I smiled to myself the other night while sketching a new little banner for the blog: “Harbour Breeze Home.” It made me think about how this space started as a place to share home projects, and how my focus has shifted lately.
These days my heart and energy are poured into a different sort of home — the camp kitchen.
The camp kitchen has become my daily workplace and creative outlet. It’s a busy, hands-on environment that demands a lot of planning, attention, and physical effort — but it rewards me with a steady stream of small victories and satisfying results.
I have so many stories I’d like to tell about projects and routines, but for now here’s a concise update covering several recent changes and improvements.
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During a rare quiet moment in December, I painted a few more areas to freshen up the space. The bakery hallway now has a clean new coat that brightens the route between prep stations and service.
I also repainted what I call the “bowl and tray closet,” giving it a refreshed, neat look that makes tools and supplies easier to spot and access.
The lighter paint really opens up the small spaces. The color in the photos looks a bit different because of the lighting, but in person everything feels fresher, cleaner, and more organized. I especially love the crisp white shelves — they make everything look orderly.
Big thanks to Darryl and Josh for handling the painting, and to Travis for getting the ovens sparkling again — their help made these updates possible and much quicker.
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After about four and a half months of shoving paperwork and supplies onto any available surface, I finally cleared and organized the desk area.
The desk may or may not stay in this exact spot long-term, but for now it provides a tidy place to keep administrative materials, order forms, schedules, and the other paperwork that comes with running a busy kitchen. I’m planning a more comprehensive paperwork and filing system to streamline operations — I’ll share that process and the solutions I settle on in a future update.
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Even though I don’t have as much time for blog posts as I used to, I’ve been writing practical documents for the kitchen itself. One is a collection of the recipes we use daily; the other is a step-by-step manual for running service.
The recipe book keeps standardized portions and ingredient lists at hand, while the operational manual outlines prep timelines, equipment use, buffet setup, and cleaning routines. Having these documents organized ensures consistency across shifts and helps anyone step in more easily when needed.
The step-by-step manual is nearly complete, and that timing couldn’t be better — I’m about to take a short break. It’s technically a “working vacation,” but after months on my feet it’ll feel like ten days of rest to have a slightly different pace and a little distance from the routine.
Maybe I’ll pretend the cold Alberta and Saskatchewan winter is actually Maui for a few minutes of daydreaming — a small indulgence that helps recharge my batteries before I return to the kitchen.