"Some Pig"

Remember Wilbur? You know who I'm talking about, that adorable pig from Charlotte's Web? I often think of that little runt when I'm cooking up my husband's favorite food, bacon. I also let my imagination wander and think up scenarios about the particular pig's family, living conditions, and mindset right before he was slaughtered. Horrible, I know.

Despite all of this, something else happens when I cook bacon. It may be the sizzle of the meat on the frying pan or the delicious aroma that fills our 2-bedroom house, but I overcome all my negative thoughts and actually enjoy cooking it.

My husband has the impressive ability to devour an entire package of bacon in one sitting and I doubt he, like most meat eaters, ever thinks of Wilbur. That's why I'm different.

I only started cooking meat over the last year or so. During the first year of our marriage we ate out a lot since I was in grad school and my husband (Brad) worked full-time. If I did cook, it would only be vegetarian things. If Brad wanted to induldge in some carnivorous behavior (which was quite often), he would have to cook it for himself.

Things are different today. I'm a stay-at-home mom to our beautiful 6-month-old daughter and I have a lot more time on my hands than when I was in school - hence, this blog. Sometimes our only excitement for the day is getting out to the grocery store to get ingredients for that evening's meal. I'm incredibly thankful that I'm able to stay at home with our daughter, and I feel one of my responsibilities (among a million other things) is to have supper ready when my husband gets home from work.

This blog will account my adventures of cooking meals that I can't (and have no desire to) taste test. I'll include recipes, pictures, and commentary from Brad who has been a real trooper so far when it comes to trying my recipes.

I'm no stranger to writing. My bachelor's and master's degrees are both in journalism. But as I'm quickly learning, blog writing is very different from news writing. No need to seek expert sources for quotes, I am the source. How scary is that? No need to use AP Style, although that's one habit that's hard to break. And after I'm done perfecting a blog entry there won't be an annoying editor there telling me to go back and try again. I think I'm going to like this.

Up for tomorrow: my first attempt at making chicken and dumplings. Brad told me this is a recipe that can be pretty difficult but luckily for him I'm up for the challenge.

Not so lucky for the chicken.