Tuesday, August 10, 2010

There's got to be more out there than meatloaf.

I wish I knew how to do more things, but when it comes time to acutally learning how to do them I feel lazy about it. I have a desire to learn, yet no desire to learn! What's up with that? It makes no sense.

I think I would like to learn to sew. I'm wondering if this would save money or not really, in terms of clothes for Audrey throughout her young life. The idea seems fun, making Audrey's clothes! How cool would that be. I know very little. I made a bag in 7th grade and that's it. I have no knowledge on sewing machines, fabrics, etc. Where to even start? And I hate the thought of wasting money on buying the wrong this or that in the process of learning.

Also, I need to learn to cook more things. It doesn't seem like this should be so hard, but for some reason, it is. I can make hambergers and kabobs on my George Foreman and then chicken, meatloaf, and lasagne in the oven. Pretty sure that's it. Chris isn't a big pasta person, so that eliminates an easy one: spaghetti, bummer! Haha. But it's not his fault, there are things I dont' like either, so I must find new things to make. One challenge with this is that I need to cook heathily, not a huge problem, but something to make sure of. Which means I don't just want to go buy a random cook book that isn't low-fat. When I search for cook books or look online I feel so discouraged. I instantly see ingredients I've never heard of and I lose all motivation and just give up. Maybe I just need to go buy the random, unfamiliar ingredient and give it a try.
It's not that I want to make strange-ingredient kind of meals, I just want to know how to cook things.

Someday, I'm gonna be the mom or grandma who's house everyone gathers at, I need to be able to make ham, pototoes, turkey, whatever, in the proper timing and order to serve everyone! I think I take it for granted how perfect all our family events are. Gran has everything all in order and we eat hot, perfect meals. I bet a lot of time and effort went into all of that preparation over the years. She has to think through what she will serve, all the ingredients she needs, where to buy them, when to buy them, how much to buy, when to put what in the oven. When I see her sitting on her stool Christmas after Christmas pulling apart the turkey, I don't even realize all that went into the process to get her there. Jeesh, I ordered pizza and bought a cake for Audrey's 1st birthday party and a lot of thought went into that seemingly lame meal.

I'm sure Gran doesn't think this is a big deal, she's probably got it down to an art form (right Gran?), but for me, I don't even know how to cook a turkey. Maybe it's not as hard as I think.

Anyways, now I think I'm a little bit inspired to google recipees. I MUST learn to cook more! (and maybe learn to sew?)

PS: It doesn't help that Chris and I are perfectly thrilled to eat out at Beetles every night of the week :) (not that we do, ok maybe once....or twice....dah!)

9 comments:

Jackie said...

I didnt learn to sew until age 26. Grandma taught me, she is very very patient. Find a simple pattern, some cute material and Gran will help you... I would but my machine is nasty, I would have to have it serviced. Keep working on the cooking, it'll come, we should cook together sometime, believe me I tried when you were yonger and at home, but you were never intersted... now that you are I would love to cook with you, we could do this http://www.momsbudget.com/freezerrecipes/index.html
P.S. I LOVE your new layout...fun

Brianna said...

Mom, I know, you did try to show me things, but I didn't have an interest did I, dumb me! Hmm...I'll have to look at that website next! And, yeh, blogger finally got more interesting and now has a ton of new backgrounds to pick from! I'll have to see what Gran thinks about sewing. :)

Brianna said...

Also, you were 26, I am 26..hmm......curious.

granny said...

Dear Granddaughter,
I would be more than happy to help you out with anything you would like to learn. It would be fun. Growing up on the farm we had to learn to cook. My mother was not a teacher of her kids. She would do it herself. So we just learned by watching most of the time. I hate cooking for just two peeps. That is very hard. Any time you wish guidence just ask.
Love your Gran

Megan said...

Brie, I'll try to send you some of the delicious recipes that Josh and I have made together. One thing you have to do is be brave and willing to try new things. Sometimes, you might end up making something you don't really care for (make sure there is PB and J in the cupboard for plan B) but you learn what you like and what you don't. Hopefully Chris will be open to try different things. Google is a great way to find recipes. you can google things like "chicken AND low fat" or something and then i bet you get a bunch of things you could make with chicken. also USE YOUR CROCK POT! i think you have one, and it's probably the easiest way to cook meals for you and Chris. Always remember that you can make substitutions for ingredients that you want to make low fat (butter, milk, turkey instead of beef, etc) and that's how you make recipes your own. It's fun to cook, but you have to be willing to make "mistakes" every once in a while. be courageous! Cooking is easy, it's trial and error and a lot of calling your mother! (Believe me, i always call mom. "how long was i supposed to leave this in the oven?" oops...) Good Luck, and i'll try to send you some nummy recipes soon! xoxox

Kelsey said...

Megan- that is so true- I still call my mom a lot about recipes- especially the ones that I don't make very often and the one she doesn't have a "recipe" for and it's only found in her head. lol. Brianna- I know God's plan for you in the near future is for you to be the next Betty Crocker- so just keep pushing through. Michael Jordan didn't make his high school basketball team if that makes you feel better :)

I know this is all in Jest, but seriously girlfriend, if you wanna cook/sew- I can take Audrey so you can go learn with your mom or Gran. Talk to you soon!

Heather said...

Ya know Brianna I am exactly the same way...and I'm pretty sure my mom tried to have me help with meals at home but i was never interested in learning. I've learned to enjoy grilling and using the crock pot (chicken, roast beef...with veggies)It's not really that hard and it tastes yummy. There's a couple mom's at church who make a ton of their daughters dresses and skirts, they make it sound easy...perhaps you and I should take a class together. I've always kinda wanted to make a quilt too. Haha random. Anyway...good luck!

FINN said...

briebug, have you tried cooking light mag? I caved and got a subscription (I think it's only $15?) and it has made meal planning much less painful... I've had good luck with the recipes and there's nutrition info for every dish, too! at least check out the website...

Jen said...

I have been getting the Taste of Home Healthy Cooking for a few years and we love it! The recipes usually have pretty typical ingredients (stuff you might have or that you can easily find at the store), and they usually have a smaller list of ingredients. I'm with you, I don't like having to buy a bunch of strange ingredients for new recipes. It's also nice having the nutrition info on the recipes so I can calculate my points:) I've thought about doing the once a month cooking thing too (like your mom suggested), but I haven't taken the plunge yet;) It sounds like a good plan, but takes some good planning.