Where Does The Time Go?

I’m still here! Really, honestly! I know it’s been two weeks since last I posted anything. I’m truly sorry for how wonky the update schedule has been lately. There’s a lot going on right now, some of it good, some less so. Life has a way of speeding by when you’re not looking and only last night, when writing our grocery list, did I realize just how long it’s been since last update.

It’s hard to get excited about food and cooking these days, I’m not gonna lie. I’m sick of my kitchen, I’m sick of my food. Every day feels the same: cook, eat, clean. Cook, eat clean. I like the food I make. I like the food Liz makes when she takes a turn cooking. And I like our local takeout rotation, don’t get me wrong. But I miss dining.

Eating is certainly not the same as dining, any restaurant person can tell you that. And even if I go through the ritual of setting the table, picking the wine, artfully plating the food, it’s just not the same at home. Our dining table goes largely unused as we take most of our meals at the coffee table, on the couch in front of the TV.

In a matter of weeks in Ontario we’ve gone from lockdown, to shutdown, to stay-the-fuck-at-home… down. And if that’s not great for MY mental health, I can only imagine what it’s doing to all my friends and neighbors who work in restaurants. I understand the need for controlling the spread, as things have gotten out of control in Ontario. But the government flubbed the pandemic response long ago and a heavier-handed REAL lockdown weeks or months ago would have been a better approach than this. This gradual closing, this balancing act of trying to keep people safe but not make them angry did neither.

I’m personally trying to get out of a negative headspace. I want out of this rut I’m in. I enjoy writing this blog, sharing my thoughts about food and restaurants with you. And since restaurants are going to be unreachable for a while longer, I pledge to cook some more interesting stuff and share recipes and techniques with all of you. I have some good stuff planned for this week.

It was that old spaghetti puttanesca, the first recipe I shared here, way back when that helped snap me out of it. I made it last weekend for dinner and it honestly hit different. I nailed it. For whatever reason, it was just the best version of itself. Food can transport you. It can alter your mood. When you’re cooking for someone you love, an already-good dish comes out great. Liz needed some cheering up, and that always means spaghetti.

Until restaurants are open again, my friends, I’ll keep trying to brighten your days with some good old home cooking. It doesn’t seem right to talk about restaurants and my experiences in them otherwise. No need to kick anyone while they’re already down, right?

Anyways, lots more to come this week, so welcome back and stick around!