Family

My father who will be 83 in August decided he needed hip replacement surgery. He's now in a rehabilitation facility and hopefully get back on his feet soon. He's old, lived a hard life, so I'm hoping for the best but also keeping in mind what the worst could be. Who knows, just have to keep good thoughts.

His grandfather was the 1st family (part of the Old 300 http://www.roserichchamber.org/community/old300.aspx ) that was granted land by Stephen F. Austin and settled Missouri City Texas. My father is the last direct descendant living. I've always been interested in the family history and have a load of information and books concerning the family tree and such.

One of the recent articles I've found is the mid-century modern home built by William F. Cody http://www.psmodcom.com/Architects%20Pages/WilliamCody.html for my 2nd cousin Dr. Hampton C Robinson Jr., is in danger of being demolished. The home is located in Quail Valley on Hampton Drive.

I've never been inside the home but have driven by it many many times to look. The first time I saw it was when the property (80+ acres) was still basically undeveloped except for this home and another smaller home on the creek that my "Uncle Joe" (Hampton's older brother and my 3rd cousin) lived in at that time. I was 7.

http://quailvalleyhistory.com/History.html


I'm upset because I know when my father does die, this home may be torn down, and although I can't do anything about my father I wish there would be some way to preserve that home. He's been doing everything he can to stop the progress of the home being demolished, but there is a huge factor in this that I won't discuss here. Most likely there's nothing that can be done, at least by me, but the thought of it makes me ill.

I can't imagine anyone would enjoy what little physical family history that is left being taken down a piece at a time but that is what has been happening.

Anyway, this is a sad little post for today. It'll get better.

BTW HILLARY

You dirty skank, get the HELL out of the race. Pack it in and show some slight dignity which I know must be hard for you.

Obama 4theWIN for the Dems.

ARE YOU F*CKIN' WITH ME?????

Yesterday I go in to the bakery. Miss Fiona asked that I warsh the dishes which I do. I scrub everything including these 2 shiny new cookie sheets then the next one is obviously old and well used, Lots of crusty black. Fiona watches me then says " Penny you SCRUB! *makes scrubbing gestures* You scrub HARD..make it like those two!" I'm looking at her and thinking of Bad Santa (are you fucking with me?????) Fiona cackles and says "I joke!"..HAHAHA!!!!

Yep, she was fucking with me.

I'm loving this little 4' Vietnamese lady more each day. She's a trip! I come in this moring and she is working on a "crooked" b-day cake. I was under the impression she did just traditional cakes and such, but NO! She has mad skillz! Holy shit! I'm eyeing that cake as she's working on it and then she tells me to make little roses, which I do. About 30 pink and yellow ones. My fkn hands were cramping but I was happy.

I'm happy that I'm in a good environment and am treated with respect. I'm happy that I'm learning a new trade that could possibly be kick ass. That depends on me and my motivation.

I'm motivated.

Check out this website. This is the level I want to achieve.

http://www.colettescakes.com/

If I can hang for a year and learn all I can from Fiona I want to take a few courses from Collette

We'll see!

Thanks for reading!

*hugs*

Only 8 Hours A Week???

I don't intend to complain here...but the cake lady only wants me from 9a-1p thurs. and fri. Pay is just above minimum wage which is ok, it's a start. Plus I look at it this way, she is paying me to learn her trade and the lady has the skills. I do wish the days were full days though so the pay would be a bit more but hopefully that will come in time.

I can understand how it is. Leasing a space, having the space built out with display cases and a front desk, huge walk in coolers and a mega convection oven, GIGANTIC mixer plus a regular Kitchen-Aide, sinks, prep table and such. It must have cost big bucks to get up and running, so the slight hours and pay has to be done. She is brave, but I also believe in time she is going to be a huge success. She has been open 6 weeks this week and she has really good customer flow. Awesome.

Today was my test day, which I figured out afterwards. She asked that I come in and ice and decorate a cake and so I did. She showed me first then I followed her example. It wasn't horrible, just ok, her methods are very different than what I'm used to. Then she taught me to pipe designs, which I did over and over. I didn't get frustrated which surprised me. I typically have little patience with myself and want things to be right the first time. No chance here. This is going to take loads of practice to build up skill and speed.

Don't get me started on the roses. It didn't matter though. I did them over and over, making about 40 or so voluntarily. Dumping them back in the icing bowl, stirring it up, filling the icing bag and doing it again and again. Some looked pretty decent and some were sad little boogers *laugh*

I think I can do this and it's fun and I think a good trade to learn. Tad said I'd most likely never want to make another cake as long as I live, but I don't know about that. I'll get up to speed and at that point I should be able to whip out a frigging masterpiece when I need one.

Then again he could be right!! haha...

I enjoyed myself and it was good to get out of the house and have somewhere to go and make a little moola while I'm at it. Miss Fiona was impressed enough to take me on and that feels great. Plus she seems like a very nice person, definitely patient!

Tomorrow is my 1st official "day at work"...yay! I'll have to take pictures of my work when my skills are honed.

Mini-Pies!

Here are the the mini-pie samples.

Top and bottom are sweet potato pie with pecan/brown sugar cust, with pastry leaves on the edge and center. The one on the left is an apple cranberry with star pastry top and the right is apple with lattice top.

My feets and back hurts. :P

Well...Looks Like I'll be...

Posting just on my blog from now on, considering the fucking boob is chock full of dip-shits. Not everyone, but holy hell too much of a % to make any effort as far as I'm concerned.

That aside I've made a few mini-pie samples tonight and will make cookie samples tomorrow to take to the new bakery. I hate to say but my hopes are too far up, but I know I'm a good enough baker and artistic enough to learn to make sugar flowers and such and become a pastry chef wanna be!

OohhhHHh I hope it works out!

I'll keep you posted :P