I am so excited to see a dear friend of mine embark on a new adventure tomorrow. It makes me yearn for the days past but want to jump ahead to adventures yet to come. My friend is leaving for a grand trip to South Korea tomorrow to live and teach for the next 2 years (+, -, ?). The thrills of learning a new culture, language and the art of living as the minority entangle me in dreams of days past. The first few weeks living in Mexico thinking I would never survive being there. The last few weeks in Mexico thinking I could never survive not being there.
How do you find the balance? How can you tell when it is finally that point in time to throw in the cards and depart on a big expedition? Is there ever a right time? What about career and family? Tradition and routine? Leaving for great adventure is so appealing as I tell my employer at every review that I have that I am ready to move on to international work. A few hours after this confession a new sense washes over me. What about the life I have created (or been given by The Master Creator) here is West Texas? What about my horses, my dogs, my niece and nephew or the rest of my family? Can I really leave it all for an undetermined amount of time to work and explore?
I look around me and to the Lord for signs that my time as come, to raise the mast and cast open the sails for the next journey to take me to further happiness and success. As I do this I wish the best of luck to my friend Megan. As she leaves to act on the dreams that we used to talk about in room 214 of the sorority house our sophomore year of college. How we would become cultured, well traveled women of the world. Best of luck my friend, I know you will do grand. And remember, just like we used to recite every night. At the end of the day you are only allowed 1 negative but double the amount of positives. Go get 'em girl.
Wednesday, September 7, 2011
Monday, May 2, 2011
Solo Steak
Cooking for one is not always fun. Who is there to divide doing the dishes with or discuss the high points or not so tasteful parts of the meal? Planning a meal is exciting, trying to put together sides to compliment a new dish or try something new but can't all that work get old? How many times do I have friends over and I panic that there won't be enough macaroni salad or baked beans? (Very frequently let me tell you!)
There is one food though that I truly enjoy basking in the glory all by myself. That food is steak. Solid, red, American raised beef. Since I work in the beef industry I feel it is only my obligation to support my livlihood! (No - this is not a promo, I really just love beef and everything about it) As needed I buy ribeye rolls wholesale. Cryovacked hunks of meat that have never been frozen. I take that meat and let it sit and age in my freezer for an extra 2 - 4 weeks and then cut steaks and repackage them as I see fit. (Packs of 1 to 4 steaks) There is no need to cut a thin steak, a 1/2 inch thick ribeye is fine, but couldbe far better at an inch and a quarter or thicker. And so I cut, one steak at a time and listen as my tummy begins to grumble.
After cutting all those steaks I have to give into my cravings and eat the fruits of my hard labor. Conveniently, I have cut steaks on a weekend when all my friends are out of town. Sure, I would love to share the company with friends but I am tackling this all on my own. One of my favorite parts? I don't prepare sides, I don't plan out a menu. My menu is one thing: solid ribeye. I get my charcoal grill piping hot and on goes the steak. Cooked to my taste (medium) I enjoy in all the glory of this delicious American meal. I let my thoughts run wild with the equisite taste of beef and the anticipation of what's to come. My mind wanders to the advantages of a solo steak and here are my top five reasons it is the best food to eat solo:
- I don't have to worry about making sides or intense meal planning - it is complete in itself. Beef and beef.
- There is only one dish to wash, my plate. (Plus knife and fork, but I sure won't have to use that knife much with as tender as it is!)
- My thoughts can wander as they like and taste buds can run wild without the interuption of small talk or requests for more milk or salad.
- There for sure won't be any leftovers, it's just that good!
- Grocery shopping for extra ingredients? Yeah right, protein, salt and pepper please!
My list could run on for days.... but I won't let that happen. Just remember, the next time you are feeling lonely and tired of dining solo, do not fret! Find a store, buy a steak and indulge, it will change your outlook on everything!
Now that I am craving beef I think it's time to indulge....
Happy dining!
CGM
There is one food though that I truly enjoy basking in the glory all by myself. That food is steak. Solid, red, American raised beef. Since I work in the beef industry I feel it is only my obligation to support my livlihood! (No - this is not a promo, I really just love beef and everything about it) As needed I buy ribeye rolls wholesale. Cryovacked hunks of meat that have never been frozen. I take that meat and let it sit and age in my freezer for an extra 2 - 4 weeks and then cut steaks and repackage them as I see fit. (Packs of 1 to 4 steaks) There is no need to cut a thin steak, a 1/2 inch thick ribeye is fine, but couldbe far better at an inch and a quarter or thicker. And so I cut, one steak at a time and listen as my tummy begins to grumble.
After cutting all those steaks I have to give into my cravings and eat the fruits of my hard labor. Conveniently, I have cut steaks on a weekend when all my friends are out of town. Sure, I would love to share the company with friends but I am tackling this all on my own. One of my favorite parts? I don't prepare sides, I don't plan out a menu. My menu is one thing: solid ribeye. I get my charcoal grill piping hot and on goes the steak. Cooked to my taste (medium) I enjoy in all the glory of this delicious American meal. I let my thoughts run wild with the equisite taste of beef and the anticipation of what's to come. My mind wanders to the advantages of a solo steak and here are my top five reasons it is the best food to eat solo:
- I don't have to worry about making sides or intense meal planning - it is complete in itself. Beef and beef.
- There is only one dish to wash, my plate. (Plus knife and fork, but I sure won't have to use that knife much with as tender as it is!)
- My thoughts can wander as they like and taste buds can run wild without the interuption of small talk or requests for more milk or salad.
- There for sure won't be any leftovers, it's just that good!
- Grocery shopping for extra ingredients? Yeah right, protein, salt and pepper please!
My list could run on for days.... but I won't let that happen. Just remember, the next time you are feeling lonely and tired of dining solo, do not fret! Find a store, buy a steak and indulge, it will change your outlook on everything!
Now that I am craving beef I think it's time to indulge....
Happy dining!
CGM
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