It’s been a long week. I wasn’t feeling well yesterday, so when I got home I crawled into bed and slept for over an hour. When I woke up I felt refreshed and hungry, but didn’t have any idea what to make for supper. Searching through my cabinets, I realized I had all the ingredients for corn chowder. The recipe I use was my grandmother’s and it’s always been one of my family’s favorite soups.
As I began chopping the onions, I felt some of my stress begin to fade. There’s something about the rhythmic motion of the knife that calms me. Stirring in the corn and milk, my shoulders began to drop. By the time I had the potatoes peeled and diced, the kitchen was filled with a delicious aroma, and I was much more at peace with the issues that have been on my mind.
Cooking isn’t always so soothing, but last night, creating this nourishing, homemade meal was the epitome of comfort food.
Thank you to Stacey, Tara, Dana, Betsy, Anna, Beth, Kathleen, and Deb for this space for teachers and others to share their stories each Tuesday throughout the year and every day during the month of March. Be sure to visit Two Writing Teachers to read more Slice of Life posts.
Reading to the Core 
You have inspired me! I’m going to cook tonight. Your description of the chowder was yummy!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I love this post about comfort food…and although I am scared to cook, I might take comfort in writing my own post about my comfort foods. Thanks for the idea!
LikeLike
I could smell your soup all the way over here. Yum! Comfort food, indeed. I hope you are feeling better.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yum, I want the recipe! It is great that cooking your grandmother’s recipe made you more relaxed.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I too find that some of the rhythms of the kitchen can be calming and reassuring. Hope you’re feeling restored.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I also enjoy the calming effect that cooking has on me especially when making one of my mother’s recipes. It brings back such great memories and puts a smile on my face.
LikeLiked by 1 person
All the same feelings this evening making homemade pizza!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Returning to our food roots always brings a bit of comfort to the body. Sounds like a great stress reliever too.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Cooking does the opposite to me…stresses me out! Hope you are feeling better.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Cooking, especially cooking comfort food, can be so soothing – hope you are feeling better, Catherine.
LikeLiked by 1 person
The fact that you sliced onions and then sliced about doing that, all while feeling under-the-weather, impresses me! Hope your soup worked its magic and has you feeling better! Thank you for sharing the moment.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Maybe next time you’ll share that recipe if you can. I’m glad you got some rest too, and distractions do help, also using other senses. They engage us. Love that you shared, Catherine.
LikeLike
It is interesting what actions or what places can calm and soothe when our minds are rushing on and on. I especially like the line, “There’s something about the rhythmic motion of the knife that calms me.” It sounds like poetry.
Thanks for sharing!
LikeLike