Who are you? What do you do for a living?
Rachel Lauginiger. I work as a private chef. You can find me at Kitchen Surfing under the title "Butcher, Baker, Cassoulet Maker."
Sunday Duties
Sundays, like most other days, involve at least a bit of frenzied work. I cook Sunday morning for a couple in Murray Hill. In the past this worked out well, since my husband is usually DJing Saturday night, and will sleep late. Sunday is my reset day for the week. I need to make sure my regular clients have approved the menus I sent them, and then I make my grocery and prep lists. It always feels a bit like finishing homework before going back to school.
Waking Up
On Sunday I'm waking up in our little subterranean apartment, and lately, always hoping to see snow blanketing the front of the brownstone. I just got my wish this week!
Breakfast Junkie
First thing I'll do is sneak out of bed so as not to wake Duane, who has typically been up all night. Usually I just shower and head out the door. I am a breakfast junkie, and get very grumpy if I am not fed and drinking coffee in a short amount of time. But on mornings when I have to work early, it's just easier to deal with it in the outside world. There is a decent coffee shop on the way to the subway where I'll get a black coffee and the first of sometimes many breakfast items.
All of It
I love breakfast foods. I really love it all. So, breakfast usually depends on whatever we have in the house that day. Yogurt and granola, oatmeal with prunes and cream, homemade bread with cherry jam, eggs any possible way. Everything from scratchbread. There is a good bagel place by the couple I cook for, so I will usually pick up breakfast item #2, to share with Duane when I get home, plus the New York Times, my favorite bit of a Sunday. It still always feels like a luxury to me. Once I get home, Duane is usually up and we will make juice and I'll have more coffee or tea.
Musicians for Dinner
Whether or not I have company on Sunday is different every week. I have been so busy the past two months, it's hard to remember any sort of routine. If people aren't over to play music, it is generally a quiet Sunday. I'll read the paper and finalize menus with clients over email. I have to catch up on all the work I ignored Saturday. I think having more people over for late Sunday lunches will be my goal once January is over and I can think again.
Time for The Times
The Sunday New York Times is a weekend-only ritual. I have been complaining about a lot of the writing in the Times for about two years, but I just have to read it. There is only on place in our neighborhood that I know sells it, a tiny little deli that is so hectic. For some reason it always feels like there is a fight about to break out.
Saturdays are a little but more ritualistic, because that is when the Fort Greene farmer's market happens, as well as the Brooklyn Flea, in the warm months, anyway. So, Saturdays usually involve a nice walk through Clinton Hill, marveling at all the old mansions.
Weekday vs. Weekend
Typically, I would say that there isn't any difference except the radio programs. The work I do on a Sunday and a Thursday could be interchangeable. It just depends on what I've picked up that day. I will say that being out in the world on a weekend can help me slow down a bit, even if I am working. Sundays especially, when it feels like the whole city is a little slothful, I allow myself to relax, to hustle a little bit less.
Ideal Weekender
In a few months the ideal "end to a weekend" will definitely involve being in the backyard. Working in the garden, having a nice dinner, and reading until the sun goes down. There is so much work out there that I am eager to do. Now that we are entering the depths of winter, though, I am happy to stay indoors and laze around my apartment. If I can watch an old movie, cook lots of vegetables with Duane, and do the crossword puzzle, it has been a wonderful Sunday.
