Easter Sunday and other things

Easter was a quiet day. 
I went out to dinner for Easter. No cooking; no fuss; no muss. I chose to go an untradional route, no ham, no turkey, no roast beef. A refreshing seafood plate just hit the spot.


Planning for opening day of the Summer Diner seemed to take center stage.  It is still a work in progress.  Our first event is breakfast on May 2.  The menu is set and the shopping list is made.
The first lunch is May 5.  It dawned on me that it will be Cinco De Mayo.  We should have something on the menu to celebrate that day.
So out came Pedro!

Pedro will be serving beef tacos with all the fixings. 
For those who prefer something different, we will have a choice of either a tuna club or a hot dog from the grill.
We sat down to make out the final grocery list for the diner last night. My good friend, Lu, will do the majority of the shopping.   She has her list and the money and should come back this afternoon with goodies for the freezer, refrigerator and the pantry (of which we have very limited space). 
I have my list which will be filled on Friday.  Between the three of us who have lists we should be in good shape. 
While I'm trying to keep the shopping concentrated on the current week, we did decide to purchase some items in bulk.  Those will hold us for the entire summer.  Ergo, the first week's shopping list is long.  As with everything, start up is expensive.  This is no different.


On May 7, we'll have our Kentucky Derby party.  The ladies are very secretive about their hat creations.  I can't wait to see what they come up with.

The Snack Shop will be closed for Memorial Day.  I'm sure the staff will enjoy their long weekend.
Looking through cookbooks for ideas for the diner has been interesting.
I happen to turn a page and found a recipe for a game pie.  According to the cookbook the recipe dates back to the early 1800s and was found in the attic of an old home.
The list of ingredients included 2 rabbits (dressed) and a duck (dressed). 
Then the shocker.  It also included one can of chicken stock and, the kicker, one package frozen pastry puff.
I did the literary version of a double take.  An authentic 1800s recipe?  I think not.

Constructive Tuesday

It is snowing. 
This storm has teased us for almost two days.  The view from the window is no different than it was a week ago.  Big flakes of snow blowing in from the west. 

View from my window.  Same picture, different day!

I'm glad I didn't have to go out.  There was enough to keep me busy right here.

Before I went down to open the shop for the day, I had a brainstorm (which are always dangerous). 

I checked NOAA weather and copied the storm warnings.  Printed a sign "Today's Forecast", pasted the forecast, and left a gentle reminder on the bottom that The Snack Shop carries soups, mac & cheese, lean pockets, hot chocolate and hot tea.  The one thing I didn't have to remind our residents about was stamps.  They went out the door like hot cakes.  When I left the shop after my shift at 6pm we had sold 115 stamps.

The signs went up at each elevator, in the community room, and on our bulletin board in front of the shop.  They had to have some effect since we did a booming business all day long.

The one item that really surprises me is ice cream!  There is a wind chill of -6 and they still buy ice cream.

I worked on January's newsletter today.  The front page is just about finished.  By the end of next week, just after Christmas, it will be ready for distribution. 

The recipe page was complete a few weeks ago.  I love that page.  It is my challenge to find recipes that are easy to make and just right for cooking for one or two.  At one time most of us cooked for large families.  Getting into the habit of downsizing our portions isn't easy.  Yes, one can freeze and bring back the dish at another time, but apartment freezers can only hold so much. 
I had recipes for December and January in one file.  Some of these made the December newsletter, the rest will be for January:

• Parmesean Chicken
• Broccoli
• Potato Pancakes
• Orange Pecan French Toast
• Pasta Fagioli
• Apple Glaze Pork Chops
• Italian Pork Chops
• Apple Cranberry Hot Cider
• Cheesecake Brownies
• Boneless Chicken Tenders

 I'll include a lot of apple recipes since our apple man delivers every Friday during the winter. 

Tonight, I'll continue to work on the newsletter and get laundry done.  It's been a good day.



The Shop's Volunteers.

Kutter's Cheese delivered our order late yesterday afternoon.
We carry:

• mild, sharp, and x-sharp cheddars
• colby longhorn
• hot wasabi cheddar
• horseradish and smoked bacon
• cheese curds
• Sharp provolone
• Swiss
• Jalopena muenster
• Maple Cheddar

As usual, the volunteer didn't have time to get the cheese out of the box before people streamed in to purchase their favorites.
I love when the vendors arrive.  They have to come down a long hall to get to our shop.  Anyone in the common rooms knows they are there.  Scones fly out the door when Scratch Baking delivers.  The same goes for the cheese selection.  I'm no exception.  I put in a special order for a half pound of smoked gouda and a container of port wine cheese spread.  I never had to leave home.  Just run downstairs (no, I didn't actually run) and pick up my order.
Both Kutter's and Scratch Baking will fill orders by mail.  They are part of my mission to bring things to our customers from locally owned and operated businesses.

My volunteers, in the shop, are the best ever.  I have less than ten active volunteers who keep the shop open 6 days a week, 12 hours a day.  Three more are on medical leave.  I can't wait to get them back.
The average age of our staff is 72.  This is an age when most people are willing to sit back and enjoy their retirement years.  Not my team!  They feel their hours in the shop benefit them in many ways.
They tell me that interacting with their friends and neighbors tops their list.  They feel that they are making a contribution.  They all agree that being active is keeping them sharp and alert.  Many had retail experience in their careers. They know how to solve problems. They know how to deal with people who can be downright difficult at times.

I believe that my team is the real reason for our success.  This little shop, in a very small space, grossed almost $14,000 in it's first year.  Our mission is to provide quality items at affordable prices.  The net goes to the Residents' Council Treasury.  In our first year we gave the Residents' Council just over $4000.

We have a team dinner meeting four times a year.  This is our time to review what we are doing and discuss how we can improve.  The highlight of these meetings is my chance to recognize their service to our Residents' Council and our shop.  I look at them as true gems.  I would be remiss if I didn't mention several who go beyond the call. 

• Bob, better known as Shop and Stock is constantly looking for new items that would appeal ot our residents and guests.  He has the marketing experience to know what will fly off the shelves.  Without him, the shop would be in dire straights.
• Dennis, is our off hours clerk.  He is the go-to guy if one has the munchies after the shop is closed.  Dennis will open the shop anytime from 9pm to 9am so that someone can pick up what they want.  Dennis does a booming business from the late night wii games crowd.  Bowling and golf make you hungry and thirsty!
• Judy is my Friday morning wizard.  She opens on Friday morning and is the person who deals with the candy/chips/etc. vendor.  This is always a big order on Friday morming.  Judy is relentless when it comes to checking that order against the list Shop and Stock leaves for her.  What would I do without her?
• Bill is my Wednesday and Friday night guy.  He has the pleasure of making hot chocolate or hot tea for those playing bingo or poker on those nights.  Bill loves to talk and he has found a nicheto conduct cracker barrel discussions with his customers.. 
• Ruth, Maggie, Patty, Karen, and Marlene rarely miss their shifts in the shop.  If they do, it is always for a good reason.  Each of them bring a new personality to the mix.  They have people who will only shop when they are there. 

So, today is my personal salute to my volunteers day.  Have a wonderful Friday.

14 days til Christmas
Did I mention that the wind is still howling and a storm is brewing for the weekend?