Falling in Love with Cooking- Tip #3

-French Music-

I love all kinds of music.   I am classically trained.  I was raised on Bach, Beethoven, Chopin, Debussy, and many more.  I am a worship leader.  I write country and Americana music, I have a children’s lullaby album, and I am married to a man who introduces me to so much music it keeps my head spinning.  However, when it comes to cooking, pretty much one type for me:  French Music.

My sister got me hooked on great French music.  Luke is always asking me to change up the music when I cook, and that is when I say, “Oh honey, too many cooks in the kitchen.”  He gets to choose the music for clean up time after the meal, I choose the music for cooking time.  That is our arrangement.  As I said before, you will almost never walk into my kitchen during dinner time and not find French music serenading me in the background.  Now, if for some reason I forget to turn the music on, Jonah, my 3 1/2 yr. old, will always remind me during dinner, "Mom, we need French music while we eat."  No joke.

  Some of my favorite choices:  Edith Piaf, Django Reinhardt, Hans Zimmer, Eartha Kitt, Stephane Grapelli, and the great Charles Aznavour.  I am not saying that you have to cook to French music, but you might want to give it a try, I swear, it makes the food more beautiful.  If it isn’t French, than pick your favorite, but remember, try to make it pleasant and peaceful music, something that calms you.  This is your time of the day to let down and give a big sigh of relief.

Once in awhile I will stray from my French music and you might just walk into my kitchen and hear   Madeleine Peyroux.  She is another one of my favorite artists.  Her voice immediately makes you melt.  You want to look for the nearest bottle of wine, pour a sizable glass, and just disappear into her melodies.  She is pretty dreamy, so if you have not heard of her, please check her out!

Full Day of Christmas Music and More!

Today has felt like one of those non-stop days.  Wait, does every day feel like that?  I have had my usual lists of calls and "to do's"  that I am trying to get through.  Taking care of my two sweet kiddos, preparing dinner, teaching piano, and trying to get out the door with Luke by 7pm to attend a live video streaming of Brandon Heath- an artist who Luke is playing with tonight for a Christmas Show.

It's a busy day, and my multi-tasking skills are in full steam.  I had a friend and her baby over this morning for a play date.  While visiting with her, I prepared our dinner- Vegetarian Chili.  I have to admit, I was one of those people who did not like the thought of veggie chili.  What is the point, right?  Chili has meat.  So, if you don't want the meat, than just don't make chili.  Eat a carrot.  Until I came across this recipe!  It uses tons of veggies, of course, and then you finish it off with grating a large head of cauliflower into the chili.  The cauliflower acts as the meat, and you truly can't tell the meat is not there!  It totally amazed me, and is now one of my families' favorites.

So-while we I visited with my friend, I prepared the veggie chili, fed lunch to the kids, and cleaned up. Now, I am working on my phone calls and my lists, cleaning up behind my children, and am getting ready to leave in a few minutes to go and teach piano lessons.  It is just one of those days!  I will get home, feed the kids dinner, take that shower I so desperately long for, yet haven't had time for today (don't judge me, I am doing the best I can) and then I head off to the Christmas show.

Just thinking about everything already makes me excited for bed!

This is a typical day for us here in Music City.  We juggle a lot of things at once, work in rehearsals and recordings, play in shows, keep our family happy, and then somehow find the time to sleep.

Tune in for the live stream Christmas show tonight at Brandon Heath's house.  You will enjoy it!!!  It starts at 9pm Central.  Just click on the link below and it will take you to the live stream that begins at 9pm.

http://brandonheath.net/