If you think cooking for two is tricky, wait till you have to cut that in half. I love pasta; I mean, I luuuuuv pasta. So I like to cook a pasta dish often. But I don't know how to cook a little bit. I never have learned. So I end up with a big dish of something, and that allows me to eat too much.
To illustrate: you see that huge bowl of pasta salad? I made that last week and ended up eating the whole thing in two days. I did! And that, my friends, wreaked havok with my digestive system. I don't think it was so much the pasta as the raw broccoli, which I also luuuuuv.
Here's something I've found to help out with my cooking-for-one problem: Bertolli frozen pasta dishes. This one, Chianti Braised Beef & Rigatoni, turned out to be surprisingly homemade-tasting. And actually, it was enough for two servings, so I saved one for the next day. Being a one-skillet dish, it was also a lot easier to prepare and clean up after than if I'd started from scratch.
I didn't get finished cleaning and organizing my bedroom yesterday. That's been the biggest, most complicated room yet--partly because when I've been cleaning the other rooms, I've been shoving everything that I didn't know what to do with into the bedroom. So I've had to decide what to do with lots of puzzling stuff. I have a lot of little piles and big piles--some I know what to do with and some I don't have a clue. Vann kept every paid bill receipt, along with the envelopes, that he ever paid, so that's part of what I'm dealing with. I'm trying to decide if I need to shred all that stuff or not.
The Exchange Club (charity) is scheduled for a pickup today, and my front porch is full of bags of hospital pillows, books, old socks etc. It hardly made a dent, though, when I moved all that to the porch. I'm just going to try to take it slow and easy, looking forward to the time when I'll have a nice, inviting bedroom that I can retire to each night. That probably won't happen today either as I have an appointment this afternoon with my accountant. Plus, I just read in the newspaper this morning of a brand new thrift store that has opened in Leeds. Gotta check that out. I promise I won't buy anything unless I find an absolute treasure that I can't pass up. I promise. Really.
In closing (and speaking of thrift stores), here's a little cross-stitched sampler I picked up a while back at another thrift store. In light of recent conditions in my life and the lives of others that I know, I think it presents an excellent thought for the day. It's a quality I haven't always lived up to, I know; but it's one we should all strive for, I think.
May God fill your day with blessings.
This post was migrated from the old blog. To see the comments on the original post, CLICK HERE. To add a new comment, click "Post a Comment", below.
On 10/07/2009, Thelma said ...
Thanks for stopping by my blog. Good luck with your snowman quilt.
I have been following your blog, Nicole's blog does a wonderful job of connecting all of us!
I am so sorry for your loss, your 30 day post was heartbreaking.
I'm glad you are feeling better, sounds like you are keeping yourself busy.
I'm impressed you cook for yourself, good for you!! I would be eating cereal every night.
On 10/07/2009, Beverly said ...
Susan, coming to visit you always makes me feel better. I can feel the presence of God in your life.
I just know Vann must be so proud of you.
On 10/07/2009, Jan said ...
I'm a major fan of pasta too! If it's a carb, it's almost a given it'll be my favorite ... your pasta salad looks quite yummy!!! It is hard cooking for one ... very easy just to "wing it" instead, so I'm very proud of you for "cooking!" I kinda have to do that at our house too ... my Husband has been disabled for almost 5 years and his appetite has changed drastically b/c of it ... he very rarely eats a regular meal anymore. Have fun looking for treasures! You continue to inspire me!!! You're doing great my dear. Blessings on your day :)
On 10/07/2009, CarlaH said ...
Hi Susan, I recommend shredding if you have to patience - make a pile (what one more pile she says) and do a little bit every day, it'll be done before you know it. Having had to clean out my sister-in-law's apartment after her death made me very much aware of how we all accumulate things so I've been doing a general clean out - there is a recuperation depot right across the street from the Curves I belong to and so every Monday, Wednesday and Friday I try to take along a bag of things we no longer need - it feels good to know that you are helping others and lightening up your own home.
Happy cleaning and sorting out - you'll get there.
On 10/07/2009, Debra Spincic said ...
I second that idea of cereal every night. Wes is leaving on a 10 day business trip and I am wondering how I will manage to eat. I am just so unimaginative about eating. One thing good about dating (when I was doing that) is that guys always took me out for dinner--pretty much solved that dilemma.
On 10/07/2009, Lavender Dreams said ...
That pasta dish looks yummy! I may make something like that tonight! Just do what you can, when you feel like it. Give yourself time.
On 10/07/2009, Lavender Dreams said ...
A quick question...how did you compile your books read list? Did you use some kind of 'gadget' or did you have to find the photos of each book, etc. I would like to do a book list on my blog, too! Thanks!
On 10/07/2009, Pat said ...
The Bertolli looks great! Will have to try that. My daughter can always find great cross-stitch at thrift stores; I like yours. Paid bills - I've decided once they're paid, drafted, shred them. I recycle envelopes the bills come in (also catalogs, etc.) - we take paper to our local workshop that sorts recyclables. Sorting cans or bags: one for aluminum cans, one for plastic, too. You're doing great. It doesn't have to all be done on a deadline, but it can be therapeutic. Glad you were going to putz around in a thrift store!
On 10/07/2009, Barbara Anne said ...
Hi Susan!
You're so right that there's a ton of stuff to deal with and you're being wise taking your time to consider what to do with each. Remember, for a year don't discard anything major that you cannot buy again in a heartbeat if you need it.
I love to shred stuff and once shredded, it's recycled.
I also love to use older furniture because it's economical, comes in all styles, and is usually better made out of better materials. Good wood just isn't readily available any more. Hope you find something perfect for your new office at the new thrift shop. Enjoy!
We enjoy Bertolli meals here, too.
Hugs!
On 10/07/2009, Ladybug said ...
I have been following your blog for quite a while but this is the first time I've commented. I was widowed 10 yrs ago and the first room I remodeled was the bedroom. I just had to make it mine. I bought me a small desk to put in the bedroom and started filing bills my way. I kept the previous years bill file and shreaded the rest. Make sure you have a file for papers/bills you don't feel comfortable disposing of. Good Luck! You can do it! And remember you are in control of the rest of your life.
Ladybug
On 10/07/2009, Marie said ...
I love the saying on your little thrift store stitchery!
On 10/08/2009, Mary said ...
Hi Susan...I greatly admire your spirit. My sis is a widow...I know the pain is great, but I also know you will be okay. Cleaning out and making things fresh and new for you is a great idea. Love the cross-stitch...good words to live by.
Blessings,
Mary
On 10/08/2009, Kai said ...
It's a SOUTHERN thing for SURE, cooking for a crowd! LOL! I think, regardless of race, religion, culture, sexual preference, etc., ALL cooks in the South learn early to cook so there's enough for at least SECOND helpings for everyone who's normally at the table, PLUS anyone who comes by, AND enough left over for the next day and maybe even some to FREEZE! I'm telling you, I STILL cook for an army. Thankfully, Ray EATS like an army, so it's a GOOD thing. Now! The bedroom - slow & easy! You'll get there! There's no FINISH ribbon to break through or clock running down with a penalty if you don't complete everything in a specific time. And the PRIZE? You'll get THAT whether you finish today or next MONTH or a YEAR from now - the comfy bedroom you are hoping for. I LOVE you today - and EVERYDAY, and I think that cross stitch is a great reminder to us all! Okay! Now, 'fess up - what did you buy at the new shop?
On 10/08/2009, Sharon said ...
I lost my husband 9 1/2 months ago, and I know this path we are on is a painful one. Don't get too busy that you fail to take time to rest and grieve - hugs to you. Do things as you feel motivated to do them - or not do them. It's an emotional whirlwind and can be exhausting.
One thing I've found that helps with the meal dilemma, (once I decided I needed more than just a can of soup for dinner) is to prepare some of the things I loved to eat, and divide the food up into one-serving portions and use little freezer containers and freeze each one individually. I have a box of cake mix and frosting in the cupboard that is soon going to be outdated, and don't want to bake and eat a whole cake (!) and one evening the answer came to me - - cupcakes!! Just take one out of the freezer as the craving for cake hits. Tonight I'm having a stuffed green pepper.
-----
No comments:
Post a Comment