The airline that I fly most frequently has a regular feature in their on-board magazine called Three Perfect Days. It's typically a piece written by someone who lives in or frequents a certain tourist destination and has all kinds of great information about where to go, what to see and do, what to eat, etc so that you can get a good sense of a place.
I love to read this article whenever I'm going someplace listed or know a place in detail. One of my favorite ones was an article on a lovely town in Central California that I lived in for a couple of years. They mentioned many of my favorite places from expensive to cheap. In fact, they wrote of a little hole in the wall taqueria that I adored, as did a very famous citizen of my town who was known round the world for her taste in food.
Now if you want to set the mister off, just tell him how much you love this taqueria. It never fails that when people find out we lived in said beach town they will try to tell us about finding this little hole in the wall. He thought it was horribly overrated. He didn't get it. He will never read a Three Perfect Days article because they mentioned this place as a must do.
I digress.
Last Monday I had my own perfect day. A large project of mine "went live" the week before but the fun part began on Monday. I got to show it off to a large number of employees and it met with rave reviews. I trained the first 10 folks on the application and they loved it. There was a great deal of good feedback and positive energy at work all day.
Then I had dinner with my friend the Red Headed Baker at a fab little creperie before attending a class on multi-grain breads. Now, if my sister were reading this, she would give me a very hard time for taking yet another class. But luckily she isn't and some of you will probably understand that I just love my classes.
Anyway, the instructor was an amazing man who is not only a great baker but a phenomenal teacher. It was a bit bittersweet for the Red Headed Baker as he was the reason she went to her culinary school but he left for greater things on the East Coast just before her program started. I might even consider moving back to one of my old home towns just to have the chance for more classes with him.
Ok, that was taking it a bit far. But I do have some lovely whole wheat starter and a big book of recipes to take me further into bread baking than I've ever gone before.
I got home late that night and was too excited to sleep, just like my old days in culinary school. It had been such a very long time since I had such an amazing day at work. And since I'd stayed late in a place that smelled so wonderful and yeasty, surrounded by other pastry fans. It reminded me that I'm really good at what I do, both in software and the kitchen. I can enjoy both tremendously and make room for both in my life.
This came just when I needed it most. I don't think it's a coincidence that so much goodness happened so recently on the heels of my return to baking and pondering various job prospects, I think it's about being more open to whatever goodness might be in the air. And making good things happen, yeast or no yeast. I live in a very special place known for the natural yeast in the air (that's why our sourdough is so special, unlike anywhere else in the world). Maybe there's more than just yeast in the air right now? I'll take it.
PS I'll try to write up the recipe I used for the cupcakes and post it or send it along. I like to play with recipes so I usually find a couple and tweak to my own tastes.
PPS By Friday I'd been lulled into a false sense of security from all my success earlier in the week and had a very not-so-pefect day on the last day of training. Humility is a good thing as well.
I'm glad you had your one perfect day. I get the thing about classes. I love them too, clay instead of food, but still.
Posted by: beagle | Monday, 10 March 2008 at 05:07
I'm glad you had such a lovely, perfect day--I hope many more are in your future!
As for the baking again--I too find that my life is in better harmony when it includes hot homemade bread. Hope all continues to go well for you!
Posted by: Jen | Monday, 10 March 2008 at 06:13
Yay for a perfect day! And I'm sure Saturday's game helped lift the fog from Friday. ;o)
Posted by: Katrina | Monday, 10 March 2008 at 06:32
I'm so glad for your perfect day. I'm always so impressed by you bakers, somehow when I bake things always go horribly wrong...
Thanks for the East Bay welcome, by the way. :)
Posted by: PBfish | Monday, 10 March 2008 at 09:13
Oh, yes...the carne asada is to die for.
So glad you had one of those perfect days. They are rare and beaufitul.
Posted by: Dead Bug | Monday, 10 March 2008 at 10:30
Ooh i can't do bread. I'd love a course like that. I promise not to tell your sister.
Posted by: thalia | Monday, 10 March 2008 at 11:43
Ooh i can't do bread. I'd love a course like that. I promise not to tell your sister.
Posted by: thalia | Monday, 10 March 2008 at 11:44
Hats off to you on your launch! You worked damned hard, and I hope things will ease up a bit for you now.
And BTW, your perfect day sounds divine!
Posted by: Tonya | Monday, 10 March 2008 at 22:45
I must admit that we are more in the Mister's camp about that taqueria, although it is conveniently located on the way to the Arboretum (which allows dogs!).
So glad that you had your perfect day. Hooray for making good things happen, yeast or no yeast :)
Posted by: Kay/Hanazono | Tuesday, 11 March 2008 at 07:39