I'm finally setting up a blog! Nothing fancy, this is primarily
experimental. Like a lot of things I do in life, I wanted a clear focus
if I was ever going to be a blogger. So I recently had the idea to
document all the dinners I make for my family for a year. I may include
some breakfast, lunch, and snack items along the way. I've always
liked this idea, but was too insecure to do it. Many people (who are
better cooks than I) have done this or something like it and I always
thought if I were to blog or write something about what I make, it had
to be ORIGINAL. However, as I've accumulated recipe book after recipe
book over the years, I discovered that the notion of originality is
ridiculous.
I'm saddened to say that I'm no longer as excited by a new recipe
book--I'm too often disappointed when I peruse the table of contents to
find, "Hey, I
already make all this stuff!" (Then lament over the
"wasted" $25-$35.) My point is, there aren't too many original recipes
out there anymore; just other people's version of the same thing. And
those people are published, with their own TV shows! So, this is my
version of the same idea countless others have done: documenting what I
cook and hoping to learn from it.
I'm a planner and
always have been. I plan a menu out for the week (or 2) which includes
lunch and dinner. Despite my high interest and growing knowledge of the
culinary arts and the wide variety of recipes I know and have prepared,
I still sit and wonder what to make quite often. I'm actually amazed
at how often my mind draws a blank in this area. It's only much later
that I remember that delicious meal I made 6 months ago that I forgot
about and haven't made since. When you're running around with 2 kids, a
full-time job, church, and a thriving social life, things tend to slip
your mind.
I also wanted to address why I'm starting this NOW. There's a saying, "In
trying times, try something new." My husband and I have been in a sort
of waiting period for a while for things to happen in order for us to
start meeting some of our goals. Emotionally, it's been hard on both of
us, and now that he's graduated, it's a step in the right direction,
but the waiting has also intensified. I guess this blog is a way for me
to keep my mind occupied on something else--a distraction, if you
will. I'm already pretty busy, but it's mostly with "heavy" stuff:
kids, work, Bible study, housework, bills. Hopefully this will be
something light and fun to do which may lead elsewhere.
My
daughter is a big reason for this, also. She's only 2, but she's
already forced me to think differently about my own life. I always had
an interest in cooking and baking, but for whatever reason(s) (fears,
mostly) I never dove deep as a child/teen. I don't necessarily regret
that, but I do wonder if my life or occupation would be different now if
I had. I look at Abigail, and I want her to try EVERYTHING she wants
to, unafraid. At least,
I don't want to be what she's afraid of,
or who she's afraid of upsetting. I read a blog by another mother
(probably went around facebook) who learned that she was keeping her own
daughter from developing her passions because she expected too much
from her little girl. Her daughter was so afraid of spilling, making a
mess, or upsetting her mother that she didn't dare do the things she
wanted to do. When the mother made a change, she
watched
her girl bloom and thrive and start doing things the mother never knew
she was interested in. I don't want my Abigail to be afraid of doing
anything because she might make a mistake or upset me in some way. I
would love for her to discover her passions early on and pursue them at a
young age. I realize that may not happen; some people just don't find
their true passions until later in life and that's okay. This is just
my own hope for my children. And I want them to have a mother who isn't
afraid to try something new, or of rejection.
As
I said before, I'm already pretty busy, and I could easily say that
I'll wait until summer vacation, or until I actually get to be a
stay-at-home mom before doing something like this. But then I think,
there will probably always be a "good" reason NOT to do it. So, why not
now? If this will make me a better cook, then I'd rather do it sooner
than later. And if it teaches me to be less afraid, and gives me
something to pass on to my children, then I would definitely rather do
it sooner than later. So tonight starts "Day 1." After this, no
looking back, I've made my commitment. 365 days of food documentation.
I already have a few things I want to teach myself and hope to blog
about those things. I created some photo albums also, one for things
I've eaten and want to learn to make--one picture in there so far.
(There are other things, too, I just never took pictures.) This is
exciting and scary and I can't wait to get started!
My hope with this blog is to remind me of what I've made and would like to make again, challenge myself to try a recipe in a
different
way, push my creativity (and expand my palette) in the kitchen, and
inspire others to try a new recipe or have fun in the kitchen. If only
one of these things is accomplished at the end of 365 days, I will have
succeeded! I'm unsure if I will always post a COMPLETE recipe or
not--some days are busier than others and may only include the title
and/or picture of what I've made. I hope to get all the recipes posted
at some point during the year, though.
Please check out
my complete website and the photos I've posted (and hope to post) of
food I've tasted or created, and places I've been around the world.
Also feel free to share any recipes or posts you like and want to keep.
If you try a recipe that's inspired by my blog, PLEASE TELL ME! I'd
love to hear about others' successes in the kitchen!
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