It has been exactly one year since all hell broke loose in this household. Happy anniversary to me.
One year ago today right in the middle of me renovating out kitchen, without warning, without reason, the fella walked out the door and never came back.
The house was a mess, my life was a mess, and there was nothing I could do about it other than deal with it as best I could. And as the worst year of my life came nearly to an end, the fella's father died.
This year was a horror. It was a horrible, awful, tear and rage filled year and today it comes to an end.
If this year I am run over by a bus, have a spider lay eggs in my ear and get the gout, it will still be a better year than last year. So here's hoping.
One of the things I stopped doing this past year was make a weekly menu. I didn't do it because the fella wasn't here to cook for plus I didn't have a functioning kitchen or a real desire to cook. And even if the kitchen was technically functioning it was ripped apart, meaning my olive oil may have been in the mudroom, my big pan under my bed and the wood spoons somewhere I hope to figure out soon.
So this week, on this day, as a way to start my next year on a good note I've decided to (at least for myself) start doing weekly menus again. It's something I always loved doing. Making the menu and then making the food. I thought I'd lost my love for cooking this past year but once I took a look at my new kitchen I realized I hadn't lost it at all. It was just hibernating.
The kickstart was when I decided to make a true pie (apple, which happens to be the truest of the true) in honour of the fella's father this week. Making the dough and stirring the sugar into the apples, stirred something inside of me.
I WANTED TO COOK! And eat.
So I headed to the chalkboard and for the first time in a year I wrote down a weekly menu for myself. I can't guarantee I'll be posting the weekly menu here every week, but I will the odd time.
If you've been knocked off your rocker for any reason this past year, I hope this weekly menu might stir something in you.
Recipes
I look forward to a year of garnishes, greens and gout. And I wish the same for you.
Oh man Karen, you're awesome. Through hardship and heartbreak, you still managed to turn on your computer, share with us, make us laugh and teach us how to do "stuff" ;)... among other awesome things. Happy Anniversary to you indeed! Your best days are ahead of you.
I'm so looking forward to your kitchen reveal, and will be picking up a copy of the magazine !!
One of my favorite quotes...although I can't source it, soooo... maybe I'm just making it up
"What's on you will destroy you, if what's in you can't sustain you"
...you must be full of good shit
I love that you have a 'scrounge' day! It's so important to build in flexibility!
Cheers to the start of a great year!
I found your site not so long ago Karen, but I must admit I have very much fallen in love with the idea that there are strong beautiful women that focus on the same goals and inspirations. I never knew there was such a breed of us out there. My "Mr." is still here dealing with me, but life will be fine without what walked away from you. You are strong, beautiful and determined. Stay focused and be only the best that you can be and it will all work out in the end!
What an amazing collection of comments! Yours was one of the first blogs that I followed and routinely forced my husband to read over my shoulder. I've always admired you for continuing to seem like a real person when so many of my favorite bloggers have begun to sound like infommercials for products. Thanks for keeping it real and inspiring so many of us!
Hah! Well those products pay a LOT of money Elisa, lol, so don't fault them for that. :) But I know what you're saying. Thx! ~ karen
Fair play to you Karen!
I was astounded when that happened, such a shock as I always thought your life was so together and sorted. And that just showed that shocking things can happen to anyone.
I totally admire how you've pasted the fragments together, dignified and brave. Kudos to you!
They've a saying here, " when tragedy hits, time is the only thing working for you", but while I agree that time helps, good friends and family do too, and I'm sure your Mum, Pink Tool Belt and Fish Ped did too.
With hopes that at least some days this year are easier for you. Xx
I think you're wonderful. I think this year is going to be great. <3
Well thanks Julie. :) You're pretty swell yourself. And like I say, pretty much anything would be better than last year, lol. ~ karen
Pheeww if it is New Years then I haven't missed your birthday by much and I can bring over your real card, not the lameo Ecard I sent. Elise and I will see you in the second week in June, It is Dutch Walk time at the Conservation area near you again. Maybe I will bring Oskar but he is taller than you so you may not want that.
We haven't seen each other enough but I feel like I see you all the time, every day on my computer. Excited to see you soon. I have Gatusso Pizza Sauce! Anj
Wow, little did I know googling oxiclean this morning, would lead me to such a wonderful site! I also am fairly newly single, and soon coming up on the year anniversary that he finally moved out. 36 years. It moved me greatly to read so many others going through the same life experience. Thank you all for sharing, it helps me to know I am not alone! Happy Happy Anniversary - may it be the first of many wonderful years ahead for you!
Hi Chris. Many, MANY people have been through it. I was just thinking today at how socked at I am at how much better I feel only one year later. I'm perfectly happy. :) I still wish things hadn't gone the way they did but it has not ruined my life. And welcome to The Art of Doing Stuff. ~ karen! p.s. Oxiclean is GREAT
Catching up here. I am so sorry to hear about the Fella's father. This tribute was lovely, perhaps your best work yet. My condolences to you all.
Thanks Sara. On all counts. :) ~ karen
Karen? Are you still driving Jack? Is two weeks in US equal to one week in Canada?
What?? LOL. I'm confused. ~ karen!
Karen, do you copy? Is this weekly menu just random weekly menu, or "weekly menu" means it's going to be posted every week? I'm sorry, but I have not fallowed you from the beginning of the earth, so I'm not quite sure if you were posting "weekly menu" every week or not. I guess, before I make any assumptions, I should do my homework on your blog... Over and out.
Olga - I used to post my weekly menu every single week. Now I'm just doing them for myself, but *will* be posting them occasionally here. Not this week though. :) ~ karen
Just found your site today and already feel like I know you as a good friend. Kudos for jumping back in the ring and doing what makes you happy...cooking! Love the Menu Board idea too. Will look forward to many more uplifting posts from you and your site. Nameste
Thanks Delila! Welcome to The Art of Doing Stuff. I think you'll like it here. ~ karen!
Just stumbled upon this as a relatively new reader and you have inspired me to cook the leek and goats cheese tart. You are an inspiration. There you go!
Thanks Bronwyn. And you're going to LOVE the leek and goats cheese tart! It's one of my favourites. ~ karen!