ON COMPANIONSHIP
***
“She was struck by the simple truth that sometimes the most ordinary things could be made extraordinary, simply by doing them with the right people…”
― Nicholas Sparks, The Lucky One
***
A conversation with a close friend in Argentina, Agustina, struck in a chord in my heart, and it occurred to me that the reason why friendships last despite the distance, time or cultural barriers, is because there is a mutual interest in the other’s life and affairs. Interest as in genuine concern of course, not gossipy nosiness.
I believe that what most people (if not all) seek for ultimately is companionship – whether it is the company of a sibling, a parent, a friend or a lover. That because we humans are a sociable species, there is a constant craving to be accompanied, and to be company.
And for every relationship or friendship to last, we have to always maintain our interest in the other person, and vice versa.
Even if it means doing things you don’t love just so you can accompany the other, or maybe just taking five minutes to ask about the other person’s day because you are genuinely interested, even though we are innately configured to prefer talking about our own problems and issues.
This is why we seek for friends who have the ability to make your life a part of theirs, and why we search for partners and loved ones who make the extra effort to inquire if you are fine, if you need someone to talk to, if you would like to drop by, even if it was for just an hour.
Just like the quote at the beginning states, “sometimes the most ordinary things could be made extraordinary, simply by doing them with the right people“.
One of the sweetest things I’ve witnessed is when an old couple still holds hands, because their love has been developed and moulded alongside years of companionship.
This is precisely why I am so grateful that Juan takes the effort to accompany me on random photography walks even though he sometimes gets bored, as I desperately seek to better my photography skills.
(According to Juan, my new Canon DSLR has already been depreciated by all the usage I’ve put into it in the past two months, so you get the drift.)
I adore that he holds my hand while I weep ridiculously during romantic films, my tears falling over his hands like a dripping tap.
And that he laughs at my fear of dogs, even though it’s something he cannot fathom, because he very much would like to get one.
I love that we both find tremendous comfort and pleasure in sitting at a peaceful cafe with nothing but uninterrupted silence and a solid book (or kindle).
I smile silently when he accompanies me to scour an entire mega department store for the most insane items, like a piece of wood (to use as a prop for photos), or a pasta making machine (I know, I have weird shopping interests).
And more recently, I’m amazed when he suggests that we cook at home together.
You see, cooking isn’t exactly a strong interest of his; like most men I know, he’d very much prefer the eating end of the deal. But recently, I suppose my interest in cooking has rubbed off a little on him. I absolutely find it so cool when you cook with your partner – it’s just like sharing a meal, but even better, because both of you end up appreciating the food so much more.
The last time we cooked together, we made one of the most delicious and easiest side dishes I know, with one of the cheapest ingredients possible – potatoes.
Roughly cut potato wedges sprinkled with dried rosemary and tossed together with sliced onions.
Roasted till a beautiful golden brown, crispy on the edges and bursting with flavor.
ROASTED ROSEMARY POTATO WEDGES & ONIONS
(Serves 3-4)
Ingredients:
1) 5 large potatoes
2) 2-3 tablespoons of dried rosemary
3) 2 large onions
4) salt & pepper to taste
Steps:
1) Wash and cut potatoes roughly in wedges and slice onions into thin strips
2) Pre-heat oven to 200 deg cel
3) In a baking tray, pour enough oil to cover the surface, and heat for 5 minutes
4) Arrange potato wedges and onions slices in the tray over oil, and sprinkle dried rosemary over them.
5) Roast in oven for the next 1 hour 15 minutes, or until the wedges are crispy on the edges
Wash and cut potatoes roughly in wedges:
Arrange potato wedges and sliced onions in the tray over oil, and sprinkle dried rosemary over them:
Roast in oven for the next 1 hour 15 minutes, or until the wedges are crispy on the edges:
gracelimsaifong says
Great post – enjoyed reading every bit of it – including the comments of friends :0)
rosewithoutthorns says
Thanks mummy 😉
Jess @ On Sugar Mountain says
Ok first off – these potato wedges look fantastic! Love love love rosemary anything. 😀 Second, I do the same thing to Josh when I ask him to come with me to find food blogging props, and he’s so sweet cuz I know it is SO boring for him and yet he comes along anyway. 🙂 You’re right; companionship is one of the best parts of life.
Enjoy your weekend Felicia! <3
rosewithoutthorns says
Yes! rosemary makes everything taste so much more refined! Haha, the fate of the poor boyfriends of food bloggers! well, they have to play their part especially if they are gonna be getting the spillover effects of a constant supply of muffins, cakes, and others delicious foods!!
ENJOY YOUR WEEKEND TOO! TGIF!! xoxo
Min says
What a lovely reminder..love that quote! All of my closest friends live far away. We see each other..hmm..maybe once or twice a year if we’re lucky. However, we do spend a lot of time laughing, crying, screaming..over the phone hehe. What we do best..
Seeing an elderly couple holding hands always makes my heart melt as well. So precious! It’s funny you mention about the art of holding hands. Tim and I just recently talked about how we don’t hold hands much anymore. Probably bc we’ve been with family a lot recently, and I feel uncomfortable holding hands in front of my in-laws. But I think his parents would get a kick out of seeing that…his sisters, on the other hand…
Tim and I love cooking together as well! Although I get a bit frustrated by how slow and meticulous he is. It’s good though bc I need to learn to be more patient hehe.
Hope you’re having a wonderful week!
rosewithoutthorns says
Hello Min!
I understand what you mean about your best friends being far away and how precious those once or twice-a-year opportunities to see them are. thank god for technology – skype, whatsapp and the likes!
And again! I totally get you when you say it feels weird to be affectionate with Tim in front of your in-laws; being Asian I know that feeling so well. the only thing is that sometimes I feel weird being affectionate with Juan even with my own parents and family – feels like they might freak out cos Asians are usually less touchy than south americans!
you have a lovely week too dear! oh, btw!! i thought of you yesterday when i bought pearl barley seeds!! I can finally make a barley salad, soon! the seeds are just waiting patiently in my pantry!
76sanfermo says
Hi, Feli,good recipe , good quote and good feelings!
Big hug,
A.
rosewithoutthorns says
Big hug to you too Anna!
baci.
lauralayne says
These look great! Such a good way to make potatoes look gourmet. Thanks for sharing!
rosewithoutthorns says
Hi Laura!
thanks for reading! yes, isn´t it amazing how we can jazz up something as simple and cheap as potatoes to give them both a more refined and gourmet look as well as taste?
if you do try it, let me know if you like them this way!
have a great week!
Salutation Recipes says
What a lovely quote!
rosewithoutthorns says
I’m glad you liked the quote! sometimes we need to be reminded every once in a while that even the simple everyday things are worth doing, as long as we do them with the right people!
Have a great week!
Salutation Recipes says
That’s very true!