I love moving around the familiar space of my kitchen and creating tasty food. Undoubtedly that’s why I was so thrilled to get a kitchenaid mixer as a birthday gift two years ago. And surely it’s one of the many reasons why I’ve found myself cursing or crying when I’m mid-recipe and I discover missing items that John took from the kitchen as part of the divorce…

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But perhaps the most important realization that I’ve had about my kitchen recently, is just how much I enjoy cooking for other people–it’s such an expression of love to create artful, healthy, and tasty food. Seeing my family and friends sated by what I’ve created, is such a joy. Perhaps this stems from so many years of being in a ‘mother’ role, or perhaps it’s simply that it’s one important way that I express affection for others.

So…I feel as though I’ve finally made it past the worst of the loss of my familiar kitchen implements and am hitting my stride again.  Last night I made an excellent lasagna (half-veg for CatGirl, half-meat for GameBoy) and it turned out tastier than most I’ve made in past years (the kids agreed–and heartily ate several servings apiece!).  The kitchen is now clean, and orderly, and mine.  I’ll miss cooking meals from my garden this summer (which was so much pleasure), but I still have many herbs on the porch and will be shopping at the Orange and Irvine Farmer’s Markets for in-season ingredients.  So you can bet that many good smells will be wafting from my kitchen.  And I hope they’ll entice you to stop by–I’d love to share what I make with each of you  🙂

PS: Picture above is of a garden-fresh pizza.  One of my specialties!