What's your secret ingredient?

Cooking is just like life......we're always looking for a way to spice it up, make it better, get it just right...

It's that time of the year when we spend a lot of time in the kitchen. We're whipping up traditional favorites, family recipes and trying out new dishes. All of it to serve to those we love and those who love us. I find immense comfort and joy in all of it. Even when the world around me feels chaotic and uncertain--cooking in my kitchen brings me peace. I'll gladly get up at the crack of dawn to begin the process of putting together a special meal. I'm not crazy about cleaning up after a cooking marathon--I sure can make a mess--but it comes with the territory.

On this chilly November morning, as I think through my weekend cooking plans and dig through old menus of holidays past (yes, I keep detailed logs!), I find myself slowly letting go of the stress and the angst that gripped me this week. Life is not always perfect and many times we find ourselves at odds with even our own feelings and thoughts. And sometimes when we least expect it, we find ourselves hurt and confused. Yet, being in my kitchen this morning, I am coming to a final peace with what life served up to me this past week and I'm beginning to see some measure of comfort in having to do the dishes.
I'm pretty sure that means my secret ingredient is acceptance.

Recipe For Life

4 cups of Love
2 cups of Loyalty
3 cups of Forgiveness
1 cup of Friendship
5 spoons of Hope
2 spoons of Tenderness
4 quarts of Faith
1 barrel of Laughter

Take Love and Loyalty, mix it thoroughly with Faith.
Blend it with Tenderness, Kindness & Understanding.
Sprinkle abundantly with Laughter.
Bake it with Sunshine.
Serve daily with Generous helpings.