Speaking of Wonders

I'm totally amazed by my new love of cooking. I've always *known* how, though my results have been far from consistent, and I've tried to plan nutritious meals on a regular basis since before I graduated from high school. But I've always failed -- always. I've been the yo-yo cooker. Until now. Really, I can't wait to plan my meals each week; can't wait to shop for the ingredients; and can't wait to put Nora Jones or the Eagles or George Winston or Enya or Pearl Jam or Solas (on and on, ad nauseum) on the stereo and make dinner. I don't know if it's ds #1 and #2 and their love of cooking (my own mom is a great cook, as was her great-grandmother, but we come from a long line of definite non-cooks), or my entire family's love of trying new foods, but I'm smitten. It's right up there with theater and reading, and more consistent than my knitting as of late. I've always had a ton of cookbooks, and now I'm actually using them regularly. This week, we had an Asparagus Tart with ricotta cheese and steamed kale with garlic and parmesan on Monday; Chicken Enchilada soup and side salad (with Romaine lettuce, carrots, walnuts, grapes, cheese and dressing) on Tuesday; Baked Butternut Squash, Three Cheese Mashed Cauliflower and Kale, and side salads on Wednesday; and Avocado Pasta w/cilantro and Pan fried Tilapia tonight. We usually go out to eat or do something simple on Friday, and then R cooks on Saturday and sometimes Sunday. I make a dessert a couple of times a week, and somehow it's working out well and consistently for the first time in my life.

I had my first improv class on Monday, and por supuesto, I was a nervous wreck the whole drive there. But it was awesome, and I secretly (haha) wish it were three times a week. I wish that I could cut myself more slack, and not expect to "get" everything the first time I do something. Sigh. But I'm counting the days until Monday when I can throw myself back in.

We are going to see ComedySportz for kids this Saturday, as well as visiting the Marbles Museum in Raleigh. And, hopefully, this is our last weekend to look at vans. I absolutely cannot wait to separate the kids -- driving with them crammed together has been more than challenging as of late.

Basta por hoy, R and G are making spice cookies, and I need to get one while they're still warm (and not in anyone else's mouth!).