Mise en Place

I have been cooking again- after a hiatus taken adjusting to an empty nest and no longer beholden to teens demanding dinner. Decades of diligence in that department, it is actually a-o-k. Cooking is slowly returning to it’s former place of joy and passion, rather than duty. Funny how that works- “absence makes the heart go fonder.”

Mise en place.

This notion has long fascinated me.

It’s French for 'everything in its place.'

I learned this at CHIC, the Culinary and Hospitality Institute of Chicago, a Cordon Bleu cooking school I spent a sneeze at.

When we practice mise en place we set ourselves up for success by putting everything in its place ahead of time. It’s an organizational term used in professional kitchens that reminds us that everything does have a place, and the more measured and meticulous we are before the cooking begins, the better off we- and our food- will be.

When we set ourselves up, do our homework/training/ research- then, we can let go with confidence, and let things fall into place. It’s ritual and reverence to craft and creation.

I find it to be true of just about everything. In the kitchen, in life, in sport, in work, in relationship- If we are centered and focused about our set up, we are likely to enjoy the process as well as a best-possible outcome.

So I am trying on mise en place in the year ahead. Written of course from a completely trashed office!

This is my new year’s wish- not quite a resolution – more so an intention.

(Being absolute about anything does not seem to serve me; it’s like force feeding rather than growing into new possibility.)

I cooked a Shepard’s pie for Christmas dinner. Chopping the carrots, onions, rosemary ahead of time was relaxing, maybe even a bit meditative. I gave myself time to gather ingredients- replacing 3 year old Worcestershire sauce, buying and boiling potatoes. My rancher/ rector- friend dropped off lamb, local and lovely. Talk about intention; with the care love that the animals and the environment they live in receive, it’s no surprise that the end product is exquisite.

(If you want to be inspired by a business model that chooses wholesomeness and sustainability, over large scale success; (read about Lava Lake Lamb here!)

I am trying to set myself up in 2024 with Intention, Presence, Clarity.

It’s less about succeeding, and more about enjoying the process as it unfolds. And, doing the best I can.

Is everything in its place for the year ahead? Heck no, and I know; I will never be entirely meticulous!

But, I am moving with intention in that direction.

I am setting up to the best of my ability, and then letting go.

The following poem is one that was offered to me and my seminary cohort. It was the first reflection our teacher offered us as we entered a semester focused on discernment. Relevant I believe as we discern anything, that we are intentional and organized in our set up, and then flexible and faithful enough to let go and let life unfold.

I have some things in place for 2024. I am sure you do too. I am also holding some space for God only knows what. I have done enough, and I'm a bit tired from the overdoing anyway. My guess is many of us are.

Now, it is time to trust, and believe, that what will be will be,

and it will be good.

Wishing you mise en place, and a happy new year!

Fire

by Judy Brown

What makes a fire burn

is space between the logs,

a breathing space.

Too much of a good thing,

too many logs

packed in too tight

can douse the flames

almost as surely

as a pail of water would.

So building fires

requires attention

to the spaces.

in between,

as much as to the wood.

When we are able to build

open spaces

in the same way

we have learned

to pile on the logs,

then we can come to see how

it is fuel,

and absence of the fuel

together,

that make fire possible.

We only need to lay a log

lightly from time to time.

A fire

grows

simply because the space is there,

with openings

in which the flame

that knows just how it wants to burn

can find its way.

* * *

Life is changing (always!) as are both ElinorWriteNow and 40daysofpeace Coming soon are modifications to format and function. In the spirit of the above reflection, setting it up and trusting the rest will fall in place.Time will tell.

For now, expect a first of the month musing, like this!

Hopefully some thoughts that might spark your own inquiry, and reflection. (Like now! I am curious: how might mise en place help set you up this year? What does this poem mean for you?!)

As always I love & welcome your feedback. I can by reached by email.

peace,thanks & cheers to 2024 !

elinor