Good, Better, Godly?

A friend sent me this excerpt the other day and it got me thinking about several things:

1) While I'm new at it, am I a good, godly wife?
2) How do I feel about the word submit?
3) Do I nag? 
4) Let's be honest here, when I nag, am I being helpful or hurtful?
5) How can I be a better wife, friend, and person?

Here's what I've decided:

1) I am a good wife.  I love Mr. Cuddles, as my family used to say, "bigger than you can."  We are best friends with a solid foundation of faith, family, and friends.  While I would like the godly answer to come as easily as the wife answer, I am still reflecting on this.  Yes, I feel that I'm a good Christian and Catholic, but one can always do more.  That said, since I've mastered (ha) the good wife, I'm going to continue to reflect on the godly part.

2) According to Merriam-Webster online, the definition of submit is "to yield to governance or authority," or "to subject to a condition, treatment, or operation."  At first glance, this seems like someone who would be characterized as passive, reflexive, or inactive.  Basically, it sounds crazy.  Why in the world would anyone want to submit themselves in the workplace, or in the eyes of friends and family, or their spouse?  I will attempt to tell you why.  Because in faith-driven submission, one is merely promising to give their all.  When you "submit" to a husband, friend, family member, or coworker, you aren't losing yourself or becoming insignificant in the eyes of others, you are letting them know that they can count on you to love and be faithful, lend an ear when that douche bag guy doesn't call back, always be there, or do the best job you possibly can.  Submission is actually a beautiful way of saying, "I believe in you, I'm here for you, I love you, and I will always put you first."

3) See 4.

4) Hi, my name is Katie, and I'm a nagger.  Believe it or not, I don't like to nag!  It's not fun for me or Mr. Cuddles and I truly believe if he did x, y, or z the first time I ask, I wouldn't be a nagger.  Either way, I'm learning there's a difference between helpful vs. hurtful nagging.  Helpful: "Hey, Mr. Cuddles, tomorrow's trash day and since that's your chore would you mind grabbing the bag on the bathroom door and bringing it down on your way to work?"  Hurtful: "Mr. Cuddlessssssssssssssss!  I asked you to bring down the trash from the bathroom.  Is it that hard to grab it and bring it downstairs in between mindless games of Words With Friends?"

The reality is, none of us ever want to deliberately hurt a spouse, friend, or family member, but sometimes it happens.  We can, though, be more mindful of what we ask, how we ask it, and how we deal with the response...even if it's not the one we were hoping for. 

5) See 1-4 and add watching more Colorado-related sporting events. 

In closing, happy hump day and enjoy this delicious recipe.  Thanks to my new father-in-law, Dr. O, the grill master, for introducing us to it!

Dr. O's Sweet and Spicy Maple Plank Salmon

1 lb skinned salmon fillet
1 cedar plank
1/2 c chopped shallots
2 tbsp maple syrup (can substitute with agave nectar)
1/4 c BBQ sauce (we recommend Stubb's spicy BBQ sauce)
1/2 tbsp (or less) red pepper flakes
1 tbsp brown sugar 

 

Directions

 

Stir all sauce ingredients and pour over salmon. Marinate overnight if possible or at least an hour. Soak cedar plank as long as possible. Place salmon on plank, pour half remaining mixture on salmon, and put plank directly on grill. Close lid and cook 25-30 minutes. Pour remaining marinade over salmon halfway through cooking.

 

Seasonal Serving

Plan your menu around your serving dishes, or be prepared to beg, borrow or steal from a neighbor or friend.  Taking a few extra minutes to examine the colors in the meal you've prepared, and plate accordingly, makes all the difference to your guest(s).  Nothing looks more appetizing than a colorful, seasonal salad served in a clear or white dish. 

For this particular recipe...
 

Summer: Serve whole or individual fillets on a white, mustard, or sea-colored platter garnished with lemon slices.  Offer extra sauce in a smaller pitcher. 

 

Winter: Serve stacked or sliced on a rustic platter or server garnished with rosemary sprigs.  Offer extra sauce in a small jar or mason jar.

Side Suggestions
A side is just that, a side.  Sort of like a sidekick or a wing man, a side dish should compliment the main dish rather than serve as a distraction.  When in doubt, go for simple sides like a mixed green salad with a choice of dressings on the side, a vegetable medley, or roasted red potatoes. 

For this particular recipe...

Cauliflower mash (thank you, Amy Pickard), this amazing Real Simple dish, this plain - but great - tomato salad, or some good old grilled asparagus.  We marinate fresh asparagus in lemon juice, kosher salt, extra virgin olive oil, pepper, and minced garlic.  It's also great topped with a little sprinkle of grated or shredded Parmesan cheese.

 

Transitional Table Setting
Mr. Cuddles always asks me why I only buy nude pumps, black dresses, and gray cardigans.  My answer = transitional.  It's just like house paint, cars, and designer clothing lines (with the exception of spring/summer).  Nude colors are classics and are transitional from season to season.  Investing in nicer linen napkins, a table cloth or runner, candles, drink ware, and serving dishes - all in neutral colors (nude, white, taupe, gray) - will guarantee tasteful dinner parties for years to come. 

For this particular menu...

Neutral linen napkins, linen or jute table runner, votives in mercury glass in varying shapes and sizes or smaller floral arrangements (brighter colors or whites in the summer, ruffage or more muted colors in the winter) in vintage antique glasses, and rattan chargers. 
 

Cakes' Commentary
Incorporate a theme, when applicable!  By the time Thanksgiving 2012 rolled around, we had chosen "colors" for our wedding, so I set the table accordingly.  I cut fabric samples and made portable wine glass coasters; tied neutral satin ribbon - the color of our table cloths - around crystal candlesticks; made place card holders out of potpourri (not part of our wedding decor, just a fun idea); used wine glasses my mom had given us as an engagement present and silver that was my great aunt's; and, showcased mercury glass and metallics since that was our color scheme for May 18, 2013!

Here's some inspiration:




Comments for Cakes?  Please submit comments, feedback, questions, or things you'd like to see posted!