Food = Love

Doesn't it?

My best childhood memories revolve around what we ate, where we ate it, and who we ate it with. Some of my best memories with my children are set around a flour covered counter, bellies full from licking the bowl.

Putting aside all the food hangups and weight issues and concerns about how red meat and cheetos are going to make us grow horns out of our butts and make us have two headed babies - food is fabulous. And it has the ability to bring families and friends together in a way that nothing else can. There is nothing I like more than preparing a simple meal and having friends over to share it. You don't have to be a foodie to recognize and appreciate the value of fresh ingredients and careful preparation. You don't have to be a chef to make food for your family that says "I made this for you because I love you."

I cook most nights, and I don't make fussy food. Last night's dinner (and yesterday's pic of the day!) was pretty simple.Katie made us menus and took our orders. Not like anyone had much of a choice.

This morning (Snow Day #2), my friend Jennifer inspired me to get crazy and make donuts.

Those are cows and pigs. Barnyard sprinkles!

Other things that happen on a snow day - Julia gives her baby highlights.

Katie dresses like me, circa 1987. Oh, wait. She does that every day.

I will admit to getting into a bit of a food rut - a brown meat, a simple starch, a couple of vegetables. It's reliable. Sean said the other night that we eat pork tenderloin like some families eat ground beef. My friend Carole (a certified foodie and a CANADIAN, which automatically makes her more interesting than me) has started a new blog with two of her friends - no reEATS - in which they attempt to make dinner for a year without repeating a recipe.

This is insane. It's also a really fabulous idea, and I hope it motivates me to try some different things. Carole also has another amazing food blog - The Yum Yum Factor - which has great descriptions and gorgeous pictures. If you love reading about food, and need some inspiration, check both blogs out.

Tonight I pulled a new recipe from Cooking Light - Beef Tagine with Butternut Squash (why do I feel compelled to capitalize each word in a recipe?). If I had planned ahead, I would have made a loaf of Alton Brown's fabulous Knead Not Sourdough Bread, but it's a 24 hour thing and I did not plan ahead. I know several people (including Carole from above) who swear by Artisan Bread in Five Minutes a Day, which I really need to check out. But we love, love, love this sourdough and it's become a staple.

The tangine was delicious. I subbed beef broth for the chicken (because I had it), and salted to our tastes.

The kids did not like it. They ate the couscous (covered in jus) and salad and called it a day. Katie picked at the meat and ate a few pieces of squash under duress. Not every dish is a winner. Sometimes you say "I made this for you because I love you." and your kid looks at you and says "That looks gross."

Good luck to the ladies at no reEats, I'm excited to follow your adventure!

And...just moments before posting this - Henry took his first steps! Sean and I both saw it, what an awesome thing. <3