Mealtime with My Mom!

My mom and I made dinner together the other night. It was so absolutely wonderful! When I was growing up, mom cooked all the time--she is the one taught me how to cook, and one of the reasons I'm such a good cook! But, these days, it's rare that my mom cooks anything. I don't blame her, she spent 20, 30 solid years cooking, so I understand that she's tired of it. The other night, however, we made Asian Chicken Lettuce Cups together and my oh my, were they ever good! Yumo! We took boneless, skinless chicken breast and chopped them up in small pieces, then we sautéed them in a big ole pan with garlic, ginger, crushed red pepper flakes, soy sauce, sesame oil and salt and pepper! Then, we took cucumbers, carrots, cabbage, cilantro, tomatoes and green onions and chopped those up in uniform pieces. Then we got out leaf lettuce and spooned the cooked chicken and raw veggies into the lettuce cups and topped with Spicy Peanut Sauce (from Fresh & Easy) and it was SO yummy! The whole process was a lot of fun and it reminded me how much I love cooking with my mama! It's a bonding time, it is for so many people and always has been for us. Food/mealtime is when people connect, talk about their day, error concerns and so on. We ALL need to eat, it's necessary to live, so eating is very communicative, we sit down at the table (without the TV) and set aside our differences and enjoy a delicious meal that we both took the time to make. I really miss that aspect of my life. My family and I used to have dinner together--at the table--at least 5 out of 7 days of the week, if not more. The dish was extremely yummy and it brought back a lot of great memories for me, it also taught me that my mom and I can teach other in the kitchen--some things she is better at, some things I am. She's finally learning to trust my decisions in the kitchen and she says I'm a better than she "ever was." That I whole heartedly disagree with, the only reason I'm a fantastic cook is because I learned from the best! (Her and grandma, I mean!). We did invite Colin to join us for dinner at the table, but he declined. At first, I felt bad, he's my husband, I should be eating meals with him--and we do--sometimes. He's never been a big meal-time person and he likes the TV on when he eats. Sometimes, I do too, but usually, I prefer it off. I like to taste my food and focus on what I'm eating when I'm eating it. It tastes better that way, I think. Anyway, it was the highlight of my week, to say the last. Thanks, mom, for a home cooked meal, a great time making it and all around delicious experience--you're still the best, and I love you!

On a marital note, Colin and I have been married 17 months today--to the day--and next weekend, his brother is getting married! I'm excited to see the whole family again and think about the context and purpose of marriage vows! Here's an early Congrats to the next Mr. & Mrs. W.!! We love you, too!

Today, I slept 13 hours--well between last night and today and it did just WONERS for me! Grandma is back in the hospital, unfortunately--but I'm sure she'll be fine. It's in the Lord's hands, not mine, but I did say an extra prayer today for God to send her the right people just like He did with Colin a few weeks ago. I didn't do much today, just rested and relaxed, caught up on cooking shows, lounged around. I ate and ate and ate---and that was fun, and then I went to work. It was nice, the concert we were having had a pretty nice turnout and overall, this has been a great Saturday!

Thank You, Lord, for mealtime with my mom, fabulous food, my 5 senses, 4 limbs, a car that is running beautifully and the ability to drive it, my great job, cooking shows, lots and lots of sleep and most of all, thank you for love and forgiveness and grace. For my grandma and good friends, and thank You also for Colin. One of my greatest teachers of so much--ever! Please continue to bless us all!

Oh, and HAPPY BIRTHDAY, Alisa Bowman, tomorrow! It's an honor to know you, read your brilliant work and call you an encouraging friend! Happy 40th, my fellow writer, here's to many, many more!

In Light N' Love,
-Sarah Liz :)