#33 - Don't Like Being Cook

Cooking for a Month

I've been the cook at home for over a month. That is the lamest of gripes, when most people I know, cook daily.  

No complaining really. Just communicating that it's been odd. Don is the main cook in our house and I took over, 2 days before his surgery. He wasn't very hungry that night, but I made one of his favorite comfort foods. It didn't taste that good to either of us.

First Week

The first week home, I made some soups and offered some pudding. Don's throat was sore and nothing much appealed to him.

By the second week, Don still had little interest in food. I waited until week 3, to do anything as spicy as ravioli and Caesar salad. Not that great.

Blue Apron

Then we forgot to cancel Blue Apron delivery, so suddenly I was fumbling with the recipe cards and and ingredients, by myself. Again, not a big deal problem. But, these silly food kits are more fun with 2 cooks. They were a source of entertainment and camaraderie, during covid lockdown days. I kind of miss those days.

We'd crank up the music and I'd chop while Don sizzled foods in the skillet. Sometimes, I'd complete my duty and let Don finish up, while I practiced my juggling or danced with oven mitts on my feet. I miss team cooking as well as entertaining the cook.

But I was surprised when I realized it was a nice treat to quietly cook, while Don sat with the heating pad on the couch. It was kind of enjoyable, focussing on a little meal prep, on my own. Just not forever please!

Coffee Table Dinner

We've been eating every lunch and dinner at the table. Norman Rockwell old-fashioned dinner, on placemats. Don isn't comfortable long in chairs these days, but the move to the table is healthy for the body and soul.

However, we recently had a wonderful snack night at the coffee table and it started to feel like "old times". Even if we were having water instead of wine.

Carryouts and Door Dash

Now Don's appetite is pretty much back. We had our first sushi a few days ago. I remember the treat of sushi, after months of cancer treatments and waiting for the immune system to return to normal.

I don't think June Cleaver ever served carryout sushi, on disposable trays. I also don't believe she would have allowed a jigsaw puzzle on the kitchen  table. But finally Don has ​gotten interested in puzzles again. The kitchen table is the only place he's half comfortable, for a little puzzling. Yay for this new step!

Cooking on Hold

Now my cooking is suddenly on hold. We've had 2 days with workmen in the kitchen. We had to put our counter & backsplash project off a couple times, due to the surgery. Now the project has started and it's a nice distraction.

However, we have a little setback. The backsplash was supposed to go up today. Turns out, our tile is defective. The project is on hold and new tile has been ordered. Who knows when work will start up again?

But we learned how to be flexible during the pandemic. Dining out won't work for us right now, but cheers for DoorDash delivery!
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