The Newlywed Game
Do any of you remember the Newlywed Game? If not, get on YouTube before reading this article to watch some of the original episodes and get ready for some big laughs. We were going to be spending time with our “COVID-safe” friends (the same friends you hang around with since the pandemic started) and wanted to have a different game that even the husbands would play without complaining. Well, they complained until we got the dry erase boards in hand but then the fun began. The questions were for husbands and wives to find out what we know or don’t know about our spouses. Heck, I rarely know what my husband is thinking or why he is thinking it so didn’t think we would stand a chance on the leader board.
Since my column is all about food, of course I asked the husbands, “What meal does your wife make that you wished she wouldn’t make anymore.” What came next was a deafening silence, dry erase markers fidgeting in the men’s hands, and maybe some beads of sweat. Can there truly be a correct answer on this one? Oh, it was hilarious to watch the men slowly begin to write something down – knowing they are simultaneously coming up with an explanation to say immediately after showing their answer. When it came to my husband and I sharing our answers, we unbelievably had the same answer – RICE! That answer showed me exactly how lazy I have gotten over the past year or so. If anyone knows the magic of Minute Rice, you realize you can whip a meal with rice, meat, and a vegetable in no time in an electric skillet. I knew my meals had become somewhat of a one-trick pony as of late so answered truthfully and, bless his heart, so did my husband. It probably feels like Groundhog Day for him when he hears what is for supper — ha! So after that night of fun, I vowed to surprise my husband and not be so predictable. This vow has led him to questioning me with “what’s up with you” almost every day since!
The other evening when I told him to just leave his plate and fork on the counter and I would put it in the dishwasher, he stopped in his tracks turned and asked, “What?… what is up with you?.” I then shared in my cleverly disguised sassy way that since I was going to end up putting it in the dishwasher anyway, he could just leave it on the counter and he wouldn’t have to pretend that he was going to put it away later.
Then, one sleepless night this week, I was doing work from my phone when he shot up from bed and asked what I was doing in the dark on my phone so late at night and asked, “What’s up with you?” Granted, it probably did look suspicious, but told him I was simply getting an online Tupperware party set up and showed him my phone to prove it. Sure, it’s Jake from State Farm.
Some other ideas I have for surprising him will be:
1. Leaving the empty toilet paper on the holder for more than one day and not remind him who left it in that condition
2. Not mentioning (again) that white socks with blue jeans was a fad in the ‘50s and ‘60s and current day many men are wearing dark socks that closely match the pant color
3. Joining him in the charade that we have a maid and not a wife-elf that does dishes and laundry until midnight some weekdays
4. Pretending that, yes, drying my work pants with heavy linty towels is an OK thing (oh that will be a hard one)
Want to add to my list ladies? With all of us being at home more, less traveling, less activities after work and on weekends, it truly has been a time for me to try to get along and make changes to ensure that happens. I will always poke fun at my hubby but have to give my guy credit – he has made changes that have shocked me – didn’t think he had it in him! So keep surprising your spouse (in a good way) and know that we all have some capacity for change.
Oh, and does anyone need some rice? (smile)
Wild Rice Crockpot Casserole – one last rice recipe for a while
1 – 10.75 oz. can Campbell’s Cream of Chicken Soup
5 Cups chicken broth (or 5 tsp. of Wyler’s Chicken Boullion mixed with 5 cups of water)
1 – 6.5 oz can of mushrooms, undrained
16 oz pkg of long grain brown and wild rice (or 8 oz. of each), uncooked
1 tsp thyme, dried
1 tsp basil, dried
Dash (1/8 tsp) black pepper (too taste)
2 lb chicken breast, cooked and diced
1/2 Cup onion, chopped
Add all ingredients in the crock pot and stir to combine. Cook on LOW for 5-6 hours or until liquid is absorbed. Not recommended to cook on High setting for less time as wild rice does not finish. Add shredded cheese before serving if you like – I add shredded Parmesan.
Stir once before serving.
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