Tools of the Trade

Last week I invested in the most expensive and important item for my new enterprise so far.  It is a most beautious! yes, beautious! KitchenAid Mixer!!! OMG! I can not write enough superlatives!  I can only gush!!!!!  It is not only very attractive to look at . . . Pistashio

but soooo functional as well!

Within the first few hours of unpacking and washing my utensils I produced 4 batches of cookies, and a double batch of tart dough, plus the filling for the walnut tarts that I have on my Facebook Page.  Wow! that would have taken me the better part of a morning and afternoon previously.  The new mixer helped me to streamline my baking without compromising the personal hands on approach that I desire.

The KitchenAid is just one of the many investments that I've made inorder to launch my new enterprise.  I've had to investigate packaging, labeling, logo, presentation and pricing, not to mention figuring out how to target more than one market and seeing if this thing really has a chance to take off and grow.  I've promoted myself with a few small ventures in the past, but previously I've alway's had a partner who could shoulder part of the load.  Not so this time! I am a one WOMAN show!

To conclude my thoughts on this subject ~ when I say tools of the trade obviously I'm not just talking about the tangible elements involved in my new endeavor ~ there is so much that goes into creating something new and trying to launch a venture!  So let me just say that the material items that go into any new enterprise are VERY IMPORTANT! but the most important TOOL of any TRADE is your NOODLE!

KMC Holiday Specials

KMC's Holiday Specials!!!!

It's Time To Offer Some Holiday Cheer! 

From My Kitchen To Your Tummy!

Ho Ho Ho Merry Christmas!

&

Happy Hanukkah!

Cleaning the Dry Porch

December 4, 2o12

I know you're probably wondering what cleaning my old dry porch has to do with Shortbread.  Well, in one way nothing in another everything.  The dry porch is full of memories . . . when my husband Jim died 7 years ago it remained functional, but you know the old story it started COLLECTING!  You could say the porch was a lot like me.  It served a purpose but sort of held on to things, because they might prove useful some time in the future.  Not anymore!  It is time to sort through and evaluate what still serves a purpose and what must be discarded.  

   

I want you to know that I am going back and forth as I write this passage . . . cleaning for a few and then returning to this task.  It's easier that way.  I've actually been working on re-organizing and cleaning this area for a couple of weeks.  I think that when I first started I was afraid of what I might find if I looked too hard.  The porch is not large ~ maybe 12'x24', but it packs a wallop in what it contains!  Food Products, Serving Containers, A Full Size Frig, Chest Freezer, Gardening Supplies you catch my drift.  And of course everything is too important to part with (yeah right!)  

I filled the big garbage can up and had to pile my bagged garbage and old paint cans next to the darn thing!  Thank God tomorrow is garbage day!  Six hours into today's project and although I'm not completely finished at least I can look at my dry porch and feel a sense of accomplishment!  BTW for anyone with any sense it is also the cocktail hour!  Red wine and a box pizza anyone?

December 5, 2012

The garbage man came and collected yesterday's trash ~ but guess what I've already filled the darned trash can up again.  I've been assessing the dry porch today trying to figure out where to put my packaging supplies for my shortbread, tarts and cookies.  It'll probably take a few more days of strategizing before I get this part of the equation figured out but boy does it feel AND look so much better!

In conclusion of today's blog I just want to say that now I feel like I can get back to the thing I really love to do which is cook & bake!  Today, although I haven't managed any cookies or tarts yet I have made a Killer Hungarian Goulash and an Amazing Phuket Pork Curry! Nummy!