For a long time I’ve been dissatisfied with the frantic pace of American life. We have more technology than ever and less time than ever. The more gadgets we have to save time the less time we have. We make ourselves as busy as possible, then wonder why we never have time for the things that make us truly happy. I was right there with everyone else, working and schooling and doing everything I could squeeze out five minutes for.
I was raised on a farm and my mom did a lot of things the old-fashioned way. She also did it while raising nine kids. While much of it was out of necessity (saving money) there’s also a sense of satisfaction that my parents seemed to have by doing things themselves. Of course, I grew up and forgot about all that stuff, launched myself into the world and got caught up in everything that was there.
And that’s ok. Many people thrive on the ever-working life on the anthill. And I say do what makes you happy.
But I was dissatisfied. I had most everything I really wanted, but I was tired all the time. I needed to step back and take a breather from the pace of life. So I decided to go back to my roots – the old ways – and see if I could get a piece of that satisfaction that was felt on the farm. For me, these roots are in the kitchen. Making real food, good food, and doing it from scratch. This blog will be my personal record of this journey. If people read it and like it and it helps them, then that makes me happy. If no one reads it or gives a hoot, I don’t care!
So why kung fu? Well, part of it is the whole “old ways” thing, and kung fu is about the most ancient practice I can think of. Plus I do kung fu and tai chi and love it so whenever I tackle something it’s all about having kung fu in whatever that is – hard work and dedication, discipline, making yourself a better person – so therefore, this blog is about my kitchen kung fu.
I work full time and go to school two nights a week. I have a wonderful husband and three puffy cats and a great house, all of which makes me very happy and extremely grateful. But happiness is a lot like love – some is good, more is better! So come with me into the kitchen and let’s see if we can stir up some happiness, peace and satisfaction the old fashioned way.
kitchenkungfu.net 
Hay Jo Anna, this is just too much fun!! Keep up the good work and let the fam. know about this!! I think you’ll get some other comments when you do let the word out. Marcy thinks your ‘somethin else’!!! Love ya \o/\o/
Sweet blog site! Patty loves it. She is a professional apple sauce maker, she and a nieghbor have been making it for years. Big time this year with a healthy apple crop in our back yard. She has made apple sauce, apple butter, apple pie, apple crisp, apple muffins, I feel like I’m Bubba!
Keep it going and we’ll be checking it out!
Pretty sweet action, JoAnna!
I’m with ya in your opening comments about the need to slow down and smell the roses… ‘er smell what’s cooking in this case.
I guess the “do whatever makes you happy” bit I might take exception to. People do some pretty evil things to other people in order to make themselves happy and I cannot condone that. And some people climb the ladder of success expecting to be happy only to discover that the ladder is leaning against the wrong wall. A real let down to be sure.
I better stop with all that, I can tend to get a little preachy sometimes. I have no idea where it comes from. 🙂
I hope to see some good Norwegian dishes on this site soon.
I see you have a few comments from other members of the family – thats a good thing. Did I tell you that the sour dough makes great french toast – garlic toast and I see you’v discoverd the grilled sandwich.
Tim’s given you a challange on the norwegian food. Look some up – could be interesting. Call Helen for her recipe for
rummagrot !! So whats up for the weekend?? \o/\o/