One of my online writing friends writes a blog piece everyday, even when she is traveling. When I told her my life wasn’t so interesting that I had something to write that often, she said she just writes a slice of life. Another of our friends chimed in that she loves that attitude and does the same thing.
So, here’s a slice of my life:
On Saturday, I stood in front of the meat counter at Trader Joe’s sorting through packages of Corned Beef looking for the one with the lowest price. One of their employees must have wondered what I was doing because suddenly he was there wanting to know if I had a problem. The first package I picked up was $13.29, the lowest, and I was contemplating whether I wanted to spend that much. He went on and on about how great it is to have corned beef on the shelves again now that St. Patrick’s Day is approaching.
Memories of one of my mother’s meals activated my salivary glands. The employees enthusiasm made my mouth water more.
When I was growing up we didn’t have a lot of money but Mom knew how to make it stretch with simple meals. In those days, it was possible to purchase slices of corned beef from the deli counter. The slices were already cooked and all Mom had to do was lay them on top of the potato and cabbage stew she prepared and the corned beef melted in.
While I enjoyed this meal and would like to replicate it, it is not possible to find corned beef like that anymore. And I’ve always been intimidated by the huge corned beef briskets that could feed a huge family. I usually cook for one. But these packages were smaller and the directions indicated it would be done if baked in water in the oven for 25-30 minutes. So I decided to give it a go.
Tonight I attempted to replicate Mom’s stew as best I could. While the potatoes, onions, and cabbage cooked, the corned beef baked in the oven. After 25 minutes I added the meat and water to the potato-cabbage pan. I had already seasoned it with thyme and tarragon. I love tarragon and use it as often as seems fitting. Then I cooked it for ten more minutes before digging in.
It wasn’t as good as Mom’s. But then, other people’s cooking almost always tastes better than mine. But I do remember Mom saying that, too. I did enjoy having a little bit of the flavor of corned beef, something I haven’t had in years.
And best of all, I was able to divide the two pieces of corned beef contained in that $13.29 package into six pieces, so I’ll have five more meals. That is $2.22 per meal. Mom would be proud of me.
Lovely, Linda. Loving yourself…
Len’s slice-of-life theory of daily blogging has deeply connected with me, although I need more than 20 minutes a day for a blog, so I spend 20 minutes a day writing a blog that may take 3-4 days to complete.
Kudos to you!
I’m with you Mary Jo, I can’t imagine doing this every day. And I’m truly amazed at the positive comments from our WIP sisters about my writing in this post. I may have to do it more often, but daily…don’t think so. This experience is taking some of the edge off having to have something profound to write about each time. I just don’t experience “profound” every day or even most days.
Each year my family and I await March 17, St. Patrick’s Day, and a corned beef dinner. I was laughing to myself yesterday at this ritual, as if we couldn’t have it any time we wanted!!! Since I cook for 5 I buy a large one, or two, and we have rueben sandwiches later in the week:) My grandsons love it…..wonder if they will try to duplicate it someday down the road…….
I’ll bet they will try to replicate this down the road. And they will remember with fondness their grandma who could have been a Master Chef and is certainly one for her family. Love when I’m invited to dinner at your place. I know the food will be scrumptious.
Love it. Made my mouth water. I liked seeing the photo especially of your mom. Keep writing.
That is one of my favorite photos of my mom. She was always so happy when she was with her bowling friends.
This is GREAT, We had corned beef and cabbage, too. My dad was our chef. Ya gotta love Trader Joe’s. Those people know their products!
And that sales person knew what he was doing, too. Making my mouth water made the sale.
I remember the potato, mushroom soup, milk and butter made at your house. It was sooo good,even when it got cold. Thanks for bringing up a special memory. God bless
Wow, Pat, I’ve forgotten all about that. Wish I still had the recipe. Makes my mouth water hearing you describe it. Hope all is well with you and yours. Blessings to you, too.