Monday 9 May 2016

The Mixing Bowl of Life

I didn't mention Kate much in my last post. Kate likes to cook, knows how to cook, understands that feeding people means far more than putting food on a plate. Watching Kate in the kitchen, so comfortable in her task, I drifted into reflection.


maybe having wine at hand is the secret

Food, in my childhood, did not become associated with love and pleasure, rather the opposite. When I cook there is a vague unease to which my neural pathways stubbornly cling.

Here I could bore you right off your perch about brain plasticity and childhood stress but let's not do that instead I'll amaze you with my coping skills.

-Kate and Will, my daughter L and her husband M, my sister and sister in law, brother in law and husband are all happy cooks. Let them have at it, I'll find something else to do (and I don't mean the dishes).
-I love baking (if the house is quiet and I've plenty of time), something about the stirring and kneading and rolling is soothing, so this can be my contribution in the culinary dept.
-my mother in law was a master of the domestic arts and a lovely human being. When I wear one of her aprons in the kitchen I always feel better. I just hope my blankie/apron will last as long as I need it, which is forever.
-I'm good at others things so if I need some self validation I'll go there.

Well, now that is off my chest, back to digging holes for the honeysuckle and silver lace vines, watching Mercury transit its way across the Sun, rigging up shade covers for my cool weather plants, and appreciating the beauty in my own backyard.



“Look not mournfully into the past, it comes not back again. Wisely improve the present, it is thine". 
Henry Wadsworth Longfellow


12 comments:

  1. Both my sisters and I love cooking. I am the only baker. I, like you, find most of my (cooking) solace in baking. Is that a clematis in the last photo? It is lovely!

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    1. Clematis, unknown name. It flowers from the top so not sure how to prune it. Ideas?

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  2. My youngest son is a wonderful cook and he too is a pleasure to watch as he lovingly nutures the food, chopping it finely, marinating with herbs and spices and then arranging it artistically on the plates when cooked. I love to try out new foods and enjoy making individual things such as icecream, conserves etc, but I don't have the passion that he has, and I see that same look in your daughter as she works happily in the kitchen too.

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    1. They seem to become completely absorbed into the task.

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  3. I only enjoy cooking when it's something I feel like doing. When my kids were at home, it felt like a job and I hated it. But now when I do feel like cooking and am hungry, it's a joy. But I'll always prefer baking.

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    1. The job thing sucks the joy out of it. I'd let my husband do all the cooking as he enjoys it but the ensuing mess is hard to take.

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  4. I wouldn't describe myself as a happy cook, more a reluctant cook - still it is always wonderful to be surrounded by those who love cooking, lucky you! I'm a happy eater!
    Have a lovely week
    Wren x

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    1. The happy eaters club has a nice ring to it don't you think? I'm joining.

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  5. I listened to a program on CBC about childhood and resiliency. It sounds like you've got it.
    Silver Lace Vine - I have been looking for two already started but haven't had luck in the local nurseries. I have one more to check - here's hoping!

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    1. I wish I had known years ago what I know now re resiliency. Where is your SLV being placed?

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  6. I love making bread, but my favourite recipe is for no-knead sourdough bread that I cook in my cast iron dutch oven. When I made bread that was kneaded, it came out uniform. This recipe gets me a nice sour flavour with bread with nice air holes. - Margy

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    1. My son loves sourdough bread. Thx for reminding me. I'll put it on the menu for his next visit.

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