Is Dad Still Cooking?

Recently, I have been asked more than once, "Are you still cooking?" Friends had remarked that I have not posted any recipes since October on my own blog WhatsDadCooking.com and I haven't posted anything here on Patch either. It's quite flattering to be missed, especially for your cooking.

Well, I have been cooking all along, even some new recipes or works in progress more appropriately, but life gets in the way of life. My last activity being in October is no coincidence, because at that time the school calendar and the Cub Scout calendar get quite busy. Most parents' lives seem to be dictated by their children's schedule, and I am no outstanding exception.

This is not to complain. My life is truly a blessing that I can give so much time to my child. For the first five years of his life, I had a "real job" that had me out of the house from 7 am to 9 pm five days a week and half of most Saturdays. The last five have allowed me to truly discover who my son is, and help him discover whatever his own path may reveal.

Now, my first duties at home are shopping, cooking and shuttling my son about. In the course of his travels, my work schedule can get filled with web design. The Choice Connection Dance supply is going live soon with a full blown shopping cart site and another friend is opening a bakery in Barrington in a couple of weeks, The SweetShoppeCakes.com (I will follow up with more news on that soon.) I always love a good cause, and is working towards a fantastic golf fundraiser this spring. I still cook occasionally at the Elks on sandwich night, and I try to be a good Elk and give time to their generosity on the Americanism and Scolarship committees.

While no one in my family has gone hungry, and we are not living on take-out, I haven't taken the time to take the pictures and write the recipes. Most of my cooking is by taste and sight from experience, and writing recipes is a true challenge because I rarely measure anything. Not sure if that is right or wrong, but it's my process. Shame on me is all I can confess, but i promise more recipes soon. As I am writing this, I am in the middle of bowtie pasta & spinch with a parmesan cream sauce. If I am happy with the results, I promise to let you know.

Thank you to my friends (and unknown colleagues of my wife) who have asked for more recipes.