Friday, January 7, 2011

Weekword = "simplicity"

What is Weekword? Weekword is just about what it sounds and looks like - week, word. Each week a word is selected and bloggers are invited to participate in being creative in using or defining the word.  So, of course, The Distracted Cook had to be one to say "count me in." Never having known about Weekword before, I am flying blind right now. I can hardly wait to see what the seasoned Weekworders do. I know that I will learn a lot and find many new blogs that will fill my head with wonderful visions and ideas. If this sounds like something you would like to do, then you should visit the site I did to see what this is all about:

http://silverlinings4me.blogspot.com/

The challenge is to somehow be creative in using, thinking about, illustrating, or just plain musing about the word of the week. When I first saw this word, my immediate reaction was that NOTHING is simple in the life and kitchen of The Distracted Cook.




But,  that is not quite the truth. In reality, there is an inner simplicity to all of our lives if we just can figure out how to connect with it.



For me, it has always really been about getting down to the very basics of any issue. I like to think in terms of structures and outlines and building blocks. I usually try to reduce something down to its bare bones so that I can understand it and learn from it. That is a good practice for me, especially in the kitchen!

When you really think about it, almost all our attempts to produce something in the kitchen are just elaborations on some very simple ingredient, technique, or procedure. Sounds pretty simple to me. And when things look really complicated I take my trusty highlighter and start underlining like fury! My cookbooks end up looking like some exhibit in a graphics shock experiment. But it works! It really works. And so I do believe in this week's Weekword. I know that it is a word from which I can move forward. I know that simplicity is a concept that works in my everyday life and in all that I do. It is a Lifeword for The Distracted Cook.



Don't you think it would be fun to be a Weekworder too? Visit the Silver Linings 4 Me blog at blogspot and join the rest of us who are working around this week's word.

Yes: Weekword = Simplicity!

14 comments:

  1. I LOVE the idea of connecting to that inner simplicity that is there in our lives. Cool post! Thanks.

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  2. oooohhh! the bowl of cherry tomatoes is "simply" delicious looking! AND, yes, when you check the other blogs you'll be amazed at the wide range of "creative interpretations"... plus you'll meet some fabulous blogger friends.
    FYI - some weeks the participation level slows down & other weeks the list is enormous! but it's such a treat to visit each blog - it's also fun to select a word too! the last few words I've picked I thought would be easy (after all, I selected them). But when it comes time to post, I am generally scrambling to pull together something to share. Have to say - it keeps my mind searching for ideas all week! the creative stimulation is exciting!
    Thanks for giving WEEKWORD a chance. I hope you'll be back next week?

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  3. for starters, there's nothing in the world simpler than good ingredients to eat, like those tomatoes...

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  4. I do agree! sometimes it is the simple ingredient that inspires the creativity that produces the most wonderful of results!
    Karen

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  5. Christine - this was such a fun thing to do. And yes, despite any distractions, we will be back next week! And I hope everyone else joins us.
    Karen

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  6. I think there is definitely a simple joy in creating nurturing food from good ingredients (like those amazing tomatoes). Beautiful post.

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  7. Thank you, Diana. I agree that there is a simple joy in that creation. That is one of the most gratifying things about cooking. I believe that art and cooking are best friend cousins!
    Karen

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  8. I think you did great your first time with Weekword! When I start to get frightened by new recipes I need to remember it is all simple. :-)

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  9. Simplest things I do with tomatoes is have them on the counter in a dish for my kids to take while grazing. Next favorite thing to do is cut the grape tomatoes in half, salt, pepper, and a little olive oil and it's a side for dinner or my lunch if I've completely lost track of time.

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  10. Junebug - you are so very right that it all is so simple. That is something that we often forget, but even the most complicated algebra depends on our knowing our very simple math skills. Simplicity is really just complications debunked!
    Thank you for the vote of confidence- I am looking forward to next Weekword!
    Karen

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  11. Oh Karen I am totally in mad love with your kitchen-your island is gorgeous! I really enjoy cooking and couldn't agree with you more that really all cooking can be boiled down to a few essential ingredients and some important simple techniques to make a delicious meal! Welcome to Weekword, I'm really looking forward to visiting your space more :)

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  12. Thank you Biomouse! It is a kitchen that is a pure delight! And even better, it was designed for "simplicity" in the way it works and how I can hide the distractions. Simplicity is definitely a keyword in my vocabulary. See you next Weekword!
    Karen

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  13. It's so nice to meet another distracted cook. My highlighter is my best friend. Without it, I'd never be able to figure out where and what I'm supposed to do. :)

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  14. Mandyland - yes, what would we do without highlighters and sticky notes? I even put check marks next to things I like so I remember which ones to make again! And file folders are my sanity-savers!
    Welcome to the kitchen!
    Karen

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