I had the great pleasure of seeing a long-lost-friend recently.  She was a college roommate for a year and a half and one of those “good eggs” with whom you always want to remain close.  But we didn’t.

I hadn’t seen her since college, and we had many years of total radio silence.  We’ve been back in touch a smidge through email and had one lovely phone conversation this summer (and she reads my blog), but that’s been it for about 7 years.  It was a bit surreal sitting on my front lawn with our two kids each, and chatting like we were neighbors.

It got even more surreal when we went inside so that I could prepare dinner.

I didn’t notice her surveying the scene until she asked, “So this is where the magic happens, in this tiny little kitchen?”  (Remember, she reads KS.)

Me, sheepishly:  “Yeah.  I spend a lot of time moving things out of my way and looking for more surface area…”  *blush*  I’m not used to feeling like a celebrity, but I realized that as an avid reader, she knows me (and my kitchen) more through my blog than real life. I felt like “Kitchen Stewardship lady” on display, and there was definitely pressure (self-inflicted) to make sure the food was delicious, healthy, and note-worthy!

Luckily I had an easy prep but healthy/local meal planned:  Sausage, Beans and Kale Soup with pastured sausage from the Farmer’s Market – spicy!.  Sandwiches included, of course.  (I’m just barely getting used to saying, “It’s on my website,” when people ask for  a recipe.)  Her son, not raised as a Kitchen Stewardship kid, ate dry toast and milk.  Of course, even Kitchen Stewardship kids don’t always eat their soup.  Lovey Girl mostly splashed it around after throwing the “Give me my own spoon AND bowl” fit (and winning).

To make the Home Invasion Visit just a bit more surreal, she suddenly began alluding to previous posts.

She looked at my KitchenAid and said, “Oh, I see how you hide things in there.  Mine is a different model, so I can’t do that.”

She saw the inside of my refrigerator and said, “Wow, that is a full fridge.  Do you just shop every two weeks?”

Me, sheepishly:  “No, I usually shop every week.  It’s just always that full.”

I wonder if she saw all my glass jars on the shelves and thought of this post, or looked at my dishwasher and thought about all my wacky experiments trying to find a natural, effective detergent.  When we prayed the meal blessing, did she wonder if I was compensating for anything, and as I chopped veggies for the soup, did I get a little prayer in?  (No on the kitchen prayer – too busy trying to finish a sentence with my friend with an infant and three busy kids running around!)  Did she know the broth was made to be super healthy?  We’ve talked soap (yes, I have conversations about soap, even with people I don’t see very often.  I’m just like that.), so I know she had to have checked out my choice of dispensers when she washed her hands.

I thought it would only be fair, then, if she got to try water kefir and these lacto-fermented pickles (even before they were blogged!).  I will be hosting a giveaway for kefir grains and yogurt cultures starting Monday, if you’re wishing for a little kitchen experimentation in your own home, by the way!

It's probably good this pic is a little blurry. It was a long day and we're not exactly lookin' runway ready! Husband is not used to being behind the camera. I'm on the left with my kiddos, and her little ones are 3 and 3 months. Too cute!

I’m so blessed to have dear friends who can be out of touch for so long, but who are so easy to reconnect with (and who read my blog)!  I’m sure there are lots of interesting people out there reading my stuff…anyone want to come over to have some sourdough bread next week? 

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If you missed the last Monday Mission, click here.

Kitchen Stewardship is dedicated to balancing God’s gifts of time, health, earth and money.  If you feel called to such a mission, read more at Mission, Method, and Mary and Martha Moments.

Some of my favorite posts:

• On Conscious Thought
• Honey, We’re Having a Crudite Platter Tonight!
• The Fate of Returned Food in Grocery Stores
• 13 Surprising Benefits of a Microwave Free Life
• Soul First, Body Second

More Finer Things Friday at The Finer Things in Life and Foto Finish Fridays at Candid Carrie.

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