David Bowie would say “Ch-ch-ch-changes…”

Posted on by LeAnne Notabartolo

Yeah I was lazy yesterday (not really) but I wasn’t thinking about my blog, I was thinking about my FitBit and how to get 10,000 steps in among other things.  I was thinking about the tasting menu for a rehearsal dinner I am catering.  I was thinking about eating sushi, making time to watch Jiro Dreams of Sushi because it is on “cable” this month.  I was thinking about the direction that this blog and my career are going. So here, with video clips in abundance is my offering to you.

My beloved only child is home for the summer.  He is not amused.  He really wanted to either stay in his college town and work this summer, or work as an intern using the degree he will be completing.  Unfortunately he isn’t doing either of those things, but IS employed (yippee!). IN case you are wondering, it is a job in food service. (Moment of Truth – I think EVERYONE should have to work in some aspect of food service at some point in their life so they can truly appreciate those who work in that field).

I had to learn to cook for four again instead of three.  Let me explain. I’ve always made extra so there would be left overs for John for lunch, so cooking for two in my house is really cooking for three.  Now that Jack is home, I had to adjust again and it took me less time this time. This kid can EAT!  And that’s not a bad thing.  At first I thought that he was just ending his final growth spurt, and that it would settle down.  NOPE!  I’ve figured out that he is so happy to be home and eat decent food.  I don’t care where you go to school; campus food is NOT as good as Mom’s home cooking.  No matter how bad a cook your mom might be, there is something special about having her cook for you. He informed me that he arrived at the house at an even 200 lbs, he is now creeping up to 210.  Most kids gain “the freshman 10”.  Not my kid, he loses weight at college.

Since Jack left for college, John and I have been doing a LOT of dining out.  Partly because we want to, and partly because our schedules have changed, gotten busier and if I cooked we’d be eating at 10 pm, and partly because there have been events, and events, and events.  Now that Jack is home, I once again feel responsible for feeding my child, so I am scratch cooking again.  And doing recipe trials.  And making things that take thought, planning and execution.  Almost like I am showing off.  For whom?  My guys know I can cook. Interestingly enough though, John is out of town for back to back conferences across 10 days and I haven’t been motivated to cook at all until I saw Chef, the Jon Favreau film. It’s ALL about change.  Now I want to cook all over again.

Changes are coming.  Can you smell them on the wind? Here are some things I have cooking:

  • My next LIVE demo at the Springs Preserve is June 21st at 10 am. Dress comfortably, we’ll be outside  You can buy your tickets here.  Be sure to link through – there is a video!
  • Guest Bloggers – first up, son Jack spouts off on Guilty Pleasures (not the book by Laurell K Hamilton). Have something to share? Want to guest blog? Shoot me an email through the “Contact Me” page and let’s see if you are a good fit.
  • My 3rd Anniversary of this blog (and a  GIVEAWAY of a  few of my favorite things – not like Oprah).
  • A “discussion” group about “The Hundred Foot Journey” by Richard C. Morais soon to be a movie.  I am not sure how it is going to work, but it will be through my Facebook page.  (You do know about that right?) and maybe dinner at a local Indian resto with whoever can join me.  

To see what I am ALWAYS doing, follow me on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram – I promise there will be food porn – and SUBSCRIBE to this blog so you get an email once a week when I post.  How easy is that?