Needless to say I have not posted here in a while. After my family vacation things just got crazy! I attended the Pampered Chef National Conference in Chicago. That was fun! They really go all out for conference. I arrive home totally pumped up and started go all out with Pampered Chef. At the same time, my client base for culinary Creations was increasing. So, between cooking and trying to book PC shows, I've been a bit distracted. My husband also decided to finally fulfill his promise to fix my washing machine (after it had been broken for 3 months!!). So, I have been washing anything I can get my hands on. That also sparked a cleaning spree. So, when I'm not working I'm cleaning!

And now I find myself trying to expand Culinary Creations. I was told about an opportunity to purchase an existing business and started exploring that. Not that I can afford to buy a business, but you never know what comes of something unless you start asking questions. I'm still slowing looking into that, but doing so got me looking into renting a kitchen. Where I live, I can't advertise unless I am working in a professional kitchen, and I'm at the point where I need to advertise. So, Rock meets Hard Place!

Yesterday as I was driving into town to do my grocery shopping for this weeks meals. I thought of a place in town that is called The Smokehouse. This is a meat market. They recently closed half of the business which was a bakery. So, for three months the bakery side has been sitting empty. Immediately something told me to pull in there and talk to them about renting their kitchen. So, I did. Turns out, they are planning on doing prepared meals themselves. After about 20 mins of talking with one of the owners, at the very least it looks light I might be able to rent the kitchen 1 day per week and "piggyback" on their food supply orders. That would allow me to save a little money on the food and start advertising. But, he seemed interested in a few other things and I could see his mind just going crazy as he and I were talking. Though he did not vocalize much about what he was thinking, I have a feeling I could be an answer to something for him. I told him that I was very open to what ever he may be thinking. They have a great set up, they are very known in the community and any kind of "partnership" with them could be very good for me.

So, I am very excited and I will be going back in at the end of the week to check with him again. He is very busy and his wife is ill. He said that if he didn't call in a day or two I should drop back in to see him. He's a very nice and honest guy. This could be great!

This is their site: http://www.countrysmokehouse.net/

I spoke to the gentleman in the more cone shaped hat. And yes, they wear their hats at work! :-) They used to be The Butcher, The Baker and The Candy Maker. His brother's wife handled the bakery and she was part of the little cartoon logo. It was very cute!!

I'd have cheaper access to all of the great meats. And he is working on a relationship with a guy that has a farm where he is raising cattle free range, hormone and chemical free. Right up my alley! :-)

So, all of you keep your fingers crossed! This could be my big break! hahahaha :-)

Off to cook.