Number 16

 

I am thankful I can cook.  Today was our Thanksgiving dinner at work.  I usually bring 2 things because I can never decide on just one.  Plus, if one turns out to be awful, I can say that I bought the bad one at Kroger and the good one was homemade.  Fortunately that hasn't happened yet.  At work.  It has happened at home.

I think my cooking skills were mostly learned from watching (and questioning) my Mom, my Grandmother, and especially my Aunt Deloris who is probably the best cook I know.  Deloris could go head to head with Paula Deen any day of the week and come out on top.  If you know Deloris then you know I'm right.

I don't have a whole lot of time to cook, but I really love to do it.  There's something about following a recipe from start to finish- going from a bunch of ingredients to an amazing end result- that is very satisfying.  It's like a science experiment.

Every New Year's Day and sometimes Thanksgiving too, I cook a big meal for both mine and Erin's family to come enjoy with us.  I never want anyone to bring anything because I like the feeling of doing it all, beginning to end, so all our guests have to do is relax and eat.  And probably gain a few pounds.

It's a huge compliment to me when we are packaging up leftovers for the next day and my serving dishes are empty.  No one wants to have the dish that's had only a couple spoonfuls taken.  That means word got around and people didn't like what you made.  I love it when people go back for seconds or ask me for a recipe.  It's also flattering that Kenzie would rather me make her birthday cakes than buy one.  She thinks I'm a good decorator.  Plus she gets to help. 

It does take time to learn to be a good cook and I still call Mom or Deloris for help in emergency situations.  But I think I've come a long way from cooking a frozen pizza in the oven. . .on the cardboard it came on. . .which set the smoke detectors off and made everyone think the kitchen was on fire.

Okay, okay, so I know these don't show savory meals with lip-smacking sides.  But I did make these cakes, and the are pretty darn cute, right?