I was lucky enough to spend the entire month of December with my two daughters visiting with my family in Southwestern Ontario (I normally find myself situated in Calgary, and my youngest sister is a Londoner now), hopping around from one person’s house to the next, living out of suitcases and generally dining out on the hospitality of people who pretty much have to love me, no matter what I look like in the morning:
It’s especially bad when it’s a five year-old on the other side of the lens.
And just so me and mine wouldn’t be too much of a drain, I pulled myself up by my bootstraps and shopped, chopped, cooked and served a few meals to the folks on whose generosity I was so happily depending. It was nice: I love to cook and (usually) people love to eat what I cook. Especially when it has lots and lots and lots of celery in it. And peanuts.
But there were days when things were hurried and the cooks were harried, and that’s when we gratefully relied on the generous gift of two cousins, who had chopped and mixed and packed and frozen at least half a dozen entrées for us from SupperWorks. One of my sister’s friends also generously donated some fabulous dinners (including an amazingly kid-pleasing shepherd’s pie and a lusciously creamy mac ‘n cheese), and an aunt arranged a wonderful catered dinner for Boxing Day.
These gifts of food turned out to be gifts of equally important commodities: time and peace of mind.
The meals were so much appreciated that I decided to book myself a session at Calgary’s The Liberated Cook, so I can try it out for myself. For about the same cost as groceries, I will go to their kitchen and assemble five meals; amazing mouth-watering things like pulled pork enchiladas and bacon-wrapped chicken and a long-time family favourite: beef stroganoff. Then at dinner time, all I have to do is heat and serve. Liberated is right!
So to everyone who gave their own time to help feed me and mine last month, I thank you. And now that I’m off to be "liberated" – feel free to drop by my house for a meal any time!
From time to time my teenage son and I go to Supperworks and cook up a storm together! Its fun!
sounds inspiring! one of my new year’s resolutions was to spend less time in the kitchen and more time working out. my family loves great meals, but i’m getting burnt out and have largely stopped enjoying cooking. those “prepped” meals seem to be the best of both worlds – healthy and delicious AND fast!
Especially when it has lots and lots and lots of celery in it. And peanuts.
hmmmm…..
the rest of it was lovely though 🙂