WYOMING?

The first thing I think of when someone says Wyoming is a little joke a fellow Chef once told me. We were talking about moving to different states and he mentioned that he thought people should be deported to Wyoming. He went on to say, "nobody goes there anyway, it's empty!" I am not sure why that stuck in my mind. It's not a very funny joke, it didn't pertain to me in the slightest, but I never forgot it.

It's no secret that I have a reputation for dropping everything and leaving. I usually go on an adventure, to a place I never saw before and work for a bit. It's my way of traveling and making enough money to come back home. It works for me and I don't regret my actions one bit. Right now, coming out of a sabbatical, I have nothing to drop. I'm at home with Mom, I have no job, not a dime to my name and there's no boy hooked to my hip. I'm leaving again, but this time I'm not  dropping anything. Feels great!

A few months ago, before I went to Las Vegas, I found a website that specializes in seasonal employment on ranches, resorts, camps, etc. You pick the state you wish to adventure to and they show you the places that are hiring and you can apply online right there. Looking at the pictures and reading the short paragraphs about the different destinations, a place in Wyoming caught my eye. The tiny picture was beautiful. It was a sunset photo of mountains, green grass, trees, a small river and horses. The description painted a picture of a family-owned ranch in Jackson Hole. It's a high-class dude ranch, basically. Families go there and stay in the beautiful lodge, where everything is included. Mountain cuisine, horseback riding, fishing, rafting, rodeo, skeet shooting, nightly cookouts and more. I fell in the love with the idea immediately. I applied and was contacted by the manager for the Pastry Chef position. I accepted, but shortly after I was offered a better opportunity (better for my resume, anyway) in Las Vegas. I took that instead but when it didn't work out for long, I wished I had chosen the Ranch. I emailed them as soon as I returned home and hoped for another position. Two days ago they got back to me, offering me another position and I appreciatively accepted.

Yupp, I'm headed to Wyoming. Very soon! I leave next Sunday and I'm not even stressed. I feel so excited to let go of my worries, breathe fresh air, work hard and meet the kind people who offered my two jobs. I have no idea what my future holds in Wyoming. It's the unknown and I love it!

Fried Salami and Egg Sandwich

I absolutely love discovering something I've missed out on my whole life. It's exciting and new and sometimes it angers me a bit. I get so thrilled about food finds, it's ridiculous.

So, there's a new-ish restaurant in town. It's been there for a couple months, nobody really knows about it yet and it seems as if they have some regulars. It's called Manhattan Deli. It's located in an old Ruby's Diner, so it still has bright red booths and white walls. The menu is huge. They were going for the old-school New York deli feel that you usually only see in...well, New York. If you have been to NYC or if you have ever watched Food TV, you know what I am talking about. Big huge sandwiches, matzo soup, liverwurst, hot dogs, cheesecake, etc. This place totally nailed it. Right when you sit down, they bring out complimentary pickles that are made in-house. They are awesome. Last few times I have been there, I got the pastrami and pepper-beef combo sandwich. It comes with a side and I fancy their German-style potato salad. They also have old-fashioned mustard on the tables...perfect.

The other day I suggested my Dad take me there for our weekly lunch. He had never been and he loves meat, so we couldn't go wrong. I wanted something different. Scanning the menu for a good 10 minutes, I found the jackpot... #88 (or something) Fried Salami and Egg on Rye. I couldn't believe my eyes! I wondered, is this a thing? Do people know about this? Have I been missing out on a traditional sandwich while in some kind of bubble? I was sold, had to try it. After all, a huge piece of real estate on my heart is occupied by eggs and Bologna. I knew I would love this.

Sure enough, it was to die for! Thick cut, real salami fried with scrambled eggs. As if I couldn't eat that by itself, they put it on fresh rye bread with tomato and lettuce. Their sandwiches are huge, just like the New York ones, so I took off the lettuce. It wasn't looking like it wanted to be eaten anyway. I put a whole buncha their real mustard and devoured it. I loved it so much, I thought about it all day long. Still wondering if this was something other people already know about.

Sure enough, it's a real thing. People have been enjoying it for quite some time and I am the girl in the bubble that missed out until now. I have some catching up to do, I think I'll have another....very, very soon :)

Water for Elephants Part 2

A few weeks ago I posted about finishing reading Water for Elephants.
After I was done, I handed off the book to my Mom and she was mesmerized with it just like I was. She's quick, she read it in two days!! The movie was coming out later that week, so we made plans to go see it during the day and we both were super stoked. I anxiously awaited for the day to come, as if the circus was coming to town (ha ha.) I woke up that Friday feeling like a kid on Christmas. I missed reading about Jacob and Marlena and I couldn't wait to get my fix.

I don't see a lot of movies in theaters these days. It costs $9 a ticket for a matinee!! That is outrageous! Last time I went to the show (like, 5 months ago) I went with a date. He got a small popcorn and a small drink and it cost him $12!! Can you believe that!? I certainly can't!
Anyway, I avoid going to the movies sometimes because of the price. It's not like it's 100 bucks, but it's almost as if I am protesting.
When I don't go for a while, I forget how much I love it. I love the smell of popcorn, the silly vests the employee's still wear, the colorful posters and carpet. I even love the preiviews! I get excited by how loud the movies and music are and my favorite part, forgetting everything else for that time frame. I'm a movie-lover already, but going to a show makes it extra special.

Anyhow, we saw Water for Elephants after weeks of anticipation and it was wonderful. I had a feeling that the movie was going to be made to feel old or vintage. Instead, it looked like it was happening now. Does that make sense? I'm not sure. I just find myself wishing that I was in the 1930's most of the time. The movie made me feel like I was and like it wasn't so out of reach.

I thought that Robert and Reese were perfect for playing Jacob and Marlena. I can't imagine anyone else doing it. The thing I love about reading books is using my imagination, because I have a great one. I can imagine the characters so well it seems real in my mind. Reese and Robert were exactly what I saw when I read the book. However, August was different. When I was reading, I pictured him to be tall and more dashing. I thought he had dark hair and mustache. I also pictures him wearing more striking, vibrant clothing. I remember when I first saw the preview, I was a little upset how the cast August. Don't get me wrong, the actor played him very well, just the look of him threw me off a bit.

Other than that, I was completely delighted by the film. I loved every minute of it. Movies based on books always skip out on the details. I suppose it's because they run out of time. But I remember the story like it was my own, so I didn't miss tid bits. Rather, I felt I was keeping some secrets and that was okay with me.

I highly recommend the book and the film. I also recommend that you read the book first, then see the movie. I'm sad it is over. I almost wish the "Twilight saga" was the "Elephant saga." I need more Water for Elephants!

Bad Blogger

I have been a bad, bad blogger! I originally set out with  goal of three posts a week. I also wanted to move onto one or more posts every day. But it's really hard to find motivation to post when you only have one follower! ;)

I mean, I know my family reads my posts and my stats show I have some traffic, but I can't help but wonder who I'm talking to when I write. Enough with the excuses, I say. Time to get back into the swing of it. I have a few posts that will follow this one, as I have some catching up to do. I also have some very exiting news coming up!!

ABC's of ME

I got this from my favorite blog Carrots N' Cake And I thought it would be fun since I'm fairly new at this.

A. Age: 22
B. Bed size: Queen
C. Chore you hate: I love cleaning! I guess if I had to choose...my least favorite is toilets.
D. Dogs: Love em' but hate the mess.
E. Essential start to your day: Coffee, breakfast and an hour or two in my rocking chair hangin' out.
F. Favorite color: Blue
G. Gold or silver: Silver looks better on my olive-ish skin.
H. Height: 5'4
I. Instruments you play: I can play one song on the guitar. I wish I could do it well. I also want to learn how to play the harmonica.

J. Job title: Pastry Chef, Gypsy, Dreamer
K. Kids: Can't wait!
L. Live: In a very boring, materialistic, industrial town in Southern California.
M. Mom's name: Kim

N. Nicknames: Mal, Missy, Mowie Wowie
O. Overnight hospital stays: Quite a few! I am building a very large library for my medical records ;)
P. Pet Peeve: When my Mother doesn't answer her phone. And being late.
Q. Quote from a movie: "I'm your huckleberry"
R. Right or left handed: Right
S. Siblings: One Brother, 3 half-Sisters. I'm the oldest :)

T. Time you wake up: 5:30am
U. Underwear: Thongs or commando.
V. Vegetables you dislike: I love all vegetables! The only food in the whole world I won't eat is stinky cheese. And I wish I liked it! 
W. What makes you run late: Nothing. I hate being late. I won't be late.
X. X-Rays you've had: Too many to even remember!
Y. Yummy food you make: Lot's of stuff! My favorite is cookies. I make some mean fried chicken too.
Z. Zoo-favorite animal: Koala Bear!

I Scream, You Scream, We All Scream For Ice Cream!

Yesterday was the 119th Anniversary of the first documented Ice Cream Sundae. Once I found out, there was no stopping me. I was going to have a sundae before the day ended. No doubt about it. I let my Mom know about my new favorite day of the year and she was along for the ride.

When I think of an Ice Cream Sundae, I think traditional American dessert. I picture the pretty glass and of course, the classic combination. It must be a vanilla ice cream, hot fudge, whipped cream, chopped nuts and a cherry to top it off. That is the sundae and that's what it should be. We went to a cute little diner down the road. That diner has everything a place that serves ice cream sundaes should have. Big plastic booths, a juke box, an old lady that makes pie, retro candy, pictures of vintage cars, walls of soda pop and all that jazz. It was perfect for the occasion!

They had a few versions of sundaes on the menu. One was a brownie sundae, one was a turtle sundae with caramel, and the other was the classic. I wanted the good ole' original. Boy, was it a sight to see! I wish I would have brought my camera. In a big tall glass there was hot fudge, two scoops of old fashioned vanilla ice cream, more hot fudge, a huge mound of whipped cream, chopped nuts and a cherry. Oh, and somewhere in there, there was more hot fudge. Yeah, it was totally spilling over the sides and onto the plate the glass set on. I managed to scrap all that up too.

This has to be my new favorite "holiday"! Any excuse to eat ice cream is good enough for me! Until next year... Not that I'll go a whole year without ice cream. Who do you think I am!?



Water for Elephants

I just finished reading Water for Elephants, written by Sara Gruen. By far, the best book I have ever read.

I'll level with ya, I haven't read too many books in my day, but I have read enough. My imagination has always been a force to be reckoned with. Ever since I can remember, I have been day dreaming, pretending and coming up with insane ideas. All of which get be into trouble, but make my life what it is. So, I lean towards stories like these. I like anything from the 1920's to the early 1940's. This book is based on a boy who runs away and joins a traveling circus in the 1930's following his parent's death and then falls in love with a married woman on the show.

I really fancy love stories. But it's a bittersweet kind of thing. The love of my life passed away three years ago. Naturally, people in love leaves my heart and my mind a little saddened. But I truly relate to the old love stories. Most people don't like them because they say it's an "unreal" fantasy. I beg to differ.
I've been in love like the kind you see in movies and read in books. I've felt the pain, faced the hurt that hard times bring, I've worried the same worries and acted a fool for the sake of being with that one person. I've even heard the same romantic words and have been on the receiving end of the most passionate love one could ever imagine. These fantasies do happen and I'm living proof. So really, I relate to these kind of love stories more than I do a true story written in today's time. And I feel sorry for those that aren't on the same page.

This book caused me to take a liking in vintage circus. After the first page I realized I just found something new to research and maybe even collect. I've been looking at strange and wonderful photo's of 1920's and 1930's circus acts, reading about side shows and fantasizing about joining the circus. Yes, my imagination is so profound that reading this book literally makes me want to join the circus. My Mom said she wouldn't be surprised if I did. I wouldn't either.

Since I lost my loved one, I've kissed my fair share of frogs. I haven't decided if I'll ever love again or if I  was already given my one chance at true love. However, reading this book gave me hope. I have a feeling I'm not the only one on earth that believes in that sort of thing. I haven't found anyone close to the leading man in Water for Elephants, but I think I'll wait around for it. In the meantime, I'll put my passion to good use. Currently, I fall in love with things like movies, men that are no longer living, chocolate, dreams, antiques and books. That will do for now.