On Learning to Cook

I am in the process of learning to cook. It is something that I  have always wanted to be able to do and do really well. I've been on this learning to cook journey for going on three years now, which is when I moved in with G. Sometimes things don't turn out so well and sometimes they do. I have a hard time accepting when things don't turn out quite as planned and I relish in the times when things turn out wonderfully.

One of the hardest parts of learning to cook, for me, was the whole, "be creative with the recipe" stance that some many people take on cooking. I need specific and measurable directions. When I see or hear directions like, "a pinch of salt" or "a dash of nutmeg" I am sent into a tailspin. What does a pinch mean? What if my idea of a "dash" is completely and totally different than the cookbook author's?? This is why cooking something usually takes me like 4 hours. I read the recipe then re-read it and read it again. It can be torturous for all parties involved. Like when my husband is so famished he's considering eating the coffee table because my pot roast has taken me 24 hours to complete. He's fainting and I'm panicking because what does low-medium heat really mean and how do I know if the onions are really translucent?

Cooking is slowly getting easier but it is certainly a process. I have gathered many recipes from friends and have about a dozen cookbooks. I still call my mom when I'm in the grocery store because I'm terrified that if I buy the wrong tomatoes the chili will be totally disgusting. But, I'm learning all the same.

I have two go to cookbooks that have not failed me yet on a recipe. I love it when recipes from cookbooks turn out well because not only do we get to eat good food but it gives me the confidence to try more things in the kitchen.

The first cookbook, The Comfort Table by Katie Lee, is really straightforward and provides tons of fun recipes. I have made quite a few things from this cookbook and every one of them has been a hit. She has not only great appetizers and side dishes but really great main dishes, too.

The second cookbook, The Commonsense Kitchen, seems really intimidating when you first get it because there are no pictures, which is something I find terrifying and comforting at the same time. I made the roast chicken on Sunday, which is a meal I deem to be fit only for serious cooks, and it turned out beautifully. Perfect crispy skin and loads of flavor. I made the simple roasted potatoes to go with our chicken last night and again, so tasty.

Now, if only had a kitchen bigger than a shoebox to cook in... 

The One Where I Gush About my Dog

 Aren't dogs swell? Our puppy was an impulse purchase. I know, I know you're supposed to have discussed these types of things at length before you make the leap. But it was a Tuesday, in July, and I had organized and cleaned and done all sorts of activities and was just perusing the classifieds because that's the kind of thing you do when all of your household chores are complete. I saw the ad and immediately it emailed to my husband with a subject line of, "PUPPPPPPYYYYYYY". He didn't respond so I peppered him with like 3 more emails asking if he had looked at my link. Then I called him and texted him the same question. He didn't answer.

So I called the number listed and made an appointment to go see the puppy the following day. It would be important to note here that we had talked about getting a dog multiple times and we knew we wanted a miniature schnauzer we just never pulled the trigger. When my husband finally did call me back and I told him I was going to see the puppy the next day  he said, "Well, I know if you go see the puppy, you're not coming home without it." I'm not sure why this particular decision was so easy because one time I spent $5 on shipping and he lectured me on money management for like an hour.

The day we brought her home

I didn't come home with the puppy that day but we did pick her up the following Saturday and life has not been the same since. She is truly the light of our lives and brings us so much joy. She has a great personality and sometimes reminds me of a goat when she runs. She goes by a thousand different names and has a big (like in size) head. She wants nothing more than to bury her bones and tries to, often, in the couch cushions. She's crazy and sweet and a whole lotta work but I don't regret our decision for one second.

Her favorite toy, Mr. Turkey

Not too happy about being in her Christmas dress

Tired pup after a long day of playing

Morel of the post? If you don't have a dog, get one. Tomorrow.

Hi Hey Hello

Hello Blog World,

Let me introduce myself, my name is Pris and while this a new blog, I'm not a new blogger. I used to write a blog called, "Lovely Chaos" but stopped blogging one day and I'm not totally sure why. I was entering a time in my life that,  while for most people is great blog fodder, for me I felt it was a time to be private. Since then, I've never stopped reading some of the blogs that I read daily and really felt that I missed the creative outlet my blog provided. So, I'm back! I hope you will enjoy.

Since I stopped blogging way back in April 2010-- here are some things you should know about me:

1. When I started my blog in '08 I was dating my boyfriend, G, who is now my husband. We got married this past summer and the adventure continues!

2. I am a teacher. I probably won't talk much about my job on this blog.Its a challenging job but I don't feel it has a place on the internet.

3. That being said, my blog name does have a little to do with my job-- plans. There are a lot of them in my life-- lesson plans, weekend plans, and until just recently-- wedding plans!

4. I live in one of the smaller cities on the east coast. Its a little dirty but I love it here and really can't see myself moving anytime soon.

5. I ran a marathon once and I now I can barely run to the mailbox. Trying to remedy that currently. 

I hope you will stick around and follow me on this adventure! Oh, and one last thing, I have a (not so) miniature schnauzer and she pretty much rules.