Day #2 - June 8, 2010
“Isn’t it easy to assure your family of all the essentials of a sound diet
and at the same time serve them mouthwatering meals?”
page 159 of Good Housekeeping’s Guide to Successful Homemaking
“I could run a marathon…if I wanted to.” I said that after seeing that Oprah ran her marathon.
“I could save more of my paycheck… if I wanted to.” We all say that.
“I could be a 1950′s Wife…if I wanted to.” I have always thought that.
Deep down, I really believed that I could do this, if I wanted to. I just never wanted to. I never wanted to cook a the perfect meal or set the perfect table, but I assumed I could. I was like that kid in my class who wouldn’t do the assignment because he thinks it’s too easy… but as the teacher, I KNOW he can’t do it. I was THAT KID…until now.
Now I know… it’s not easy!
I have a newfound respect for any person who is able to make a meal gorgeous and delicious. I follow blogs of women who seem to prepare meals with ease. Carey, in Florida, is one. Dining at her house is always a pleasure, and she makes it look so easy. Erica, here in Georgia, is another. When I get to eat with her, every detail is well-planned so dinner guests feel special and at relaxed.
After two days, and four less-than-average meals, I now know that their meal preparation is like gymnastics. When I watch gymnastics on television, those little girls bounce around the mat and make a round-off, backhandspring, double-back look like strolling down the street. But everyone knows that they make it look easy after spending hours upon hours in the gym. They train, practice, and listen to coaches. They visualize their routines and take their events seriously. Even though dinner time is not a tumbling routine, it still takes just as much hard work and practice.
Today, I didn’t really prepare enough, and it showed. If I would have actually lived in the 1950′s, we would have starved.
Mistake tally so far today: 6
1. I did not know that steel cut oats take THIRTY minutes to cook. So, I had to use instant.
2. I did not realize our potatoes had started growing little baby potatoes, so I had to throw those out.
3. I should have marinated the chicken last night, not two hours before dinner.
4. Collard greens need to cook in something other than water and Italian seasoning, but at least they were healthy.
5. When a recipe calls for a specific size pan, I should follow it. My strawberry salad was tasty, but not beautiful.
Our relaxing dinner outside tonight. It wasn’t perfect, but we enjoyed ourselves!
This plate doesn’t look like Southern Living, but Clay thought it was nice!
After five minutes, we moved the meal inside because it was freakin’ hot outside. But isn’t it a lovely picture? I guess that moves my mistake tally to seven. But who’s counting?
Tomorrow should be interesting. I am learning to make blueberry pie with homemade crust! I’m so excited to have HELP. I need it! If any of you make special homemade treats, let me know and I will buy all the ingredients and come over to your house for a lesson. I will even wear my heels and pearls and apron 
This picture is for Mom in High Heels!