75-Mile Dinner

I mentioned last week that Jakub and I traveled to the Canebrake to take part in an annual dinner that they put on. It's really a neat experience to be a part of; whether you're in the kitchen or seated at a table, everyone has a good time and Sam (the Chef and Owner) makes sure of it.

The dinner focuses on creating dishes only using ingredients that are within a 75-mile radius. They used a wide range of ingredients to show the versatile products that are readily available in Oklahoma. Jakub came up with one dish, based on his current love for foraging, and then helped the kitchen crew with the rest of the dishes.

I must tell you, I don't know what it's like to sit at most events like this, but it is so much fun to be in the kitchen! If you ever go to culinary events, you should enjoy knowing that not only are the people preparing your food working diligently and with focus, they're also thoroughly enjoying every moment of it.

I'm thankful that I don't have to resign to a typical "chef's wife" role, and that I get to actually help out in the kitchen and see everything unfold. Frankly, I'm not very good at socializing and schmoozing. I'm sure many of the other wives are great at it and they wouldn't give up their seat to stand in the kitchen for anything, but I love getting to see Jakub in action and I love getting to know the other cooks and chefs and see how they all interact with each other.

For those of you who are interested, this is what it looks like being in the kitchen:
[warning: there may be an absurd amount of pictures of Jakub and his plate, but hey, I've got a thing for this fella! Give me a break.]

With Jakub, there's always a lot of this going on (looking at notes and sketches, trying to plan it out).

He always does a test plate

See why I married him?

Always a lot of this

See what I mean?

They just can't get enough of each other

 

 

I just can't get enough of this guy

The dinner was great--everything went smoothly, the food was delicious, and everyone enjoyed themselves. Sam and his wife, Lisa, are such great hosts and it's no wonder they run such a smooth operation. I know I've said this before, but if you get a chance, you should definitely check out the Canebrake! You won't be disappointed.

25 Weeks And A Whole Lot of Happiness

This picture was taken the other day when we went foraging with the Chef and Owner of The Canebrake for a dinner Jakub is helping out with tomorrow at the resort. If you are wanting to get away, I'd definitely suggest this place. Sam is an awesome guy and really goes above and beyond to make you feel right at home. It should also be noted that I can't stop thinking about the massage rooms he showed us. I definitely need to go back for that!

As for today, I've just been overwhelmed with how lovely life is lately. I feel so lucky that I get to enjoy this summer break (and time before the baby comes) to do anything and everything that I feel so inclined to do, and I'm taking full advantage of it! Even though I have had plenty of time to do what I please in the past, I have never taken advantage of it quite like I am in this season. Even cleaning has become something I enjoy! The biggest difference between now and the past is most assuredly my mental state. The components of my life have relatively stayed the same, but not living every day in a pit of depression is quite possibly the most divine gift I've received.

Those days, weeks, and years spent in depression gave me a very special insight into myself and the world around me, but the days, weeks, and year since being in that pit have given me a fresh pair of eyes to see the beauty and love that's hiding in the most unsuspecting nooks and crannies of life. If you've read this blog for a while, you'll remember that last year God spent quite a bit of time teaching me to trust and follow him, and I was able to work through certain issues and completely let go of others.

Those moments in time spent with him have completely changed the everyday aspect of my life in a way I'd never imagined. I cannot tell you how thankful I am that not only was I able to move past the issues that held me in, but I was able to see such a dramatic display of God's love for me. And for all of that to happen before I entered into this stage of bringing a new life into the world just takes my breath away. I'm telling you, Jakub, the baby, and I would be in for a world of trouble if things hadn't worked out in the appropriate timing. I know this is quite the rambling post, but this thought has been with me since the moment I found out I was pregnant, and more and more each day I have seen the reverberating effects that that time has had on my life.

To be able to thoroughly enjoy every day--whether I'm folding laundry or trying out new recipes and projects--is a relatively new element in my life. It has taken some time adjusting to this new found spirit, but I am at the stage where I am unbelievably grateful for the humble life I've been given. Extravagant adventures are nice (and I get antsy to have my fair share of them), but it's so invigorating to enjoy the little things in life too.

What Do You Mean, It's Not About Me?

Pride is a sneaky little thing. It weasels its way into situations so smoothly you can hardly recognize it as what it really is. I'm noticing more and more how it shows up in my life and I've got to tell you, there's not a more humbling moment for me than when I realize how much pride I have. See, it's tricky!

Without a proper diagnosis of the problem in any particular situation, you can tend to think that the world is against you and develop a strong amount of self-pity, which isn't good for you or anyone around you. Take yesterday for example:

Jakub was participating in a yearly event in Oklahoma City with other chefs called Odyssey de Culinaire. It's probably my favorite event we do each year; getting to work with chefs showcasing their talents and taste such delicious food while raising awareness for ProStart programs is an unbeatable combination. I feel so lucky that I have had the opportunity to tag along with Jakub into the kitchen to see a side of the food industry that many don't get the opportunity to experience.

However, I'd be lying if I said everything went smoothly, at least in order to get there. The whole morning was full of things not going according to plan. It was almost comical, and if I hadn't been so mad I would have laughed! It felt like I was on candid camera; there's no way this is all happening by coincidence, I thought. Jakub was at work getting everything together while I was at home tying up loose ends and making sure our two pups were taken care of. I'm not sure how Jakub's morning went, but mine was no walk in the park. Everything I needed to do ended up having more steps than I would assume is socially acceptable. By the time I dropped Jax and Charlie off at my mother-in-law's, I was afraid I might hurt someone.

(In fact, as I walked out of her house, I heard some leaves rustling and instantly thought what if someone's waiting around the corner to kill me?--yes, I know that's a stretch, welcome to the inner workings of my mind--but my initial reaction was go ahead and try, I dare you!) I was ready to whoop some butt! And if you don't know me, that's quite a distance from my timid, people-pleasing self.

      [side note to the current side note: there have been several times I've called my
      mom because I heard a noise or seen someone outside my house and didn't know
      what to do, and each time she's said, "Well Rachel, you just gotta get mad." I never
      knew what she meant or how to do it. But now I know. I normally don't have a  
      steady amount of anger or stress in my life and I think you need that to be able to
      "get mad" to protect yourself.]

Anyway, it turned out to just be a pile of leaves instead of a murderer. But the point is, I was angry. I was fed up with things going wrong and having to do stuff that I really wasn't in the mood to do. At that moment, I felt like I was punched in the gut. The problem wasn't that everything was going wrong; the problem was my desire to preserve my own comfort. I was more worried about how circumstances were affecting me and my time and my enjoyment (read:sanity) rather than doing my part in making sure everything was taken care of so my husband could be focused on his dish without worrying about what was happening back at home. And because of that, I was lashing out at everyone around me.

I can't tell you how much the issue of pride is reoccurring in my life right now, and it's a hard lesson to learn because it comes in so many shapes and sizes. I started to realize that many of the problems I have in this world are largely due to the issues of pride and preserving my own comfort. But this is a lesson I'll gladly learn over and over in order to become more like Jesus. The only way I can effectively be a servant of Christ (and ultimately demonstrate his kind of foolish love to others) is to have a mindset of humility. Otherwise, I act like I toddler, kicking and screaming, through the moments that are meant to bring life. I should not be concerned with making sure my life is comfortable and just the way I like it, because that is not the kind of life I am called to. Thankfully, God is reminding me of this in so many ways each day and he isn't giving up on me.

In my last post, I said that living outside yourself is the only way to really live, and that I was beginning to see that. Well, it looks like I'm still needing to open my eyes a little wider.

We Make A Good Team

Jakub, Me, Craig--don't mind my crazy eyes please : ) and that last picture of me altogether

For those of you that don't know, this is like the three musketeers of dinners. The dream team, if you will. We have been doing private dinners and events together for about three years now and they have always been some of my favorite memories.

Not because of the food, but because of these two guys. (Who am I kidding, it's also because of the food!)

They have been with me through thick and thin, the good and the bad, and most certainly, my ugly moments. No matter how life changes (and there have definitely been a lot of changes lately), when we come together for these events, it's just like old times. I'm guaranteed a good 6+ hours of  quality time with some of my favorite guys, without any distractions--besides making food. But really, it's less of a distraction and more of a bridge.

See, we make a pretty good team. We've gotten in sync with each other from doing this over the years and it's not something we need to really think about; we all just do our part.We can go a while without doing a dinner and then come together and it run smoothly. That's something I don't take for granted!

Tonight we did an event for March of Dimes with three or four other chefs. Everyone made hors d'oeuvres for about 300 people and everything ran smoothly. It was held at the Metro Appliances building and each chef had his own kitchen to work in. The one designated for Jakub was finished just a few hours before we showed up and I wish I would've gotten a picture of it, because it's my dream kitchen!

This is what was on our menu:
48 hour sous vide short ribs with celery root puree.
Scallop ceviche with vanilla bean, tarragon, granny smith apples, and yuzu juice.
White truffle custard topped with creamed porcini mushrooms.
And toasted brioche with St. Andre's triple cream cheese and black currant gel.

If there's one thing my husband can do right, it's make beautiful food that's so good it makes your heart hurt haha. It's true though, I'm amazed at how talented he is!

We didn't get any good pictures, but here's two from tonight. Unfortunately we didn't get a picture of the short ribs... That was the big hit of the night.

 

See what I mean? Craig and I have made a good team since 2006. That's pretty official.

Even though we can go a while between dinners and still get in sync, tonight reminded me that I've got to start being more purposeful with my friendships. I need to work harder to let the friends I love know that I love them. Life happens and circumstances change, but I need to let my friends know that I'm not going anywhere! We all have things that pull at us but no matter what, the friends that I hold dear, we're going to be together through thick and thin.

Blank Canvas 2011

I love joining my talented husband (#5 on the sign--he's a looker, huh?!) on events like this. [In case you can't click on the picture to make it bigger, it's Blank Canvas 2011 where, "eight of Tulsa's best chefs will gather in one place for a culinary competition with a twist."

Getting to see him in his passion is something I'm so lucky to witness. Sometimes I've taken it for granted when I'm tired or lazy, but today I'm so reminded of the excitement it holds and the great opportunities he's been allotted by participating in events like this. It's like I have a backstage pass to his work and this means more to me than you know. He used to be my mentor and I would dream of getting to see his work in action. Now I see it on a daily basis! I'm off on a tangent...

Just know, whether he wins or loses, it'll be so much fun! (Do you think I'll be one of those moms that doesn't care about the competition, as long as they have fun? I think I might. Is that a good or bad thing? I'm not sure.) Who am I kidding? This whole post is just a bunch of tangents.

But I sure do love Jakub : )