Perspective

I am always saying that perspective makes the world go 'round. Because it does. What I find horrible, you might not. What you find fan-freakin'-tastic, there's a good possibility that I'd find just ho-hum. Perspective is equally important in the kitchen.

So why am I writing about this? Because perspective makes the world go 'round. ;) Especially in the kitchen. What you see as a total failure today may shock you and turn out to be absolutely amazing in a few days or weeks when you have a lightbulb moment.

For example--last weekend, I bought a flat of strawberries to make jam, and since we are trying to cut out as much refined sugar as possible, I attempted to make a version using coconut sugar. It tasted great--coconut sugar has a caramel-y flavor to it, and it tasted like strawberry caramel....not exactly what I had in mind when I was dreaming about strawberry jam, but still pretty good. Problem is, even with twice the pectin, it did not set up like regular jam--apparently pectin prefers refined white sugar. *sigh* It set somewhat, but not like jam. And I was left with 8 or 9 jars of total fail, in my mind. I gave about half of it away and figured I'd use the rest in smoothies and on frozen yogurt and the like....and really just kind of stared at it for a few days.

Yesterday, I decided I'd make grilled chicken for dinner, and when I went to pull out BBQ sauce (refined sugar! -UGH- I need to toss that...), I had a lightbulb moment. I pulled out a jar of this jam, and used it like I would have used BBQ sauce and basted my grilled chicken with it. And...I gotta say...OMG. Best. Freaking. Chicken. EVER. Seriously awesome.

So, my strawberry creation totally failed when I looked at it as the jam I set out to create....but it totally *ROCKS* as a grilling sauce.

So why am I telling you this? To more or less drive home the point I'm always making--stay open minded in the kitchen. Just because something doesn't work out like you planned, doesn't mean it's a total failure. :) Perspective...it's your friend. :)

Dear Nyquil

How do I love thee? Oh, let me count the ways.....

I started this week with the worst cough I have experienced in recent memory and oh, my goodness how I have been married to this bottle for the last few days. But, today I am finding myself straying....see, as the cough has dwindled, a new set of symptoms has moved into town, and I'm finding myself in falling deeper and deeper for this pretty girl's equally pretty cousin....

So, I'm so in love with these girls that I may be considering becoming a lesbian and leaving my husband and children and moving to some polygamous colony in Utah with them...

...I *REALLY* hope I feel better soon, because I'm awfully fond of my husband and children, but right now these two girls are making me happier than my husband and children ever could have, especially since they've really been making my constant migraine from all the coughing worse....