Everything I needed to know about life I learned from Tomato Paste

Ok, so I'm exaggerating just a bit. I didn't learn EVERYTHING from tomato paste. Just a little lesson....
You know, I've been cooking for 35+ years. I think I'm better than when i started, but not quite as good as some. My sister for instance. That's because my whole approach to cooking is similar to my approach to lots of other things. "Good enough" works for me. Just enough "to get by" is sometimes how I think. So when I started cooking I loved easy to cook things. Chili. Box mix cakes. Casseroles. Though I did learn how to make pie, it's not as easy as they say. Long complicated, multi step recipes I avoided or messed up on because I wouldn't read the directions thoroughly. Anyway, all that to say that when I would make soups that required tomato paste I didn't get it. Why would you put that big glop of sticky red goop in your soup? Like Chili? Who needs it? So I skipped the tomato paste. For more than 30 years no less. And we all ate fairly good chili. Well, I thought so anyway. I threw in all the other things that were required so no one really missed the tomato paste. Well, they didn't know that was missing so how could they?
But I found a new chili recipe a little while back and it called for tomato paste. I had some. And, I had the time to add it, so I did. Wow!? Was it the tomato paste that did that to the chili? Made it a bit thicker. And heartier. And it added some texture. Hmmmm. I liked this. Maybe I should do this again. Try the tomato paste that is. So I did. Same result. Well, what do you know?
So, of course, now I use the tomato paste all the time. And I got to thinking about it. My sloppiness with cooking is really a symptom of my attitude about life events. I skip things because I don't want to take the time, even though by doing so I will be missing out or affecting the flavor, and what's even worse, I won't know it. I'm impatient. I'm in too big a hurry. I rush to get to the end and skip over important stuff. How can I slow down and remember to add the tomato paste? Yes. Slow down. Be more deliberate. I am chastising myself. Ah that patience stuff again. It doesn't come easily.

Des Moines

I was in Des Moines yesterday. It was a 4 hour drive and a 1/2 day visit. I haven't been to the capitol in years. This was a visit to our local representatives. Good thing I brought my camera along. These buildings are really gorgeous.

We got a quick tour of the house chambers while they were in a brief recess. Our main meeting, though was in the law library. (the circular staircase) I wondered if the representatives or their clerks really used those books still. I could definitely imagine what it must have been like in there a hundred years ago. Wow.

It was a lovely day in Des Moines. And in the building. This is the afternoon sunshine streaming in, and the dome interior.

Floor work

We had some help this weekend with our floor project. As you can see, the grandsons arrived, and just in the nick of time! They did some measuring, and pounding, and sliding to clean things up a bit, and they played here as well, just to test things out! They did a nice job, as you can tell. We are probably 1/3 of the way across the floor and made quite a bit of progress. All that hammering and sawing does take a toll though. We are supposed to have small group at our house next weekend. Eeek. I don't think this will be finished. The goal, remember was Easter. We should make that, though. It is hickory flooring butted up against the walnut wainscoat. It is very woodsy, to say the least, but looks pretty good. You all will have to stop over and give us your opinion. Of course, if you stop over before we're done we will be glad to let you help. The boys all thought that was great fun. I think you would too!