1 [Report This]Date: January 09, 2025 09:25 pm Title: Step 1, Gather Ingredients
I just finished reading this (downloaded as an epub, which is why I'm only commenting at the end). I love it; the recipes are a great touch, but the actual story is excellent too. I'm glad that you ended it where you did, too. It feels complete without feeling overdone. And it's very clearly one of your stories (Sam and Beth feel very much like your kind of character). Loved all of it.
Author's Response: Thank you! I'm glad you liked it so much. The recipes have been a lot of fun to add. Same with Sam and Beth. Always fun to give Jim and Pam some perspective. We're not quite done yet, so hopefully you enjoy the rest too.
Date: November 28, 2024 06:49 pm Title: Step 6, Plating
Typical entitled Roy thinking that he can just order Pam around, and expect her fall in line. đĄ
I have a feeling that we havenât seen the last of him because if he had no problem trying to man handle Pam in a public place then he would have no problem doing the same or worse in private.
Thank goodness Darryl was there to make Roy step back which goes to show what kind of coward Roy truly was. He was weak when it came to guys who were the same size or bigger than him.
Pam should get a restraining order against him, or at least make a complaint agains Roy with Toby for making the office a toxic work environment.
Pam was smart to take her money from her account so Roy wouldnât be able to use it against her.
I like how Pam is seeing Jim in a new light.
I was kind of hoping that when Pam said she was going to take a shower that Jim might see her with only a towel on just to see his reaction. đ
Please update soon!
Author's Response: This Roy may be bad, but he's not THAT kind of bad don't worry. But yes he needed taking down a couple pegs. And yes Pam is doing everything to separate herself from him at this point.
Since she's free of that she's also free to see Jim not only as her best friend, but maybe something more. It'll be fun to see. While the shower idea would have been fun, I don't quite see them at that stage, just yet. Remember Jim just recently had a good discussion with Sam on what it means to be a Good Man. He's still trying to figure that out and live up to it.
Thanks as always for your review.
Date: November 28, 2024 02:46 pm Title: Step 6, Plating
Hurray for Fancy New Beesly and her Fancy New Apartment!
Very glad that Roy seems to be pretty firmly out the picture now, and also super happy to know they will be continuing with their classes!
Nice little Dunkin' reference - John Krasinski would be proud.
Looking forward to what comes next for these two!
Author's Response: Lots of growth for Pam here for sure. She's ready to spread her wings. I like the idea that they'll keep on with the cooking classes too. They've found a shared hobby with some friends and as adults that can be hard to find at times. It's the norther parts of the East Coast, Dunkin is everywhere. And from personal experience the Dunkin in Scranton is a quality establishment. Should be fun to see where we go from here.
Date: November 28, 2024 06:05 am Title: Step 6, Plating
Really nice to see this back and with a little holiday dish. I'm not sure why but before I started reading the story, the notes made it feel like it was complete...I'm glad I had that wrong, because our heroes are not a supercouple yet as I assume they are headed now that Pam is free and once Roy finally gets the message
Speaking of heroes and Roy, I appreciate the two styles of heroes who came to her rescue - Dwight with his pepper spray at the ready and Jim with his more sensical approach, though I'm sure he would have jumped in with some muscle if things got to the point he needed to.
OK, I can relate to the gas/electric stove thing. Not sure which direction you might have gone (if you did have a change recently) but I went from gas to electric unfortunately and almost 12 years later I'm still not happy about it. Grrrr.
So gotta say I love how Jim/you framed the empty apartment as a blank canvas. I caught a little hint of a AU Jim -maybe this one's past life was in the military with the bed making.
The last line was also lovely. "Taking a breath, she made the first brush stroke in her new home."
Nice job and happy Thanksgiving to you and your family.
Author's Response:
We still have a couple more courses of this meal before we bid them adieu. We are headed in much nicer directions though. I'm sure this Jim would have stepped up had anything more physical gone down. Good thing for all involved it didn't have to come to that.
We went from gas to electric in our recent move. Pro and cons with both but cooking seems fine from my end.
Jim knows Pam. Thus he's able to talk to her in ways that are a lot more meaningful than what she's been used to. I think this Jim probably seen a few to many movies combined with he's trying his level best to make Pam smile about the bed making. Still it's fun to thing of other possibilities.
Thanks as always for your comments. Happy Holidays to you and yours.
1 [Report This]Date: November 27, 2024 10:23 am Title: Step 6, Plating
Lovely to have this back again! Such a lovely read! And is that a hint of JAM romance I can smell? One small thing, Lloyd's name is easily misspelt, but you may want to set it up to catch it on your spell checker.
Author's Response: Well the spark of romance has always been there. We just get to give it a little fan now. Thanks for the heads up about the spelling. I'll take care of that.
Date: December 06, 2023 04:51 am Title: Step 5, Let Simmer
What is always such a treat with your writing is all the extra stuff we get, like in this one the added bits about Tarzan and Mr. Rogers. You always have such good details to share (or in this case Sam).
Speaking of details, I appreciated the details about their first meeting and how she was having the ring resized - so he didn't know during their "first date" how she was engaged and what a rough way to find out. I also caught the details that the teal teapot was one of the items she wanted to take from the cupboard.
Good for Jim not trying to be a fixer yet and just being there for her, taking Sam's advice to be a Good Man.
And hot chocolate toast is always a good way to close out a chapter. Looking forward to what happens next.
Author's Response: Thank you! I have a lot of fun adding in those details so I'm glad they work for you too. Same with how Sam's speech landed. Kind of the thing Jim needs to hear to grow a couple years emotionally. Glad you liked it all and thanks for always picking up on the details.
1 [Report This]Date: December 05, 2023 01:10 am Title: Step 5, Let Simmer
Was great how Jim was just there for Pam as a friend, not trying to rush her into anything. Itâs what she needs right now. Plus some hot chocolate, that makes everything better!!
Loved Jim noticing the watercolour, itâs the little things that make him, him
Looking forward to more!
Author's Response: I like to think it's because he pays so close attention to Pam that he's able to come up with really meaningful gestures like this. Unlike others who gloss over her. Thanks for the comment, love reading them.
Date: December 04, 2023 01:30 pm Title: Step 5, Let Simmer
I know that this off subject,
but do you think we can get
an up for Sliver Wings soon?
Author's Response: I'm probably not going to even start until after the new year. I'll be working on a Christmas fic soon so that'll take priority. After that will be Silver Wings for sure though.
Date: December 04, 2023 12:25 pm Title: Step 5, Let Simmer
Yay Iâm so glad that you updated this story!
Jim was smart to listen to Sam about being a good man. It made Jim smart to be there for Pam, but to not jump the gun about telling her that he has feelings for her because the timing would have been all wrong. I do think that Sam and Beth are good for Jam because they can help him and Pam see things from a different perspective.
Please update soon!
Author's Response: That is entirely the point of Sam and Beth. Give Jim and Pam some outside perspective on how their lives are going right now. It's one of the biggest things Jim and Pam lacked in canon in my opinion so it's fun to explore in fics. Thanks for the review.
Date: September 27, 2023 06:21 am Title: Step 4, Bring To a Boil
I really like how you add the recipes in here. Hope you contiue this soon!
Author's Response: Glad you like the recipes. More on the way as soon as life allows.
1 [Report This]Date: September 21, 2023 05:32 pm Title: Step 4, Bring To a Boil
First of all - very clever title - Pam was boiling alright by the end of this chapter and halleluiah for that. It's about time she saw the light (in part thanks to one very helpful Beth and of course in seeing that her cooking partner is a better an than her potential future partner. I do hope her decision sticks!
Other things I enjoyed in this chapter -
how Jan has to pad the due date knowing Michael so well - and that Darryl knows how Jan knows Michael so well. Little details that add to the overall story.
Little nods to show elements - like the strip bar and going to Niagara Falls.
The little call out to a MTT classic. The locker scene - yup classic Roy. I thought you nailed character of Kenny too.
The small visions of family life (the ones she would like to have that she shares with Beth) are so sweet to read.
Great details to have Jim anxious to check on the cook. However I am with Kenny however about the mushy peas. Not of fan of peas at all but make them mushy and sorry to say but I'd toss them down the sink too. Sorry to yuck anyone's yum.
Now that Pam is a free agent looking forward to how you title the next chapter - and of course how it plays out.
Author's Response: Thank you! I've been having fun with the chapter titles in this one for sure. Both Jim and Pam had moments where they were boiling so it seemed to fit, though of course it was also intentional. Pam's gotten a lot of fresh perspective from a new source here and it's made all the difference. To be looking more at actions rather than words and if those actions are the kind of thing she'd want going forward. Kind of a look to the past to predict the future kind of thing.
Glad you caught all the little details I put in. Jan knowing Michael, various locations from the show, the MTT call out. Always fun to put stuff like that in and see if people catch it.
I've got some fun ideas for the next chapter. Thanks as always for your detailed reviews.
Date: September 20, 2023 11:53 am Title: Step 4, Bring To a Boil
Yay youâre back!
Good for Pam for not taking a hard look at her relationship with Roy but also not putting up with it anymore. Roy was never going to grow up with Pam.
He was always going to be that high school kid.
Also good for Pam for not taking Kennyâs crap as well. Please please please update soon!
Author's Response: Yeah, Roy's still the same guy he was back in high school just in an adult body. He's never had a reason to change till now which means Pam's outgrown him. Kenny's always a jerk so goodbye to him too. Glad you liked it.
1 [Report This]Date: September 20, 2023 06:20 am Title: Step 4, Bring To a Boil
Ok, this was a GREAT chapter. Absolutely love it when Pam breaks up with Roy and you wrote it so well!!
Loved the Squirrel McPants reference!! And hey! measuring things is SO much easier to make a recipe than cups!!
Great chapter, really can't wait to see what comes next!
Author's Response: Figured I'd keep the measurements as in the recipe since it was UK night after all. Thanks for the recipes. Always fun to add in some in-site references too. Glad the fight between Pam and Roy came across well. Should be interesting to see how it pans out.
1 [Report This]Date: June 09, 2023 10:54 am Title: Step 1, Gather Ingredients
Hello! I've been reading for a while, but finally "joined" this site just so that I could leave you a message! Primary reason I'm leaving a review here - aside from this being a great story - is it appears it might be your most recent work, and I am really hoping to let you know how much I'm enjoying your writing in general!
I am a very late arrival to the world of The Office. I was in a somewhat bizarre accident back in December 2022 where I was thrown from a vehicle, resulting in head trauma and significant TBI. I'm doing great recovery-wise, BTW. But one of the things I had to "work back up to" in recovery was screen time. Legit, more than 5 minutes could make me sick, even on my phone. So when we started working on more sustained time, my PT recommended finding a show I could stream, whose episodes were 30 mins or less. Enter: The Office!
Of course I quickly fell in love with JAM - who wouldn't?! But when I finished the series, I was still hungry for more. I had to meander from FF to here, but I found my way... and I've found many lovely stories to fill my JAM bucket.
Your stories have especially intrigued me, so thank you for them. In addition, I believe at least one story documents some of your personal history as a paramedic... and as someone who recently benefitted from some life-saving emergency care, I want to say thank you for that service as well. If I'm also not reading too much into things, it sounds like you may also weave bits of your personal faith into your stories... and that, too, has been a life-sustaining part of my recovery journey these past few months.
I am a therapist by trade, and have been pursuing additional certification in treating PTSD/PTSI for law enforcement and emergency services workers. I am only back to my job at 20 hours a week currently (CRAZY how slow this recovery is! But it *is* recovery!), so some of my professional development is on hold. Just wanted you to know that I'm honored by both the work you do and the hobby that hopefully feeds your heart... and just wanted you to know, it's feeding mine as well! :)
With a grateful heart,
Maddi (sn:TheOneTimeTheyParkoured)
Author's Response: First of all, I'm very glad to hear your recovery is going so well. TBI's are nothing to sneeze at as often they can be a hidden kind of injury. A broken bone often leaves a scar. It's often hard to see the internal scars from things like a TBI so I'm thrilled you're getting better each day.
Wow, thank you so much for your kind words about my stories. I'm delighted you've enjoyed them so much. I have a great time writing them so it thrills me to hear when others enjoy them too. Yes I do bring in elements of my personal life to my writings. After all write what you know about and writing is easier. But yes I will bring in real life aspects when I feel they're appropriate. I try to be delicate as I aim to be true to myself and yet respectful to anyone who might not view the world as I do.
Amazing that you're looking to get into helping First Responders deal with the PTSD that comes with our line of work. We need it. I've utilized the services of mental health professionals a few times over the course of my career. Writing fanfiction stories is another way I deal with some of that stress. A fun hobby that primarily is just that, fun. There are other benefits of course, but it's just fun and that's worthwhile in and of itself.
Once again thank you for the lovely message. Hopefully I'll get some new things up soon. Life is always busy, but I'm working on it.
Take care.
Fortes Fortuna Adiuvat
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.
âNo offense, but how does a dental hygienist know all this?â 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 youâre back!
Beth made a lot of good points here.
Actions speak louder than words.
Royâs proposal was awful and so completely him.
I think Pam and Roy were together for so long is because they were each otherâs comfort zone.
So when Jim came along it disrupted the only thing that they ever knew, and I think thatâs 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. Iâm pretty sure itâs the only utensil my husband knows how to use, and always does that first.
I really liked Jim adding a âsnapshotâ of Pam to his mental folder.
Sam and Beth are very wise people. Seems like Jim and Pam have a lot to think aboutâŠ
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.
1 [Report This]Date: November 03, 2022 07:49 pm Title: Step 2, Mise en Place
The "don't lose money"/"when has that happened"/"last week"/"Lonny cheated" exchange is gold. And very Roy.
Jim immediately noticing the painting AND Pam's intention? I ship it. (As does Beth, clearly.)
Oh, Roy. I'd like to say that pasta mistake could happen to anyone, but I'd be lying.
Love them immediately getting mistaken for engaged either way... and strange that Pam isn't QUITE as eager to correct the mistake when it's not someone they have to deal with in their normal lives...
Happy National Men Make Dinner Day! And thanks for the bonus recipe with this fic...
Author's Response:
Roy always kind of came across as the very self confident guy. It worked for him in high school sure but it's fading more and more the further out from his school days.
I had a lot of fun with Jim noticing the painting and everything with it. It had to happen that others would assume they're a couple, right? But yeah, Pam's not quite so quick to deny it. But a few more cogs are turning for sure.
You're welcome for the recipe. Hope you like it if you ever choose to make it.
1 [Report This]Date: November 03, 2022 07:49 pm Title: Step 2, Mise en Place
Great chapter! Also love the bonus recipeâ looks super easy with veggies already built in! Iâll for sure try this one! I loved the easy Jim and Pam interaction⊠I have to imagine that Roy will eventually find out that Pamâs attending the classes⊠with Jim as her partnerâ and that likely wonât go wellâŠ
Great use of the Men Make Dinner day! I also love that Jim noticed Pamâs artwork. Will their cooking couple friend bring them closer together?? Will Jim and Pam spend lunches eating their shared leftovers?? Canât wait to see what theyâre cooking up (both literally and figuratively; yes, itâs a terrible pun!) next chapter!
Author's Response: You're welcome for the recipe. I hope you like it, we do around my house. Ah early S2 JAM banter. So much fun for sure. Yeah there's some akwardness, but not as much as after the specter of June 10 lands. Roy's reaction to all of this will be interesting for sure.
Ooh, there's an idea I hadn't really thought of. Them eating their leftovers back at work. Thanks for that. I just may have to build that in now. We've got something ready to simmer that's for sure.
1 [Report This]Date: November 03, 2022 11:24 am Title: Step 2, Mise en Place
This is really cute, warrior! And thanks for posting the recipe. Looking forward to more (and I'm curious to see if you'll stick to canon here).
Author's Response: Thanks TD. Glad you're hear for this one. I hope you enjoy the recipe. As for canon, well it IS labeled AU, so there's that. ;)
1 [Report This]Date: November 03, 2022 10:19 am Title: Step 2, Mise en Place
It looks like this cooking class, and meeting
new friends, is opening Pamâs eyes to the
short comings of her relationship with Roy,
and even Roy himself. They really donât have anything in common. Iâm definitely curious to see Royâs reaction to Pam taking the cooking class.
I hope she tells him to piss off.
Author's Response: She's got a few cogs turning that's for sure. Roy's reaction should be a quite the thing when we get there. Thanks for the reivew.