Updating Our Current Adventure

This work has been challenging to say the least, baking at this altitude (8,000 ft) is hard enough to handle but adding to that is the age of some of the equipment we have to use is making it very difficult for things to turn out well. Mixers that do not have the speed left in them or ovens that are so unpredictable just makes it a bit more arduous. I have baked and cooked for many years, both professionally and personally. I have managed big and small restaurants and have worked in every position in these establishments for many years, so I am no stranger to the kitchen.



Life always gives you what you need, and we are taking each challenge as a stepping stone to learn more from every new situation. We were hoping to be able to be creative in our positions but that is not going to be the case, they have an exact way of doing things and we have learned that we can’t deviate from that plan, which is sad because there is so much that we can offer but are being stifled. In any case, we will adapt to doing things exactly as they want us to do since they are in charge, we only wish that they would all get on the same page. It makes it difficult to do what we are told, when what we are being told sometimes is two entirely different things, dependant on who is giving the instructions.



Last week, we baked cookies, lots and lots of cookies. They have a bottomless cookie jar for the guests, so baking them in advance and then freezing them so not to ever run out as they did last year is the goal. This week, we made sure there were almost 700 cookies in the freezer, now that is on top of all the other baking that is too be done. Cakes, pies, breads and so much more and all from scratch, we are definitely underpaid but as I said, we are meeting every challenge with an open heart and mind.



All of this baking and cooking has only been for the staff, the ranch will not even open until next week which will then add 20 or more guests for the first few weeks before having up to 60 guests on some of the weeks. Whew…tired just thinking about it, but as I said, we are meeting every challenge and as usual, learning from each and every one of them.



One way we ensure our steady focus is that we meditate regularly. Just the other day it was so magnificent to realize that our life is a meditation recording. When we got off of work, the weather was fabulous, it has been cold and snowy since we arrived, so we decided to sit out in our lounge chairs and enjoy the sunshine and 70 degree temperatures. As we both began to breathe in and breathe out the fresh air, we both went into a meditative state of consciousness. The sound of the birds singing, the wind howling around the mountains, the birds flapping their wings, the mules heehawing, the crickets chirping and the peaceful sounds of just being in nature were so inspiring. We have cd’s that we purchased with the same sounds that we listen to all the time during meditation, but it was so marvelous to be able to do it with nature instead. Life certainly has a way of keeping us centered, if and when we allow it to do.