Day 9: Joy of Cooking

I would argue with Mr. Gary Chapman that food is the sixth love language.

Or at least the act of cooking for someone.  One could debate that it falls under "Acts of Service" but I think a made from scratch meal says a bigger love you than folding socks or taking out the trash.

I've always enjoyed being in the kitchen preparing a special meal for those I love.  It brings me joy to see people eating a favorite treat or dinner.  And I love nothing more than to make a huge meal for the family to share together.  The dishes afterward...not so much.

Big meals are something I've missed the past year or so.  With changes in our family and a teen who works nights, Sunday suppers are sometimes the only chance during the week I get the opportunity to cook for us.  And I've had to relearn how to plan weeknight meals, since it is just usually Tim and me.

It's taken me back to our early married days, although I'm a little more seasoned in the kitchen this time around.

I remember those early days of pulling out cookbooks and learning to create meals I'd hoped would become Tim's favorite.  What I quickly discovered is that a good ole' country boy didn't want quiche or rack of lamb.  Simple suppers were what made my man happy.  Frequent calls to momma and Tim's dad, during the brief time he lived with us, taught me more about country cooking than any cookbook did.

It didn't take the love of cookbooks (or learning new meals) away though.  My counter top is lined with dusty, grease-spattered, bunny-eared books.  Over the years I've taught Tim that macaroni and cheese isn't a vegetable and broccoli won't kill him.

But I do know when to open the country cupboard.

Since Tim has been traveling the past couple weeks and living off hotel food, I thought a nice home-cooked meal might bring a smile to his face.  In writing out the grocery list this morning, I asked him what he'd like for dinner.  To my surprise, he quickly belted out a request.

And even though it was 100 degrees in the shade, I was happy to heat up the kitchen for him.

Wondering what was for dinner?

Well, it was kraut and sausage stewed together.  And buttery mashed potatoes light as a feather.

Rich and creamy macaroni and cheese.  With a steamin' cup of brown beans, if you please.

Yum. Yum.

Noah, knowing the plans but tossing pies, sent me a text request for all leftovers to be brought down and shared.  I pulled out my finest Tupperware of butter bowls and yogurt containers for Tim to deliver.  He later sent a thank you that every bowl was licked clean and the crew wanted an invite to our next meal.

As much as I enjoy cooking for others, I'm also touched when someone repays the favor.  This morning I awoke to breakfast being cooked by hubby.  He was even disappointed that I made it out of the bedroom before he had time to bring it to me.  It was an unexpected and sweet way to start my day, belly full of joy.

Under Pressure

There's a new love in my life.

Actually, in my kitchen.  Sometimes, I'm embarrassed to talk it about though, for fear it makes me sound like I'm a grandma.

My husband found it for me.  He's a sucker for anything that sounds like a good deal.  Salesmen see him coming.  For this reason I get a little antsy when he visits EBay or there's an unexpected knock at the door.  And I keep the remote clear of the shopping channel. But somehow, we fell upon an infomercial several weeks ago.  It was a lazy Saturday morning and I'll blame it on the fact that I hadn't had enough coffee.

Because, I have to admit, even I got sucked in to the selling points.

"Dinner in 20 minutes?"

"All day flavor in less than an hour"

Tim called to see the cost, not wanting to wait until the "but wait there's more...."  They didn't answer so he hung up.  I googled it.  Then, miraculously they called back.

Discovering I could drive to the nearest store and purchase it gave us negotiation power.  We ended up getting our power pressure cooker with free shipping and accessories.

Last weekend we tried it out for the first time.  I made Tim help me.

Normally I'm very confident in the kitchen but pressure cookers take me back to my childhood and the stern warnings of my grandma that if I came near it, my skin would peel off.  Now she didn't nearly give that graphic of a picture but that's where my imagination went.  When the whistle would steam, I'd scamper to the other room.

But together we tackled it and put a solid brick of frozen deer roast inside the metal container.  15 minutes later, we were enjoying moist succulent roast.  I was amazed!

I've been a lover of slow cookers for years and literally own more than I have storage space for.  And I'll probably still turn to them for an easy meal to come home to.  However when the pressures of the day leave even a planner like me at a loss for what's for dinner, this gal is turning on the power!

It really is incredible the transformation that takes place when you toss in a frozen, jumbled mess and end up with something wonderful to serve your family, just because of pressure.

And it kinda reminds me of life.  Because it's when we're put in moments of pressure, that we're shaped and transformed.  It is when we're under pressure, that we're most likely to give up - or give it God.  If we do the latter, He'll turn our mess into something beautiful.

Going in, we might find it hard to believe that any good can come out, but God never falters.  His Power will transform us under pressure.  His Power always, always brings good.

You know that under pressure, your faith-life is forced into the open 

and shows its true colors.  So don’t try to get out of anything prematurely. 

Let it do its work so you become mature and 

well-developed, not deficient in any way.

If you don’t know what you’re doing, pray to the Father. He loves to help. 

You’ll get his help, and won’t be condescended to when you ask for it. 

Ask boldly, believing, without a second thought.

James 1:2-5 The Message 

"That's Thinkin' Thursday!"

I've found a new love...Pinterest!  It's a virtual memo board where you can post ideas, photos, DIY, and more.  I'm seriously a little addicted because I love finding new and creative ways to do things.  On the site you can both browse and post items, so my brain has been working overtime.  What can I contribute?!

It's led me to a new inspiration to add to this blog.  I'm pleased to introduce to you (insert drum roll here).... "That's Thinkin' Thursday!"  The place where I'll contribute a mixture of my own ideas and things I find on Pinterest, because I know some of my loyal readers won't ever brave that lovely virtual site. 

Today, I'm sharing something that I'm often asked about.  To me, it seems so normal, as it's the way I've always done it, but I know that there are others who struggle with this daily chore.  We're talking menu planning, or answering that dreaded question, "What's for dinner?!"

I'm a busy lady but sitting down with my family, or at least knowing they have a meal to sit down to, is important to me.  Memories are made in the kitchen and at the dinner table.  Gathering together for meals strengthens a family.  So, to keep a calm on the chaos of an evening, I plan.  And here's how I do it.

I plan out our menus two weeks at a time because it follows our pay dates and when I shop.  I do mine on a spreadsheet but you could use a notebook or really any form that works for you.  I like the spreadsheet because I can type faster than write and save it for future/past reference. 

Here's how I decide what to have.  First I write out the dates for the next two weeks and insert any PM appointments, work, after school activities, etc. that will mean a later than normal night.  (These are the nights that can throw you off and cause you to order in or get take out if you're not prepared.)  I plan batch meals or quick fixes for nights like these.  I also then check my pantry for whatever I already have that I can make a meal with.  This saves money!  Once I know what I can work with, I choose recipes from my family's favorites and fill in the blanks. 

I usually ask everyone to give me one request, which helps me feel like I'm not making all the decisions and gives them something to look forward to.  On my favorites tab I have a folder of recipes, broken down by categories, that we enjoy, as well as a multitude of cookbooks to turn to for ideas.  Some weeks it is plain, tried and true favorites and sometimes I throw in a new recipe or two.  The menu is really reflective of whatever is going on in our lives for that time period. 

Once I have the menu set, I then type out ingredients I'm missing on the right hand side which will begin my grocery list.  This also helps when shopping so that you're not just randomly adding things to your cart.  Sometimes my menu is influenced by whatever is on sale at the time (or sometimes it changes a bit if I get to the store and a certain meat is on sale).  The idea is to have a plan but be flexible!

When I can, I batch cook or at least cook meals that can be double duty.  For example, I will cook a pot roast and make more than normal knowing that the leftover meat and veggies will be turned into a soup later in the week.  Also, if we tend to have more leftovers than expected, I'll swap one night out as a "Whatever night" meaning I save the planned meal and we eat whatever is left in the frig.

Maybe this seems complicated?  I don't know.  I just know it works for me.  It keeps me from having to deal with the stress of knowing what to cook at the end of a long day when I'm tired and everyone is hungry.  It keeps us from ordering in or going through the drive-through and feeding my family unhealthy meals.  And, most of all, it ensures that we'll be gathered at the table sharing a meal together every evening I can squeeze it in.  For it's those moments when we're side by side, saying grace, enjoying dinner, discussing our days, and laughing as a family that are among the best of my entire day! 

....So, what's for dinner at your house tonight?