Rancho Cordova, CA

(14 miles east of Sacramento)

John and I would really love to have the support and family and friends and we hope to see you there. I will make it worth your while, I PROMISE. You'll get cooking tips and ideas for over 30 recipes to prepare fast and easy meals for your family...You'll meet one of the Shirley J Chefs and you'll get to sample food products, and win FREE food items from the Shirley J product line. You don't have to be a master chef to attend- these products are designed to make you a Home Chef in a snap!

For those of you who are not local, or cannot attend, please send me an email at ShirleyJChef {at} gmail {dot} com and let me know if you want more information or what dates would work for you as I am scheduling and traveling more and more. 

Here are a sample of  dishes I have made in the
"Master 30 Meals" Shirley J Cooking program....
You can make these too  :)

BBQ Pizza

 

Strawberry Short Cake



Cookie Dough Truffles



Home style Mac N Cheese



Golden Onion Dinner Rolls



The Wedding Cake I Made

I overbooked myself... AGAIN... but I just had to make this wedding cake.  A student in one of my cake decorating classes told me her daughter was getting married and that her daughter was beyond frustrated with how expensive wedding cakes are...  (no surprise there!  Just the word WEDDING in front of the word CAKE nearly doubles the price just because bakeries can). 

When she told me her daughter was getting ready to place her wedding cake order at Safeway- that was when I offered to make it for her.  No bride should have to get her cake in sheet pans from the local grocery store.  She gave me her budget, and we worked things out so the bride was happy!

After lots of love in the kitchen, I made this wedding cake for her special day. It is a 3-tier, White Almond Sour Cream Cake with a Strawberry Cream Cheese filling.... just what she wanted :)

A BIG THANK YOU to my wonderful husband who drove me (with the cake on my lap & in the pouring rain) to the wedding venue.  I am pretty sure the delivery is the most stressful part... but we did it!

           

My Home Rehab Addiction...

I've discovered a few shows that I find inspirational on the home renovation front.  There are some very hokey shows on this channel.  However, there are some that I really enjoy.  They're what encourage me to keep swinging that hammer here at the Manor!  Take a look...

1) Rehab Addict (DIY Network) - "Nicole Curtis is a sweet-talking, hammer-swinging whirlwind.  Working in Minneapolis and Detroit, Nikki discovers historic houses once the pride of the neighborhood that have fallen on hard times.  Pushing her rough 'n' tough crew, arguing with her family, wrangling with city officials and dealing with the usual litany of old house headaches, it's not always pretty.  By the time the dust clears, a house that was ready for the wrecking ball is restored to its former glory."   She shares with you tips and tricks she's learned throughout her experience.  The girl does it all!  She despises building codes - "I'd rather burn the house down than have to comply with somebody's building code!"  After having to deal with our new city of residence and their stinky permit processes, I can relate to this!  I find her to be quite humorous and sarcastic and I love it!  I especially LOVE the Minnehaha house she's been working on this season, built in 1885 and approximately 4000 square feet!  It's beautiful and has so much character and charm!


2) Family Under Construction (DIY Network) - "Greg and Danielle Bryk have shared 17 years together and 20 houses. They have finally set their sights on their first real home to share with their three children. The only issue: The 1940s house needs to be torn down to the studs. With Greg at work and Danielle trying to balance her role as mother and general contractor, building their dream house may be more than they bargained for."  This is one cute little family!  It's amusing to watch as this couple fumbles through the renovation of the former crack house. It's quite enjoyable.



3) Sarah's House (DIY Network) - We follow Sarah as she purchases a house and renovates room by room.  While her budgets are much more than ours will ever be, she still strives to shop sales, getting the best bang for her buck.  I really like her taste and her rooms are quite stylish.  



4) Kitchen Impossible (DIY Network) - "When it comes to a kitchen, renovation can literally bring down the house. Homeowners want a showplace but often end up overwhelmed, out of money and frustrated with the process of overhauling their kitchen. On DIY Network's Kitchen Impossible, carpenter and electrician Marc Bartolomeo works with homeowners to achieve the kitchen they've always wanted. But getting the job done right can mean changing plans or ripping out existing construction. Our cameras are there to capture the twists and turns that come with home improvement. In the end, Marc shows homeowners that with a little work and ingenuity, getting their dream kitchen is never impossible."  This is one of the better shows as he explains how and why he does some of the things he does.  

Less Eating Out... Means More

John and I love to cook.  I think most of our blog readers can say the same.  If you don’t like to cook (and you are still reading this), I think I can convince you to realize the benefits of getting in the habit.  Nothing gourmet or fancy…just cooking… instead of eating out.

With the rise of popularity of the Food Network and other cooking shows, there is a new interest in home cooking that has not been seen in a generation or more.  Would you agree?  There are a number of cookbooks, blogs, and food sites springing up EVERYWHERE that allow people like you and me to share cooking advice, chat, and view recipes.

 

We are truly witnessing an exploding trend happening all around us- cooking is cool !!!  This trend is shaping our lives, our buying habits, and our home economics.

Why is cooking becoming so popular?  I have a couple theories.  The economy is suffering… and all financial experts agree on one thing—the effect from the current recession is

“that habits, values and priorities
are being changed fundamentally

in families that will go far beyond any recovery…

…the move to a more frugal, home centered lifestyle is not temporary, but is shaping families for years to come.”

 

I know your budget is being stretched, just like mine.... are you searching for ways to free up precious budget dollars? Try eating out less and looking for good ways to enjoy your favorite foods at home.

Do you feel the need to simplify and strip the unnecessary from your life? Reset your values and priorities. There is nothing that signifies “home centered” more than a family meal, prepared at home and enjoyed together.

Are you looking to rediscover lost home skills such as home repair, sewing and, most of all, cooking and baking? Commit yourself to cooking- really cooking for your family- and realize all of the benefits mentioned above.... AND join John and I as we host the

“Come Home to Dinner”

Class and Cooking Demonstration

Friday, April 8
7pm

Fairfield Inn by Marriott

Rancho Cordova, CA

(14 miles east of Sacramento)

Come and enjoy a night with friends ...
Recieve cooking tips and ideas for over 30 recipes to prepare fast and easy meals for your family...

Meet one of the Shirley J Chefs (she's flying in from Utah JUST for this)... 

Sample food creations, and be present to win FREE food products. 

Comment Here or Contact Me At:

ShirleyJChef{at}gmail{dot}com

for more information

Text in this post is partially used from Shirley J Executive Chef Manual

...Romance is nice...

"Romance is nice, but it is biological in origin.

That dizzy, head-over-heels feeling is a species of losing your mind,

and most of the time it lasts only as long as the chase.

What we keep forgetting is that in marriage, as opposed to romances,

you aren't marrying the thrilling, wonderful, perfect someone you're looking at right now.

You're marrying the man who decides not to have the dazzling career with the high salary,

refusing promotions and transfers so the kids don't have to change schools.

You're marrying the woman whose body doesn't bounce back after the third baby,

so she's no longer slim and attractive by the standards of the magazines.

You're marrying the migraines and the hemorrhoids and the heart attack and the cancer.

You're marrying the irritable, forgetful, lazy, thoughtless,

sarcastic, distracted, too-busy days as well as the Kodak-happy ones.

You're marrying the one who works with you to raise the crippled child,

or stands with you at the graveside of the child who dies.

You're marrying the one who can't find work after the company folds or he's laid off.

You're marrying the early Alzheimer's, the diabetes, the obesity,

the pain of conflict and the struggle of forgiveness.

The foundation of that isn't some ideal of romantic love.
It's a commitment based on the goals you share.

And real love, married love,
is not what you start with--it's what you

create together along the way."

--Orson Scott Card

(stolen from a friend's blog, I loved it THAT much)

Our New Cooking Obsession- and a free sample for you!

In my spare time (what little I have) I am cooking with these products:

... and I AM ADDICTED!

Why? Because it makes me feel great when I am able make all sorts of homemade meals (and I feel even better when I manage to do it in a short amount of time!)

I first heard about the ShirleyJ food products from a college friend in Utah who works for the company.  She was doing all sorts of communications/social media work and the products caught my eye, so I thought I would give them a try.
I was initially interested because John and I were trying to get better with our food storage.  ShirleyJ products have a long shelf-life and I was willing to try them out if it would allow me to make delicious food NOW, as well as help create a stockpile of usable foods for when we would need it most.

I decided to try ShirleyJ's Master 30 Meals (M30M) program, so I could get an idea of what each of the products could do. The kit came in a cute little box with a recipe book and contained instructions and tips to help me become a chef and master 30 unique meals for my family. (That's a month's worth of dinner ideas!) I've already completed 20 meals- and best of all, I won $500 when I entered pictures of my completed meals in a drawing. AWESOME.

I am working with the corporate office to bring ShirleyJ products to home chefs outside of good ole' Utah- because the products are that great.  If you contact me, I can get you a discount on your order and ship it to you at no cost no matter where you live.  You can also visit the site HERE to look at the food products and make an online order yourself.

John and I are hosting a

Cooking Demonstration
(a ShirleyJ chef is flying to Sacramento!)

Friday, April 8

7 p.m.

More details to come on that- you won't want to miss it!

In the meanwhile, want a FREE SAMPLE of their Universal Sauce? 

Leave a comment here and I will contact you each individually and mail it to you.

Here is a photo of my most recent creations in the Kitchen using

ShirleyJ Sourdough Bread Mix, BBQ Sauce Mix, and the White Cheddar Soup Base for....

Valentine's Day Pizzas

White Cheddar Chicken Artichoke and BBQ Chicken

YUMMY

Happy Valentine's Day

Thanks to Answers.com, I learned the reason we celebrate Valentine's day... Do you know why?

Here is the answer I found: (left un-edited for the sake of laughs)
"the romans used to have a celibration on 15th feb where as the roman soldiers got to choose a woman then they would spend the next twelve months with them and then go to the celibration again. but a lot of the soldiers fell in love and got married and did not want to go to battle. so the emperor said no soldiers could get married but the church dissagreed with this and said they would marry them if they wanted. so the emperor had the preists arrested. one of the preists was called valentine, and he was in love with the jailers daughter and he wrote her a letter and the jailer found out about this and had him clubbed to death. and at the end of his letter he wrote, from your valentine. he died on 14th feb and that is why we have valentines day."

Why didn't I ever learn this in school?  I checked some other sites just to make sure this random dude was right- and he's pretty close.  Pretty bizarre that people give boxes of chocolates, flowers, and celebrate love all in remembrance of a poor man that was clubbed to death and died on the 14th.  Pretty romantic, huh!?!

So, with that said...

Happy Valentine's Day!

I LOVE YOU JOHN

XOXO

Will you

? ? ?

Looking Forward & Looking Back






At the beginning of a new year, I reflect on how quickly the last year flew by and I relish in memories while I can still remember! (My brain is sadly dwindling in the memory department.)  How blessed we were in 2010!

We started off the year newly married- what an exciting feeling that was (and still is). 



I don't think there really was an "adjustment" period- we jumped right into melding our lives together. Not even stealing covers or snoring could ruin the excitement of sharing a bed together... and we each knew we could laugh, cry, and even "shoot a bunny" without the judgement of another. 

What JOY!  ;-)

2010 was a year of hard work for the both of us.  Working two jobs was no easy task for me, and John would probably utter the same sentiment because he was busy renovating our home and taking care of his tired wife after working a full day himself.  We knew the hard work would pay off- setting our sights on saving enough money to purchase our first home "together"- a great opportunity to work together toward a common goal.

Hard work should always be followed by great fun.  We enjoyed trips to Colorado, Cancun, and Disneyland with family and friends, amongst other mini excursions. As John has chronicled so beautifully on the blog, you can see we had our share of fun in life this last year.

As this new year commences, (I cannot believe it is already February!)

we are once again setting our sights on great things ... 

We recently purchased a new home and will be very busy in the coming months making this home "ours".  John is GREAT (did I say GREAT?) at remodeling and doing work around the house and we are anxious to complete the work so we can enjoy the fruits of our labor with all of you!

Baby? When are we going to have a baby? (That seems to be the million dollar question lately..) When I am asked that, I think of the age-old phrase "a watched pot never boils" and that some things work out in their own time.  We both want to have a family. We understand our divine roles as parents and we we promise we will let everyone know when our pot is boiling  :)

2011 is a hopeful year for us.... may it be the same for you.  In the meanwhile, John will post updates on our home renovation and we will be busy once again .....

xoxo