Lemonade

Yesterday, the kitchen flooded. And then we had no water to cook with from late afternoon until close. Not on the first floor anyway. There was water downstairs and upstairs, so we used that to clean and cook with. We served dinner on paper and plastic plates and utensils. We improvised.

Today, my first clue should have been the lemons my boss gave me. I squeezed lemonade by hand as my first task, but nobody was thirsty for lemonade on a rainy Oregon day. And then, halfway through lunch, my helper had an emergency and had to leave. I didn't have dinner prepped out yet or anything done for Sunday lunch. Anyone who works in food will tell you Sunday lunch is our busiest meal. People get crazy after listening to sermons. I don't know why.

So, I made lemonade all day long. My boss wanted to call someone in. Instead, he worked alongside me. My friend staid an hour late to help, and I ended up leaving only half an hour late. I learned today that I am stronger than I think when it comes to the kitchen if I can just stay calm. I learned that I know my quantities better than I think, and I shouldn't let others question it. I also learned that I am starting to get the timing of this dance called cooking down. It was a bit off today, but I knew it and was able to fudge enough with my boss's help that none of the residents did.

Tomorrow is my Wednesday, and I hope it goes better. My Sous Chef always tells me, "If it were easy, everyone would do it." He's right. I have been complaining lately because it felt too easy. Now I know to just to wait a week. The challenge will come again without fail. It's just what you do with those lemons that determines how it all ends up. I want to try to make something delicious out of them.

Lemonade, anyone?