three little words

Mom was relaying

a day spent

with her friend...

we'll call her...

Donna.

She and Donna

went shopping

but

instead of going out to eat

as usual

they decided to 

"just go home"

since the weather was 

damp, gray, ugly

and make...

here it comes...

grilled cheese sandwiches

instead.

Grilled Cheese Sandwiches.

 Immediately my mind wandered...
I know mom saw that faraway look...
I even spoke
like a long forgotten memory

of a place
with easy, always reliable, quick meals.

My new world

of whole food, plant-based eating
(there's a mouth full)

has me working
in the kitchen
a lot!

I was actually longing...

at this part of mom's story,

for those days gone by.

Days when grilled cheese and 

Campbell's Tomato Soup,

a garbage omelet

mac and cheese from the box

with tuna tossed in

were considered meals.

Not only that
but
meals that my family really
loved.

I know I could

slap some Daiya cheese on whole

grain...Ezekiel bread...

make tomato soup with soy...

make a tofu scramble...

ditto with the mac and cheese...

but

my family has taste buds like

an elephant...

and their Sherlock skills

come out in full as they try to

explain the crime scene

known as dinner.

But I trudge forward

in the name of

health.

My new revised

always updated life

is on a path towards summer

with easy-breezy days
that require... 
no...
demand
that I go outdoors
and escape from my kitchen.

My criteria:
Fast.
Easy.
Tastes good.
(even to the kids!)

Yesterday,
Coscto
got the ball rolling
with a sample of this burger
that James declared
delicious.

With fingerling potatoes
that were
rinsed...dried...
sliced in strips
lightly coated with olive oil
sprinkled generously with
paprika and Cajun seasonings
a shake of sea salt

baked at 450
for 25.

Served with
 ketchup and malt vinegar

for that Cedar Point vibe.

Maybe not as fast as
the grilled cheese
but close...
getting there...
with one foot out the door.

Did I mention

Summer's Coming!?

P.S.
I'm a summer gal and

that's what I call
 Spring...

"Summer's coming."
yippee!