You’ve heard from my friend Jami. She’s shared a couple of Weekly Kitchen Tips and she comments now and then. She’s a great listener and together we do alot of talking about dreams. Not the kind you have at night, but plans for the future. A couple days ago, we spent an afternoon at the park together.
Jami and I laugh about what we’re doing in the kitchen and what goes wrong. I find it much easier to talk about all my mistakes in person. Boy, I make so many mistakes. Like how I’m experimenting with not dehydrating the spelt berries, trying to turn them into an edible bread and so far, failing miserably. I told her all the gory details and we’ve hashed through possible solutions. I can also share about all the mistakes I make when videoing myself: choosing a bowl that’s too small for mixing and having to redo it (she says I don’t have to redo it, I say I do 
); or how the phone rings or the washing machine beeps or the dryer buzzes mid-filming. Arrgh.
But I don’t want to take this in a sour direction. What makes or breaks us — as cooks, homemakers, and children of God — is how we overcome difficulties. We know that in our own strength we won’t make it. But with God, we can.
Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need. – Hebrews 4:16
I’m challenged in the kitchen like everyone else. (And don’t you forget it!) But what I hope sets me (and you!) apart is that we don’t give up. Right? Sure, we have challenges, but with God’s grace and the support of our family and friends, we keep pressing on.
I’d love to hear from you on this topic. What do you do with mistakes or obstacles that get in your way? How do you overcome? I’ll list a few things that can go wrong or cause difficulty in the kitchen or home, and then you chime in with your own thoughts on any of these, or any others that plague you.
- Rock hard bread. Gooey bread. Too sour Kombucha. A dish turns out soggy, mushy, or otherwise unpalatable. Kids don’t like the new crackers.
- Kitchen a mess.
- Too tired to cook. Too busy to cook.
- Sprouts go bad.
- Feeling not good enough compared to someone else.
About Wardeh
For some reason, my last link photo doesn’t show up. Odd....
Take the guesswork out of what to fix, what to buy and what to prepare. This week:
Class materials compiled into easy downloads: 
I was discouraged this week to use 2 cups of hand milled flour for a pie crust that turned out soggy. In fact, any time I make something that does not turn out is a bit discouraging. I made graham crackers with just honey (no sugar) that weren’t as crispy as the sugar ones.
My husband’s food intolerances that we are just beginning to investigate are another frustration. I want to bake, but he does not eat it (ie bread). But its also a source of inspiration, knowing that I will have to bake in new ways.
Christie, I would be discouraged, too.
Did you mill it will a hand grinder? I agree that if we get our heads right, we can look at the challenges ahead as sources of inspiration. Plus, when you get there — when your family enjoys what you figured out how to make — the feeling can’t be beat. You will get there; I know you will!
Jami, thank you for my first Kombucha mushroon! Wardeh, thank you for my second! This entery was sweet to me, friends are so important for our mental health. I also really like to hear other’s failures (that sounds horrible) because I don’t want to be around perfect people! I want real people. If I listed all my failures, this would be too long of a post. But I’ll include a verse that helps me.
But those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings like eagles, They shall run and not be weary, They shall walk and not faint.
Isaiah 40:31
Kelli, you’re welcome! I’m so glad the Kombucha making is going well for you.
I will join you in saying that I am encouraged to read that other people are real, too.
Thank you for sharing the verses from Isaiah. God’s word is the best encourager!
I think we should post our mistakes, because we are all on the same page witht that. Trying to be “perfect” just sets you up for failure, over and over again! We are not perfect, we are just a work in progress, and that is okay!
Bread is a tough one when working with rye flour–I have tried several times, it always turns out rock hard, doesn’t rise, and/or doesn’t cook through, even after hours of baking. Rye flour is hard for me.
This is for the above comment on homemade graham crackers made with honey. Let the crackers sit out–they will get crunchier.
Wardeh, I hope you are making a video of bloopers! That would be fun to watch.
I make mistakes in the kitchen all the time. I’m not hard on myself for making the mistake or not being perfect but I just hate waste! The challenge is turning that mistake into something edible because it’s not going in the garbage unless it’s REALLY bad. But then, there is always the dog…
Well, fortunately for me, our dogs enjoy any cooking mess-ups, and think they’re all delicious. So I never feel too badly about burning something, or other culinary failures. At least somebody enjoys eating it and it doesn’t go to waste!
My biggest challenge in the kitchen is breaking things, I am very clumsy. I drop drinking and wine glasses *regularly*. I have to buy a new set a couple of times a year to re-stock the cupboards! Doh!
Love, Michelle