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#WeekendCoffeeShare – Fun Stuff and Opportunities

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weekendcoffeeshare

If we were having coffee, I’d ask you how you want yours?  Cappuccino? Latte? Regular? Decaf?  Maybe you would prefer tea.  All good as it would be my pleasure to offer you exactly what you want.  I would even offer you a little something sweet I baked.  How better to start the day?  I’d also tell you that I should probably be making a meal for my client instead of writing this but feel this is more of a must.  It may also be because I just read the most enlightening piece called “The Crossroads of Should and Must” which really resonated with me.  Worth the read when you have more than five minutes.  I really “should” start sharing blog posts on “Medium”!

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If we were having coffee, I’d tell you I had a fabulous and busy week!  I know at our last coffee talk I mentioned my new job at Pier 1, but now that I have worked a grand total of five shifts, well, actually, four shifts and one quarterly meeting, I can confirm that I am truly enjoying it.  The staff are great, the atmosphere is fun and comfortable though we never forget we are there to do our job, the boss is beyond pleasant and the customers are wonderful.  I mean, can you ever be unhappy inside a Pier 1 store?  I say nay.  I even made some sales on my very first time out on the floor!  I admit I was a bit nervous and worried I’d look the lost soul but I managed to pull it off and got positive feedback to boot.  I know it will get ever more hectic the closer we get to Christmas but I’m feeling the buildup will prepare me.

If we were having coffee, I’d tell you that my good friend, David Croteau, full-time electrical engineer and part-time Farmer (his dream is to one day be full-time) at Domaine Britannia Mills, asked me to help him participate in a “Sweet and Spicy” event held by Mangeons Montréal/Let’s Eat Montreal at the SoupeSoup site in Old Montreal (apologies, the site is only in French).  He grew 53 types of hot peppers this year and sells them in various forms:  fresh (in season), dried, in mash form (basically ground up peppers in vinegar which chefs buy to create their own sauces), sauces and in powder form.  Let us just say that his chili powder is so not what you buy in the grocery store!  To help him show off said chili powders, I made five batches of sweet and spicy nuts in increasing heat.  We started with the Yellow Granada Seasoning, then Red Trinidad Seasoning, Chocolate Habañero, Chocolate Ghost and finally the T.S. Moruga.  These are the official names of said chili peppers and not some mixture of ingredients.  I made exactly the same recipe, just changing the type of chili.  It was fun to see the wimps versus the chili-heads.  Even the biggest amateurs of hot and spicy broke out into a sweat on the Moruga nuts!  There was something for everyone.  I also decided to bring some of my spicy apple jelly that we served on crackers with cream cheese – quite the hit as well.  People wanted to cool their mouths with the jelly only to find there was a zing to be had there as well!  I didn’t realise that I could have brought jars to sell.  D’oh!  Next event, I can guarantee I will be better prepared.  That is, if I get more than two days’ notice!

Chili used for Sweet & Spicy
Mixed Nuts Baking
Rainbow of Chili Powder
Sad Selfie of Me and David
Our Table
Vodka Cranberry Rosemary Cinnamon

It was so much fun to participate in such an event which helped to showcase all sorts of yummy eats.  From “Bloody Mary Chocolates” to various jellies, to salsas, hot sauces, spicy PB & J, the coolest drinks ever (will sooo be making these at my next party!) and many more yummy treats.  It was an opportunity for both David and I (merci encore, David) to showcase our wares, share business cards and hopefully create opportunities for both of us.  We were a great team, truly complimenting each other.  I hope we get a chance to work again together in the near future.  Who knows?  Maybe one day our wares will be displayed in food shops around Montreal!

If we were having coffee, I would tell you that, once again, I have been blessed by Mick’s friends (and, of course, now mine).  Both Bill and André worked hard at sourcing the best snow tires at the best price for me.  André came through and not only purchased them for me, he also installed them AND made me supper.  I mean, come on.  Where else can you get such service?  I feel the very nice bottle of wine I brought was so not enough to thank him so I’ll be having him and Tammy over for dinner in the very near future.

If we were having coffee, I’d admit to a few things:  Firstly, I did not treat Zeke to any decent walks worth mentioning.  I can only blame the trying to better organise my time with the new job and still cooking for the clients.  I hope to do better in the following week.  Secondly, I am a tad mad at myself for putting myself in a less-than-desirable position.  I shall call it a life lesson and move forward, learning from my mistakes.  One must respect oneself at all times.

I think I’ve rambled enough and taken enough of your time.  I started this post yesterday (Friday) and it is now Sunday morning, 1:00 am!  Between cooking, working, laundry and reading – trying vainly to catch up on the blogs I follow, I wrote this in bursts and spurts!

I do wish you a most wonderful week ahead and will definitely be reading the other weekend coffee shares hosted by the lovely Diana of Part-Time Monster – you can click on that link or on the image above to check out her post and then click on the blue frog to check out the other participants’ stories.  And, should you be tempted, you can add your own two cents’ worth!

I do hope you enjoyed my ramblings…

***

On her way to bed, she sees that a friend liked her post and realises she totally forgot to mention a cool happening this past Wednesday!

***

Omigosh!  How could I totally forget?  On Wednesday, I had lunch with Christina (childhood friend and neighbour) and Bobby Maruvada and his boys, Tal and Gil.  I had not seen Bobby since sixth grade!  Seriously. How can I possibly be old enough to say I haven’t seen someone in forty years?  I stupidly did not take any pictures of the five of us…thinking I would join them for dinner – but it ended up being the same night as the Sweet and Spicy event.  My feet did not permit me to go gallivanting around Montreal!  So… Bobby, I hope you don’t mind that I stole your selfie with your boys form your Facebook page!!  Was so fabulous hearing about all your adventures and the cool Hollywood life you lead!

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49 thoughts on “#WeekendCoffeeShare – Fun Stuff and Opportunities”

  2. I’m so glad you had that opportunity to showcase you wares with your friend. I think this might be a good avenue for you to pursue. You sound so excited when you type of it. Go for it!

    You are blessed to have friends looking out for you. Not everyone is. Then again, sometimes some of us don’t know how to accept offers of help and so they stop coming. I’m glad that is not the case for you. People would not offer if they did not mean it. Let them help you. You’re helping them by letting them help you.

    Liked by 1 person

    • Thank you Corina. I admit that I am very excited to be participating in such events.
      Yes. I am extremely lucky to be so well surrounded. I definitey do not take it for granted!

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  3. So glad the job has turned out to be a wonderful success and the week sounds as though it was that way as well. I love hot peppers so I would certainly be buying some of David’s chilli powders. Yum. So good to have good friends both old and new. Love how bright you sound this week Dale.

    Liked by 1 person

  5. I love the colours of those chilis….. so gentle compared with the effects.. don’t some people have a genetic propensity to react to chilli’s? ………..as for coffee…. medium roast for most varieties and straight filtered…… that cranberry and vodka drink sounds interesting…. proportions?

    just been called for lunch.. so cheerio for now..

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    • Hello Magpie!
      Yes, they look so innocent…I, for one, am considered a total wimp when it comes to the spicy stuff. My son, on the other hand? I think he’s nuts!
      I dunno the proportions but will definitely be experimenting…
      Have a marvellous day.

      Like

  6. Hi Dale can I have a black coffee please and I think I will pass on the nuts as I am honestly a chili wimp though my eldest son would give you a run for your money! He is well traveled and loves to cook hot stuff!! Your’s and David’s produce and products look amazing so congrats to you both!
    I am so glad that you like the job and I hope it stays that way. It always helps when you have good and friendly colleagues it makes a world of difference to your day! From experience I can warn you that it will get really busy toward Christmas and don’t be surprised at how awkward customers can become!
    Don’t push yourself so hard you are only just starting your new job a routine will fall in to place and you will find time to hike Zeke. So remember be good to yourself it all gets done in the end!! xxxxxx

    Liked by 1 person

    • With pleasure, Willow.
      It was truly a fun experience and I’m looking forward to another!
      Our eldest sons would get along famously then. I’m more like you…wimpy!
      This is a temporary job so, I will definitely just enjoy it, awkwardness and all.
      I promise I will be good to myself and Zeke! xoxo

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  7. Dale, your work sounds fun…do you have to work on Black Friday? Hopefully you get commission or at least great discounts! I liked the hub-bub of retail during the holidays when I was at Macy’s. Your food and recipes sound amazing! Hope you have a fab Thanksgiving!

    Liked by 1 person

    • I am in Canada but yes…we will celebrate Black Friday and I will be working. No commissions here.
      We already had our Thanksgiving but I wish you a good one!

      Liked by 1 person

  8. Sounds like a busy week!

    Looks like the Sweet and Spicy event went well—glad you guys had fun and got some good feedback and new ideas. 🙂 I’m not a total wimp about peppers–living in Cajun country dictates that I not be–but I know some of those would be out of my range. lol

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  10. Love that you’re cooking. And staying busy in a delightful way. And sound happy. I love and am inspired by your happiness despite things not being perfect. Thank you! Wishing you a wonderful week.

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  11. It sounds like you and your friend David had a lot of fun! I, personally, am not a fan of spicy food but I would have enjoyed watching others “sweat”!
    Being able to share time with an old friend is a wonderful experience, isn’t it? I have a group of friends I’ve known since High School (almost 35 years ago!) and it’s always one laugh after another when we get together. There is something so comforting about being with people who knew you back in the beginning! Have a great week!

    Liked by 1 person

  13. The Sweet and Spicy event sounds like a lot of fun. It also sounds tasty. I like spicy foods although I do have a limit. If it numbs my lips, it’s much too hot for me. So glad to hear your new job is going well, AND you got a chance to show off your wares, but the icing on the cake seems to be the snow tires. Such service!

    Thank you for the tea. And for sharing the blog post about Should and Must. Have a great week! 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    • It was and it was my first foodie event (first of many, I hope)
      I have my limits too spice-wise.
      The new job is fun but tiring.
      Snow tires – priceless!
      Have a great week, Robin!

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  14. I think I’ll go for some tea of your choice this morning .. thank you. Gotta love the color continuum of the pepper vials .. although spicy-hot taste isn’t my thing. One thing for sure, you have wonderful friends! ,,, they help you – you help them – perfect! Good to see that the Pier 1 Experience is off to a good start … and just in time for the holiday season. Ho ho ho … Good Morning!

    Liked by 1 person

  15. I love that rainbow of chili powder! Very neat shot!
    You really seem to be surrounded by the most caring and interesting people…..you have a very rich life, Dale! I’m so glad for you!

    Liked by 1 person

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