Since being married, and finally having my own cooking tools, I've come to realize that I really enjoy cooking.
While baking and cooking have their own unique pressure and stress, there's also something so cathartic about cooking for me.
I think it has something to do with the process of creation. I've never ever felt like I was a creative person, but since I've started cooking more, and since I've realized that I really enjoy the cooking prospect, I have really begun to feel creative--at least in the kitchen, with a recipe nearby.
Notice that I said that the recipe was only nearby, though. I've started doing innovations. Changing things here and there to fit my own tastes. Ignoring measurements (aren't they only recommendations, anyway? isn't that just one person's idea of what something should taste like??). Trying new things.
We don't always have the time (or money) to pick new meals to make, but I really see those nights that we do as treats. I love trying something different, or trying a twist on an already-loved classic.
I have to say - the other day, Tyler requested that I make some cookies for him. Even though I was battling a cold, I decided to go ahead and do it. (Don't worry, I was very sanitary.) I can not even begin to describe the feeling of accomplishment I had once I had a few cookies cooling on the racks. I looked at my cookies and thought, "I created that. I put different things together, and actually created those cookies."
Maybe my sense of accomplishment was due to so many past failures, but truly, I felt like I could do anything. I conquered the challenge of making cookies--something I had practically given up on. Truly, I felt that if I could make cookies, I could conquer the world. (Silly, no? But true.)
So I really have appreciated the cookbooks given to me for my wedding. I think I've used them all to try new things. And it's always so exciting when I do use the cookbooks. I am really grateful for the joy I have found in learning to cook--and I'm excited to learn even more!!
11/03/2010
11/02/2010
Good Food, Good Family, Good Fun
My Uncle Eric is in town this week. I haven't seen him since I was probably seven or eight years old. When I heard he was coming in to town, I wasn't sure what to do. I wanted to be able to see him, but I wasn't sure how comfortable we'd all be if I invited him over for dinner--after all, it's been quite some time since we'd seen each other. I didn't even know if we'd get along.
So, I did the next logical thing. I sent a message via Facebook to my mom's step-mom (Grandma Cindy), and asked if we could do some sort of family dinner--thus inviting myself and Tyler over to her house so we could visit her son.
And it was so fun.
Grandma Cindy made pot roast (in the oven--the best way!), potatoes, carrots, onions, etc. It was almost like Thanksgiving came early. (Except it was better, because of the pot roast.) We all ate and chatted happily over a delicious meal.
Then we had dessert: banana cream pie (!!!) and pumpkin pie. Both delicious.
But the best part came later, when Tyler, Uncle Eric, and I headed down into Bob and Cindy's basement to play pool. Eric declined playing, but gave us (mostly me) some good tips. And guess who won? Me! 2 out of 2 games!
Granted, I only won the first game only because Tyler put the eight ball in the corner pocket halfway through the game. (Sad accident for him! Happy accident for me!)
But the second game, I won on pure skill. And luck. Lots and lots of luck. BUT it was my first time to beat Tyler at pool (through skillfully finishing first). And possibly was my first time to get three shots in a row. (Not amazing, I know, but it felt good!)
Anyway, I really am thankful to Bob and Cindy for opening their home to us so that we could visit with Uncle Eric--and have a delicious dinner. (Grandma Cindy even sent us home with some extra rolls, pie, and candy.) We really had so so much fun, and it was so nice to see my Uncle Eric again after so many years. We were fast friends, laughing and joking right away.
So, today, though I am grateful for several things, I'm most grateful for the time Tyler and I got to spend with my Uncle Eric.
So, I did the next logical thing. I sent a message via Facebook to my mom's step-mom (Grandma Cindy), and asked if we could do some sort of family dinner--thus inviting myself and Tyler over to her house so we could visit her son.
And it was so fun.
Grandma Cindy made pot roast (in the oven--the best way!), potatoes, carrots, onions, etc. It was almost like Thanksgiving came early. (Except it was better, because of the pot roast.) We all ate and chatted happily over a delicious meal.
Then we had dessert: banana cream pie (!!!) and pumpkin pie. Both delicious.
But the best part came later, when Tyler, Uncle Eric, and I headed down into Bob and Cindy's basement to play pool. Eric declined playing, but gave us (mostly me) some good tips. And guess who won? Me! 2 out of 2 games!
Granted, I only won the first game only because Tyler put the eight ball in the corner pocket halfway through the game. (Sad accident for him! Happy accident for me!)
But the second game, I won on pure skill. And luck. Lots and lots of luck. BUT it was my first time to beat Tyler at pool (through skillfully finishing first). And possibly was my first time to get three shots in a row. (Not amazing, I know, but it felt good!)
Anyway, I really am thankful to Bob and Cindy for opening their home to us so that we could visit with Uncle Eric--and have a delicious dinner. (Grandma Cindy even sent us home with some extra rolls, pie, and candy.) We really had so so much fun, and it was so nice to see my Uncle Eric again after so many years. We were fast friends, laughing and joking right away.
So, today, though I am grateful for several things, I'm most grateful for the time Tyler and I got to spend with my Uncle Eric.
11/01/2010
A Month of Thanksgiving
With the advent of November this year, I've decided to take a leaf out of my Aunt Mar's book (or page out of her blog??) and record something that I'm grateful for every day.
This is huge for me for a couple of reasons:
1) Blogging everyday. (At least, that's the goal. I know that if I get behind and have to play catch-up, I'll just get lax and not actually complete my goal.)
2) Sharing the things I'm grateful for. I know I feel immense gratitude for the blessings in my life, but it's one thing to feel gratitude, and another to express it.
I really am excited about this--I've been thinking about it for the past couple of days as I've tried to think about what I want to share. And I have so many things I want to start with, but I think I'll begin with the basics.
Today, I am grateful for good music. And I'm grateful that I've been given the gift of being able to enjoy music. (My mom, for example, doesn't really care for music. There are some kinds of music she likes, but we never had music playing in our house while I was growing up--at least, not until Marilyn and I were old enough to provide our own music.)
In fact, sometimes if I wonder whether I listen to music too much. I've recently been trying to cut back a little (like when driving in the car--so hard to give up!) or when I'm cooking. I am learning to appreciate silence as well as music, but that's another post for another day.
A friend of mine once said that if the music he was listening to didn't make him smile, then it wasn't worth listening to. Since then, that's been my standard for the music I listen to.
These are a few of my current favorite songs - go ahead and give 'em a listen. Some may be a little different from the norm, but I love listening to/singing along with all of them. (Seriously, I think my soul soars when I listen to some of these.)
And if you only have time for one song - listen to the last one: I don't think that I could ever get tired of it. (It's been one of my very favorite songs for a couple of years now.)
Sweet Pea - Amos Lee
Behind the Moon - Matt Costa
Believe - The Bravery
Mardy Bum - Arctic Monkeys
Bullet - Steel Train
I Can't Stay - The Killers
After I decided on these songs, I realized that they are all sung by male singers, which really is my music preference I think. (I blame it on loving the Beach Boys so much as a kid. I just love the way male voices sound and blend. And I get tired of female voices pretty easily.)
(Side note: do you use Pandora? Do you want the best music station ever? Create a station using these three artists: Vampire Weekend, She & Him, and Dan Black. Make sure you have strict no profanity settings. Pandora will think you want to listen to artists like Kid Cudi, which it assumes because of your artist choice of Dan Black. Dislike the rap songs as they come on. The more you dislike them, the less they'll appear. Also, Pandora will start playing Alternative Rock. Dislike a few of these so that it doesn't get you on the wrong track. I'm betting that most of the music that will play will be stuff you're unfamiliar with, but give it a chance! It'll be mostly Indie music, but you'll get a pretty wide variety of stuff, from oldies to trip hop to more mainstream music. Be sure to tell Pandora what you do and don't like so you can personalize this awesome station to fit your tastes.)
This is huge for me for a couple of reasons:
1) Blogging everyday. (At least, that's the goal. I know that if I get behind and have to play catch-up, I'll just get lax and not actually complete my goal.)
2) Sharing the things I'm grateful for. I know I feel immense gratitude for the blessings in my life, but it's one thing to feel gratitude, and another to express it.
I really am excited about this--I've been thinking about it for the past couple of days as I've tried to think about what I want to share. And I have so many things I want to start with, but I think I'll begin with the basics.
Today, I am grateful for good music. And I'm grateful that I've been given the gift of being able to enjoy music. (My mom, for example, doesn't really care for music. There are some kinds of music she likes, but we never had music playing in our house while I was growing up--at least, not until Marilyn and I were old enough to provide our own music.)
In fact, sometimes if I wonder whether I listen to music too much. I've recently been trying to cut back a little (like when driving in the car--so hard to give up!) or when I'm cooking. I am learning to appreciate silence as well as music, but that's another post for another day.
A friend of mine once said that if the music he was listening to didn't make him smile, then it wasn't worth listening to. Since then, that's been my standard for the music I listen to.
These are a few of my current favorite songs - go ahead and give 'em a listen. Some may be a little different from the norm, but I love listening to/singing along with all of them. (Seriously, I think my soul soars when I listen to some of these.)
And if you only have time for one song - listen to the last one: I don't think that I could ever get tired of it. (It's been one of my very favorite songs for a couple of years now.)
Sweet Pea - Amos Lee
Behind the Moon - Matt Costa
Believe - The Bravery
Mardy Bum - Arctic Monkeys
Bullet - Steel Train
I Can't Stay - The Killers
After I decided on these songs, I realized that they are all sung by male singers, which really is my music preference I think. (I blame it on loving the Beach Boys so much as a kid. I just love the way male voices sound and blend. And I get tired of female voices pretty easily.)
(Side note: do you use Pandora? Do you want the best music station ever? Create a station using these three artists: Vampire Weekend, She & Him, and Dan Black. Make sure you have strict no profanity settings. Pandora will think you want to listen to artists like Kid Cudi, which it assumes because of your artist choice of Dan Black. Dislike the rap songs as they come on. The more you dislike them, the less they'll appear. Also, Pandora will start playing Alternative Rock. Dislike a few of these so that it doesn't get you on the wrong track. I'm betting that most of the music that will play will be stuff you're unfamiliar with, but give it a chance! It'll be mostly Indie music, but you'll get a pretty wide variety of stuff, from oldies to trip hop to more mainstream music. Be sure to tell Pandora what you do and don't like so you can personalize this awesome station to fit your tastes.)
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