I started this food blog in 2012, I think. I made no posts and forgot the password. Why am I back at it?
Reason 1. time, reason 2. passion. in no particular order
In 2012 I was pregnant with my 3rd child, had a 2 year old and a 4 year old. Right after baby #3 was born I got a call that the house we were renting went on the market. We spent the next year looking at homes, showing that house, and to add some more excitement, homeschooling our then 5 year old kindergartner. In 2014, we landed the best house our family could ask or hope for, it just needed a complete renovation. So, we moved in with friends, yes with our three kids, worked and waited as our new house became a home. I cooked everyday during that time, some nights simple nachos, some nights beer cheese soup with garlic crostini, a lot of nights pasta or chili. If I wanted to impress maybe caramelized apple stuffed chicken breast with fontina and bing cherries.
I should enter in the fact, my awesome husband Todd, is a Chef too. My delusions of grandeur over our fabulous family dinners grew quickly dim. People, when you have three kids five and under, I don't care how good you can cook, it is chaos. And if your table isn't please tell me your secret! First problem, two of my kids can barely keep their buns seated in a chair. I could bore you with stories that you would not believe about my picky eater, or brag to you about the my kid with a perfect palette. I am going to skip all that and say don't put so much pressure on yourself, do the best you can, and trust me it does get easier.
One thing I have always tried to do, not dependent on my free time, is add some new recipes to our dinner rotation. You can always grab a food magazine or a cookbook for inspiration.
This week I picked up two awesome books, Dinner, A Love Story by Jenny Rosenstrach (thank you Sarah for the recommendation) and The CSA Cookbook by Linda Ly. New recipe ideas make for easier meal planning and add some excitement to the dinner table. Next time you find yourself at the library (for mom's you can make it out of the children's section, bribe with gum or whatever) take a two minute peak in the Cookbook Section and grab something that interests you. This is one way I manage to include new recipes in our dinner rotation.
Last year I went back to work part time. It was a nice creative outlet. I was then homeschooling both my boys and the creative culinary mental stimulation was therapeutic. I am in yet another new season, both boys are in public school, I am still working part time, and I have little Eden at home with me. Things look different now, and I have a few extra minutes to share some of the things I love to stir up in our kitchen.
