What’s Cookin’ is just a cute way to say, “How are you doing during the Covid quarantine?” We are fortunate that my husband can work from home. I have been engaged in a bit of advocacy and coordinating a few Zoom meetings. Technology is really not my thing. I do it more because I have to than because I want to. I have always liked to cook, and I have been cooking more during quarantine. Any good Southern woman will tell you that good food makes everything better. Anytime you come to my house, I will feed you. I will share one of Rachel’s favorite recipes at the end. Speaking of Rachel, none of you really cares what I am doing. You are wanting a Rachel update. Here’s What’s Cookin’ with Rachel during the Covid Quarantine.
Rachel has transitioned to home quite well. She was rather indignant when I told her she was going to be a on a schedule and work on her independent living skills and that this did indeed include chores. She said that one of her friends said his parents said the same thing like it was some novel concept. One of the main reasons she is attending a post-secondary program is to work on her independent living skills. That’s part of what we are paying for, so we’ve tried to recreate it is as much as possible here at home. We also want to focus on establishing or re-establishing good habits for life. In a way, it’s a gift to have this time to be able to provide some support though I doubt she sees it that way.
She prefers the basement to her bedroom even though her room is bigger than most New York City apartments. She calls the basement her “girl cave.” It’s as cold as the Antarctic year round, and she is very hot natured. She also knows I am unlikely to spend much time there due to those cold temperatures. She has a dance area, tv area, game area, and now she has a school area. She has all of her scripts from her plays, access to Google Fiber, Netflix, Amazon Prime, Disney+ and her favorite, YouTube. She spends hours dancing, singing, watching “Friends” and talking to and/or texting friends, and posting on social media.
In her spare time, she has a few classes from Missouri State University, Bear POWER activities (via Zoom), SGA (she’s a student senator), and meetings most weekdays with her ambassadors or grad assistant.
Some of her other additions include:
- Zoom Zumba “Happy Hour with her friend Halie”
- Zoom Improv where she met Zack Gottsagen from Peanut Butter Falcon. Kudos to the amazing Rob Snow.
- Zoom Yoga
- Zoom Bible Study with her Blue Valley Baptist Peeps #bestgroupever
- Online worship with the Life.Church
She also adds a few Zoom or FaceTime meetings with friends each week. She’s had a tea party with friends she met at the National Down Syndrome Congress Youth & Adult Conference
Mystery Zoom with our friend and former Razorback 3rd baseman Bobby Wernes
and a Zoom to meet a new friend Caroline. One of our new daily routines is that she and her dad go for a walk in the late afternoon. Then, we eat and watch the “Gilmore Girls.” Her daddy is such a good sport. Are you tired yet? Is there such a thing as Zoom stock? We all should have purchased some.
Rachel has not said a lot about the quarantine. Quite often, she asks when she will get to go back to work at the Olive Garden. That seems to be her biggest concern. She talks about going back to college in the fall and missing friends. She refers to it as “that silly virus.” She’s also acknowledged that she is glad to be home with us and that we are able to help her. She has even been asking for help which is something she rarely wants to do. It’s an important life skill and many of us find asking for help to be a struggle.
Daily prayer is part of our routine, too. That’s something that is very important to Rachel. She feels deeply and has an uncanny ability to empathize with others. People say she has a gift for comforting others. Her dinner prayers have been rather lengthy. Sometimes, we have to reheat our food. Through it all we recognize that we are truly blessed.
Right now, we know we are cookin’ just fine at our house. We are trying to do our part as much as we can and keep ourselves and others safe. We are donating more food to local organizations and helping deliver back snacks for a local ministry, sending note cards to some of our elderly friends, church members and others we know who are living in group settings.
As promised, I can’t let a What’s Cookin’ post be done without a recipe. One of Rachel’s favorite things that I make is a black bean salsa. I made one yesterday for her to have with her lunch, and she was so excited. This is a picture and the recipe.
She can make this salad, but why would she when she knows I’ll do it? I have some skills to work on, too.
I hope you enjoy this recipe and update on Rachel. #BeWell
Black Bean and Corn Salsa/Salad
1 cup corn niblets (I use a small can of Green Giant Mexicorn)
1 (15.5 oz.) black beans or pinto beans, drained and rinsed
1 cup chopped seeded tomatoes
½ cup chopped green onions, including tops
2 Tablespoons finely chopped fresh cilantro
3 Tablespoons olive oil
2 Tablespoons lime juice
1 teaspoon cumin
½ teaspoon garlic salt
2 Chile peppers, seeded, minced
In medium bowl, combine all ingredients; mix well. Cover; refrigerate several hours or overnight to blend flavors.
Do not mix or store in a metal bowl.
By the way, I don’t measure. I just toss in what looks to be about the right amount. Like I said, a true Southern woman.
Shout out to my friend Mardra Sikora for inviting me to participate in this week’s blog “link up.” She’s an awesome writer and terrific person. Hope some of you will hop over to her blog and follow her. She shares some pretty cool stuff in this week’s What’s Cookin’ blog.
Bonus: Link to Cinnamon Chip Scone recipe.
