After I wrote this, all sorts of TV people began calling me. A few weeks back, the kids and I headed down to Noodlecat to film this spot for Fox 8 News. A little ironic that the spot is sponsored by McDonald’s, however I think it came off well and the message was clear. Next Wednesday the kids and I will be cooking on their morning show. We will be cooking meals from scratch that we cook at home together as a family. I would love to hear your suggestions on what we should make!
Any meal you would love to see us cook together? Any topic you want us to talk about?
Every now and then I come across a blog post or a yelp review that tears our restaurant to shreds. Being the good PR girl and chef wife that I am, I follow up with an email to see what was up. Usually no one responds, but every now and then someone does catch us on an off night. We always try to make it right and a disappointed guest does not leave our restaurant disappointed twice. The majority of non responders, usually all on Yelp, prove to me once again that their written word is not valid through their email silence.
Tonight I found a lovely, lovely review of our dear restaurant. After I read it (sorry Symon I know I’m not supposed to read them) I simply had to know who wrote such a scathing piece. Within moments I found out about my new friend *Jim* whom I shall now refer to as the line cook who lost his way. The line cook who lost his way cooks in the CLE and he thinks my husband’s food fucking sucks. He thinks Quaker Steak & Lube chicken wings are waaaaaaaaaaay better than our delicious crispy confit wings (Bobby Flay would have to disagree) and he recommends that if you are looking for shitty food but a hip atmosphere, then our restaurant is the place for you! Thanks Jim!
We make decisions together as husband and wife, and we make business decisions together as partners. We learned over time that together we are an unbeatable team. I am his yin, he is my yang. We gets shit done. Every career decision he makes, we make together. He asks me about food, I edit his recipes. He helps me with PR decisions, I help him with HR. We are a well oiled machine that has been making moves in the kitchen for the past 8 years.
Recently we came to an impasse about a career decision. Deep down in my soul I knew he was making the wrong choice about a project. At first I didn’t express my opinion, I hoped life would intervene and the decision wouldn’t have to be made. I stood back and watched as the collective cards fell into place and before I knew it the Chef was about to sign on the dotted line. It was then I knew it was now or never, speak now or forever hold your peace Amelia. I opened my mouth and began my plea.
Unfortunately we just couldn’t see eye to eye, a compromise was not possible and the Chef is moving forward with the project. I think it’s a shotty move and I told him my fears. I told him that although I would support him with whatever he decided I would withdraw my influence. I would not be able to help with the project seeing as I did not agree with it. It would not be fair to him or me if I was not 100% behind the project, so I would wash my hands of it.
He understood and we moved away from the decision amicably. Today the Chef is moving forward with the project and I have accepted that, only problem is that I’m devastated. I’m not upset because he didn’t agree with me or even that he is moving forward with the project. I am sad because it is the first time EVER in our relationship that we couldn’t come the final result was not something we agreed upon together. And that scares the shit out of me. Every time I look at him all I see is us moving apart. I know that sounds so silly because most married people don’t make EVERY decision together. Most people in relationships probably don’t even make half of their decisions together. But we are not MOST PEOPLE.This is our thing. This is how we work. Making decisions together is our thing. It’s what we do.
Except now it isn’t.
Our relationship is evolving and for that I am always grateful. A stagnant relationship makes for a dead relationship and none of us want that for sure. I hope in the end, my insight was off and his decision to move forward with the project was the right decision.
Snooki announced her pregnancy this week and the hatred towards her exploded. An ex of hers said he hoped she miscarried for the sake of the baby and on Twitter moms were calling her a slut and praying Snooki’s mom would step in and raise the baby. Really people? Miscarriages and taking a baby away from it’s mother? Not nice bitches. Not nice.
Here’s the thing. Snooki is a hot fucking mess on TV. She makes millions of dollars to act crazy as shit, get drunk as shit, and talk about shit like she doesn’t have a brain. She IS the definition of American Idiot. Her fake tan and those stupid fuzzy boots all give us the go ahead to tear her to shreds. We make fun of the Jersey Shore because it is FUNNY. These kids are absolutely ridiculous and they know it, they profit from it, and you better believe they LOVE it.
I say it’s because our daughter really really likes eggs (she eats 2 a day) but I really think it’s because I secretly need something to take care of now that my babies are no longer babies. I’m gonna be honest with you, I secretly want another kid. Well not so secretly anymore I guess. Get a few glasses of bubbly in me and I’m harassing the Chef with my plan of baby #3 and he is quietly reminding me that it’s not possible anymore.
After Biggie was born, the Chef and I made the collective decision that our child having days were over. We had two amazing kids, a boy and a girl, whocould want more? The Earth is beyond overpopulated and frankly people with a mass of children have always freaked me out. So when I pushed my 10 lb girl out, I also closed the doors to the possibility of having another child. Well, actually the door got snipped.
Fast forward 4 years and I have baby fever big time and man is it fucking annoying. I have absolutely no control over it either. It’s like my body knows that I should be having kids right now and my mind says hell to the no. You see, I really don’t want to have another baby. Deep down inside of me I am perfectly content with the fact that I will be 44 when the boy graduates high school. The chef, 43. We are young parents and I am thankful for that. Plus my kids are amazing, our life is good. We are complete. If I had a baby right now, I would be 51 when my kid graduates high school. Um, no thanks. My plan for 50 involves me, the Chef, New Orleans, barefeet, calvados, and lots of crayfish.
I seriously don’t know how to rid myself of this baby fever, which is why I have decided to raise chickens. Here’s hoping it takes.
Hopefully all the baby I need…
Anyone out there ever experience baby fever and not want kids? Would love a magic cure if you’ve got one.
Also any chicken advice? I’m a total newbie and can use all the help I can get.
Ramp season is upon us and it’s a pretty safe bet that if you come over our house over the next two months, there will be ramps in your food or drink.
We embrace the wild spring onion each spring, it signifies family foraging season for us. Once the snow melts, the family and I take to the woods in search of wild onions, chives, and greens. It is more about the time together than the bounty we take home and I know it is something we all loo forward to as the winter ends.
The Chef and I go ‘ramp crazy’ every spring. He infiltrates the restaurants menus with ramp righteousness and I do the same in our home kitchen. Veggies and dip are a staple in our house and this snack is something that the whole family can enjoy making & eating! Enjoy yo.
This past Monday the Chef and I celebrated our 6 year wedding anniversary! Hard to believe it’s been 6 years but hot damn has it been a crazy fun ride. The Chef loves all of me, all of the time. No. Matter. What. I can’t say that about anyone else in this world. We are total lifers and I couldn’t be happier. Sure sometimes I want to punch him in the face and shave his beard of while he’s sleeping but if that’s not love, I don’t know what love is. Totally kidding. He’s the man and it’s dope that he’s mine.
Normally, we tend to forgo presents on our anniversary and usually try to take a trip somewhere. Just the two of us. No work, no kids, just us.
Last year the Chef surprised me with a trip to our friends restaurant in Virginia. This year I surprised the Chef with a road trip to Chicago. We packed our bags and hit the turnpike.
Getting a quick race in while the Chef fueled up
In under 6 hours we crossed two state lines and found ourselves in the Windy City with no kids, no reservations, and most importantly no work.
