Day 152: New Angle!

Why do people have blogs?? I think it's because, especially in today's society, we now process a sense of importance in the world. I can write an amazing blog and have thousands, or even millions of people read it, or I can write a mediocre blog and have just a handful of people read it. But the common thread among blogs is that every person has a story to tell. Some stories are funny, sad, moving, unbelievable or just darn right embarrassing. What story do I have to share....

I shared a story, about a cooking disaster, with a friend this past weekend and her responses was "Oh...you should blog about that." I didn't think much about that until I got home and wanted to blog about more than just - "I went here and did this" (although I'll still do that - because let's face it - I'm important darn it and I want the world - err...handful of you, to know about the cool stuff I get to do that you don't...well you know what I mean. Think that statement was selfish? Welp... blame that on the society we live in...

 So...now you are dying to hear about my cooking disaster (trust me...this will not be the only one, so relax, I've got plenty more where that comes from). I don't think my stories have to be in a particular order...just know that this is:

Reason number 1 why should never cook with a Secrist:
My mother, is a wonderful baker, and was always the one making fabulous desserts for family gatherings. She makes the best banana pudding you will ever eat in your life and makes a chocolate dessert to die for... no really, it's called Death By Chocolate. Mom...I'm buttering you up here :) However, because I have a picky eater for a sister and a dad that worked late a lot....my mom did not make a lot of home made, start from scratch - cooking and let's face it who in their right mind has TIME for that??!?!? Now, that's not to say she didn't make yummy casseroles and other dishes occasionally.
I was never really shown the basics of cooking. I can make a mean grilled cheese but when it comes to basics, I was clueless. And now that I think about it - I probably wouldn't have remembered things my mom would have taught me (like how to boil eggs or simply measuring ingredients) and here's why: when your 18, the last thing you are thinking about is "I think I might need to learn how to cook". So....I was sent in the world with minimal skills in the kitchen.
 A few years ago, I made macaroni and cheese for "dinner". That is pretty simple dish to make but I'm not your average person in the kitchen...so it's rather difficult for me. I boiled the water, timed the noodles just right, according to the package, drained the pasta and added cheese. Benjamin and I sat down to take a bite...it was pure - disgustingness (I think I made that word up). I couldn't eat another bite but I did notice that Ben was chomping down on some mac and cheese. I figured I would give the dogs what was left of mine, so I wouldn't have to throw the WHOLE meal away. Even the freaking DOGS wouldn't eat what I had made. Great!
....and then it hit me! I shouldn't be upset that I can't cook - I should be happy I had found someone, who I was going to spend the rest of my life with, that wasn't a picky eater - heck, he ate something that was nasty, and he thought it was good.

My friends, there is my story - I can't cook! Fast forward a few years and now I'm expected to know how to cook, because I'm a wife now. I'm still learning as I go but man it's taking a long time to get good at this.

I was continuing to think of what story I was here to share with the world...and it hit me! Benjamin and I have been talking for a while now about what we like to call "what are the odds...." and some friends call it "the Secrist luck". Oh yes, Ben and I have quite the stories to share about our luck - good and bad, and that's where we will begin.