Stewing My Thoughts

by Diane Estrella on December 22, 2009

 

On this snowy day, I remembered my lovely friend Leslie had given me a beef stew recipe that I thought I’d give a go. I am not a cook; a baker yes. Many a berry pie or chocolate creation has come forth from my kitchen, but nary a casserole nor five course meal to follow. I believe it stems from asking my mom to help in the kitchen as a young girl and always getting the job of peeling the potatos or carrots. The worst part was the thin 40 year old peeler, duller than a butter knife, and never sure if it worked better peeling upwards or down. I now have my super peeler that I could shave chest hair with if I wanted to, but that’s another stroy.

 

So, while peeling potatos for my stew today I got the outsides white and ready to cut, and then cut into one. Inside was a brown rotten streak going right through its middle. We’re going deep here for a minute, so prepare yourselves. How many of us look all gussied up and prepared on the outside but when we open up, we have an ugly spot of hurt, unforgiveness, broken hearts etc. on the inside?

 

On to the onion, every cooks own crying game. I am an old school, just hand cut that onion up and get it over with kind of gal. I was thinking how the onion could represent our hearts. First we have to peel the yucky outer layers off. That is kind of like pulling off the bandaid. It hurts for a minute, is only a flesh wound and the pain will stop in two seconds. But then….. cutting into that bad boy and opening it up brings on a whole different level of pain. Tears are dripping down your face, profuse blinking takes place, chopping as fast as you can to finish what was started and finally into the pot it goes. What will come out after? A beautiful, insides warming, yummy smelling, get me through a cold day kind of happiness that only occurs after the hard part is dealt with. It’s not fun to reflect on the vegetables of our lives…. but join me and let’s get some stew stewing!

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{ 36 comments… read them below or add one }

Persuaded May 31, 2009 at 4:47 pm

what a wise thing you are! i think i’ll think of this post next time i make some stew for my family. thanks for making me think…

and thanks for stopping by my blog and for commenting too☺

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Diane June 2, 2009 at 6:04 pm

Your comments are very sweet!

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Dori December 22, 2009 at 9:12 am

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year :-)

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Diane Estrella December 22, 2009 at 10:19 am

Blessings to you in England!

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jacque December 22, 2009 at 9:30 am

hey girl that was pretty deep, now onto the carrots, peas & green beans, only kidding very insiteful. I could smell the aroma of it cooking!

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Diane Estrella December 22, 2009 at 10:20 am

Perfect for a wintery day. Yummy!

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Couture Cookie December 22, 2009 at 9:59 am

I have never thought of it that way. I usually steer clear of peeling onions – can’t deal with the eye soreness. Not even ski glasses help!

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Diane Estrella December 22, 2009 at 10:25 am

I use a lot of dried onion too. Lazy and cried out at times!

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Linda Kage December 22, 2009 at 10:14 am

Thank you for sharing that. Lovely and thought-provoking. It reminded me of the movie Shrek, where he said orges are like onions and have layers.

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Diane Estrella December 22, 2009 at 10:31 am

Probably my child-like mind coming through. :O)

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Wylie December 22, 2009 at 10:39 am

Onions are interesting, aren’t they? I always think of our walk with God being like an ever peeling onion. Stripping away the multi layers, one at a time as He makes us more & more into the image of His Son. You know, there are tears in the layers, but He is always working for good… Merry Christmas friend!
Wylie

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Diane Estrella December 22, 2009 at 12:19 pm

Absolutely! Blessings to you this Christmas season. :O)

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Kristen Torres-Toro December 22, 2009 at 10:45 am

I love chopping onions. I love chopping things (no need to be worried!), but onions are my favorite. As long as I have a candle and am next to a sink with a bowl of cold water, I’m good. I’m kind of known around my organization for my onion chopping skill. :0)

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Diane Estrella December 22, 2009 at 12:19 pm

Hidden talent! Wish I could call on you the next time I’m making chili.

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Stephanie Faris December 22, 2009 at 11:02 am

I really wish someone would come up with an easy onion chopper…that works. Just a multi-bladed device that you put over it that slices it in one chop, then slices it in the other direction. How hard could that be?

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Diane Estrella December 22, 2009 at 12:22 pm

There probably is one, but it would be a pain in the butt to clean. One knife is easier than some “gadget” to wash.

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Heather December 22, 2009 at 11:25 am

Now wasn’t that post chock full of “metaphors”…very nicely done Diane!!!

I’m a better baker than cooker as well…although I’ve recently started using a crock pot which has be great fun!
I do love a hearty stew though…
Cheers

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Diane Estrella December 22, 2009 at 12:23 pm

I have just found new crock pot joys. If I am organized enough first thing in the morning it is a delight to have dinner ready later. :O)

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Teri December 22, 2009 at 3:03 pm

I am a crock pot lover, and love stew. Only if it’s homemade though.

I love the onion analogy. I believe we all have layers, and if we are persistent, we get to good stuff.

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Diane Estrella December 22, 2009 at 4:47 pm

The only problem is that it’s hard work getting through those layers, and most don’t want to try that hard. It’s worth it!

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karen evans December 22, 2009 at 3:15 pm

I love stews in winter. But I use onions all the time, and never have thought of them that way. Excellent. Even though they make me cry, they taste so good. :)

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Diane Estrella December 22, 2009 at 4:48 pm

That’s exactly my point….. so worth it in the end!

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Susan J. Reinhardt December 22, 2009 at 3:36 pm

Crock pots are a must-have in the kitchen. I always chop the onions last, wear glasses, and keep as far away from them as possible. And never…I repeat never…rub your eyes if they start burning. I get out of the kitchen and splash some cold water in my eyes before finishing the task.

Yeah, when the Lord starts going after those rotten spots, it hurts.

Blessings,
Susan :)

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Diane Estrella December 22, 2009 at 4:49 pm

I left some spots on my heart for longer than they should have been there. Wish I had dealt with them sooner. :O)

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Erica December 22, 2009 at 4:08 pm

Great post – I’ve never thought of a potato or an onion like that, but those are good stand-in’s for what we have inside. Just like your heart, an onion can be easily crushed or diced. Excellent analogy.

Have a Merry Christmas Diane :o )

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Diane Estrella December 22, 2009 at 4:49 pm

I feel like I’ve given everyone something new to think about the next time they are slicing and dicing those veggies! Yeah!

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Natalie December 23, 2009 at 11:20 am

What a lovely analogy! I think I need to make some stew.

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Diane Estrella December 23, 2009 at 1:54 pm

Will warm you mentally as well as physically. :O)

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Jill Kemerer December 23, 2009 at 11:20 am

I think I’ll always have a brown streak in me, although the reasons change! Great post! Merry Christmas!

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Diane Estrella December 23, 2009 at 1:55 pm

We all do at times. I guess for me, it’s better to try and dig it out before it rots me from the inside out completely! :O)

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Angie Muresan December 23, 2009 at 3:02 pm

Then we’d make a perfect team in the kitchen, Diane. I am a cook, and love it, but not a baker. And there’s nothing like stew with some fresh hot bread on a cold day, is there? Blessings!

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Diane Estrella December 23, 2009 at 5:32 pm

I would love to cook with you. So many exotic and foreign meals that I could glean off your experience. Hugs!

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Alicia December 23, 2009 at 8:56 pm

Great metaphors…especially the potato! I’m a baker too and fortunately, the husband is the chef. We call ourselves the dynamic duo..LOL!

Wow…so many changes and now on WordPress!! I must get back in touch with things ;)

Wishing you and your a very Merry Christmas!!

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Diane Estrella December 24, 2009 at 12:08 pm

I’ve missed you! Glad you found me and all is well with you and your family. :O)

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Nancy December 24, 2009 at 3:18 pm

Yes, lots of layers to an onion, but you finally get to the center. Wishing you a warm and Merry Christmas and somebody’s great stew.

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Diane Estrella December 24, 2009 at 8:05 pm

Thanks Nancy! Blessings to you and your family too.

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