5/22/08

I Sent My Man Off into the Wild!

Today I sent my man off into the wild.

He drove away in his VW Westfalia van, to camp and for solitude (away from a very active, sometimes noisy, household), but mostly to finish up the manuscript of his next book that is due to his publisher by the end of this month!

The end of the month? Yes, it is Crunch Time!

As I was helping him get ready (in the food department), I thought to myself – do I send homemade, pre-cooked food or do I buy the pre-packaged food? Pre-packaged food would be a lot easier for me!

So many people are into ease of preparation, to the point of NO preparation these days. When someone's going on a trip, you just pick up food in travel-sized packages for them, or they pick it up on the way out of town. It was tempting for me to do, but as I rummaged through my freezer and refrigerator, I decided to USE WHAT WE HAD!

We have beautiful lettuce in our yard right now. And much of it I have been giving away. I washed, spun and dried it and made Ziploc bags of pre-made salads. Each with a different surprise – toasted almonds, goat cheese, dried cherries, and dried cranberries and sunflower seeds.

I sent leftover salmon and chicken to put on the salads. For breakfast (he did take a tiny microwave) I cooked a 9x13 breakfast casserole (eggs, bread, sausage, yummy spices and cheese). Pre-cooked and easy to ZAP in the microwave is exactly what he wanted. I kept thinking to myself – BRAIN FOOD, BRAIN FOOD!

The cooler was packed with drinks, snacks, and fruit, and of course one of the most important items for a writer: a French-press coffee maker. Coffee never tastes as good as when you are camping. Coffee, a campfire, a lounge chair, and a laptop – will help make for a terrifically-written book. Plus my husband never leaves home without his small black notebook, his favorite pen and his tiny pocket recorder.

Writing in a camper or a trailer has always inspired my husband. He has an office in our home, but he still wanders out into his van some mornings, as he pops the top up, and sets up “camp” in our driveway. The small surroundings--with just his laptop, coffee and sometimes our pets--give him what he needs. His first book was written in an older VW, and No More Christian Nice Guy in a trailer. Our neighbors would comment on seeing Paul sometimes as early as 4 am!

I love cooking for my man! I love it when he reads, thinks and writes. I love his passion for others and the insight that God has given him. He is an awesome role model as a husband and father. Not having the greatest upbringing, I’m always surprised at how he forged his way through life, with little direction. At times he reminds our kids about when he was desperate as a younger boy, and how he felt God put an angel in his path. Paul remembers the man vividly, speaking truth into his life in a parking lot – and then Paul turned and the man was gone. Paul felt God’s presence way back then, as a pre- teen.

I’m sure most of you keep your husband’s best interests in mind.

Showing my husband that I am here to help him and to support him, is a priority for me. So I sent him out into the wild with good ol’ home cooked food. That's exactly where my heart was, as I prepared him for a long writing weekend.

How do you bless your man?

(Paul's trailer buddy, Filly. Filly hung out with him while he wrote No More Christian Nice Guy.)

33 comments:

Heidijayhawk said...

good luck to your hubby. and what a wonderful wife. he will know every time he opens that cooler that you are at home rooting him on.

dawn klinge said...

That sounds like a wonderful way to write a book...what a great way to send him off feeling loved.

tammi said...

And that cat looks like great inspiration for aggressive, no-nonsense literature! Whenever we camp as a family, I pretty much always bring food from home. It just tastes so much better than bought, even though it's pretty much always more work!

One thing I've gotten into recently is making my husband's lunches for him. I never used to, but I'm really trying to view these little acts of love and service as part of a wonderful honour and a way of saying thank you for working so hard so I can be the stay-at-home mom and homemaker ~ not just another annoying job in an already overwhelming to-do list.

Kelly said...

Hmmm... great question. I am so inspired by the wonderful goodies you prepared for your husband- he is sure to feel cherished. I need to improve this area of my marriage and encourage my husband this way.

Anonymous said...

Sandy, as usual, this is a WONDERFUL post. I am not and have never been married, but I know that God is preparing me for the marriage relationship. Your blog is such an inspiration to me; keep living for God!!!! I pray that He blesses you immensely....but, looking at your life; I know that He already is!!!

Anonymous said...

Beautiful!!!!!

You both are so gifted and I'm so thankful for you! :)

Melanie said...

Very sweet! Cooking..making the home beautiful and clean when he gets home...there are so many ways! A phone call during the day just to say I love him..

Chris @ Come to the Table said...

Sandy,
Thank you for this today. This is so inspiring to me. I needed the encouragement for when I am feeling a bit weary like right now.

linda t said...

What a precious post Sandy!
Your guy is so blessed to have you as a helpmate and true companion.
I'm making plans to bless my guy this weekend!

GiBee Designs © 2005 to present — All rights reserved said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
GiBee said...

DRATS! That was me that deleted the comment -- I was logged in under a different blog. Sorry! What I said was:

Hmmmm -- This is a great question. There are so many different stages in our life, and right now, at this very moment, I'd have to say that keeping a clean and inviting home, washing, folding and putting away the laundry, paying bills, and preparing HEALTHY meals blesses my husband. I know that sounds odd, but we both work full time jobs and both have super crazy schedules, and doing these small things make everything feel smoother and more like clockwork...

Looking at a broader picture, I think it blesses my husband when I pack for him whenever he goes on fishing trips. He always comes home and thanks me for including something in his bag that he wouldn't have thought of (like a long sleeve shirt for cool mornings, or lounge clothes).

Kelly @ Love Well said...

I love to bake (food is my love language), so I always make sure my husband has some sort of bread to take to work with him in the morning. (I'm slowly converting him to a breakfast person.) It could be banana bread or scones or cinnamon rolls or whole-wheat berry coffee cake (right now). As long as he has something to eat with his fruit and coffee.

I also try to give him opportunities for solitude on the weekends. That's TOUGH, because I would also love a break from the kids. But he needs that quiet, alone time more than me. So I try to make sure he has it somewhere.

~j~ said...

That is some beautifully prepared food that you sent your hubby off to write with! Fresh greens topped with salmon...wow, that sounds delish!
I have to agree with your reader Kelly in that i need to majorly improve in this area. be it our opposite work schedules or
"rut" lifestyle I have forgotten about doing those special things that make him feel important. It is such a great way to encourage him in all he does and a blessing to me in doing so. Thanks for modeling such an easy way to take care of our guy!
love j

Laura said...

My hubbie loves his coffee so I try to get up before him in the am and make it for him. He had to show me how though since I can't stand the stuff.

Great food you packed up!

Shellie said...

Hope the writing goes well. I make 2 am snacks for my work at night husband.

Shawna said...

Thank you for the encouragement...we need to remember the impact of the "housewife" role and how it can bless our husbands.

God knew what he was doing that is for sure!

Jen said...

I do the same things you are doing..making sure he has things when needed. I love Scott and want to make sure he knows it....you are a great wife....

Michelle said...

I admit I used to be a Christian. Born again. Baptized. The whole thing. Now... I am not. But, I still love my husband after 25 years and still attempt to bless him whenever I can. It just seemed to me that Christianity was so anti-woman. I lost myself being my children's mother and my husband's wife. I love your blog though. Wonderful!

~nanashouse~ said...

A timely post, as always. While we have taken my parents into our home (cancer, dementia, electrolyte abnormalities) I still have a husband and 12 year old child to care for and create a health/wellness induced environment for. Lots of salads, vegetables, fruit and physical exercise. They make it easy...They love fruits and veggies. Water is their choice of beverage. Exercise is play for them!!
Thank you God for "Men" who are easy to take care of!

Kirstin said...

My hubby's love language is Acts of Service, so I always try to think ahead of ways to bless him. If i go away for a night or two I make sure he has meals to reheat. I pack him healthy snacks to take to the office. My daughters and I will make him smoothies and bring them to him ( I recently bought styrofoam cups so we have easier "to go" smoothies). Being willing to stop what I'm doing to run an errand for him when he's working on building our house is a huge blessing. And just simply always being his biggest fan.

Tammy said...

This was so good to read...I love how you sent off your man, taking great care in what you packed for him. I'm sure that made him feel so loved!

What an awesome story about God sending him an angel!

Have a great Memorial Day weekend!
~Tammy

Anonymous said...

This is my first comment but I want you to know you have inspired me so much! I know God has given you a gift to share with the world and it has touched my heart to be a better friend, wife, and mom. Thanks for taking the time to share your life with all of us. God bless you~ Lynn

The Tin House said...

Oh Sandy, your post is lovely and a grim reminder that I could be doing a LOT more! My man and two older boys (8 & 4) went camping last night (just here out the back of our farm) and left me at home with baby. As it happened, it was a productive night where I managed to get quite a bit of work done that's been hanging over my head. Of course, he got to spend some precious boys only time with the big boys. But as he was preparing and leaving, I felt as though he just expected me to get all the food things ready, and I behaved a bit like a spoilt brat! I got everything ready, but you might say it was somewhat begrudgingly done. (what that man puts up with!!!)

What did I pack? Well, they had fresh fish fillet, lean sausages, wholemeal rolls and some salad from the garden (but not all nicely made up like yours), as well as some goodies - chocolate biscuits (cookies), hot chocolate and chips. Weetbix and warm milk for breakfast. They had a lovely night and returned this morning grubby and smelly and blissfully happy.

I'll think of this post tonight as I make up tomorrow's lunchboxes.

OH - and if hubby finds himself in the wilderness sans cafetierre....my American sister-in-law makes coffee the Bolivian way......stretch a bandanna or piece of cotton fabric across your mug and put a teaspoon of ground coffee into it. Gradually pour your hot water over the top. It will drip filter into your mug and makes a rather fab coffee in a flash. Love to all - Lisa x

Darla said...

I just left my DH up at the house in the mts. He will enjoy some *alone time* there and be oh so happy to see me when I return next Thurs. Even after all these years, absence still makes the heart grow fonder I think.

Darla

G. said...

looks like some good food you packed for your hubby.
My man loves chocolate so, I will bless him by picking up a little treat for him when I go grocery shopping. And in the mornings he gets up early to spend time with the Lord and he usually has a cup of coffee but, it's too early for breakfast and he doesn't like his coffee on an empty stomach so, occasionally I will make some muffins or another light baked good for him to have with his coffee.

Anonymous said...

I just found your site and find it absolutely inspirational. Thank you! The photos of your the food for you husband were absolutely yummy!

Girl Raised in the South said...

I am always so encouraged when I come here - I see love in action every single time. You are a blessing to me.

anya* said...

great post sandy! not only an encouragement to use up the food in our house and the reminder to use what we HAVE- thoughtfully loving my husband is sadly not always on the forefront of my mind lately..so many other things take first place, kids, meals, laundry... thank you for the excellent post and great reminder! hopefully your man has a productive weekend!

Nadine said...

You're a good wife. I find since I have gotten my laptop it's easier to write anywhere for me - sometimes background noise helps and other times quiet.

I pray he meets his deadline without any trouble.

the said...

Wow, your hubby is very luck to have you. You spoil him, but I spoil mine too! Its so much fun!!
I leave him notes all around the house , or when he goes somewhere pack them in his clothes!!!
Have a great week,
Stephanie

KATEE said...

ooo Sandy i love this post for so many reasons :)
Thanks for sharing! And yeah so sweet!
Love it... prepping the yummy and good food... and that van! YES!!! :)
i'm sure his time spent writing was so successful as you in a way set him up for success ;)
THANKS FOR SERVING! Pray the Lord would bless your heart and you just so much all over! :)

laurel said...

This was a wonderful post and I am so encouraged to do the same for my hubby. I was literally sitting here, making out my grocery list of convenience foods for my hubby to survive on while I am away next week, when i took a break to read a few blogs. After reading this post, I am ditching the list and am going to get in the kitchen and cook him something yummy. Thank You!!!

Anonymous said...

Hey, sandy, I read that you dance with your man. That's great in and of itself. I've made mention of your tango dancing at

http://noseintheair.wordpress.com/2008/07/30/a-cross-post/