In the Kitchen Again

Way back in December our Costco Wannabe - namely "Metro" closed its doors for good in Denmark.  We made several treks to and through for the sole purpose of getting supplies for the center at a great price.  Among other things, we purchased very large cans of black beans, white beans, kidney beans, and tomato sauce.  They will come in very handy this month.

Kasper is super busy and will not be able to cook at all from now through April.  He just returned from England and will be returning in another week and a half.  He may eventually move there to work in a British restaurant for a time (for chefs...a resume of really great restaurants worked at is everything).

SK drove me to a store and waited for me while I got a few essentials to go with the supplies we already had to make white chicken chili, and then drove me to the center, where we unloaded everything into the center.....large cans of beans etc.  He returned home and relaxed for a few hours so that he could drive the car back at 6, rather than walk.  At 6, the cost of parking goes down ....to about $10 instead of $20.  Normally we walk, but this was just one of those days.

I chopped chilies, fried up a ton of chicken breasts, sauteed onions and put together  a 3 gallon pot of the chili.  It was pretty good.  I thought "This made 48 cups - which should serve 48.....but it is unlikely that we will have that many, so we will have enough to serve to the people who come to the center for lunch after the temple on Saturday."  I was very pleased with that plan.

We have been serving dinner at 6.....and at 6 p.m. we had about 10 people there.  I was feeling pretty good about this clever  plot to fix enough for two meals.  By 6:50, I don't know how many people were there, but the soup was gone!  I guess I should have thought that through a little better.

Part of the problem is that Kasper has taught me an invaluable lesson.....keep it simple.  A year ago, I would have served that soup with green salad and hot dinner rolls and a dessert.  Tonight, it was just the soup with toppings of sour cream, tortilla chips and grated cheddar cheese.  I think everyone really enjoyed it, and nearly everyone had seconds and thirds until it was gone.  I think along with the newfound simplicity, I had better plan on making more servings.

At 7, I taught the English Institute class on Sections 121, 122, 123 of the D&C.  I love those sections.  We had a nice little discussion on several points and  I was blown away by the beautiful insights and comments made by young people in the class.  Benjamin made a comment that "My Kindness Shall Not Depart From Thee" is one of his favorite songs.  I love it too, and decided to use it for our closing song.  Good idea!  It ended the lesson on a marvelous note.  Sorry about that pun.
If you would like to listen ....follow this link:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=irX0E4-mc9U

We have a young Dane who is investigating the church and who seems to enjoy being with everyone.  He is a very likable guy and very sincere.  It is always great to have new people with us.  We left around 11....which isn't too bad, especially since we had the car, and were home in less than 10 minutes.

Well, I had better plan the meal for Saturday.  We have invited a stake from Sweden and the Danish stake from Jutland.  There is no way to know beforehand how many will come, so it is best to serve something that can easily be stretched.....like spaghetti.

Doris had to cancel today and will meet me tomorrow instead....then I'll buy a few more groceries for Saturday's meal before coming home.

It is not nearly as stressful as it was a year ago....probably because of the newfound simplicity, and probably because I don't worry so much.  Everyone is really very kind.

Did I tell you one young man wants to take me on his mission with him?  Grandma/cook....it was the cutest compliment I have ever received!  If you had ever - at any time in my life - told me that I would be thought of as a good cook, I would have laughed myself silly.  Today, I find it incredibly sweet to cook for these young people, and very fulfilling when they enjoy what I fix.

President Sederholm says that his wife likes to cook for people because it is how she tells them she loves them.  I like that.  I think that is what I am doing when I fix meals for our young people....it is just a very pleasant way to let them know I think so much of them.