The Butcher, The Baker, The Mocha Maker

Have you ever woke up feeling like you were in the future? Where you swear it’s Thursday, but it’s only Tuesday? It’s not the best feeling because like that 80s song states, everybody’s working for the weekend. 

This week has dragged on. Part of me wanted the week to slow down so I could make sure my to do list was checked twice (that’s a Santa reference). The other part of me wanted the week to speed up, so I can be at home where Bailey’s is acceptable at any hour of the day. 

I asked my Mom what she would like me to bring for Christmas in regards to food and she said nothing. Nothing. So I did what anyone would do – I didn’t argue. 

I always seem to dodge the prep for Christmas. Maybe it’s a youngest child perk (of many), but I just show up and am showered with love, attention and alcohol, but I can never avoid being asked to set the table – minimal, but for whatever reason, I still pout.

I will grow up some day where I contribute to family gatherings, bring a significant other and know my fractions, but today is not that day. 

In Kriss Kross Another Loss, I couldn’t dress myself. Today, I couldn’t do math. 

I do not offer baking and cooking programs at the facility as we do not have any accessible stoves, but I really wish we did. Not only for the residents’ benefit, but more importantly, so I could learn. 

As an alternative we have “Microwavable Baking.” It’s about as lame as it sounds, but oddly enough it is a hit. We always have a large number of participants who mix the ingredients and observe the concoction baking in the microwave. I always make an appearance for the eating portion of the program. 

I tend to forget from week to week to order the ingredients needed for the program, which results in me kissing up to the cooks and sometimes even the Food Manager, but for December, I actually completed my catering requests far in advance – it was Christmas miracle.

For this month, I scheduled many hot drink socials – hot chocolate, cider, mochas. Unfortunately, hot toddies did not make the menu. 

I Googled what was needed to create a mocha (yes, I know there is coffee and hot chocolate, but I thought there may be a secret to it). The recipe stated we needed 1/4 cup of cocoa for each serving.

As I was filling out the catering request, I was stumped on a tough math equation. 

Our Nurse Practitioner was passing by so I asked, “are you a baker?”

She shrugged her shoulders and said, “yes, I bake.”

“If I need 1/4 cup for one person, how many cups would I need for 20 people?” I stupidly asked.

She quickly replied, “that’s not a baking question, that’s just a life question!” (I guess the flashcards growing up did not do the trick).

She doesn’t realize that the main reason I became a Recreation Therapist is because the Degree did not entail a single math class. Oh, and because I wanted to help people and what not. 

I can’t wait to see how gingerbread house making will go today… 

Have a Holly Jolly Christmas!