All You Need Is Love!
A Recipe For Love…Folks, after a rocky start to the new year with a dog bite, food poisoning, and some auto-immune issues I'm DETERMINED to keep self-correcting. I'm back in the saddle of LOVE. I simply REFUSE to be anywhere else. Eighteen years ago, I made a decision. I was going to return to the art of loving through my food. (This pic is of Lula's Catering 's Edible Orchids with our 3-Cheese Herbed Blend and Puff Hearts). I was never going to let anyone else dictate, ever again, how or why or where I served my fellow (wo) man. I leapt with faith into my passion for serving through the senses. And I've learned something: the older you get, the more determined you have to be! I was in a grocery store a while back and the check out lady asked me "How are you today?" I responded "FANTASTIC!" - she looked confused...and asked 'How do you get THAT way?!?" And I responded, "it's a DECISION".
I've had to slow down a bit, learn to say no, and give up just the TINIEST little bit of control.
Taking these steps has returned love to me a thousand fold. I couldn't be more grateful for the friends I've made, the loyalty between us, and the joy I am given every day when I taste something new I've created and just KNOW it's going to be received with love.
You can RECEIVE WITH LOVE when you're cut off in traffic. (Perhaps they're rushing to the hospital because they got a call about a loved one?) You can GIVE LOVE when you're standing in a long line (yes, you're waiting, but what about the clerk who sees a line that will NEVER END?!?) Yup, even if they're a teenager and "I don't give a rats ass about you or this job" is written all over their face - you have no idea whether they're struggling to help support their family or not, or any other myriad of reasons they're stuck instead of playing a sport or practicing a musical instrument. You can "draw freely from the single nectars of other fields to create a honey none alone produces" when you open your arms (and pockets, perhaps?) to those different from you, struggling in ways you cannot understand. You can "pursue collective good, shun venality, exercise empathy, and remain OPEN to people unlike yourselves" and LISTEN to the better angels of our nature - yes, LISTEN. To THEM. The "other". I have learned that keeping my mouth shut can sometimes be the greatest act of love. Anyone who knows me, knows that is a hard lesson to employ! Sermon Complete. Let us Pray.
Quotes courtesy of James Engell
Do It When You Can…JUST. DO. IT!
I'm not cooking for anyone else for Valentine's day this year. (This pic is of Lula's Catering 's Roasted Quail Breast in a Puff Pastry Heart with Wilted Bitter Greens and Spicy Apricot Mustard with Pomegranate). My fabulous husband Gordon has planned the perfect "week" for us - and he's putting together an indoor picnic with a fabulous bottle of wine and a rom-com movie on the actual DAY. Then, when we're both available two days later (the day AFTER VD), he's taking me to Nicola's for a romantic Italian feast. He's got a weird schedule and so do I. No matter - Valentine's Day can be whenever YOU want it to be - or better yet - how about EVERY DAY?!?
How many of you know the history of Valentine's Day, or the story of St. Valentine? As with most legends, it's several intermingled stories, including a pagan festival that originated the mid-century "keys in a basket" at suburban parties. Learn more here! Click here to visit our website!
About Chef Lori
Chef Lori Pierce, owner of Lula's, creates unique, boutique cuisine to impress your guests and clients in the Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky area. Our custom recipes and menus delight an intimate gathering of 10, a celebration for 100, and anything in between.
At Lula's, Love is ALWAYS our first ingredient!