Showing posts with label bento. Show all posts
Showing posts with label bento. Show all posts

Freaking Kitchen.

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5:16 PM
I have come to a realization.  I hate my kitchen.  It makes me sad to say that, but I really think that I do.  My kitchen is an unhappy place.  No windows, just fluorescent lighting.  No happy colors, just stainless steel countertops and sink, and drab blue tile walls.  The floors and cabinets are even worse.  Beige, off-white, industrial and BLAH.

This honestly makes me really sad.  I spent the last 3+ years parked in front of a TV watching the Food Network and oohing over silly kitchen gadgets.  I like the Pampered Chef!  I obsess over Rachel Ray, and I idolize Alton Brown.  The kitchen has been my one sacred place.  Mark cooks on occasion, but to be honest, it's pretty rare for him to do it.  For the most part the kitchen is entirely MY domain.  I like it that way.  I like knowing where things are and having it all just so.

But here, I don't have things a certain way, really.  Most of the stuff in my kitchen doesn't even really feel like my own.  It all feels like temporary junk that I don't even care about.  For the most part, that's intentional.  We didn't want to blow a ton of money on "nice" things when we knew we had nice things back in the states.  What's the point of having double the nice stuff?  I figured, eh, it's just 3 years.  I'll survive.  I'll make do.

But with this kitchen, I struggle.  It's not cozy.  It's not fun.  It's not familiar.  My silverware, dishes, glasses, cookware, everything.  Right down to the rubber spatulas.  None of it is "me".  None of it feels like my stuff.  I have a really hard time adjusting to being in a kitchen that feels so foreign.  And with the roach problem this apartment came with, I am REALLY struggling to feel cozy in there.  Last night before bed, I Raided along the floor and the sides of all the appliances.  Anyplace that I felt like a roach might have a chance of hiding out, I sprayed the Raid.  This morning I felt a little better about the situation, but only a little.

I have fun in the kitchen still.  I still make a mean pot of spaghetti or pilaf or whatever your heart desires.  I still keep my fridge typically stocked, and my pantry always has some sort of something in it worth eating.  I am loving bento-making and honestly fall asleep every night thinking about what I'll pack in Mark's lunch.

I just wish it felt a little more "mine".

Today I made Amaris her first ever Bento lunch.  It was adorable and I should have taken a picture.  It had mini pb&j's, carrot sticks, grapes, pretzels, and cheese.  She loved it.
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Verdict

Posted in Labels: ,
2:07 PM
Mark enjoyed his bento lunch.  And his coworkers were jealous.  He called me at around 12:30 to ask which candies I'd turned out this weekend and I made him deliver me a full report on his bento experience.

I officially rule!  And am well on my way to saving us a ton of money (that would have otherwise been spent at Popeyes or Burger King - which means I'm additionally saving Mark a ton of calories!  Double win.)
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A little thing called...

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8:53 AM
Determination.

I made my very first bento box this morning. Ashamed to say I didn't get pictures, but honestly, that's besides the point. The point is... I made a bento lunch. A grown-up bento lunch. With steak and rice and salad. And Mark didn't complain. In fact, he almost looked a little amused as I packed the rice into the bottom of the container. He gathered up everything and left for work with a smile.

Honestly, I think he loves me more when I get up with him in the morning. Today he had two breakfast sandwiches, juice, coffee, and his lunch packed with love.

Over the weekend, I'm pleased to say that I finally went to a 100Yen store, which was awesome (and was where I bought Mark his bento box and accessories!), went bowling, and then made Christmas candy with my neighbor while the husbands watched the kids. Mark had yesterday off so I was able to run errands again child-free. It was a really nice break and today I feel pretty good.

I'm sure my blogs are more interesting when I am bitter, but what the hell.

I made a bento box! Hooray!

Oh, and here is a family picture from Friday at the Christmas party. Amaris was not feeling compliant. But Mark kept his eyes open - score!

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Power of Bento

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9:47 AM
I have new purpose in life.

Bento.

I showed Mark this blog, extremely excited, and he said, "Cute." I said, "Don't you want me to pack you bento box lunches for work?" He laughed, and said, "No. I meant cute like for a kid. Not for me." So then I was kind of irritated and decided that I'd prove him wrong. Bento boxes can be for adults, too!

All day yesterday while Mark was on duty, I researched. I Googled till my fingers hurt. And yes, Bento lunches can be for adults. They are less fancy and cutesy, but they are still awesome. Apparently there is even this cool food ratio idea, bento lunches should be 3 parts starch, 2 parts produce and 1 part protein. I went on Amazon.com and grossly expanded my wish list. My most exciting find was this awesome Bento jar. I will make Mark bento lunches and he will love them, damnit. Watch and see.
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