For Seth, cooking and baking are a "food-of-love" thing. For him, it's about the process. He could (and often does) spend hours in the kitchen making dinner or dessert. He doesn't watch the clock or try to multi-task so that he finishes faster. He tastes as he goes along and adjusts to his liking, and he's not concerned about starting over when it's not. He doesn't mind having dishes spread out everywhere throughout his process. He cleans up at the end, not as he goes along. But, perhaps most importantly, he also doesn't mind having helpers in his process.
For me, cooking and baking are about the product. I get easily overwhelmed when flour flies everywhere and dishes find homes on every available counter space. When little hands grab the bowl and spatulas I'm trying to use. I'd rather get in, git 'r done, and get out with a finished product than enjoy the process of making it.
So tonight, I'm thankful for his relaxed balance to my rushed busyness. And that he's able to teach the boys to enjoy cooking when I (too) often try to keep them out of the kitchen while I "work." I'm thankful for the opportunity to take deep breaths, ignore the mess, and watch them all enjoy the process.
And tomorrow, at our annual Super Bowl party with friends, we'll enjoy the fruits of their timeless labors. And the pecan and key lime pies will be that much sweeter because they were truly made with love.
