Merciful God, You are great in compassion and Your tenderness for us is without measure. We ask You to give us today our daily bread, and also provide for the needs of all of Your hungry children around the world. Through Christ Your Son and Our Lord. Amen.

Monday, November 3, 2008

That Pride Will Get You


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Yesterday I made what is really an ordinary dinner meal, at least for me it was ordinary. It was Sunday, and I like to make a nice big meal on Sunday. So, after noon Mass I started a loaf of bread, and then I made a Pumpkin Roll for dessert. Then I started my sauce, for spaghetti and meatballs, and then I started the meatballs. I was in the kitchen for about three hours, and by about 4:30 dinner was ready and just simmering for a while.

I really thought nothing of it until we sat down to dinner. Now Doug had spent the entire afternoon outdoors, so he didn't see the time spent in the kitchen. I guess he thought I ordered out,
or something. When we sat down to dinner he raved about the garlic bread, "did you make this bread (like I never bake bread)?" And then he said, "Did you make these meatballs (I have never bought meatballs in 23 years of marriage)?" The compliments went on, but he kept looking at me like he wasn't sure I had really made the dinner. At least that's what I thought.

I can't say he wasn't appreciative because he was obviously enjoying his meal, but I was starting to get my nose a little out of joint. What did he think I was doing all day?

By the time I cut the Pumpkin Roll, I was a little ticked. I even served his piece with a smart comment about how "I was so glad I could finally serve him a decent meal for a change' (an inside joke using words he once "accidentally" spoke to me). He laughed, "ha, ha," but he had no idea he had gotten my dander up.

So I cleaned up the kitchen and stewed for a bit and when all the dishes were done, except for the sauce pot, I spooned the sauce and meatballs into a double freezer bag (because all of my large Tupperware bowls were in use). I turned to put the sauce pot in the sink and heard an awful noise behind me. It was the sauce and meatballs splashing all over the kitchen floor. The bag had fallen over when I turned my back and I lost at least half of that delicious sauce and five or so meatballs. I could have cried (instead I think I said a bad word).

Doug ran to the kitchen and grabbed the camera. "This has to go on the blog," he said. "Oh, no it's not," I said. And then he voluntarily cleaned up the entire mess.





Do I think that the sauce and meatballs spilled because I was having a fit of pride? No. But I do think that I deserved it a little. And I think it's proof that just when you think you've done something worth being a little proud about, you're gonna get knocked back down to earth.



And so, as part of my lesson in pride, I submit to you this picture:






And my lesson learned:

Don't be so full of yourself.

Buy some large Tupperware bowls.



Never let it be said that I share only my successes.



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6 comments:

Margaret in Minnesota said...

Thanks for the smile today...and the reminder.

Margaret in Minnesota said...

PS. I made a pumpkin roll last Sunday!

Martha said...

Great story. Maybe the falling meatballs/lack of tupperware bowls was your "fear of God mistake" like in needlework from earlier times where the maker intentionally inserts a mistake since only God can create something perfect.

Sounds like another great meal on your dinner table. I enjoy reading your posts and hearing about your life. I too spend Sunday afternoons cooking. I work outside my house, so I use Sundays to get some things made for the week. My meals are a little different from yours as my son is a vegetarian but I often get inspiration from your menus. I also need some speedy or make ahead suppers for some nights that I can't start dinner until six. Monday night dinner is always leftovers from Sunday night as Monday is my full day at work.

Thanks for the blog, Barbara. I look forward to reading your posts - real food for real families. I deleted some bookmarks for food blogs that were just too fancy for my family.

May God continue to bless your dinner table.

Martha

mel said...

Oh, I could cry...homemade meatballs are so much work!!
Lovely splatter though. :)

Michele said...

oh, that has happened to me so many times! i always tell myself, its nothing water wont clean up! then i feel better:)

Abby said...

Great story - I think we've all had days like yours! I have dropped rice on the floor so many times I could cry thinking about it!