A Lent full of promise, steak success, cooking with children, and more (7 Quick Takes)

~1~

Last Lent I remember the holy water disappeared from the fonts at church, and I was so sad. Practically the next minute, it seemed, the churches all closed and we launched into a Lent like no other—well, except maybe this one. What a long Lent it has been.

But this Lent holds a different kind of hope to it. There’s a sense of something on the horizon, a newness, rejoicing. And so we wait, expectantly, hopefully, ready to experience whatever joy awaits us.

I hope your Lent feels full of promise, too.

~2~

Last week I mentioned that I had given John steaks for Valentine’s Day, and I was nervous to cook them. I am delighted to report that I followed the instructions that came with the steaks, and they turned out so well.

I am not someone who likes to follow directions in a recipe, so this was an unusual approach for me, but it was worth it.

John was still talking about the steaks the next day.

~3~

It only took 11 months into the pandemic for me to realize I should change my text notification sound so it would be different from my husband’s. I can’t believe it took me so long. Now I only have to jump up when it’s actually my phone. My life will never be the same.

~4~

I’ve never really cared for cereal because I don’t like how it gets soggy in the milk. But my children are always hungry, and they’re just getting taller and hungrier.

So, last week I ordered a box of Cheerios, and I was astonished to find they ate their way through it at great speed—and it saved me the trouble of cooking some of the many extra mini-meals I’ve been serving.

We might be onto something here.

~5~

Our boys’ schools, which have been virtual, will offer hybrid options for two days a week in April, and John and I have been trying to decide what to do. What I have loved is that everyone who has offered us advice really seems to appreciate that this is a very personal decision for every family.

When you become a parent, you only have a vague sense of the decisions you will have to make. There are so many decisions. And just when you make one, there’s another left to make.

~6~

Every now and then my sons talk me into buying crab legs from the grocery store. It’s definitely a luxury, but it seems healthier than lots of things they could request. And I do like to add some specialness to these stay-at-home days.

The other day the boys realized I had some in the fridge and asked me to heat them up for them to enjoy during their virtual classes. So, I did.

I found myself thinking, as I do so often, that we are going to struggle to return to “normal” life, whatever that will look like. We are definitely doomed.

But I guess we can figure it all out when we get there.

~7~

When our children were toddlers, I remember parents of older children would assure me that cooking with toddlers would lead to helpful kitchen helpers later. I have not found that to be the case.

I would say that if you’re cooking with toddlers, just enjoy that you are cooking with toddlers—or consider that you’re burning off time in Purgatory if it’s really miserable—and don’t assume they’ll want to help when they’re older and more capable. It might happen, but it doesn’t automatically happen.

Now and then, though, our fifth grader does decide to free-wheel a soup recipe of his own making in the kitchen, and I just let him go. That brings its own fun. And it does bring back memories of the times we used to bake together when he was little.

Then, of course, I get to eat the soup. And it’s just the right kind of soup for Lent.

Find more quick takes on Kelly’s blog, This Ain’t the Lyceum, and have a wonderful weekend!

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