Eons ago, our ancestors were hunter/gathers. They spent most of their day fishing, hunting animals and seeking vegetation such as berries and honey for something to eat. Sometimes I feel I have a lot in common with them because of the time I spend providing food. I like to cook but I also enjoy doing other things. If we didn’t have to eat three times a day, I would have a lot more free-time.
During the sixty-four years Ken and I have been married, I’ve made at least 44,000 meals. Since we have been empty-nesters, most of the casseroles and soups I prepare last for more than one meal, which gives me several days of reheating instead of starting from scratch.
It isn’t just the cooking; I have to decide what we’re going to have. The other morning, I checked the refrigerator to take inventory of what was left over from making other dishes and needed to be used up. I saw celery, green pepper, sweet onion, sour cream, mayonnaise, grated cheddar cheese and bacon. I can’t recite recipes, so I have to find them. I do remember which cookbook, notebook or recipe box to look in. I realized I had the makings of a Seven Layer Salad, which goes with anything else. All I would need to buy was a head of lettuce and a package of frozen peas.
Add in trips to the grocery store. When we lived in the country, that was a once-a-week excursion. Living in town with a market a few blocks away, I go whenever my list gets long or I need something right now.
Of course, cooking and eating makes dirty dishes, which have to be cleaned. I’ve never felt the need for a dishwasher. Our pullman-style kitchen, which was tucked into an alcove when our house, one of the oldest in the village, was remodeled, has no room for one either.
How much of your time do you spend providing meals?