MJR: Frankly, My Dear . . . - Frankly, My Dear . . .

Stop and Smell the Roses

Dec 6, 2011

So this morning I had cell phone issues. It would be a few hours before Verizon could fix the problem. I was okay with that because I figured I could go a few hours without it.

What I wasn’t counting on was my reaction to its absence. I’m pretty sure a few times I started to hyperventilate. I had zero access to my emails, facebook, twitter, tumblr, texts, and phone. So yeah. I’m pretty sure a few times I almost went crazy.

I didn’t realize until it was no longer tethered to me how addicted I am to my Droid. And when I say addicted, I mean, Addicted With a Capital “A”. I kept reaching for it. Every sound made me think I had a message to check. Every question made me want to verify information online.

It’s a good thing I was alone for most of the morning. For those who were with me, I’m sorry I drove you crazy. That may explain why I was alone the rest of the time…

But after a while (okay, a looong while), something happened. I stopped reaching for my phone. I found myself paying attention to things beyond my immediate reach. Did you know that other cars have vanity plates? Or that dogs actually walk people, not the other way around? These, and more, are things I’d forgotten.

There’s so much more beyond the digital world (Shhh! Don’t tell my laptop that!). Without being chained to my Smart Phone, I took a look around, not just down.

And you know what?

It’s a beautiful world.

Of course, hours later, my Droid returned home safe, sound, and better for the temporary absence. We both were.

And Frankly, My Dear… that’s all she wrote!

What would you have a hard time giving up, even temporarily?

My Recipe Wish-List

Dec 5, 2011

I know it’s a little early to make my New Year’s Resolutions list, but let’s face it, we’re all already thinking about it. We all have the mental checklist to go through before we publicly (or privately) admit to those things we want to make better come midnight New Year’s Eve: Is this important? Would the benefits outweigh the work? Would I want to share this with (public, self, God, anyone)? If the answer to all of these is “yes”, you know you can add it to your list.

So, right now I’m thinking of how to really spruce up my cooking in 2012. And right now, that means what recipes do I want to conquer?

Let’s pretend for a moment that I already have my dream kitchen built. Lots of room. Lots of counter space. Lots of shelves. Lots of appliances. Lots of ingredients. Lots and lots and lots… pretty, isn’t it? And so functional!

Insert Chef (me). In this happy world, I get to not only make some old favorites, but try out my list of new recipes that all turn out heavenly tasteful. These are just a few on that list. (I know some of these are basic, I’ve just not yet got around to making them.):

Julia Child’s Boeuf Bourguignon
Roast Duck
Venison Stew
Veal Lasagna

Fruitcake
Key Lime Pie

I want to learn about wines. Which wines taste better with which foods. Just because a wine is expensive doesn’t mean it’s lovely; and just because it’s cheap doesn’t mean it’s tasteless. I’d love to learn about wines.

I also want to experiment with some traditional recipes I love to make:

Potato Chip Casserole
Slow Cooker Ratatouille
Tator-Tot Casserole

And cookies. Lots and lots of cookies. In fact, I would love to be the Cookie Queen.

I guess I better get started. The more I cook, the more I find to cook. I just love recipes. Don’t you?

And Frankly, My Dear… that’s all she wrote!