Cooking Chili 16 of 31 #sol16

I laid the ingredients all out on our island counter top.
4 cans of beans, 1 can tomatoes, 1 can diced green chilies.
1 white onion, 1 green chili, 4 cloves garlic.
Cumin, chili powder, salt.

I began with the green chili. I gave my attention to the hold of the knife.
What comes natural to so many, does not for me.
I have to pay extra careful attention to things like reading through the whole recipe first before beginning.
I never really cared about cooking before.
Before it was something I had to do sometimes.
Before it was a dreadful task.

Then, I met my husband.
I met his mother.
I ate food like I'd never tasted before.
I watched them cook.
Last Christmas, she gave me weekly private cooking lessons catered to my own apprehensions in the kitchen.
She modeled, she guided, she released responsibility.

So, last night as I made chili, a simple recipe, yes.
I enjoyed it.
I took pleasure in it.
I chopped and minced and scooped and sprinkled.
I inhaled the sweet spicy smells blending together within my dutch oven.
I watched each little bubble boiling up within the pot and felt my own bubbles of gratefulness and pride growing within me.
And I did it all while keeping the kiddo entertained nearby. ;-)