I read the article below on Kelleigh's blog today http://homemakershaven.blogspot.com/ and thought I would borrow it. (She lives in Australia by the way!) Anyhow, it got me to thinking about my dear friend, Teresa P. She is one of the best cooks that I have had the privilege to know. But what I really want you to know about Teresa is this: she realizes cooking isn't just about feeding the family. She pours her heart and soul into her cooking. It is a ritual for her. It has a sacramental aspect to it. You see, for me, cooking was just a mundane task. I have learned from Teresa though, that cooking food for others not only nourishes their bodies, but nourishes their souls as well. Teresa is a very busy wife, mother, grandmother, and career woman. However, she has never sacrificed cooking home made meals for her loved ones. She is always interested in trying new recipes and not getting into a rut. And to hear her describe food - how it looked, how it tasted, how she prepared it -- that is a pleasure in and of itself! LOL
Until about a year ago, I babysat Teresa's grandson, Kaden, almost on a daily basis. When Kaden's mommy quit work during her last pregnancy and chose to stay home with Kaden and new baby, I was so happy for her decision! On the other hand, it was hard to "give up" my little buddy Kaden. I knew I would miss him so much. However, it didn't take long for me to discover he wasn't all that I missed! I miss(ed) the wonderful leftovers his Grandma Teresa would bring to my house each morning when she would bring Kaden to me!
In closing, I'd like to say, Teresa is ALL ABOUT HER FAMILY and cooking good, homemade meals for them is her hobby. Even though her life is very "time-driven", she hasn't let the "craziness" of a fast paced life rob that joy from her. One meaningful aspect of home life she is not willing to sacrifice is her lovingly prepared home made meals. Teresa is constantly in the process of being made "broken bread and poured out wine" so that she may nourish others souls. I love you Teresa for keeping your priorities straight and for being such a wonderful example to me! I post the following article in honor of you!
Proverbs 31:10 - "Who can find a virtuous woman, for her price is far above rubies."
Proverbs 31:11 - "For the heart of her husband doth safely trust in her..."
Proverbs 31:12 - "She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life."
Proverbs 31:16 - "She considereth a field and buyeth it."
Proverbs31:20 - "She stretcheth out her hand to the poor: yea, she reacheth forth her hand to the needy."
Proverbs 31:27 - "She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness."
Proverbs 31:28 - "Her children arise up and call her blessed."
Proverbs 31:30 - "Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the LORD, she shall be praised."
Teresa & I making silly memories while painting her son's house! (She is going to kill me for posting this photo!)
A very pregnant Bianca tapes the floors!
Kaden and Shane know the right places to hang out! (This is the delicious lunch that Bianca catered to us on the day we painted.)
P.S. - Shane just walked in and asked me, "What are you posting about mom?" I told him I wrote about Teresa being such a good cook. "Oh, she IS a good cook!" he replied in a very enthusiastic voice. (I think he misses Aunt Teresa's left overs too! *smiles*)
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Food and Homemaking
The preparation of food is never just a mundane task, it has a sacramental aspect, it is part of what makes a home. What is life for? If it’s merely about fulfilling our material needs, then you could eat a bowl of cheerios….in front of the TV every night…Food not only nourishes the body, but it, and the rituals surrounding it, nourishes something in the human soul. -Rod Dreher
Our lives have become increasingly time-driven, one place where this is painfully evident is our kitchens! We have microwave ovens and all kinds of expensive kitchen gadgetry yet despite the plethora of kitchen doodads, canned and pre-packaged foods are more popular than ever! Consider the space dedicated to basic ingredients in most supermarkets. Maybe one or two isles? Yet the paradox is popular magazines and books featuring home-cooked meals are prolific. People like the concept home-cooked meals yet the reality is we are so pressed for time and often end up resorting to a pre-made sauce in the bottle. Food advertisers are very aware of this fact too. Has your eye ever lighted on a fetching photo of homemade pie with accompanying recipe? Then have you noticed a nearby advertisement for ready-made frozen pie? Oh yes, so very clever! Unhappily commercial pie does not approximate home-baked pie no matter how much advertisers try to convince us otherwise!
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So just how far are we willing to go? What meaningful aspects of home life are we willing to sacrifice in order to pursue 'fulfilling careers' and increased possessions? Food preparation is at the heart of home life and mealtimes are among the most enduring memories of family life. If we continue make home-cooking a low priority in life we deprive ourselves and possibly future generations of the rich experiences of home that money cannot buy.
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Image: www.janetkruskamp.com/CanningDay.html
7 comments:
WOW, Pam---you have a twin!!!!That lives in the tundra of Wisconsin....or is that your double who fills in there???LOL
Great reminder of what the mealtime/meal should be!!
We have great times around our kitchen and table---I do miss all the kids being ehre--thus we do occasionally go out to eat on Sundays to get together after church......even though a home cooked meal is the best!!! :)
The fellowship is incomparable to those who do not cook and sit around a table!! Many wonderful thoughts have poured out over our meals---adn we do meet at each others houses, sharing the cooking and kitchen duties...I am happy my children see this whole process as a need and tradition in their own lives---BOYS INCLUDED!! They all cook!!(It has been made mention that I teach their wives to cook---I will not goe there unless asked about specific meals, etc....The Word commands us to teach OUR children!!)
Anyway, thanks for the smile because we love those times---and your post evokes memories!!
Ahh..nothing like a homecooked meal. Amazing how an unhealthy meal can be made healthy when made with REAl ingredients. Like mac and cheese and pizza! Yummy. I love nothing more than preparing a meal that has a whole grain, protein, and fruit/vegetable. I love seeing colorful food going into our mouths. It's great. Lovely post!!
I AM WRITING ON BEHALF OF PAM
She is experiencing technical difficulies with her computer and is unable ot post, being the Blog Nazi she is, she wanted to make sure everyone knew why!! She is able to read your comments, it is a problem with her keyboard, so I say, lets all drive her crazy and leave TONS of comments she cant respond to!! HEHEHE
Wow Pam, I finally post and you're not there? Thought maybe you had one of those " I've fallen and I can't get up!" episodes. I knew nothing but a total breakdown could keep you from the blog world. Didn't know it was a keyboard breakdown! HAHAHAHA
Your sister is craaasee! loves to torment you doesn't she!
Did Clint somehow sabotage you for the pranks over at his site? Gotta wonder.....
luvmom-yes sunny Florida! I don't think I have ever been to Wisconsin. I used to live in Ohio??Too bad you had to see me in such a poor photo!
Pat - You are a great cook also! And I know you do it to nurture others.
Jackie-So glad you enjoy cooking! Stay healthy.
Rita-YOU are just ornery!
Kim - Yay! My hubby got my keyboard up and running! Can you believe that Rita did ask for my passowrk and I wouldn't give it to her for fear of Clint sabotaging me!
Hi mom thanks for helping me on my contest. Love you!
I ran to your blog Sunday a.m.- Kaden and I are together ( after bacon for us and poached eggs for paw)
My tears ran down my face . I will have to write later. I must see you. We miss you terribly.
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