Cookin' Day

Did you ever notice that we seldom want what is on hand and available for our use?

Food is a classic example.  This Saturday morning I find myself staring at sack of dried green split peas and think "do I have to go through this again?"  The packet of Fleischman's yeast on the refrigerator shelf and bags of flour in the freezer prod my guilt.  A lonely wrinkled butternut squash in the pantry cries out, "Peel me before I go bad!"  The Mason jar of cubed beets teases, "Forget how I look - red flannel hash will be great." 

"But I just don't want you,"  I wail.  "I want to dive into a great curry down at the Indian restaurant.  I want a bean burrito with slathers of salsa and sour cream at Parker's, and a pile of chips.  PLUS a pint of Bass on tap.  I want a spinach quesadilla from Dorothy's with a side of those delectable greens.  I would die for an aromatic bowl of potato leek soup made somewhere else by someone else."  "Where have all the crackers gone...."  Nothing to snack on - no peanut butter, no cheese.  The crumbs of a peach cobbler are all that remain.

"Sorry!" echo all the stores in my house, "No easy pickin's here! Get to work or go hungry!"

Ah well - the aroma of bay leaves now fills the house.  The squash is steamed and ready to be mashed with sage.  The hash is prepped, awaiting the red flannel.   I still have time to set a bread sponge and get it baked before bedtime.

On the heels of the last loaf I spread a dollop of homemade jam.  Aha! A quick lunch - and I defy you, fates!