Rhubarb Season!...

Yesterday was just what the doctor ordered. In addition to spending quality time with Handsome and the critters and a little "solar therapy", I took advantage of the rhubarb growing in the yard next to the Compass Barn. I brought in enough stems for eight cups of cut rhubarb to make tarts and pies.

I was experimenting with butter in my pie crust for the first batch, creating a lovely, chewy crust for the rhubarb custard tarts, and a mini pie (for Andy who was helping Handsome today). Then I made a shortening crust for the deep dish rhubarb custard pie I made for us.

There were enough tarts that Handsome and I were able to taste them, while still having enough left to gift to my friend, Ann who helped me in the kitchen at work on Tuesday, as well as some for my boss, who can use a little TLC these days. She also loves my homemade Betty Crocker Sugar Cookie clone mix, so I made a batch of cookies for her, too.

I didn't stitch much on the bluebirds, so I'll save that update for another day after I've completed at least one wing. Then you'll have a real sense of how it's going to look. I actually can't wait to start on the fence rail as I have some really fun stitching planned for that! 

I work today and then I'm off until 3 tomorrow. After that, I'll have the entire weekend to relax, stitch, and spend more time with my guy. I'm looking forward to that. See you tomorrow.

I Really Do...

I love my customers and most of my co-workers. I have no patience for lazy employees, and as a former employer, it frustrates the heck out of me. 

So much happened after my scheduled shift last night. Before I could leave, I ended up clocking back in and working another hour and a half to cover for someone who walked off her job in the kitchen. With the help of a trusted, regular customer, we filled a large food order that the employee abandoned. 

Understand, I'm not trained in our kitchen, but I can cook, and I've been there long enough to know how we do it, and where the supplies are. We washed our hands and got down to business. By the time our boss got back to work, we had the order compiled and ready to go out. Mission accomplished. Note: My boss had already left at the time of this incident.

That's the extent of my venting, because really, I try to always be upbeat here. Suffice it to say that after six fulfilling hours with people (customers and my boss) I really enjoy, that last hour and a half was taxing on this old bird. I arrived home happy with what we'd accomplished, but frustrated over why we had to. I couldn't even contemplate what I'd write for today.

This morning I woke up to find out that because we're short-staffed, this person will still be employed with us. Seriously, that had me in tears. For all of us who've worked our entire lives and are responsible human beings, I'm sure you understand. I'm equally confident all of us who have been picking up hours to cover for the slackers are on the same page, too.

So today, I've chosen to take the high road and just pull up my big girl panties. This is my day off and the rest of it will be spent doing things I love and being present with my husband. I'm going to be baking for a while...cinnamon rolls for that dear customer who helped me last night, and then rhubarb custard tarts for our dessert this evening. I am definitely going to work on my bluebirds for a bit. 

I work again tomorrow, so I'll definitely write a happy post for you! Thanks for indulging me today. Time for some fun now.

Just A Quick Post Today...

This was so sweet, I just had to share it. Isn't this sweet? There's a beautiful puffin pattern in the Enchanted Embroidery Book I recently purchased, and now I think I may have to add it to my To Do list!

I'm off to work for Day Two for this week. So far, so good! I helped Handsome give our yard it's first mowing of the year after work yesterday. Then we had a nice dinner, and I didn't do much else until bedtime. I promise I'll reply to your comments to yesterday and today's posts when I get home from work this afternoon. Gotta run! I don't want to be late.