In the Kitchen

What is that odd humming noise?

Why, it is Herself, puttering around the kitchen. Lately, she has been spending more time cooking, and it makes her quite cheerful, particularly in view of the several lean years when opportunities for trying new recipes were sparse.

When the Offspring were younger, they were extremely hesitant to try any new foods. The phrase, "Plain Eaters," is most descriptive. No sauce, no oddly shaped nuggets, no unusual textures, no different foods touching one another, thank you very much. Offspring the third was particularly temperamental, diet-wise: as a toddler, he would either nurse or attempt to ingest sandbox sand, but did not deign to put anything else into his mouth.

In addition, her opportunities to prepare regular or interesting meals for her Beloved have been less frequent than she would like. This is directly related to the very long hours which he works - it is nearly impossible (not to mention, quite irritating) for him to attempt to provide an answer to the question, "when will you be home?" Thus, planning a meal in advance is difficult. To avoid frustration and wasted meals, Herself has arranged a compromise with her Beloved: she no longer asks him to indicate when he will be home, and in exchange, she does not prepare a meal in advance unless asked.

You can see that there has not been much interesting cooking to be done. However, as time has passed, there has been a slow evolution in the kitchen.

As the Offspring have aged, they have slowly broadened their narrow food habits, and now will at least taste a new item from time to time. Surprisingly, it is Offspring the third who now is most willing to try new foods. He even enjoys cooking with Herself on occasion. Also, Herself is learning more about simple and quick meals that she can prepare for her Beloved, so she has the satisfaction of providing him dinner even if it is not particularly elaborate.

Plus, the taekwondo gym has afforded her many opportunities: she bakes muffins for the masses, and she has occasions to make a loaf of bread, cookies, or other items for her friends. In addition, she periodically provides a meal for a particular friend who works quite hard and (she hopes) benefits from not having to prepare food after a very long day.

Sometimes she worries that it seems a bit odd, how often she cooks for her friends. She hopes that they realize that it is, in fact, they who do her a favor by accepting what she offers. It makes her quite happy to spend time in her kitchen and to provide food for them. And what the world needs is a little bit more happiness. Plus, a muffin.