i’m off to red hook

for the summer to be a Chef at the boys leadership camp. I touched on this in a previous post, but I just want to say how lucky I am to have this opportunity. Back in 2001 I was introduced to Camp Rising Sun by my dear friend Peter. He was to be the hiking counselor that year and asked me if I'd like to come to the camp and give cooking a shot! I had no idea the amazing lessons I would learn and how much fun I would have cooking. I have mentioned my deep love for cooking and creating and enjoying flavors and spices etc, but on a daily basis I don't get around to it. For one person, cooking can be weak sauce! (no pun intended). I am delighted that get the opportunity to cook for 80 campers and staff three times per day. I plan all of the menus and make most things from scratch. I can't wait to plant my herb garden and have basil, sage, rosemary at my feet within a week. Everything in New York grows bigger and faster. What's better is that I get to cook for literally the most amazing people I have ever met. The campers come from all over the world. About 27 countries and different areas of the United States are represented. They come on scholarship, recommended by teachers and alumni associations. I have countless journal entries of stories from campers that have changed my life. Chopping carrots and chicken for two hours doesn't seem like fun to most people, but when you get the help from a camper from Palestine, telling you what life was like during the conflict, or get to make meatballs with someone from Sweden, and smell real curry from Japan, I really can't think of a better way to spend a summer. Most of these campers go on to do amazing things, be world leaders, and change other people's lives. I know they have changed mine and I will continue to update throughout the summer. Because food is universal, I'm pretty positive being the chef is the best job at camp! I can't wait to get there and start cooking!

This is Peter and I in 2001 after making chocolate chip cookies for the campers. We may have stolen a few to dunk in our milk! So fun!

we had a blast

last weekend at the

white trash bbq

Can I just say how much I adore my friends and family here in Utah? This summer I am turning 30 (whoa, deep breaths), and because I am going to be cooking in New York all summer I won't be here for my birthday. We decided to have a little barbeque to celebrate, but with a catch…we dressed white trash, talked white trash and ate white trash lol. The costumes were hilarious and the food was nasty and I adored the whole thing. Definitely will be repeating this party next year!

I love love love this picture! I love that Mindy is in a dew rag, Melissa has a mullet, and Matt is wearing biker gloves. I love that Courtnee has a Jersey on, that Eliza is in a diaper only and has snot in her nose and is eating a whole peeled carrot. I love that Becky, my little health nut friend has pork rinds in her hands. I love that Bryce and Brian are sporting handle bar mustaches, that Megan is over endowed and that Jessica is wearing hideous stone washed jeans. I love that Sharlene (the manikin head) is in this picture, Vanessa's bum and everything else about it really!

This is my old roommate Eliza, who couldn't be cuter. She's got snot in her nose an punch on her T-shirt but I loved her today because she spoke white trash. Adorable!

Even my mom joined in on the fun! She bought this gold number for a $1 at a yard sale! Smokin' hot Mom, smokin' hot!

I don't have words for my cousin Jessica. These stone washed pants will never leave our family, EVER. Yet, I dare say they really shouldn't be worn anywhere lol. I loved the hot pink lip stick stains on the teeth and the sick sparkly shoes. Remember these plastic horses? This one was rusty, and the springs kept breaking. It was awesome!

Oh Shelly! My darling friend. She almost looked too cute to be there, but the drinking while pregnant scenario was perfect!

Megan and Brandon were a hit! We are seriously going to miss them more than toilet paper on a camping trip when they go to Washington! Good Luck my friends!

I was hoping someone would show up in a Mullet, love it!

Bryce, you are one of a kind! I don't really know what to say lol.

Here's the little Mumford Family, so white trash with Matt wearing the capri's and the gloves and the slicked back hair, Courtnee in the Jersey and the too cute for words Isaiah sporting the Mowhawk. When they walked in I nearly wet myself laughing!

Let's talk about the food for a second. No white trash party would be complete without Chili Mac, Tator Tot Casserole, Wonder Bread with Icing, Hostess Twinkies and Cupcakes, Pork Rinds, Mc Donalds Cheeseburgers, Little Debbie oatmeal pies and cheap soda. Sharlene and an ugly figurine angel made for table decorations, perfect!

This My little nephew Jaxon. He has blue lips from the Slip n' Slide. A nice $5 from Walmart feature.

Overall, it was an amazing crazy party. Thank You so much to everyone who came!