(K) is for Kitchen
the a-z of tending
The kitchen represents the pulse of our home. It is a living, breathing thing with memories that have steeped into its walls. It has seen both hard and joyful times and holds us in a comfortable embrace. Oh, how I wish I had an old-fashioned cooker or a fireplace in our kitchen! When we have company, it naturally becomes the location where everyone gathers, drinking a glass of wine or beer, snacking on tasty treats, and all chattering at once like eager kids on the playground.
That time is the most enjoyable time of the gathering. It’s the truest time, with everyone animated and sharing openly. It conjures pictures in my head of clans huddled around the fire, telling tales. This picture illustrates how important and comfortable this time is, and how it feels simply like a natural component of our social interactions.
"Food--what is chosen from the possibilities and how much time is allotted to cooking and eating it--is one of the means by which society creates itself and acts out its aims and fantasies. Changing (or unchanging) food choices and presentations are part of every society's tradition and character." Margaret Visser
Tastebuds was born
Years ago, a small group of friends got together after being inspired by the movie Julie and Julia. We were a group who all enjoyed cooking, and had yet to attempt to cook together. We began as 4 couples and committed to cooking a 4-course meal together from Mastering the Art of French Cooking. That night was the start of something that has lasted for approaching two decades, and is a big part of all of our kids’ early memories.
That first night, we began to create bylaws for how our cooking club would function. We’d meet every 6 weeks or so, choosing a different chef to focus on. Each couple would be responsible for one course and bring all of those ingredients with them. Here is what was different from other cooking groups. We would then we would all cook the meal together, from start to finish. When the kids were all small, we’d chat while having a glass of wine and chopping onions, cook the kids dinner, feed them first, and then set them up with games or a movie while we started preparing our meal. We began to call ourselves Tastebuds.
Inevitably, we wouldn’t sit down to our first course until we’d settled the kids in bed at 9 pm! Ah, to be young (and I mean us)! I can tell you that as the years have gone by and our various nests have emptied, our dinners now begin in late afternoon and are completed closer to 8 pm!
A few years in, we added a fifth couple, and we have cooked menus around individual chefs, types of cuisine, events, and themes (one menu was the 7 deadly sins)! Many of my best memories are intertwined with this group, and the simple act of gathering together in the kitchen bonded this chosen family.
This is the story of how a recipe box set me on my path in the kitchen.
To read through my A-Z so far:
D is for Daily Ritual (4/4/26)
I is for Intention, J is for Joy (4/10 &11/26)
M is for Maintenance (4/15/26)
O is for Outreaching (4/17/26)
Part of the Blogging A-Z 2026 Challenge
Until next time,
Hello friend! My name is Amy. I am so happy you have stopped by 🍃 If you are new here, a warm welcome to you! This space is where I am learning to walk the wise woman road by returning to my true self through seasonal living, reflective writing, nourishing food, intuition, and resilience. Rooted in the rhythms of the earth and my lived experience, these writings are an invitation to slow down, listen inward, and remember what nourishes us. If this resonates with you, I invite you to subscribe and walk the seasons alongside me.
Oh! Tastebuds sounds wonderful! And the fact that your kids were part of the process... What a tradition to grow up with! 🥰
What a lovely thing to do together with a group of friends. I love when people gather in the kitchen to share food.