In past years I have made resolutions, announced them publicly for accountability reasons, and then worked diligently to stick to my plan. This year was different somehow. Instead, my New Year's tradition slipped past quietly - unlike the ball dropping with loud celebration this year.
I usually look forward to a shiny new year, so full of promise and opportunity to start fresh - but it seems to be less of a milestone this year. Everything that seemed to be so important in my life in the past twenty years has changed. Events that once excited me have become part of the "life cycle." You know, the one you're thrilled to participate in when you're young and all is new...and glad to see change as over the years, you grow tired of the repetition.
In addition to committing to a New Year's resolution each year, I looked forward to finding new ways to celebrate Valentine's Day, St. Patrick's Day, and all the festive events with my family. I would make heart-shaped pancakes with red cinnamon candy, cook an Irish meal for luck, and find new ways to make a red, white, and blue dessert everyone would love.
It seems that now I am eager for a fresh perspective that takes me out of my cherished memories and into new beginnings. Instead of cooking my signature family favorites at the holidays, I am now creating new favorites by trying out the latest recipes and using those tools that always intimidated me.
Like many of you, my husband and I have "date night" when we can slip away for a few hours alone. We used to go to dinner or maybe a concert that would have to be booked far in advance to make it happen. But that tradition has changed as well. Now, we have Movie Tuesdays and an impromptu lunch at a nearby cafe.
Our latest date was a wonderful evening at, Kiss Z Cook, a local culinary venue that offers culinary classes, knife skills training, teambuilding, and group events. In addition to teaching you how to cook they are now offering a taste of their cuisine as "chef's specials" for mid-day dining and order-ahead for takeout.
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| Executive Chef Dwight reviews the recipes. |
included New Orleans Shrimp, Okra, and Tomato Saute' with Jalapeno Cheese Grits, Creole Catfish with Braised Carrot, Turnip and Kale, and the finale...Bananas Foster!
The best part of this experience was my husband and I both discovering something new together, learning together, and finding a delicious end.
May this be one of many adventures we have as we look for opportunities to make our New Year fabulous - without resolutions.
May this be one of many adventures we have as we look for opportunities to make our New Year fabulous - without resolutions.
