Work it is

Man, where to start...

It's been awhile. You are probably wondering if I'm still alive up here..if I've gotten trampled by a moose or eaten by a bear. Well neither but I have seen three moose in passing, all too fast to get a picture.

There is much I need/should write about but lately I have been rather busy!! No more sitting around I'm finally settling in and getting comfortable and making some good friends.

I should blog about my job or my four day adventure to Seward or my last minute trip to Anchorage for a concert, then the two hour drive home at three am, white knuckles the entire way praying for no moose, or maybe just about Talkeetna and what I'm discovering about myself and my surroundings.

Work It Is..

So as many of you know I'm the baker at the lodge. THE BAKER...one and only...

This is not what I'm used to. I'm used to my little cake decorating world that I was immersed in for eight years...but now it's another ball game.
In the beginning I felt like I was back at school.
A kitchen first thing in the morning has a certain smell.
And I look a certain way. Fresh and clean.
          
                .....and I think about my mom EVERYDAY when I'm at work cause M do get rather messy. maybe not my area so much, but me. I've gotten a lot better. I'm not as covered in chocolate and muffin batter as I was a few weeks ago..but it's a work in progress. When I used to bake at home my mom would always say how messy I am and that I never cleaned up good enough..haha so cheers to you mom. Thanks for sending the stain stick :)

My job is to produce and have a stock of the following items for the restaurant:

giant chocolate chip cookies
giant muffins ( 5 flavors)
layered chocolate cake with chocolate mouse and a moose cookie (this is where i get messy)
berry cobbler (this is where my hands ache after making 40 in one day)
panna cotta with fig compote (super easy but still don't know what compote means..haha)
coffee cheesecake ( I HATE YOU )
vanilla ice cream
gelato ( white choc., white choc cheesecake, chocolate cake..some flavors I've made)
sorbet

THEN if I have any free time I'm allowed to have "fun" and make a feature dessert. Yea haven't gotten there yet. Although I did make a banging white chocolate rum bread pudding.

AND EVERYONE wants me to make them a birthday cake or their friend a cake or any type of goodie. That's the last thing I want to do when I get home..haha

Being the baker can be pretty sweet though. There is nothing like eating chocolate cake scraps at 7:30 in the morn or munching on muffin overflow. I have a good routine going and have a good stock at all times so maybe soon I will get to try some different goodies. But let's not get too crazy here. I'm a cake decorator, not a pastry chef, not yet at least.

Crap I don't even know my measurements..pint a pound the world a round?? huh? Teaspoons in a tablespoon wha?? Ounces you just intimidate me. But I will get it.

Despite the burns and blisters I've gotten and the sore back from heavy trays, it is a satisfying job. I enjoy the feedback from people who munch on my goodies. And I feed off the rush, even though I can get a little snippy when I'm overwhelmed. And one thing has not changed. When I'm stressed it shows..haha and people know or should I say are slowly learning to back off a little and not bug me for scraps or ask stupid what are you making questions first thing in the morning. Thanks captain obvious I'm making chocolate cake ah buhh...

Oh yea but back to liking my job..
It's really pretty good. I go in at 7 and get done by 3 and get a free meal. And that is key around here!! Free food what!!!

Who knows what I will do when my journey up here is over. I don't have a job to go home to. It will be interesting to see how I feel about working in a kitchen when O get home. or who knows maybe I'll pursue my Sweet Michelle's baking again. Only time will tell..

One thing will always stay true... I sure do  LOVE my sweets, even after working with them all day :)