Kitchen HodgePodge

Ever have a day start out with a simple question, such as "what does he do?" Well, today as I stood over my wonderful Cuisinart coffee maker puzzled over the dark thick drizzles all around it, I asked myself "what does he do?"
You see, Hubbs (that is darling husband, should it not come clear)gets up every day at 4:a.m., and unfortunately he is not a quick to wake man, so he depends on his coffee. But I've tried to tell him that working with fresh coffee grounds when your eyes are still closed is a dangerous thing! Obviously my advice is not being taken, because as I made my favorite java this morning, there were mysteries all around me...sprinkles of loose coffee beans, drizzles of dark molasses-like liquid, hints of spilled runover behind the pot. So, I stood in blank wonder asking myself, once again, 'what does he do?'
On another note from the kitchen, I need to gather some thoughts about my Spring Herb Garden. I usually plant two large tubs of herbs at the kitchen corner of our home, filled with my most daily used herbs and some that are for occasional zip in my dishes. When they are ready to be harvested I snip them, and freeze them immediately to retain their fullest flavor, a bit like 'freeze drying'...works beautifully for most all of my herb selections. Some people have asked me why I go to the trouble when there are so many herbs on the store shelves now days and I understand the question. But I can't express to someone how much a 'fresh' herb can enhance a favorite dish, or how much beauty a 'fresh' sprig of herbs can bring to a plate. For me, there are no 'substitutions' for the imagination that comes from my herb garden. I do use many store-bought spices and herbs don't get me wrong, they are a huge part of my pantry that I use on a daily basis. I simply love to enjoy the aroma and texture and fun the season offers my kitchen, sharing that with family and friends is like an extra bit of love to them ~ God has given us such amazing things to enjoy.
It's been sunny and bright and warm in my kitchen already this morning. Birds have been on the feeders stretching their wings in the sunshine, singing some of my favorite morning tunes. Our dogs have been out to greet me, several times, and let me know it's time to begin our day. I want to genuinely say 'thanks' for being with me in my kitchen today...God is so good, and He is so good to me. There are a lot of 'things' in this world that we can do which are fun and exciting and new...but one of my all time favorite things is just to sit in my kitchen, ponder how much I want to do for the Lord, who loves me so perfectly, and share with you 'some kitchen hodgepodge'. Enjoy your family, your friends, and your kitchen today;).