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.
Olga
As I was reading your post I thought the "reveal" part will be where you announce that the fella is back...I'm glad weekly menu's are back. Your cooking is different and unique . I would say it's very foreign, it's like traveling through Europe lol and I love it. I'm going to make similar tart (I love leeks), once I find something else to substitute goat cheese with.
I hope this year will bring you all the best.
Nancy Blue Moon
I'm thinking maybe seeing Chris again at the funeral gave you some needed closure..Amen sister..now get cookin..and get a new chicken..As I've said before..You are my hero!
Wendy
Happy New Year.
I think renovating is hard.
I think renovating your life is even harder.
And it seems as if sometimes they come hand in hand.
Enjoy the True Apple Pie, and all the other goodies cooked/baked out of food from your garden, in the kitchen you've just accomplished to suit your own needs.
W.
Pat
Totally understand where you're at in your life. For me, it was 10 years ago that the rug was pulled from under my feet and I had a helluva a time getting off the floor, so to speak. Yes, the one year mark was a milestone. When you told us the fella left, all those old feelings came back to me and I know, we readers cried for you. I remember telling you that life would get better even though at the time and throughout this past year I am sure you felt it never would. Your light was not out, simply on a lower wattage! Sounds like you have had a power surge and more power to you. You keep us all laughing, entertained, informed and educated along with daring us to try things we probably would not. Yay, Karen!!!!
West Coast Nan
Life handed you lemons, you made a new kitchen to make lemonade in. I call that a win. You inspire me to do better and for that I thank you.
alison
You no longer have to endure that godawful crossfit paleo nonsense!! Good for you!
Sherri
You're back and better than ever, mon ami! I'm so happy to be a member of your fan base; even if I don't comment on every post, I'm reading and thinking. Lord knows, I have a hard time multitasking so reading, thinking AND commenting is just too much to ask of me most days. Keep on keeping on!
mia pratt
You go girl<:}
kate-v
A year? Already? Well, as my grandma used to say: "Time flies whether you're having fun or not."
Marion
Karen, I felt so sorry for you last year, I couldnt stop thinking about your horror. Therefore I'm glad that you are getting better and even enjoy cooking again! Your cooking posts are among my favorites - I truely missed them! But I'm a bit confusesd, I thought all of this happened last July (I remember being on holiday) and that brilliant coming back Idris-post just around my birthday in August! Nevermind, I hope you have a wonderful year ahead of you with a lot of joy and laughter! I love your blog!
Karen
Hi Marion. Well the truth is the fella left on May 8th. And I got up that morning, sat at my computer and worked. I worked for a month. Never missed a post. None of you had any idea. I did that for as long as I could until I just couldn't do it anymore. That's when I told you the fella had left and took a month off. ~ karen!
Louise
Wow! You continued to work and kept it a secret from us for a whole month? I don't know how you did that - it must have been so hard! You really are an inspiration in so many ways, including how to handle Big Crap.
Jody
I am always amazed, astounded and inspired by people's stories and how they have endured. Many of the posts are testament to that. Everyone has a story. However Karen, what makes you and your story so special is that you share it with all of us. The good, the bad, the funny and the ugly. Thank you for that.
Jennifer S
Life is always better with a weekly menu. Less stress, less creative angst over trying to put things in the pantry together, less spending money on eating out, less hating yourself for eating take-out every day. I don't know why I ever don't do this, but sometimes it happens, and it's always terrible.
Anita
Hey! Happy Anniversary, I've been reading your blog for about 2 years, and you always make me laugh. I had a feeling the breakup was tough, but you never lost your quirky sense of humor and your can-do attitude. Bravo. And also, did you really write that chalkboard & it wasn't like photoshop or something? b/c if so, I am suuuuper jealous of your chalkboard handwriting.
Karen
LOL. Yeah, no. That's done in Photoshop with a Chalkboard font. :) ~ karen
Debbie
Can I come over on Wednesday? I love broccoli soup.
Karen, you have a blog for a reason. The comments show how much you give to others. Kudos to you. I have learned that everyone has a story, and that the stories are not always what we thought life would be like. I am grateful to have my middle son alive after an illness at 9 months old that the doctors told us he would most likely not survive. He is now a 20 yr. old college student. My youngest is enlisting in the army, so I have a lot of worrying ahead of me. How we handle what we are given is how we guide our destiny.
Marion
Atta girl! You're definitely starting this year off the right way. I can't even imagine what you've been through, but as some other readers have said we've all been here with you laughing (and crying) and sending lots and lots of love and good vibes your way. I'm glad you let us share this journey you, I look forward to reading your posts every morning when I get into work.
Cheers to your best year yet! - Marion in Missouri
Karen
Thanks Marion (in Missouri). I appreciate it. :) ~ karen
Linda Barnett
Go get 'em, Karen! You got this.
Maureen
2013 was a rough year for many. For us here, it was post hurricane rebuilding, a shattered foot, a displaced hip that turned out to be a tumor (benign). There was a lot of recovery to be done.
You faced this past year with great spirit, good humor and a focus on moving FORWARD.
You are inspirational and I know you cheered me up on many a rough day.
Thanks!
Karen
Thanks Maureen. And good luck with the recovery. I can't even imagine hurricane rebuilding. Can't. Even. Imagine. ~ karen!
jainegayer
Happy new year, Karen! May you have a year free from wayward busses, spider eggs , gout and centipedes.
And thank you for always being there for us, with your humor, and inspiration.
You rock!
Jodi T.
I am so sorry that this year was so horrid and so sorry about the fella's Dad. Glad to hear that you are feeling more like yourself.
Here's to a new year, Karen!!
Irene
You are wonderful. Thank you for being you.