On Tuesdays, Two Writing Teachers hosts the Slice of Life. Everyone is welcome to share writing and comment on others in this special community.
My last slice was about a pickleball match, and within it, there was another clear slice.
Before the match, I stopped at a CVS. I realized along the way that it could be a long afternoon, and I was likely to get hungry. With snowy roads, I had left extra time to get to the away match. Given that it was my first interclub adventure, I was already nervous, and the last thing I wanted was to be extra nervous because of being late. (Full disclosure: I tend to run on the late side, and doing that one last thing often causes stress.) Today, I was early, so snack-selecting seemed a perfect solution.
At the register, the girl rang up my nuts and mangos.
"Were you cooking?" she asked.
Oh no! I thought. Besides being late, another anxiety-producing attribute was smelling like stew.
"Seriously?" I asked. "Do I smell?"
"You smell good," she said. "Like stew."
I pulled my ponytail to my nose, trying to determine the strength of the lamb tagine aroma. Tumeric, cinnamon, ginger, and saffron are strong scents.
So, yeah, I was on time for the match. But I smelled like stew.
__________
I will say: This recipe is a great one... just schedule your shower for after meat-browning... or be prepared to smell like stew spices.
The comforting smell of stew. Just think you could have gone after your match, and would she have asked the same question? Is it better to smell like stew or sweat?
ReplyDeleteHahaha... I know about that smell of cooking and baking. It follows you everywhere. Sometimes I choose to bake just so my kitchen smells good when a visitor drops by. Thanks for a bit of humor this morning.
ReplyDeleteabove comment posted by Alice Nine
DeleteThanks for slicing about this! I recently got caught up in making sweet potato gnocchi with a brussel sprouts cream sauce and was late to church which caused me to have to park blocks away on an icy snowy morning. Totally worth it! There's nothing like warm comfort food.
ReplyDeleteAlso if you have time to share that recipe, it sounds amazing!
DeleteAh, yes.....the trailing of simmering scents.....we have some stories about that in our office, and one among us who cannot stomach the smell of anything cinnamon. She has a tough time at Christmas. Thanks for sharing the recipe!
ReplyDeleteOh my gosh, at least it was comfort food you brought inside with you. The final sentences are tone-perfect: "Yes... But."
ReplyDeleteYou are a busy woman! Pickleball. Stew. BTW - I ordered your book today!! Love the videos you and Maggie are making. She was one of my first small group staff developer at TCRWP. Can't wait to get it in March!!
ReplyDelete