As Long as Nobody Died

Lately I've been working really hard to make dinner every night.  I know, I know, some of you (my I-milk-my-own-almonds peeps) just fell off the couch.  Seriously. We don't make dinner that often. This is a huge feat for me. Not only do I not cook well, when I'm rushed it really isn't even good. Thank goodness the kids don't mind or else they don't like it and our rule is, eat what's in front of you or eat nothing.  Maybe that sounds cruel, but clearly, I am not a short order chef.  


Tonight could have been better.  I had a recipe ready to go, ingredients in the fridge, a goal of eating fresh food cooked by ME and it was actually before 6:00 PM that I was starting.  I whip out the cookbook, you know, the red and white checked one that our mothers and grandmothers all used, and I realize that only 4/5 of our family was home and it was dark out!  I had to go on a neighborhood hunt for the oldest kid, while Josh diverted a computer crisis for work.  That took about 10 minutes.  I get home, get back to the cookbook and realize that the main ingredient is supposed to marinate for 30 minutes before cooking. Hmm. OK. I think that's doable, as it is only 5:40 and I should be able to get the chicken marinading and the rice cooking in the meantime. Long story short, we ended up eating dinner at SEVEN which in our house is akin to the witching hour.  


When all is said and done I turn to Josh and, I'll admit it, with tears and a lump in my throat, I tell him I guess dinner is a success if at least one person eats, someone cries and we are all together.  


In all his infinite wisdom, kindness and grace, he says, "Dinner is a success if no one dies."


Here is a blog and recipe that I will be using next time I kill someone feel rushed and need a quick meal:


http://benandbirdy.blogspot.com/2011/09/lame-dinner-1-pizza-toast.html


I hope your dinners are successful, no matter what your vision of success is.