Since my husband left for a better life, and my son left for college, my house has often seemed cavernous and lonely. And far too quiet and still. But I think I've finally hit on the cure for that.
Food.
Not JUST food, but the wonderful smells of an active kitchen. Aromas....freshly baked cookies, homemade soup, roasted garlic, ribs on the grill, fresh squeezed orange juice. Food is not just about satisfying hunger. Food and it's wonderful aromas - well, it's what makes a house feel like a home. It provides the warmth. And sometimes the love.
I rarely cook these days, except when my son is home from college on weekends. And then we mostly eat out. Except for Sunday morning breakfast. They're special. But I do miss cooking, and I intensely miss the SMELL of cooking. So last night - late - I made some homemade oatmeal cookies.
And right now...I have a wonderful pot of soup simmering on the stove. When I smelled the vegetables for the soup as they sauteed in olive oil...it brought back some of the warmth that's been missing. From my life and from my home. It was an instant emotional lift.
Now understand this isn't about emotional eating, which is bad. Especially for a lady on a diet. (That's the real story of my life....) But it's more about warming the soul. It's about my house feeling like a home in spite of the fact that I am now without husband and child. Well, the child will be in and out for the next 20 or so years, but the husband is long hard gone, if you know what I mean.
Yum. I've made a VID (very important decision). I'm going to cook something yummy at least every other day. Even if I have to freeze it, give it away, or throw it away. And it must be something aromatic. Something that smells absolutely yummy. It's critical to my emotional well-being, don't you know.
