You would think that in a household of 4 daughters, I would have learned how to cook before leaving home. Well, I didn't. In fact, I hardly knew how to work the stove or the oven. I never helped Mom in the kitchen. If I did, it was more of the mixing or rolling dough or something like that. I do remember one time when no one was home, I thought I would surprise everyone by making supper. I went to the pantry and found a box of hamburger helper. I read the directions. Then, when I discovered I would have to brown my own hamburger, I put it back. I was NOT going to brown hamburger by myself! Another time, when I was in high school, I remember sitting in the living room while Mom had cookies in the oven. She was upstairs when the timer buzzed. I didn't bother letting her know the timer buzzed....I kinda thought she would hear it. I was also very annoyed at the buzzing sound so I turned off the buzzer thinking it would also turn off the oven.
Nope, it doesn't.
Mom came downstairs a bit later and asked if the timer buzzed. I informed her that it did and I shut it off. She pulled out the nearly burnt cookies and explained to me that shutting off the timer does not shut off the oven. My friends....my GUY friends...never let me live that one down. I told them that I would just learn on my own oven when I grew up.
And that's exactly what I did.
I went off to college having never done laundry or cooked for myself. Thankfully, I friend took me under her wing and showed me the basics. I was fine. I met my husband, got married, and had to learn how to cook on my own stove and oven. It really wasn't that difficult. I actually think it's better that way. This way, I am not already accustomed to my mom's way of cooking, but I can learn to cook the way my husband likes his food - which means more like his mom's way of cooking. She gave me tips, Seth gave me tips, and I follow recipes to the letter. I did call my mom for some directions I didn't understand like "cut in" or "pat dry." But mostly, I learned myself.
I am teaching my children a little bit, although I think I'm like my mom in this area. I'm usually too much of a perfectionist to let the kids do some things or I'm in a hurry. But, I do try to let go and let them learn. K has made a couple of things on her own with very little of my help. Little A loves to stir things and she helps with other easy jobs in the kitchen. J isn't that interested, but I really do want him to know how to cook.
Why is it that at that critical moment of making a meal when you can't leave the kitchen and you have several things cooking and needing stirred or something chopped and added or whatever that something else is trying to get my attention? The phone rings, the doorbell rings, the kids need something, or nature is calling. Bad timing!!! There have been times that I turned off the burners just so I could run to the bathroom.
I wouldn't say that I enjoy cooking. But, I don't hate it either. I do love making food for other people and I love making it look pretty. I cook in the oven, on the stove, in the microwave, and with other small kitchen gadgets.
I must say that for only 15+ years of cooking on my own, I have gotten quite good. My children may complain, but kids are kids. So, to you who thought I was silly for not learning to cook when I was younger...HA! We're not starving in this house. :)
