Holiday cheer for the ABC Unit.....

Guess what.....more lasagna, LOL! I really wanted to make Chicken Fettucine Alfredo, but since Covid has snafued any officers gathering at my table, I wasn't sure how well it would travel. I'm not a professional caterer, nor do I have all the warmers and equipment for catering, so I was worried the alfredo sauce wouldn't be hot, or it would spill in the car, or the noodles would all stick together - so many things could go wrong - and I would end up mortified if it wasn't terrific, so I erred on the side of caution. I hope to see these guys again after the new year, so maybe I'll have the Alfredo thing all figured out by then.

One thing that has stayed with me since that night, and what I love the most about what I do, is just sitting back and listening to these guys laugh and tell stories at the table. I love the camaraderie the officers have with each other. The thin blue line runs deep and they really do have each other's back (their 6). This has been a particularly tough year for all law enforcement officers, so being able to bring this small unit together before their shift to enjoy a meal at the same table made me very happy.

Part of the conversation during dinner (and they brought it up) was how to get me set-up with a food cart to sell my cream puffs. I mean, they were working on a price and a menu, LOL....($4/each or 3/$10). See what I mean....they're hilarious -- or maybe they just love them that much. But whatever the reason, their interest made me feel loved. They even had a location all planned out! It's definitely something I think about - like maybe in my retirement - but there would be so much to work out - ie: business license, food truck, kitchen facilities, safety, etc.

I used my two 'Rachel Ray Lasagna Luggers' again and they worked out great. They're still available if you've been looking for something like this - Macy's has them and, of course, Amazon. They're about $38/each.

Law enforcement officers need our support now more than ever. If you've been wanting to do something for the officers where you live, just do it! It will make you feel as good as it will them. It doesn't have to be anything big. They'll appreciate your support and kindness.

Stay safe my friends....until next time. ♥

Cream Puffs

Banana Pudding

Rachel Ray Lasagna Lugger -- keeps food hot!

I did a blog post on my food truck dream in 2018 and you can read it here. I think I like these two the best.

Daydreams and food trucks....

I've been thinkin' again.

When I found myself at a career crossroads in 2016, I had already promised a cream puff drop to the nice officers in the CMPD North Division. So two days after losing my job, I kept my promise and delivered two boxes of cream puffs.

It was nice walking in there, not rushed for a change. In a conversation with the kind lieutenant, I told him what happened and that I was enjoying my time off. With a cream puff in-hand, it didn't take the lieutenant long to say...."Miss Ann, I think you should start selling your cream puffs. You're sitting on a GOLD MINE!"

As lovely as that thought it is - and I think about it a lot - the regulations are very strict. For example....some people bake cakes at home and sell them for profit, but it's not that easy for my cream puffs.

According to the Dept. of Agriculture (weird that this would fall under their department), I cannot make cream puffs at home (for profit) and the first two reasons that nixed it for me were:

1. I have a pet - my darlin' Clementine. No pets allowed inside the home if you're making food for profit. At least that's the rule for NC.
2. The puffs must be refrigerated.

I'm sure there are many more reasons, but these were the first two road blocks.    

I haven't closed the door on this dream completely. I checked into renting a professional kitchen. The idea sounds easy enough, but it's expensive and the puff filling needs to chill overnight which means I would need a refrigerator (with a lock). I would have to leave the filling there in a strange, unattended refrigerator. That creates a whole other problem and, well, that's just not going to happen. I need a locked refrigerator if I can't keep my eye on it.

My other idea was to turn my garage into a kitchen. Now wouldn't that be amazing! It would be pet-free. No doubt an expensive investment just to make cream puffs.

My friends tell me all the time....'you need to open a bakery', which inspired this post. Not so much a bakery, because I want to concentrate on what I do well and what my friends behind the badge like most....and that's my Cream Puffs.  

What I envision is a mobile truck/trailer, bee-bopping around the city of Charlotte selling only cream puffs and coffee, and soft drinks. With retro signage that screams "The Cream Puff Lady!" 

With retirement five years on the horizon, it gives me some time to try to figure it all out.

Here are a few ideas that keep my dream alive. Each one has its own unique personality. I love them all!

'La CREPERIE de MARIONE' -- this adorable food camper resides in Barcelona. Click here.

1962 SANTE FE VINTAGE CAMPER converted into a super cute mobile food truck -- click here.

I love this, although the window doesn't seem very secure. Anyone who knows me knows that I am all about safety first!

I would need about 3 of these refrigerators.  :)

MARGUERITE du PRE is a cute little yogurt truck, somewhere in France.  Click here.

SWEET LUCIE'S ORGANIC ICE CREAM resides in Mar Vista, CA. This 1959 International Harvester Metro was a functioning ice cream truck for over 30 years in Los Angeles, CA. It was in a serious state of repair when Sweet Lucie's acquired it in 2009. After a four year restoration, it was brought back to it's original glory. Super cute, eh? I love the white-wall tires and the red rims. Click here.

Love the white wall tires and red rims.

COMBI COFFEE in Porto, Portugal. Click here.

CAROLINAS in Rio de Janeiro - RJ, Brazil (a sweet shop)

I just LOVE this one! I could definitely see myself selling my cream puffs in this.
Enough room for coffee, and an adorable sign that reads....'The Cream Puff Lady'.

PINTEREST

♥