One of the more pleasurable things about cooking is that it expresses our belonging: where we have been, where we are now, who and what we hold allegiance to, what season it is, what time of day it is, what kind of life we've built for ourselves. What we choose to eat, and how, and where and with whom. And why. Of course, not all of this is always in our control, but that too is an expression of our lives, what we value, and what's shaping us.
I sometimes find it interesting to take a look at my life from the question 'What do I belong to?' This is slightly different question than my usual 'Who am I?' or 'What do I want?' This is the sideways approach and sometimes it can reveal what I've been hiding from myself, especially if I don't like the answer ('Oh no, I belong to this vending machine candy bar!') Sometimes the answer startles, sometimes it comforts; it can assure or bother or nag or delight. The question flips the usual position of asserting control (what belongs to me) and instead explores what defines me, what I've let in, what I've said yes to.
Here's my answer for right now: Today, so far, I belong to the tortilla, and to three cups of strong, milky tea. I belong to the bowl full of figs picked from the tree outside my front door and the ambitions of my fig chutney project that's taking up my afternoon. I belong to the cool, rainy day that is keeping me indoors and near a lit stove, and I belong to October and its deep-fall weather and harvests of squash and apples and Brussels sprouts (and figs).
I look at my refrigerator door and what I've chosen to post there: A chart of the moon cycles, a shiny wrapper from a British sweet, a bag from my landlady's shop in Berkeley, a flier from an organic farm, a drawing of a canning jar that says East Bay. All this speaks of where and what and to whom I belong. What holds me and shapes me, what I've allowed in and what's come crashing through. What I want to be reminded of, what I want reinforced and echoed and encouraged. What I belong to.
What do you belong to right now?
Related: Weekend Meditation: Harvest
(Image: Dana Velden)
How to Bake a Potato: Three Easy Methods
How To Cook Tender, Chewy Wheat Berries on the Stovetop
Good Food to Share 
The Big Book of Small, Cool Spaces 
Apartment Therapy Presents 
The Eight-Step Home Cure 
Straw Mat from The ...
10 No-Fail Decor Tricks & Tips for Small Spaces
Beth's Romantic & Retro Residence
this is a lovely post, and it so resonates with me. right now, I belong to the smiles of my three-month-old son, and to To Kill a Mockingbird, which I am teaching and therefore re-reading. I belong to the gorgeous pears I can't stop eating, and to the wicked good pimiento cheese I made yesterday for today's company (and which I am trying to resist snacking on before they arrive).
thank you for this meditation.
My favorite of Weekend Meditation, by far. How lovely to think of our Sundays activities, projects, and those places where our mind wonders to, as where we belong, where our allegiances are -- and what did says about where we are just now. It reminds me of why Sundays are my favorite days of the week. Today, I belong to some neglected work-work that must get done, making a starter for bread (bread!), then off to the parents for some father-dautghter time tooling around the garage with my pops before my siblings join us for sunday dinner (a big pot of pozole for this drizzly day).
What a great post. Today I belong to the almond crossiant that my husband bought this morning at the French bakery close to our house. He visits every morning while I make coffee and today he brought back a special treat!
I also belong to the baby growing inside me as I am 5 months pregnant. I belong to future family dinners with our little one, to sharing new and interesting foods with her, to teaching her to cook and bake for the pleasure of preparing food for loved ones.
Today I belong to the free range cats who live beyond the fence and to my goofy spoiled cat who lets us live with him in and out of the house. I belong to the wild birds I feed and to the tiny Beta fish called Bubbles who shares his water with goofy spoiled cat. I belong to the thick slices of bacon I baked in the oven and to my goofy spoiled husband who loves my cooking. Your question has helped me answer who I am today and I am grateful.
ilovemuddyhands
Today I belonged to my friends, whose laughter filled the house this afternoon. Also to the warm sunshine that warmed me, before the freezing shade kept me cool, while cycling up an epic hill this morning.
Today I belong to a friend, who accomplished much good for the earth and its inhabitants before he left it, and to his family and friends who memorialized him, thanking him for his many gifts of time and thought and effort, and sharing food, tears, and laughter. May we all be inspired to carry on his passions.
I belong to comforting cheese tortillas and blue corn chips with salsa yogurt dip after a long day working and caring for the boyfriend who we found out today has a terrible sinus infection after days of fever.
And to excellent butter cookies leftover from my nonprofit fundraising gala last night.
Tomorrow I cook. Today I eat.
Today I belong to a punnet of blueberries and an avocado with a heaped tablespoon of milo, to my bicycle and this warm-enough day that I can wear my new white dress. I belong to a day of classes and this one hour long lunch break all to myself.
I wish I had more days just belonging to myself...
I love this post, reminds me to be mindful of my life. I've just returned from an 18 month trip, to a new home, new town and new job to a life I definitely belong to.
Today I belong to lots of cups of tea, yogurt and bran flakes for breakfast, aching muscles from moving into my new flat, and the sunny cold walk up the hill to work.
Most of all I belong to my husband who has been away and is officially moving in today. (oh and I also belong to the carbonara he will be making for tea)