Sunday, October 18, 2015

Thirty-One Things - Cook


Cook

There was a time when I tried as much as possible to cook from scratch.  I had this desire to go back in time when there was more home cooking and less processed food.  I was inspired by the hearty meals of the Amish.  I even learned how to make things that I would not eat:  apple butter, fresh peach pie, apple pie, freezer jam.  Then that began to wane, although it was not necessarily a conscious decision.

It was one Thanksgiving when I was doing cooking preparations when it hit me as if a bucket of ice water splashed over me.  So much of the activity of cooking was accompanied with stretched phone cords and cradled conversations with my mother, while she was in her kitchen doing the same.  My mother’s Alzheimer’s robbed us of that.  Even when she was still able to cook, it was becoming more and more difficult to have conversations with her over the phone.

Now I rarely cook.  I miss it at times. But he is retired and I am working full time.  He has taken that role over...FOR NOW.  He also does the grocery shopping.  What is really interesting is that there are things he cooks really well:  pancakes, deep fried food, grilling, throwing things together, shrimp, chili, sandwiches, poultry (he makes the best turkey in a bag!).  Things I enjoy making:  lasagna, pot roast, stuffed pork chops, homemade bread, French oven stew, pasta primavera, chicken casserole.  

6 comments:

  1. I love the cooking connection with your mom. I am sorry that has been lost. I pray that when you do start cooking again that it bring back sweet memories and allows you to feel connected to your mom again as you add a pinch of this and a dash of that. (((HUGS)))

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    1. I still cook around the holidays...and there is a season for everything!

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  2. Ah cooking... it's tough to go the old school route with all of our 'modern conveniences' - however so much of what we tend to eat is product and not food! I am trying to be better at that again... the extra time it takes is so worth it! My Honey pitches in with the cooking from time to time as well and I am oh so thankful that he is willing and able! Sounds like yours is a catch as well! ;)

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    1. Oh, he is! Yes, I totally agree, thinking about what are we eating...product or food.

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  3. Glad I got you for one of my 5-4-5 posts today with the 31 Days Survivors group. Enjoyed your post. Sounds like some great food. And, I agree with Tammy - I hope that cooking will always bring some sweet memories of your mom in the years past.

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  4. I love to cook...sometimes ;). I have a hard time just cooking for just two of us, and with both of us working full time, that makes it even less enjoyable. I'm sorry that Alzheimer's has robbed you of your special times with your mom.

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