Meatloaf

Meatloaf

I don’t cook. Early in our marriage, I wanted to impress my new husband. He loved cooking so my un-fondness for it had never been an issue. Though, back then, apparently the wife usually did all the cooking.

I thought I’d surprise him. He had a monthly meeting at work, after which, we usually ate out. I thought how fun it would be to have him come in and find a lovely meal already on the table!

Rushing to the fridge to find out what we had, all there was, was hamburger. That usually meant meatloaf. I perused his cookbooks and finally found one with a meatloaf recipe. A “Healthy Surprise Meatloaf” at that, according to the name.

I worked diligently, following all directions, though I was surprised at what goes into a meatloaf! Who knew! Got it in the oven and while it was cooking, I heated up canned peas and made a salad (the one thing I knew how to do.)

Everything was ready when he drove up the drive. Surprise! He was so excited! I had never cooked before. He thought I didn’t know how! Pffft. Filling both our plates, I settled into my chair waiting for him to start.

The first thing he asked was, “was this something your mother made?”

“No!” I said, “I read it in a book, one of your cookbooks!”

“Huh,” he said, and he took a bite, and spit it out!!!

“Where did you get this recipe?!”

I jumped up and got the book, trying to decide if I was scared, or angry! Whipping it open to the page I said, “I followed the directions perfectly!”

“That you did, Honey,” he said, “This is a recipe for homemade dog food…”

Fifty-two years later, I still don’t cook. He still loves me.