Monday, May 10, 2010

Neither Julie or Julia

For all of you who enjoyed the fellow-blogger movie "Julie and Julia" I just have to ask-
did it make you want to cook?
Did it make you want to shop for ingredients and pots and pans ?
Did it make you want to throw a dinner party?

See, I am neither a Julie or a Julia, I am not gifted in the kitchen, although I did make wedding cakes for a while to earn extra cash from home.... but I never took Home Ec and I cried when my mom made me make hamburger patties out of raw meat.

But dinner is another thing. And this movie made me want to stop whining about my ugly kitchen and start cooking. Add to that my sister's enthusiasm for "The Food Nanny", which she got me hooked on, and I decided to stop making excuses and start learning how to cook.

I have a goal to make at least 2 new recipes a week...anything goes, from cookies to casserole, in the quest of expanding my dinner choices.

So far my kids have given the thumbs down to the lemon pound cake I made and the parsley potatoes we tried. A scalloped ham and potato dish got their approval, while the rack of BBQ ribs I burned to a crisp were still picked at, in spite of the charcoal outer coating. I should add I made the most DIVINE brownies ever, and had to give myself a pat on the back. The chicken enchilada soup my friend made (and handed me the recipe with a smile) has become a new crock pot favorite. I DVR Sandra Lee and Food Nanny and take notes. (Why do they all cook with their hair down? Am I the only one that sheds?)

I will not be blogging in general about my cooking adventures, but just wondered how other moms hold it together and manage to come up with a dinner every night. (Again, Food Nanny is helping me here). I am in awe of the well set table.
I love the idea of a sit down meal more often- Tv off and everything.

I am anxious to hear what the dinner traditions are in other busy homes. I believe that dinner time is important, and determined to bring my family together around the table more than I have in the past.

10 comments:

Kristina P. said...

I actually really like to cook and do dinner parties. But with only 2 of us, I don't cook a lot.

Jillene said...

I make a 2 week menu every other week. I am always on the lookout for new, yummy recipes because I tend to cook the same old things. If you are interested, we can swap some recipes--I wouldn't mind at all!! (0;

Wendyburd1 said...

I could actually USE some dinner ideas for our house, and crock pot yummies would be SO useful! I am neither a Julie or Julia, it made ME HUNGRY!!

Lynnae said...

A year and a half ago I planned out a years worth of meals from all the cookbooks I wanted to try and all the regular favorites. So I go to that every week, sometimes shuffling things around or changing things for convenience. I'm still pretty flexible but I like not having to think about it much.
This prompted me to write a blog post of my own because my comment was getting too long!
My cooking goal is to learn how to use the grill this summer. MMmmmmm!

Mosaic Magpie said...

I ask my DH every morning what he wants for dinner and thats what we have. I don't mind to cook anything its the coming up with what to fix I don't like. Thanks again for my goodies, I'm posting pictures tomorrow.

Lee Weber said...

I do cook almost every night- which is getting tedious. I think I need to break out a cookbook. Luckily, my husband is not picky, and is happy with grilled cheese and soup- if it comes to that. WIth the kids getting older, work, etc. I have given myself permission to not "do" a whole dinner every nioght- like no green veggies!! I would love you recipe for the soup- I have one for taco soup that's good too. xoxo

Calvin said...

That movie made me want to write more than anything, and have friends over for cool dinner parties

Jocelyn Christensen said...

This is definitely an area I could work harder to improve on...I wish you WOULD share your adventures in cooking!!!

Mosaic Magpie said...

My best advice on the solder is to use plenty of flux and keep the solder iron tip clean. Or better yet get on a plane and come over and play for the day!
Debbie

Unknown said...

Oh Ramona I so miss popping by to see your blog. You always make me laugh and I can so relate to your posts:)

I hope you will send my pictures of your journal I would love to see it!!!

Sending you a HUG!
XXXX
Becky