Dear Erin gave us a daily quote calendar....titled "Keep Calm and Carry On." You know the story I am sure. In typical British understatement, they were going to use this phrase to rally the courage of the people IF the Germans conquered England. Fortunately they never had to use it. But in the last few years the message has taken hold of the world.
It seems like a good motto for me on some days. I awakened early this morning with food on my mind. I couldn't go back to sleep so I got up and studied a few recipes and wrote out two menus and a long shopping list.
SK and I walked to our favorite store...about 6 blocks away and wrote down the price of every major item. Then we drove to a Costco wannabe (if only) and looked at their prices. They were higher on at least half of the items, but we purchased the ones we could only get there and the ones that cost less.
We came back to the apartment...left the car with everything in it (it is colder outside than inside a refrigerator...how marvelous!....never in Gilbert) and then walked back to our local store. We finished all the shopping, lugged it home, put it in the car, and then drove to the center where we carted everything up to the 4th floor center. Yes...there IS an elevator!
It took us awhile to put things in the freezer, refrigerator and tucked away somewhere. I unloaded the dishwasher and reloaded it with dishes used last night for the leadership meeting. Then back home to a bite of dinner and making two carrot cakes...the second one is in the oven now.
We'll go back to the center early tomorrow morning to start on dinner, then to our Danish class at noon, and back to the center after class is over to finish up preparations. Whew. I think I could face it with more ease if I knew Friday wasn't going to be exactly the same.
The other thing is that we don't know if we will serve 20, 30 or 40 tomorrow night. Friday night, we will have possible guests from Sweden and the stake up north in Denmark. So that night we could have 50....but we might have 15.
I am so grateful for a preparation day....I like it more when the preparation is more spiritual. Perhaps there is still time for some of that tonight!
Time for chocolate....scriptures, Danish class homework, and sleep I hope.
Keep calm and Carry on.
You know all the spin-offs of "Keep calm and carry on"? My favorite one that I've seen is "Keep calm and go get Mom." But it doesn't apply when Mom is in Denmark! :)
ReplyDeleteDid your carrot cakes taste the same as they do when you make them in the States? I bet they loved them! Ginger cookies are the same array of spices, and they loved those. Is the cream cheese very different there?
It's pretty tiring to make a big dinner even once in a week...I bet you'll be so glad when the second is through.
P.S. I had a great idea...why not make your meatballs the same size as pool table balls? Then you won't have to make as many, and you can call the dinner CRUD!
You can always send me an email!
DeleteYes...the carrot cakes turned out the same. They seemed to like them. They love cream cheese frosting and like you say...the spices are the same.
I love the idea of CRUD dinner. I may have to work up to that.
Love Lia's CRUD idea. How about CRUD and CHOCOLATE! Love you! Last night at the temple for Tues/Wed third shift Gilbert Temple Area workers. None of us are released until after Saturday (when I sub 1st & 2nd) - so we are all in limbo - not knowing if we will be called to work - or not. It has been rumored around that the new Pres. only wants new workers. I'm sure it is only a rumor - but may have it's merits. People have a way of saying things like, "We did it this way (or that way) in
ReplyDeletethe Mesa Temple......" On the other hand - experienced workers only have to be trained in temple lay-out, assignments, etc.. We will do what we are asked to do and be thrilled with the outcome! The limbo thing is kind of like your dinners - and not knowing how many you will have. Hang in there. You will be able to cook during disasters when you get back home - and keep everyone happy. The Lord will bless your meals - and there will be enough - and it WILL be DELICIOUS! L&P
Chocolate makes anything better!
DeleteI hope that is just a rumor....I can't imagine doing that with only brand new workers. It would be so difficult. The limbo thing is interesting too. I am sure you are all wondering what is happening. I hope you find out soon.
I hope that time will make a cook out of me.
Love you!
I love Lia's CRUD meatball idea...and maybe it will roll out the door and grow into a bush. Then all your meal problems will be solved! :) I'm sure your meal will be marvelous, as long as you don't add barley. Ha!
ReplyDeleteMy goodness...all these good ideas! CRUD meatballs growing on bushes? We will be rich and famous!
DeleteI remember the part of the song about "my poor meatball rolled out of the door." but I don't remember the bush part! We had the sisters over for dinner tonight. We used the red plates and put out our best glasses. Just having 2 extra over for dinner and then cleaning up everything made me exhausted! I can't imagine how it must feel after feeding a small army--and then having to do it all over again the next day!
ReplyDeleteI would have loved to be the missionaries at your house for dinner! Wait a minute...there is a song about a meatball?
ReplyDelete