I’ve Made It…Time to Enjoy the Ride

January 28th, 2010

I was recounting this story with a friend over a cup of coffee this morning and decided it was worth sharing here as well. Every once in awhile we should pause to appreciate what we really have created in our lives.

photo by mconnors

I remember visiting a friend’s house about seven years ago when my oldest was still just a baby. My husband and I were over there for dinner and to play some cards. When I walked through the door, I was immediately engulfed in warmth, savory smells and what sounded like a significantly sized pack of children tearing the house apart. After removing our coats in the mudroom, we headed for the kitchen where Kerry was simultaneously ladling what looked to be tuna casserole into a container while chatting on the phone. She smiled and gave us a quick wave to encourage us in further.

Meanwhile, their three elementary-aged daughters and friends pounded into the kitchen and asked for juice. While still on the phone she grabbed the pitcher from the fridge and doled out six cups, poured the juice, and popped a sippy lid on each one. She got off the phone and asked her oldest daughter to take the casserole, some bread and a salad over to the neighbor’s house.

“She’s sick,” she told us by explanation.

Then she proceded to ask us what we wanted to drink and offer us some snacks until our prime rib was ready. Prime rib??? Really? As my mind wrapped around the thought of prime rib on a weeknight, I heard a couple more people enter the mudroom behind us.

I had only been to their home once before, and I glanced around now. It was clean, but had the lived-in clutter of a busy family. I turned back to the kitchen scene. Kerry seemed completely at ease as she chatted, joked and prepped our dinner. That night we ate well, played some poker and thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. Most importantly, everyone was at ease and felt completely welcome. Not everything went perfectly, but I don’t even remember what those little imperfect moments were. I just remember the atmosphere of a busy family that didn’t feel strained or stressful. It was fun.

Since that night, I’ve always held Kerry up as a bit of an icon of what I wanted to become. This was the family life I wanted. My baby was sweet and soft and quiet, but I craved the bustle and organized chaos that I experienced in this home. I craved the ability to handle that organized chaos with the same grace and obvious love as Kerry did. She was superwoman in my eyes.

Let’s flash forward seven years…

I am in my kitchen having just had our neighbor, Janet, over for dinner. She has dinner at our home every week after she graciously spends time working with our 5-year-old son on his speech issues. I had made a cider pork roast and Janet and I were sitting back and chatting at the kitchen table which is a near miracle because the noise in the house was deafening. My childrens’ friends from down the street had popped in for a short visit as well and were currently playing tag around the circular floorplan of our home. Every 30 secondsor so, five children ranging from age ten to two pounded through the kitchen followed by an exhuberantly happy jack russell.

I felt my blood-pressure rising. I started to feel anxious and ready to pop when my mind suddenly flashed to that scene seven years prior. And I realized that this was it. I had arrived. This was the life I envisioned for my family. At one point in my life I craved this.

I now realize that I have no idea what Kerry was feeling the night we had prime rib. She seemed calm to me. But she could have been having an absolute coronary inside. She could have been wondering what in the hell she could have possibly been thinking having kids over, caring for a sick neighbor, plus making prime rib for 6 dinner guests. I know I do. I realize that my Monday night pork roast with Janet was not at that level, but I also know that we have had nights that weren’t far from it.

I glanced around my kitchen. It was clean but had the lived-in clutter of a busy family of five. Some days are better than others with regards to how clean it is. This was a good day.

I found myself taking a deep breath. Just enjoy it. I turned and looked at Janet.

“Would you like a glass of wine?”

Filed under Food, Life in General, Up Close and Personal | Comments (7)

Are You Up For a Challenge? Part II

February 10th, 2009

Last week, I mentioned that I had begun taking part in a couple of challenges. The Buy Sustainably Challenge has come relatively easy for me. I’m not sure why. I’ve always been one to be up for a bit of ‘retail therapy’ when needed. To be able to cut back on shopping as dramatically as I have is fairly shocking. Perhaps it is the floundering economy that is helping me think twice before opening my purse. Maybe it is the two thrift stores that are within a two-block radius of my home. Either way, this challenge has come relatively easy for me so far.

This cannot be said for the second challenge that I have signed up for. Crunchy Chicken has issued a Food Waste Reduction Challenge, and it is kicking my butt.

First of all, why is a food waste reduction challenge necessary? Because 50% of the garbage that goes into the landfill is edible food. Even if your food is composted, it is still a waste of money and energy. Not to mention the large environmental impact if your leftovers do happen to get sent to a landfill. Food waste is the largest landfill contributor to methane gas production. So unless your municipality has a landfill-to-gas bananas are contributing to global climate change.

Back to the challenge: My initial assignment was to clean out the fridge of all science projects at the beginning of the week. Then, I was to keep any of our food waste that should have actually been eaten, but wasn’t. Banana peels and egg shells can be left out of this count. Crusts from my kids’ PB&Js would count. On Sunday, I was to take a picture of the consumable food that was wasted in a week and post it.

I will tell you now that I have failed to do this seemingly simple homework assignment. The realities of this challenge are hitting me. What do you do with the slobbery crusts of a half-eaten sandwich? What about the hundreds of Cheerios that my toddler tosses on the floor each day? I’m barely capable of getting them swept up in a timely manner, let alone figure out how to consume them again.

I realize how important this challenge is and I am working hard to make sure my leftover dinners are being remembered and eaten. One great suggestion by a friend of mine was to give smaller portion sizes to children to make sure that they are actually able to eat everything that is put on their plates. I am also much more conscious of only buying the foods that I know will be used that week. A set meal plan goes a long way towards preventing rotting veggies in the fridge. Any veggies that are starting to look a bit wilted get chopped up and thrown in the freezer for a future stew or soup. Their day will come.

So I guess in some ways I feel that I have already failed the challenge. At this time in my life with such small children, I will always struggle with food waste. What parent doesn’t? But on the other hand, in one short week I have become much more aware of how much was being wasted and I am now taking conscious steps to improve. I think that is about as good a start as any. Maybe I haven’t failed after all. And maybe next week you will all be lucky enough to see a photograph of my food waste. Won’t that be fun?

How about you? Are you up for a challenge?
I dare you!!

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Peanut Recalls- Government sites for U.S. and Canada

February 2nd, 2009

Don’t take anyone else’s word for it. Go straight to the lists of products recalled due to potential salmenella contamination for both the U.S. and Canada.

Make sure to check your cupboards and pantries!!!!

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Mmmmm…Apple Butter

October 14th, 2008

The house is still filled with the lingering scent of simmering apple butter, thanks to our generous neighbors with an even more generous apple tree. What better way to spend a quiet Thanksgiving day?

Jack shows his prize.

My champion apple picker.

Give me spots on my apples
But leave me the birds and the bees
Please!
-Joni Mitchell

Here’s the recipe that I used for crock-pot apple butter:

4 lbs. cooking apples
2 cups cider
1.5 cups honey
2 tsp. cinammon
1 tsp. ground cloves
pinch of allspice

1. Core and quarter the apples. Leave them unpeeled.
2. Combine the apples and cider in a large crock-pot.
3. Cook on Low for 8-10 hours (depends on your crock-pot).
4. Stir in honey and spices. Continue cooking for another hour.
5. Use a hand blender to puree and mix in the skins (or cool and transfer to a regular blender).
6. Pour into hot, sterilized jars or freeze in small containers.