Cooking

Cooking used to be one of my favorite things to do three times a day.  I loved to make interesting nutritious meals, bake bread, and make desserts.  I loved every part of it from the planning, shopping, preparation, cooking, and serving.  But then it slowed down as family and friends don’t come as often, my husband passed over, and I just have myself to cook for.  For the past three years, I have basically warmed up my food after purchasing already made food at the grocery store.  Spirit helped me take care of myself the best way I could given what was going on in my life.

Lately, I have been thinking about cooking more, so yesterday I bought groceries.  Today, I decided to do some real cooking, so I cut up a chuck roast, some potatoes and carrots and put them all in the Crockpot.  The Crockpot instructions said everything would cook in four to six hours, so I will have a delicious lunch or dinner.  I put spices in with everything and it felt wonderful to plan and make a meal.  Spirit drew my attention to a part of myself that has such joy in small everyday things like planning, shopping, and cutting up the meat and vegetables then adding seasoning and water.

Turkey bacon has been what I have fried for years, but when I was buying the roast, this delicious looking hickory smoked bacon was right next to the roast.  So, I decided to buy six pieces of bacon to fry up and eat to see if I like real bacon any more.  I will fix myself breakfast with the bacon, eggs, and toast which will be a treat as I usually eat Oatmeal and Turkey Sausage.  Spirit is urging me to branch out in my eating habits once in a while, to experiment and find joy in the new.

There is an excitement and anticipation in preparing something different, especially now that it is Fall with the days and nights cooler.  My body loves the warm, heavier foods when it is cool outside.  There is a coziness to eating a good meal in a warm home surrounded by the beauty of the leaves falling outside, and the fireplace blazing inside.  My heart fills with gratitude and joy for all the blessings I have, small and large, and I thank Spirit.

Reggie knew right away something good was being made as he ran into the kitchen when I opened the package with the roast.  He wanted some of the raw meat, but he has to wait until it is cooked.  He comes in with me to check on it as he knows this is a special meal we will be having.  Reggie is so grateful for all the good food, dog and human, that he is provided.  Having his happy, healthy countenance is all the gift I need.  Blessings of cooking, good food, Fall, and all that Spirit so generously provides flows through us this and every day.  Nancy and Reggie♥