1 [Report This]Date: March 19, 2023 09:13 pm Title: Step 3, Heat the Pan
First: this recipe sounds delicious.
Second: I really love how you portray this subtle dance of the kitchen they're doing here, and how well they're able to do it without thinking about it. Sure not something Roy would bring to the table. And you can really see Pam feeling liberated to create in this environment, such a contrast from where she is in canon.
AHHHH BETH AND SAM HAD THEIR FIRST DATE AND ENGAGEMENT AT CHRISTOPHER'S. GOLDVERSE-CEPTION. And again... what a contrast to Roy and Pam. Really like Beth making the point about the wedding not being the end of the journey but the beginning.
Congratulations btw: that may be the worst version of Roy's proposal I've ever read. Jfc, Roy, the callback to the first date? Really? He's extraordinarily lucky that night didn't end with him wearing one of those beers.
“No offense, but how does a dental hygienist know all this?” Isabel: wtf man
Ooooof. Sam and Beth finding all their soft spots here...
Author's Response: Thanks, it is quite tasty.
Glad you're still enjoying this one. it's fun to write Jim and Pam in a good place that's for sure. It was fun to bring in Christopher's like this. I thought Roy might try to propose in a way he likes, a way that gives him maximum attention, not in a way that would be meaningful for Pam. Thy guy might think he knows her, but no not really.
I'll admit I completely forgot about Isabel's job when writing this. Nice catch there. But yeah Sam and Beth know just where to push. Which is of course the point. Thanks for the review.
1 [Report This]Date: March 12, 2023 04:58 pm Title: Step 3, Heat the Pan
I love your chapter titles! Just like a recipe, they too are organized in step order! I can see how Pam is loving these cooking classes... it definitely ties into expressing her creativity through art... and you do such a great job of showing how "friends" Jim and Pam are just as in sync as the married couple Sam and Beth. Not surprised that Jim and Pam are in step together when in close quarters in the kitchen!!
I love Beth's correction to "lady". It was a great metaphor to what Pam's relationship is with Roy--a kid, high school relationship--to what it could be with Jim--an adult partnership. Really points out the difference in how the two treat her. I'm glad Pam got Beth's number to potentially discuss some of these big topics with her away from class.
I love Sam's blunt approach with Jim. I thought that he brought up some excellent points, especially that if Jim says he's Pam's best friend, shouldn't he be honest with her? Even if it means saying that he is in love with her? I'd LOVE to hear the conversation Sam and Beth have in the car on the way home tonight--playing a little bit of both matchmaker/therapist... Can't wait for the next chapter! As always, the recipes look great! We always add sour cream, milk, and butter to our mashed potatoes--but I LOVE the idea for the pork chops--including the original use of cherry jam! I frequent Cherry Republic up in Glen Arbor so I have a lot of cherry products, including jam, and that would be a great use!
Author's Response: Thank you for mentioning the chapter titles. That's kind of the point for sure. Painting on a canvas or painting on a dish. Each involve a lot of creativity and rule systems, but within those rule systems there's a lot of room for creativity, adaptation, improvisation, and exploration. Add in being there with Jim and it's a lot of fun to bring out some of the best sides of Pam.
Exactly the point of the "lady" correction. To get Pam to start thinking more as an adult and not as a child anymore. It's also a nod to how Jenna and Angela talk to each other on the podcast, so double bonus!
Jim needs the hard kick in the pants. In canon it was the looming wedding date and his transfer. Here it's Sam going for the man to man direct approach. Great fun beating some sense into his brain for sure.
Glad you're interested in the recipes too. Hope your turn out well if you choose to try them out. Thanks for a great review!
1 [Report This]Date: March 10, 2023 05:51 am Title: Step 3, Heat the Pan
Yeah- a proposal at Christopher's - points for Beth, from a Beth...should be worth even more (wink-wink).
Speaking of Beth, this one is extremely observant and VERY wise (as all Beth's are - wink-wink-wink)
Hopefully she is helping to open Pam's eyes to what a healthy relationship should be. The bit about the marriage being the start of the journey as opposed to the end - I loved that.
Sam's approach to reaching Jim, while different was just as profound (even if it did cause him to scratch) and hopefully will push him to where he needs to go and say what needs to be said, what he pulled back from saying when he slipped back the card, and thanks to Beth she will maybe be in a place where she is ready to be hear it.
Of course, the cooking bit was fun (did the cooking lesson thing once for an anniversary) as was hearing about Beth and Sam's wedding planning.
Bring on what's to be come next........
Author's Response: Figured you'd get a kick out of the nod to Christopher's. The idea was to make Beth and Sam as kind of an audience stand in. They can see right from the off that Jim and Pam are meant for each other so they get to say what we as an audience always wanted to. Glad you liked the cooking parts too. Should be kind of interesting to see where we go from here for sure.
1 [Report This]Date: March 10, 2023 04:56 am Title: Step 3, Heat the Pan
Am loving the slow build up of this, Warrior (and the recipes don't hurt either ;))
Author's Response: Glad you're enjoying the story and the recipes. Thanks for being here for everything.
1 [Report This]Date: March 09, 2023 09:36 am Title: Step 3, Heat the Pan
Am I mildly obsessed with this story? Possibly. I love Pam's thoughts over the teapot and Beth's gentle approach compared to Sam's straight up 'you love her bro' approach. Fits well for the Jam. As a tongs owner I agree two clicks is basically the law! Looking forward to more!
Author's Response: Glad to have you here for it. Having Pam gush over her teapot is always a fun thing. Also glad you picked up on how the two different approaches Beth and Sam used. That was the exact intent. And yes, always click your tongs.
Date: March 08, 2023 12:59 pm Title: Step 3, Heat the Pan
Yay you’re back!
Beth made a lot of good points here.
Actions speak louder than words.
Roy’s proposal was awful and so completely him.
I think Pam and Roy were together for so long is because they were each other’s comfort zone.
So when Jim came along it disrupted the only thing that they ever knew, and I think that’s why Pam was having a lot on confusing thoughts and feelings.
Roy and Pam were never going to have an adult relationship with each other. They would always be
in their high school relationship no matter how old they got, and it seems that the Pamin this story is starting to realize it.
Author's Response: Yup, all that's the point. To get Pam and Jim both think about their various relationships with an adult mindset and clear reason rather than just the feelings of everything. Early season Pam is also scared of change unless its forced on her. So what would it be like if change comes via a mentor type relationship versus a desperate declaration? Glad you liked it.
1 [Report This]Date: March 08, 2023 11:04 am Title: Step 3, Heat the Pan
Tong clicking is most definitely a male thing. I’m pretty sure it’s the only utensil my husband knows how to use, and always does that first.
I really liked Jim adding a ‘snapshot’ of Pam to his mental folder.
Sam and Beth are very wise people. Seems like Jim and Pam have a lot to think about…
Great chapter!
Author's Response: Clicking one's tongs is pretty much obligatory at this point. Glad you liked the lighter and heavier subject matter in this one. And yeah, they both have a lot to ponder.