Monday, December 28, 2009

Feeling Child-ish

I am not a cook. I like to say that I am pretty good at assembly—meaning that I can put together a delicious meal. I start with an entree from Dinner by Design or Entree Kitchen. Then I buy a yummy Corner Bakery salad and put it into my own bowl, some bread from Panera and a cake from Portillos on a pretty cake plate and set a nice table and we are good to go.

When preparing food means using a recipe, I get a little nervous. During Christmas, however, it is worth the risk to use a few recipes. One weekend in particular I used many recipes. I cooked on Friday, Saturday and Sunday--twice. I used Lou's corn pudding recipe, of course, which is not intimidating because I have made that lots of times. But I called Bev and got her recipe for Foolproof Sirloin Tip roast, Cindy's twice baked potatoes, Ellen's baked asparagus, Nancy's Bing Cherry and Cream Cheese Balls salad, Margits Lettuce/Apple Salad, Lou's Egg Casserole . . . that might be all but still that was a lot for me.

So Sunday morning, I told Bob, "I am so Julia Childs this weekend, that I am wearing pearls all day today."

When I got to church carrying two casseroles, I decided to take the elevator to our classroom. Just inside the elevator, somehow, I dropped one casserole. It went on the floor and up the sides and even splattered on a few buttons.

It was a good thing that I was wearing my pearls because I remembered that Julia would have said, "I'm glad that happened. . . " And that made me smile.

I could also smile because I don't know how or why but none of the casserole spilled on me.

I could also joyfully smile because though I fumbled a bit, I kept the other casserole from the same demise.

Another blessed coincidence is that I was the only person in the elevator.

I had brought two serving spoons so as the elevator opened on the next floor, I was on my knees spooning casserole back into my Pyrex. A dear person ready to ride the elevator, instead ran to get some paper towels for me. The elevator moved before she returned but as I was still in that prone position when the elevator returned to that floor, I could easily grab the large stack of paper towels sitting just outside the closing door.

On my third or fourth ride on the elevator, I was standing nicely composed holding my one remaining casserole as about six people joined me on the elevator. Several remarked, "It smells really good in this elevator." I could smile again.



I wore my pearls all day.

9 comments:

Wanda..... said...

Brenda...were you really that cool, calm, and collected. If so, you should wear the pearls the rest of the year! :) I loved the movie Julie and Julia!

Brenda said...

OMGosh, I'm sorry, but I am cracking up at your expense. Glad you still had one casserole. And glad you were able to look at the bright side!

Barb W said...

SO -- YOU're the one who dropped the food in the elevator! I was commenting to about 6 people that it sure smelled good in there and I was getting hungry!! You have a great sense of humor!!

Bernie said...

I am not laughing at you, I am laughing with you and I think you look wonderful in pearls.....:-) Hugs

Donna's Book Nook said...

You really didn't have any moments of "Oh No!"--just smiles?? I'm sure it wasn't extremely funny at the time, but that is really TOO funny! Julia would have been proud of you.

Dee said...

Brenda thanks for the chuckle...I will have to use your wearing your pearls idea sometime when I have to cook. //(*_*)\\
.....

Rebecca said...

I really like those pearls! I have no real ones but several fake strands. I'll have to try wearing them when I cook (which is not nearly as often as YOU do)!

Hope the New Year is off to a good start!

Anonymous said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Jacquelyn Stager said...

Hi Julia, I mean Brenda! I'm just catching up with my blog reading. Your experiences keep me in stitches. I don't know how many people I've told about your "leaking honey" experience...now this! Really, have you considered Hollywood? I can just see you, kneeling in the elevator with your pearls dipping into the spilled casserole. Oh my, never al dull moment! Glad to see you are still smiling!