Sunday. But not like any other Sunday I guess, because every day is like Sunday at the moment.
Sunday has a special status. The last day of the week, a day of rest, a day to settle affairs ready to embark on a new week, a day for family and for leisure.
Well every day is like that at the moment, (except for the spending time with family part) but today did feel different.
I am instilling a regular regime each day to ensure that there is enough structure that I stay on the path of moving in a positive direction, as opposed to beaching myself on the couch with my mood heading downward. But I had already decided in advance that Sunday would be a day off.
A whole delicious day to do whatever I wanted. I have been free to read all day, or watch tv or to lose myself in some crafty activity, but none of that has happened.
I settled down to read, but could not maintain concentration. I can’t say why I felt so distracted today and unable to settle on any leisurely activity. But I found my solace and purpose eventually, in the kitchen.
Someone once said that anything that you do mindfully can be a meditation. And so it was for me amongst the pots and pans. Slicing fruit and vegetables and washing the dishes as I go is as relaxing as a massage when I am in the mood to cook.
There is plenty of food in the house that could be thrown together as a meal in pretty short order, and there are only two of us in the house to accommodate. But today, I felt the need to cook up a storm.
I spied some apples that were close to the end of their life and resurrected them in an apple and boysenberry crisp for dessert. Apple and cinnamon combined is what I imagine heaven smells like, and so I enjoyed it along with the angels.
I felt the urge to create something rib-sticking, nourishing and from the heart, so pulled out the slow-cooker. I soaked a medley of dried beans, (having lots of dried beans in the pantry makes me feel like others do when they have a lot of money in the bank, I suspect) and cooked up some onion, celery, garlic, cumin, chilli and chipotle peppers. I placed this in the slow-cooker with tomatoes and the rinsed beans and sat back to wait for the magic to happen.
While the chipotle beans were bubbling away I turned my hand to crafting a homemade pizza with all of the toppings for dinner.
Just having something nutritious at hand, ready to dish up to quell hunger or just to give a hug on the inside is a great source of comfort for me.
So what was today all about? Well I was being practical, I got to use perishable ingredients before the end of their shelf life. I also made sure that we will be well fed, not just today but in the days ahead.
But what was it really about? I think perhaps it was about security. Cooking food using methods and ingredients that I used at my mother’s side when I was young. Preparing dishes that women have been nourishing their families with for generations. And taking care of the necessities of life when so much else is out of control. Just doing what I can do, within my wee bubble, to sustain life, to keep a sense of balance and to reaffirm that whatever happens in the world outside, peace and order will always reign in the kitchen.
Quietly Quaintrelle 