Working at the Teahouse

I am going on my second year since my divorce in 2006. It has been difficult, invigorating, lonely and I have been scattered in the ,direction to go in my life. I quit my job at the Austin Daily Herald in February 2007. I quit when I was hired to be a home visitor for Freeborn County. I lasted one month in the job as they wanted someone who spoke Spanish better than I could. I can speak conversational Spanish, but it was not good enough for the position. The month of March I was without a job and panicky. Every morning upon rising from my bed, I lit a green candle, did a Tarot card reading and prayed that I would get a job. During this month, I could not eat or sleep. Finally, in April I got a job at the Turtle Dove Teahouse and Gardens in Albert Lea, Minnesota as a cook. I have been here ever since. The proprietor is Gwen Reiss. Gwen has worn many hats, as I have too. She is a RN and has sold corn seed and cars in the past. Gwen has a main of hair like a lion, wears teals, oranges and over sized earrings, bracelets and ankle bracelet on her left foot that accents what she calls her "fuck me" sandals, which she wears daily. This teahouse lady is no shrinking violet. Bawdy, down-to-earth and don't fuck with me is her attitude each day in thi Victorian teahouse located on Main Street in Albert Lea. The Teahouse is in a hard to find site, as it is off the beaten path on a north frontage road of Main Street. Flowers, herbs, a fountain and a rippling pond surround the premises of the Teahouse. Gwen and her husband, Ed built the pond and did all the renovations on this house that was built in the 1800's. It is a beautiful place. The inside decor of the house, Gwen has decorated with silk flowers, flowered wall paper and flowered carpeting. Guests to the teahouse are in awe as they wander the ten rooms that are decorated with themes such as the teacup room ( a tree decorated with teacups and a teacup chandelier give this room its name), the Red Hat Room, Garden Room, Christmas Room and others. No room or corner is left bare in this establishment. My friend, Carli calls the climbing silk rose decor that encircles a pipe in the bathroom a "peony tornado".
The Teahouse is where I now work Tuesday through Saturday starting at 10 a.m. I usually make three entrees each day and serve them with salad,scone and soup. The servings are ample and include such items as spinach fritatta, lemon herb chicken, and crab orzo.
Every day there is an offering of at least five choices of killer desserts that the ladies that come to eat ooh and ahh over.
I like the cooking, don't have to wait on the guests, have to think quick on my feet and am constantly moving. It is creative work but I miss writing. I will be writing a blog every week and will keep you posted on my new directions. I am struggling, as I make very little money. I am making ends meet and living extremely frugal.