First Roast.

Yes, it has taken me 34 years, but I have done it. Tonight, I made my very first roast. Complete with potatoes and carrots and onions. And, I must say, it was scrumptious. My husband raved about it, that it "melted in his mouth" and even my daughter exclaimed that "This is the best meal ever!" And, I must say that Rachael Ray was right. It was very easy to do, and there was a great sense of satisfaction in preparing this type of meal for my family. Usually, I rely on easy favorites like chicken breasts and soft tacos and soups/sandwiches for our dinners, but it was nice to splurge for once. Last week, our family bought a cow. No, to my daughter's great disappointment, not the kind that needs a pasture and hay and a cowbell on its neck. Our friends are farmers and had an extra part of a cow, so we purchased 1/4 beef to fill our freezer. So, who knows what other wholesome and creative meals I might come up with. And, Tonya, I can't wait to try those DelMonico steaks with your special marinade recipe...Thanks, Sister!

The meal tasted awesome and brought rave reviews from my family, but what was even more enjoyable were the stories shared as we partook in the meal. My husband recalled that his family ate beef roast a lot growing up. Roast with potatoes and carrots always remind me of after-church Sunday dinners growing up, whether at home or at grandma's house. Isn't it funny how certain meals conjure up special memories and images of our formative years? Like the bowls of cereal that were my traditional before-game dinners in high school, or the SPAM (yes, SPAM) and potatoes, or the hamsteak, and tator-tot casseroles. Or my favorite shepherd's pie. Or dad bringing Pizza Hut pizza home on Friday nights. Or mom's special breakfast casseroles. Or dad making waffles on Saturday mornings. Or those special once-in-a-blue-moon trips to Burger King for chicken sandwiches. Or shrimp on New Years' Eve. Or corn-on-the-cob and watermelon for summer suppers. Or hot dogs, cinnamon-n-sugar wraps, campfire pizzas, and s'mores around the campfire on our camping trips. Or mom's chili and cinnamon rolls during the cold winter months. Or bowls of hot, fresh popcorn on movie nights at home. Or the traditional pizza and ice-cream-topped-with-Cap'n Crunch at the college dining hall on Sunday nights. So, as you are reading this, what meals remind you of your childhood? What meals are associated with special memories and relationships and experiences? Tastes of fresh strawberry freezer jam or rhubarb picked fresh from the garden. Or the distinct flavor of fresh-churned homemade ice cream at Grandma's house? While we certainly don't want to over-focus on food, it is clear that food is a central part of many of our life memories, celebrations, and interactions with those we love the most. I wonder, 20 years down the road, what meals my kids will point to as those that were the most meaningful to them? This provides me motivation to try to infuse more creativity into meal preparation in our home. Look out Rachael Ray!