It’s confession time. I might have found a new obsession and it’s something I never thought I’d be obsessed over. I recently bought this new Dutch Oven (it was on super sale and I’ve really been wanting one, so I splurged a little). While it might just seem like a pot, using it brought me back to the home-cooked family meals that my grandmother and mother used to create. There’s this weird sense of calm that I’ve gotten lately over being able to make a big pot of something to share with my family. It’s the warmth in our bellies and the warmth in the home that I never thought I would have the skills to create.
When you’re young and you get to be a part of these home moments, it seems like they’re just the norm, as if they’ll always be there. Fast forward to when you’re in charge of your own home and you suddenly realize those moments didn’t just happen, they were made–just like that home-cooked meal was made.
How were they made? Well I don’t have the exact recipe for that, but from my experience/experimenting, it takes a lot of intentionality. Intentionally being willing to keep arguments out from around the table. Intentionally allowing people to help cook so they can take ownership in the experience. Intentionally pushing for memories, not perfection. It’s been freeing and a big change to have these moments for my little family. And as we get ready to see this little group grow, I hope to create more and more moments. So here’s to my new Dutch Oven and the family time it’s helping me create.