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Don’t hate me ladies, but I have the best deal in town. My son Paul loves to cook. And he’s good at it. I, on the other hand, don’t love cooking. In the old days I cursed the sight of the stove each night. Now I sometimes go a week without touching it, thanks to my boy. But alas, everything comes at a price. Here are four wonderful things about Paul cooking and one not-so-wonderful thing…

He cooks for the holidays – I used to stumble bleary-eyed into the kitchen on Thanksgiving morning to start the stuffing. I’d put on the Macy’s Day Parade and I’ll admit, the rousing horns and snare drums did give a lift. But by the time the bird had gone in the oven – cleaned, stuffed, and rubbed with butter – I had had it. Then I remembered seven courses remained. Kill me now.

But last year a strange thing happened. I arrived in the kitchen to the aroma of diced onions and celery sautéed in butter. Paul had already made the stuffing. The bird was out, cleaned, and ready to go. I wanted to drop to the floor in praise. All my life’s wishes had been granted. “Happy Thanksgiving,” Paul said, casually, having no idea of the life-altering event he had just brought on.

He cooks for company – Like the iconic scene in “2001: A Space Odyssey” when the apes first discover bones as tools, I made a momentous discovery of my own. Like many of these events, it happened by accident. Paul knew we were having company. “What are you making?” he asked. “Probably beef, mashed potatoes, and vegetables,” I said, listing my usual basic fare.

Quicker than you can say, pinch me, I’m dreaming, Paul asked, “Can I do it?” His eyes lit up. So did mine. Not only that but he offered to whip up a creamy, garlicky shrimp dish he designed himself.

That night our guests, my husband Randy, and I spent a large part of the evening sitting at the kitchen island watching my “private chef” (sounds so classy) preparing a delicious dinner. A new tool had been brought into the Stone house. A new way of entertaining had begun. (Cue the “2001” theme music).

He cooks Sunday dinner – This is where stuff gets really cool… and sometimes unpredictable. Every week Paul has a meal he’s inspired to try. A few weeks back it was braised short ribs. He worked all afternoon and they were fall-off-the-bone delicious. A few weeks before that, it was minestrone soup with homemade garlic bread.

I shouldn’t be surprised. Paul watches cooking videos like most guys watch football. He rarely uses a recipe and instead goes by whatever he feels inspired to make.

This can lead to, well… eclectic meals like last Sunday when we had a spread of Tuna Tartare, individual mini-calzones, and French toast topped with fruit compote. Okay, I doubt it would be featured on one plate at Spago, but the strange thing? It all came together and was delicious.

He cooks “just because” — Sometimes Paul makes standard fare like mac and cheese or hamburgers. He’ll have music playing while he dices and chops — everything from Billie Holiday to punk rock (sometimes too loud and I have to yell at him).

Sometimes he starts at 2:00 p.m. for a 6:00 p.m. meal. I should’ve seen the clues when he was a child. The little boy who loved to touch and smell and taste everything (and I mean everything, sometimes to my horror) would become a budding chef.

Now here’s the hard part…

Paul talks about getting his own place. He works hard in a commercial kitchen, arriving most mornings by 7:00 a.m. He puts almost everything he earns in the bank.

And I know it’s for the best and how life should be (*sniff*) that my youngest boy will move on. I can’t keep Paul to myself forever.

So, what will I do? First, I’ll need a refresher course on how to turn on the oven. Then I’ll look around my kitchen and think how lucky I’ve been. I’ll miss the aroma of homemade meatloaf, the clanging of pots and pans, and even meals involving crazy combinations. I’ll miss the gift of my son’s food.

Still, I’m no fool. I’ll be luring Paul back for holidays, company meals, and even those wonderful “just because” dinners.

But sigh.

I knew a good deal when I had it.

 

 

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Comments(48)

  1. Enjoy this gift as long as you can!!
    Neither of my boys cooked when they lived at home but, the youngest has become quite a good cook since he went out on his own. He’s worked in many restaurants and learned from great chefs. We always enjoy cooking together when he’s here or we’re at his house.
    Fortunately, his older brother found a lovely wife who is a great cook. If it were up to him alone he would probably order in or eat out 99% of the time. 😉
    b

      • Laurie Stone

      • 5 years ago

      Barbara, I try and resist the take-out temptation when Paul’s not around. I actually can rustle up a mean plate of ravioli or a hamburger. I admire people who truly love to cook. God bless them.

  2. Do you think he could be lured to Canada?
    Asking for a friend . . .

      • Laurie Stone

      • 5 years ago

      Diane, Paul would probably love to cook for you!

  3. What a blessing in so many ways! I’m with you Laurie, I sometimes think about removing the stove from the kitchen!

      • Laurie Stone

      • 5 years ago

      Sandra, Laughing. Wait, is that an option?

  4. I am so jealous! My husband took a multi-month cooking course when he retired. I had visions of handing the cooking duties over to him for good. He has always been more interested in the art of cooking and is very good at putting stuff together to create a meal (I’m pretty much a recipe follower). Unfortunately, the course took all the joy of cooking out of him. Although he still takes on the grilling duties, I’m still the one who does most of the cooking. Enjoy your personal chef for as long as you can!

      • Laurie Stone

      • 5 years ago

      Janis, I intend to! My husband will also grill (and he’s good at it), but it still leaves the side dishes to concoct. God, I’ve gotten insufferably lazy!

  5. My father was a CIA trained chef. My first husband’s family owned a restaurant and my current husband is a CIA trained chef. As far as I’m concerned men belong in the kitchen. I know how to heat up Healthy Choice meals in the microwave.

      • Laurie Stone

      • 5 years ago

      Jennifer, I love how you had such a different perspective of men in the kitchen than most of us.

  6. Oh, this is too funny – and hits way too close to home! I LOVE to cook, but rarely have the time to indulge in big long affairs of it. My husband loves to cook, and will gladly let it occupy every waking minute. Upside: I never have to cook for Thanksgiving (when we’re at my in-laws’ anyway and his parents insist on doing it all) or Christmas (when my hubby does it all). Downside: I’ll never forget the first few years we hosted Christmas, when our very small children were RAVENOUS by the time Daddy finally got dinner on the table around 8-9pm!

      • Laurie Stone

      • 5 years ago

      Flossie, Sounds like you have a good situation with a husband who loves to cook. Yes, dinner around 8-9 would be challenging, especially for little ones. How nice of your husband, nevertheless.

  7. Oh, you had me at “made the stuffing.” Wow! You are one lucky lady. My youngest, one Christmas Eve, made the cookies. I came home from running a boatload of errands, exhausted, to him in an apron midway through baking the cookies. I thought I’d died and gone to Heaven . . .

      • Laurie Stone

      • 5 years ago

      Kristine, Like many women, having someone take over the reins of cooking is a blessing. I’m definitely enjoying Paul while he’s here.

  8. I am jealous I would love to have a cook in my house. Get his best recipes so you can still make some of those dishes when he isn’t around.

      • Laurie Stone

      • 5 years ago

      Rachael, Unfortunately, Paul doesn’t use recipes. Everything is intuitive and by taste and smell, and it somehow all comes out delicious. If I did that, I’m afraid to think what would happen.

    • Barbara

    • 5 years ago

    He can’t go. (It’s as simple as that haha!) My husband and my 10-year-old LOVES to cook. It makes me unbelievably happy.

      • Laurie Stone

      • 5 years ago

      Barbara, A cooking husband? Okay, now I’m a little jealous.

  9. We’re a family in which we all enjoy cooking! Now that my kids are on their own, we text about recipes we’ve tried and so forth. This makes me so happy! I’m glad your son loves to cook. Cooking is love.

      • Laurie Stone

      • 5 years ago

      Shari, Cooking is love, that’s a beautiful way to look at it.

  10. You are so lucky to have a son who loves to cook. I grew up loving to cook with my mother and am hoping one of my two sons will want to cook. One is a big eater and loves food so I am trying to get him to cook. They are still young yet, but I’m planting the seed. I would love some useful company in the kitchen! And then someone to cook for me some day!

      • Laurie Stone

      • 5 years ago

      Lauren, If your son loves food, that’s a hopeful sign. If you encourage that, and plant the seed as you aptly put it, you may have a chef!

  11. I’m still waiting to see him at my door. Suitcase (and pots and pans) in hand… 🙂

      • Laurie Stone

      • 5 years ago

      Ha Ha! He’d probably love to cook for you!

  12. I want your son! No I NEED your son. Even though I don’t know why I’m complaining because that’s just about my only household chore. Hubby does everything but the kitchen unless we’re grilling. He goes to the grocery if I ask and does the laundry…but if I had both I could take over the world lol!

      • Laurie Stone

      • 5 years ago

      Rena, My hubby does his own laundry, thank God. He’s allergic to the stove, but thank God for Paul who loves it. Counting my blessings…

  13. My husband loved to cook, had culinary training, and it was wonderful! Treasure every meal your son makes, he is a gem!

      • Laurie Stone

      • 5 years ago

      Candi, Weren’t you lucky! I do treasure Paul’s ability and love for cooking. Its a pleasure.

    • Margaret

    • 5 years ago

    Some of my best meals were made by my son! I definitely count myself, like you, as one of the lucky ones when it comes to My son’s cooking. I am a sneaky have never liked anything about cooking and so I am very appreciative of anyone who enjoys cooking and can do it well.

      • Laurie Stone

      • 5 years ago

      Margaret, I also take no great pleasure in cooking, but so thankful Paul loves it.

  14. So lucky to have someone who cooks in the family!

      • Laurie Stone

      • 5 years ago

      Linda, So true. Its a blessing!

  15. I love your Paul! We are all ‘cooks-when-we-have-to-be’ around here.
    My kids are all into theatre, which makes for very entertaining meals, but, sadly, all have inherited their mother’s ‘hmmm-it’s-5:30-and-we-need-something-for-supper-in-half-an-hour’ attitude.
    Homemade soups are big on the list. Fortunately, they whip up in a hurry and, if you add enough butter and cream, taste amazing.
    But what would I give if just one of my kids had been a ‘Paul’?
    A lot.

      • Laurie Stone

      • 4 years ago

      Diane, Paul’s wonderful and getting better all the time — now using ingredients I’ve never heard of! Soups are wonderful, especially in winter. Hmmm… you’re giving me ideas.

  16. Oh yes … my eldest son is a chef; my 2nd son does the cooking for him & his girlfriend- he often calls me asking for a recipe for one of my traditional meals; my 3rd son loves baking cakes and decorating them; …. my 4th son loves eating all food and enjoys his school cooking lessons but would like to be a rock star though (or a pilot). My daughter isn’t so enamoured about cooking … but she does live with her boyfriend who happens to be a hotel restaurant head chef!! LOL!

      • Laurie Stone

      • 4 years ago

      Wow, Linda! I’d say all your bases are covered!

  17. Ahem… we have this dinner coming up. Christmas Dinner. With turkey and trimmings. Kind of a big thing we serve on Christmas day every year. Do you think Paul could be induced to come and prepare the whole thing for us? 😉 You’re welcome to come too!

      • Laurie Stone

      • 4 years ago

      Diane, I’m sure Paul would love to cook and I’d love to visit! We’ll be there around 3:00 pm. on Christmas eve! Ha ha…

  18. My boyfriend of forever and I both enjoy cooking – we eat well!

      • Laurie Stone

      • 4 years ago

      Bonnie, Sounds like you’re a good team.

    • Estelle

    • 4 years ago

    I relate to this. My husband and daughter cook but I hate cooking.

      • Laurie Stone

      • 4 years ago

      Estelle, Glad I’m not alone!

  19. How I would have loved to have a ‘Paul’ amongst my children! Maybe I could send my theatric daughter to decorate (scarily) for you in exchange for Paul cooking (amazingly) for me!

      • Laurie Stone

      • 3 years ago

      Diane, I would love scary decorations! Let’s make a switch.

  20. I bought a new pan at Costco a couple of days ago.
    That’s as close as I can come to your awesomeness. Sigh.

      • Laurie Stone

      • 3 years ago

      Diane, Laughing. Wish I had Paul’s awesomeness.

  21. We share the same non-love of cooking. Can I adopt your son???

      • Laurie Stone

      • 3 years ago

      Mona, Alas he works crazy hours at a local restaurant as a chef. I’m now lucky to get him to cook for us!

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