Really Bachelor?

Last night I invited a friend over for dinner (Yay! First of two dinner dates this week, look at me go!). We enjoyed another Pioneer Woman recipe, Grilled Chicken with Lemon Basil Pasta. YUM! While I do agree it is more of a summer dish, it was fabulous none the less. After dinner we decided we would watch the first episode of the new Bachelor. This is not something I would normally do (I'm not too into reality TV), but it seemed harmless none the less.

OH MY GOODNESS!!

First off the Bachelor for this season is from a previous season in which he left two girls standing at the podium. Then the producers go through this sob story of how he has changed and gone through therapy, which included numerous pictures of him shirtless, working out (because when someone goes through intensive therapy to get over commitment issues this is what it looks like). But the fun began when the girls showed up to the "mansion". Yes, that is what it is called. Of course they throw him a twist and bring the two girls he left at the podium back for a brief conversation before the other 30 girls arrive (I'll give them that, I did really want to see how they reacted and he reacted!). Then like a playbook one girl, Jenny, was very hopeful/smiley and the other Deanna was more skeptical of his change. Seriously, I could write this show.

But it got so much more laughable when the 30 girls arrived. The last 30 minutes of the 2 hour show is why I don't watch these shows on a regular basis. These girls either (a) were so nervous it hurt to watch, which I would have been too, (b) were so full of themselves I wanted to vomit, or (c) were practically throwing themselves at a many they knew nothing about causing me to yell at them from my couch! Dresses were leaving nothing to the imagination (except for a few...Ashley S. the nanny from NY and Emily the event coodinator at the children's hosptial from Charlotte and maybe a couple others). The claws came out within the first five minutes of the girls being there. Girls were stealing Brad (Yes, that's the bachelor) away left and right. One poor girl got him stolen from her after 30 seconds like 4 times. At this point my friend and I truly believed Brad should have said something, but of course that would not have made for good ratings.

Then it was time for the roses. Ashley S. got the first impression rose and then 19 other girls got roses including a girl who has fangs (Yes, she wears fangs on a regular basis, like a vampire from Twlight, not even kidding you). Then they showed a quick montage of video from the rest of the season to get you hooked. If I wasn't careful it could have worked on me. Boy, are those video editors good!

But honestly, if that is the way to find love I want no part in it. These girls are throwing themselves at a man while compeating with 19 others. The majority of them are kissing him or doing more. They have to live in the same house as the other girls who are "dating" the same man they are. If this is not a recipe for self esteem disaster I don't know what is. He is pursuing multiple girls at the same time. Everything is wrong with this picture.

But as you know the Bachelor and Bachelorette are both extremely popular shows. Girls across America watch and wonder what it might be like to be on the show or meet the Bachelor. They wish they were as pretty, engaging, outgoing, flirtatious (the list could go on) as the girls they see on the show. But this is so far fetched from reality.

The Lord of heaven and earth loves every girl just the way he made her to be, whether that be outgoing, shy, tall, short, redhead or blonde. He has a plan for each girl that may or may not include getting married. But until we (girls) find our satisfaction in him we will not be prepared for the godly relationship that God may have planned for us. You must work through God's grace and power to become the woman he would have you to be, not the woman you think a certain guy would like. God is so much bigger than that guy. He has wonderful plans for you if only you would let him work them out through you.






PS. I just had a long, emotionally-charged conversation about last night's episode with a coworker! Seriously!

My Love/Hate Relationship with Cooking

I love cooking. No matter what my checking account may suggest.
I love the sight of a clean kitchen ready to be used. The organization of a pantry (or mine at least). The way butter sizzles when it hits a hot pan (yes I use real butter, my mom and grandmother would have nothing less). The smells of baking bread or bacon frying for that matter.

But here is the problem...I hate cooking for one. It seems like a lot of work to do for just one person. Picking out the menu, going to the grocery store, prepping the ingredients, cooking the meal (only to have more work putting away the leftovers), and then cleaning up. Seriously, am I worth that? (To those of you saying "Of course you are!" I do realize I am.)

I suppose there are some practical solutions to this problem. I could cut the recipe in half or have leftovers. But,  I hate leftovers. Period. I am not exactly sure why and I would love to like them for my budgets sake, but it just does not work for me. Also, for those of you suggesting I cut the recipe in half do you realize just how many halves or fourths my fridge would be filled with? Not my cut of tea.

So how do I plan to solve this dilemma? I have resolved to cook for others more often than I have in the past. Every now and then I will cook for the boyfriend or offer the other half of dinner to the roommate, but I want to be more intentional about my time in the kitchen. I want to plan dinner dates and parties for my friends and family. I want to explore all the recipes that my many cookbooks have to offer. I want to practice my skills and learn new ones. I want to bake (yes friends I said bake) and take it to others.

So here's to offering my love of food to others.




What about you...do you have any recipes you love to cook for others or others have cooked for you?





I already have two dinner dates set up this week :)






PS. I cooked a full recipe last night for myself, The Pioneer Woman's Meatballs with Pineapple and Peppers. Delish! I will also be having it for dinner tonight. Maybe leftovers aren't so bad after all.