Domesticating Myself - Part One

Okay, so anyone who knows me knows I have always said I hate cooking. It always felt so tedious, and like such a long process to get a finished product that just disappears in what seems like a few minutes.

Since I've been on maternity leave I have started to try out the whole "house-wife" role in a very new way for me. I have ventured into cooking, and have found I don't mind it as much as I did, or thought I did. I wouldn't call myself a genius in the kitchen but I have felt more excited and inspired to venture into trying meals which otherwise I would never have done.

I'm still prive to burning things, or messing meals up but that hasn't stopped me from trying, and I think succeeding (actually I haven't burned anything yet since I've been on this new adventure). Hey when your husband of 3 1/2 years says "Can I have some more hunny? that was really good." For the first time EVER. It's got to mean something. Plus when he comes home and says things like "It smells really good in here and can't wait to dip his fingers into the food, I take it as a compliment."

This didn't just happen overnight, but I blame it all on our new budget. I have learned more that if I want to stay within a budget for food I must make plans. I started meal-planning to help with narrowing the food needed instead of shopping without direction. I feel so much more daring and find I actually get excited about trying a new recipe or cooking something when I know what I can make and that we have all the ingredients.

Rocket science, right? Who would've thought something so simple could change my perception of cooking.

Some of the top meals, and cooking adventures so far have been Tacos, Shepards pie (my husbands favorite so far), Apricot-Glazed Lemon Chicken, and homemade bread which I made with my friend Mary.

Here are some pictures of them. Sorry my camera doesn't always take the best pictures all the time.

My Shepards Pie before baking.

My Shepards Pie after baking (our oven is a little uneven and overly hot, so the top got a little browner than anticipated. However super tasty!)

My Apple-Cinnamon Bran muffins before baking. (I cheated a little on these with a mix, but added the apple slices to add flavor, and give them some appeal)

My Delicious white bread, which I made with my friend.

Well there's a little glimpse into my domesticated-ness. I am trying out some new recipes in the next couple of weeks so I will let you know how it goes.