Tom, my hubby of many ( so many, oh so many, lots) of years, used to play bocce ball on Wednesday nights. It was MY FREE NIGHT! Do what I want, no cooking, you get the picture. Then we moved. No Wednesday night bocce ball. For years he tried to get me to join the team, but I wouldn’t because it was MY FREE NIGHT! Now Wednesdays are our night. I decided he needed to cook on Wednesday nights so I would retain some freedom. I would do the dishes, as he does them when I cook. Great plan! He took to it like a fly to flypaper.
Last Wednesday we were at Trader Joes. “What are you cooking for dinner tonight?” I asked sweetly. He looked at me with complete surprise. “What are you talking about? I took you out to dinner last night.” “HA, that was Tuesday” I said, “this is Wednesday and your night to cook.” If only I had a picture of his face…but he gamely said ok and proceeded to scour the store for an idea, any idea.
He came up with one. It was fine. I wish I could say the same about the kitchen…
I rest my case. This is from three different Wednesdays. Do you see a pattern? An evil pattern? I clean up as I cook. Don’t you? He says he’s “creating”, genius can not be interrupted by cleaning up. Anyone know a bocce league he can get into?!
Last weekend we were invited to join friends at a beach place. It was so relaxing! 
Tom actually went fishing off of some rocks and caught Pacific Greenling fish. They were beautiful! Teal gills, red spots. They looked like this when they were cleaned
Tom cooked. The fish cooked up white. They were delicious and no mess!
These are the last few days of the lower prices for SeneGence products. Prices have already gone up on line. I am not raising prices until August 15th. If you a reader of my blog, you have until the end of the month! Take advantage!!
Who does the cooking in your household and are you a messy cook?!
Stevie Writes 
Always great to hear from you, off to the Warner Mts. tomorrow. Love, Diane
I have a hubby who leaves the kitchen in the same way when he cooks. Although I love having a night off, it’s not truly a night off because of the mess. But after 36 years of marriage, I’m happy we still work well enough that I don’t have to re-train a new hubby! ha!
Retraining would definitely not be in our best interests!
Last night I cooked creamed chicken tenders over fettuccini. It was messy and I usually clean as I go but there was too many things going on because I had just baked two apricot pies and hadn’t cleaned up when it was time to sauté the onions and garlic. I rolled the chicken in cayenne pepper and browned them in butter before adding to the caramelized onions and garlic. Added some fresh basil, thyme and oregano to the simmering chicken in cream sauce. Both plates were clean and there are leftovers for lunch. I cook – she cleans up – she cooks – I clean up — that is now that I am retired. I am not as talented in the kitchen but no one has ever complained – well maybe once when the kids were little and I made chili beans and it wasn’t up to their normal quality and taste. Didn’t blame them but I ate every bit of my portion to impress them that when you are hungry you need to eat what you have. Of course they didn’t but they got the lecture about all the starving children in the world. I did the math – married 51 years times 365 days/year at least 2 times a day times minus eating out and times I cooked =@ 35,000 meals cooked by my spouse and most of the time she cleaned up.
We both cleaned because I got the oven messed up with spillage from the two pies. I don’t mind cleaning up because it 1) makes me feel useful, 2) I have high standards 3) I have nothing better to do and 4) I do an excellent job. Actually none of those reasons are correct – more that I know the opened wine is setting right there on the counter.
Two apricot pies! Maybe I have another assignment for Tom!
After oh so many year, I know where you are coming from, domestic bliss is a daily challenge. I do clean up as I go–thought it was the rule of the kitchen.
If it isn’t the rule, it sure should be!!