The Finishing Touch

"Burn the candles, use the nice sheets, wear the fancy lingerie. Don't save them for a special occasion. Today is special." Regina Brett, age 90

Years ago I learned a way to save money on the weekly grocery bill. Build your menu around the supermarket specials that week. It takes some creativity, because you have to turn your thinking around. Instead of deciding you'll make spaghetti, then shop for the ingredients, you shop for the ingredients and then decide what dishes you can make. Back when I cooked for two hungry teenage boys, this kind of approach made a lot of sense. The Sunday paper had coupons every week, and one store discounted the coupon items even further so that it was possible to get a particular product for free. Of course, the hope is the "loss leaders" will bring you in, then you'll buy a bunch of other stuff that the store actually profits from.

In the aisle with the ketchup and mustard and olives and pickles, you can find these very expensive tiny jars of delicious capers. To me, they are an extravagance. But they are so good, adding that little something extra to sauces and dishes.

I have a new friend with a delightful way of enjoying life and turning everyday times into special celebrations. The last few times I had dinner with her, she has tossed some capers into whatever she was making. In fact, she made some pasta and after she had served it, she got up from the table announcing she had forgotten the capers. Oh my goodness. We can't forget the capers. So with her help, I have made a giant leap from those are an unnecessary extravagance, to where are the capers?!

As we go through life being sensible and practical, let's not forget those little touches that make all the difference. Those deliciously smelly candles, the soft, pretty sheets, the beautiful, feminine lingerie. And the capers. We can't forget those.

Susan