Once again time has flown by and I have been neglectful in posting. Well new year, new beginnings... what to blog about?? hmmm.. Megan suggested a few ideas for me and one of them was about cooking. I don't know if that's such a great idea because I truly believe that cooking is a personal reflection of the soul. Maybe she's right and I should consider this. I don't want to get all heady about food, but it is a primal need, obviously to survive one needs to consume calories, but for me to cook and experience the act of cooking is almost as basic in my "need-to-survive"list of items.

If you really look at the act of cooking, it really is an amazing thing. I am really hoping that my sons never see this blog because they may hear a few things about me that will freak them out... ok.. I promised to be true to self with blogging this year so here it is.. to me cooking is a very sensual, almost sexual, experience. Hear me out. Think about it. When you are in the kitchen and are in the zone of cooking an amazing meal all your senses are heightened. Your senses of taste and smell and sight with color and texture are at their peek. It's an amazing thing. I love smelling fresh herbs and crushing them between my fingers to release oils and aromas. I love using fresh ingredients and never cook from a box. Scratch cooking is what it's all about. Sifting flour, dicing onions, peeling potatoes (or not), rinsing pasta, making salsas, tempenades, sauces, and glazes, all while experiencing the touch and aroma of it all is almost as good as a good O. If you are enjoying a good glass or two of wine while cooking, it is just as good. It's all about the experience and frame of mind. OK, so enough of this "O" talk, let's talk about what I have been cooking.

I was away for two very long weeks at market and when I came home I had to get in the kitchen to cook. So, what I made was simple. For lunch yesterday I served a delicious salad made from lettuce, tomatoes, onions, shredded cheese, ground beef, a light mayo, and a bag of chili fritos. Last night we had pizza and then I baked peanut butter cookies, and made a hot dish to be served today along with a beautiful leafy green and fruit salad with an amazing Raspberry Hazelnut vinaigrette dressing and fruity rice crispy bars. Now this is not my regular cooking style. Not by a long shot; this is easy-peesy-no-brain cooking. So why did I do it? It's what the kids asked for. Now that I have their little requests out of the way I am going to cook like I like to cook. No more casseroles and frozen pizzas on my watch. Heading back to the grocery store for some Mary ingredients, and....... a good bottle of wine.