Messy Kitchen Gratitude

 

We “ran out” of groceries yesterday. I put it in quotes because in the grand scheme of running out – we really didn’t. But in the grand scheme of trying to stay focused on balanced nutrition every day, we ran out of some (most?) of the necessities. Dinner the last couple of nights has been heavily cobbled together because we just didn’t have the right things to make anything purposeful.

            So last night, we headed to the grocery store. Ryan would have preferred to delay until tonight, but we already had Boot Camp taking us out for a while, so it made sense to me to do all the errand-running at once and then enjoy at full night at home tonight. (Plus, I wanted a non-cobbled meal.)

            Of course I would pick the night with tornado warnings to grocery shop. Ever been in a Walmart when every single phone in the place blares a storm warning?

            It’s fun.

            Ever tried to carry a week’s worth of groceries in a barely-two-seater truck that is also carrying two people?

            It’s fun.

            We had taken our insulated bags along to neatly pack everything in, but then the sirens went off and we just needed to get OUT. So as we drove (as though in labor) toward home, I was busy trying to repack everything into the aforementioned insulated bags from the confines of being buried beneath said groceries.

            It was fun. Actually, it felt like my greatest accomplishment all day.

            We bolted into the house, put away all the groceries, had dinner, rested for a bit, and then it was time to do all the kitchen work.

            I cleaned the produce: tomatoes and apples, strawberries and blueberries. I made the main dish of our lunch for tomorrow. I put together a new-to-me breakfast recipe that I’ll eat over the next couple of days.

            Together, Ryan and I made a batch of sandwich bread.

            And then Ryan washed all the dishes, because he’s amazing that way.

            We enjoy being in the kitchen together, telling stories while we work. I appreciate the opportunity to have healthy food in the house, even if it requires a little extra work to prepare it. And I certainly appreciate a husband who washes dishes.

            When I was first out of college, I lived on baked potatoes and boxed pasta salads. It wasn’t healthy, but neither was my paycheck, so I had to exist on what I could afford to buy. Every time I’m able to purchase food that I know is better for me (for us), I find my heart full of gratitude.

            Every time I get to cook with and for my husband, I am grateful, because I cooked for one for many years and prayed for someone to join me in the kitchen and at the table.

            And every time we have a kitchen counter full of drying dishes, I’m grateful for a nice kitchen in which to prepare the meals.

            It really IS fun.

            My heart and fridge are full today.