'Tis Better to Give Than Receive
 

Last week my wife brought home "Babette's Feast"

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0092603/

Since we weren't going to visit my parents this weekend I decided to cook a brisket in the slow-cooker. Saturday I would make some home-made beef stock and Sunday a Wolfgang Puck brisket recipe.

Saturday night we watched the movie on a "stay-at-home" date night after running errands and shopping all day. The stock simmered while we watched the film. {If you aren't smiling and wiping a tear of joy from your eye at the end "You will so delight the angels", then I don't know what...)

This morning she slept in while I prepared the vegetables, braised the brisket and threw it all in the slow-cooker.

At this point I am 10 hours into it (granted 6 of those were waiting while bones roasted and stock simmered).

We will be eating this meat all week.

I did most of my prep work last night during the times my feet would have been killing me (and maybe they were -- I just didn't notice).

Which I guess is my point.

I learned from my experiences in 12 step fellowships that SERVICE is an important part of recovery (which is at its essence acceptance).

The simple fact is that when I was preparing all of this (mainly for the pleasure of my wife and for me to hear her making yummy noises), I didn't think about my pain at all. I was too focused on making it right. And even though I ended up staying up past my bedtime, when I tumbled into bed at 12:30 and began the familiar foot2foot massage to get a comfortable sleeping position, it wasn't 5 minutes before I was asleep.

Maybe when things at work slow down a bit I'll look for some other ways to be of service to others. The probability of forgetting my pain for a few hours is high and maybe I'll balance out some of my younger-life karma that needs scrubbing.


Cowboy

PS: As I slipped into bed last night I was informed that henceforth I will be known as "Babette".... sheesh.

Cowboy
You are sooo right, I am still working fulltime and could be doing with giving up some hours as I am finding this a struggle but it takes my mind off my pain.
My weekends are filled with pain management but weekdays I just get on with it.
My dad lived his life with the 12 steps and 12 traditions and I need to look these up again - at 10years old I could have told you each one and most people would benefit from this way of life - whether they are in the fellowship or not. The serenity prayer used to bring him comfort also - thanks for the reality check I need to focus on others and pleasure more.
Best Wishes
Arlene:)

Sounds yummy and like you had a nice time... I use my crockpot quite often as I feel better in the morning and it is easier for me to cook then. Since it is only me and my husband, we usually end up eating whatever I cook for many days. :)

My daughter has just brought a slow cooker and we are really enjoying the meals and it is so easy to prepare them. Their are five of us here sometimes six so there is never any left. :Starvin:

I am making a new pot roast recipe in my slow cooker today. Found a half price deal on a pot roast at my local Gi*nt foodstore. I saw the recipe on Food network. The sodium content looks high, but oh well, we will just have to restrict our sodium intake over the next few days. Also, I use low sodium ingredients (soup, etc) when possible.

http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/s...ipe/index.html