Today, the last day of March, was cutting it close to make the recipe of the month, Banana in Arrack, from my recipes around the world calendar. I had been planning all month to make this dish. I had the simple ingredients, bananas, brandy, brown sugar, spices, but never quite the right time or temperament to make the dish. In fact, I was going to make a totally different dessert for today for a totally different dinner. But sometimes life doesn't go as planned.
Sometimes you hurt your back...badly.
Sometimes a dear family member is in the hospital.
Sometimes your run out of cream or tartar and the store is closed.
Sometimes your kid needs time and assistance to ease his way.
Sometimes the text for your spouse to bring home pizza for dinner doesn't get received.
Sometimes you forget that your kid has homework due tomorrow.
Sometimes a stomach virus hits...at the airport.
Sometimes work piles on the desk and floor and table and computer.
Sometimes you still have one more email left to send.
Sometimes you are one visit short to the gym to get your $20 discount.
Sometimes you fall asleep only to wake an hour later with the world on your shoulders
And sometimes the Easter Bunny brings the cousins matching pajamas.
And sometimes you find a ham the night before Easter.
And sometimes you hear a story that warms the heart.
And sometimes you get a heartfelt apology.
And sometimes you go to the spa.
And sometimes your kids make you laugh until tears run.
And sometimes you can't put down that amazingly trashy novel.
And sometimes you walk for an extra ten minutes on the track.
And sometimes you just need a hot bath.
And sometimes you realize you have all the ingredients for something sweet, bananas that you light on fire, which warms a place inside you as you eat it at the table with some of the most important people in your life.
And it is good.
Sunday, March 31, 2013
Sunday, March 24, 2013
Gy Nam Daeng (Thailand) and Nasi Kuning (Indonesia)
A few weeks ago, the boys and I had school and work off for a long weekend. In an effort to give me a little more rest, John left the boys with a 'self serve' breakfast. Pre-poured milk in the fridge and leftover pancakes. The boys, seemingly focused on their rare opportunity to watch cartoons, waited until Dad was just out the door before exploring this novel approach to breakfast without realizing I was listening with the door to my room open.
It was not surprising that big brother Ian took charge. He made sure the pancakes and milk were served. It was no surprise then when Suki suggested that perhaps they might have a few marshmallows along side the pancakes. Big brother shot that one down, but did offer a healthier alternative in the form of raisins. The compromise was accepted, and when the boys finished, they burst in to share the exciting experience of fending for themselves at meal time.
Meals are usually put together, or purchased and picked-up, by Mom and Dad. The boys show up when called away from projects, Legos, or cars, and with a quick wash of hands are ready to eat. Same with snacks. Of course, they ask if they want something, but we have been the keeper of the snacks, too. We keep it simple most of the time. Tonight at dinner it was Gy Nam Daeng, braised chicken in a spicy red sauce, and Nasi Kuning, coconut rice. It was a nice combination of spicy with the slightly sweet, creamy rice, with steamed broccoli on the side and fruit smoothies for dessert. But we would like the boys to become more involved and independent in meal times.
When Ian and I were in Scotland, my dad and stepmom provided us with delicious meals, and they also set out an assortment of snacks on a side table that were available for any time one was feeling a bit peckish. Simple items like oranges, veggies, oat cakes and corn chips. Ian and I would wander past a sample a cherry tomato or tangerine, which was an easy and healthy way to snack.
This past week, we decided to try something similar at home. We put together the "snack tray" as we've taken to calling it, and we set it up at the end of the counter, which we all pass by many times during the day. We've empty and refilled a few items, but the tray holds a little bowl of cutie tangerines, some grape tomatoes and baby carrots, raisins and other dried fruit, or a can of mixed nuts at any given time.
When we told the boys they could eat anything from the tray, anytime they wanted, I wasn't sure what to expect. They could have gorged themselves on raisins or simply ignored it, but it has actually worked out pretty much as we intended. It seems like a small step for independence, but we are a family that thrives on routine. Knowing what is for dinner and when exactly it will be served is comforting, especially at the end of a long day. That being said, we all have different needs and need to feel comfortable taking care of those needs. One raisin or cherry tomato at a time!
It was not surprising that big brother Ian took charge. He made sure the pancakes and milk were served. It was no surprise then when Suki suggested that perhaps they might have a few marshmallows along side the pancakes. Big brother shot that one down, but did offer a healthier alternative in the form of raisins. The compromise was accepted, and when the boys finished, they burst in to share the exciting experience of fending for themselves at meal time.
Meals are usually put together, or purchased and picked-up, by Mom and Dad. The boys show up when called away from projects, Legos, or cars, and with a quick wash of hands are ready to eat. Same with snacks. Of course, they ask if they want something, but we have been the keeper of the snacks, too. We keep it simple most of the time. Tonight at dinner it was Gy Nam Daeng, braised chicken in a spicy red sauce, and Nasi Kuning, coconut rice. It was a nice combination of spicy with the slightly sweet, creamy rice, with steamed broccoli on the side and fruit smoothies for dessert. But we would like the boys to become more involved and independent in meal times.
When Ian and I were in Scotland, my dad and stepmom provided us with delicious meals, and they also set out an assortment of snacks on a side table that were available for any time one was feeling a bit peckish. Simple items like oranges, veggies, oat cakes and corn chips. Ian and I would wander past a sample a cherry tomato or tangerine, which was an easy and healthy way to snack.
This past week, we decided to try something similar at home. We put together the "snack tray" as we've taken to calling it, and we set it up at the end of the counter, which we all pass by many times during the day. We've empty and refilled a few items, but the tray holds a little bowl of cutie tangerines, some grape tomatoes and baby carrots, raisins and other dried fruit, or a can of mixed nuts at any given time.
When we told the boys they could eat anything from the tray, anytime they wanted, I wasn't sure what to expect. They could have gorged themselves on raisins or simply ignored it, but it has actually worked out pretty much as we intended. It seems like a small step for independence, but we are a family that thrives on routine. Knowing what is for dinner and when exactly it will be served is comforting, especially at the end of a long day. That being said, we all have different needs and need to feel comfortable taking care of those needs. One raisin or cherry tomato at a time!
Wednesday, March 20, 2013
Keran Kook (Korea)
Last week my six year old and I had the same week off for spring break and passports itching to be used, so we flew to Glasgow, Scotland to visit with my dad and stepmother. We visited museums, played with walkie-talkies, walked and walked and walked, and (I) indulged in massages and spa treatments. It was a wonderful, relaxing trip, and upon arriving home to Dad and Little Brother, we chose to conquer the jet lag with a new take on takeout night.
In an effort to save money and calories, I made our 'takeout' food at home. We had (pre-cooked) egg rolls baked in the oven, Com Chien, a fried rice (which I've blogged about before), and Keran Kook, egg drop soup. Now I've had this soup many times over in restaurants or as takeout, but I never actually made it before. It was so easy and so tasty though, which gave this simple appetizer a fresh new flavor. Even Ian, not a fan of soup, slurped it up!
This fresh take on an old favorite gave me the opportunity to reflect on our travels. Ian has traveled extensively in his short life, but he doesn't really remember it much. Our last big trip was to Thailand two years ago, and while he has flashes of moments, this recent trip was truly a new adventure for him. And his enthusiasm and joy in that adventure was certainly contagious, bringing fresh perspective to the rigors and hassles of traveling.
Each stage of the trip itself brought many questions, about security, where the bags go, what all the vehicles around the plane were doing, etc. The magnitude of all the moving parts of traveling by plane can get lost in the hustle and lines and tedium of airports, but Ian had me stopping and thinking about how exciting it all can be.
While in Scotland, where Ian visited as a toddler but doesn't recall, he wondered over the many forms of transportation (including Granddad's missing car!) and explored a real castle and gobbled fish and chips. We even watched The Wizard of Oz, a favorite movie from my childhood, and this old favorite seemed somehow brighter and more marvelous than I remembered!
For me, one of the joys of being a parent is the new energy and perspective that little eyes and hearts and minds bring to both the mundane and miraculous moments, as well as everything in between. This is perhaps the first trip that Ian will remember clearly in the years ahead, and I hope that the magic of discovering new places and adventures carries him all over the world. And I may be right beside him part of the way!
In an effort to save money and calories, I made our 'takeout' food at home. We had (pre-cooked) egg rolls baked in the oven, Com Chien, a fried rice (which I've blogged about before), and Keran Kook, egg drop soup. Now I've had this soup many times over in restaurants or as takeout, but I never actually made it before. It was so easy and so tasty though, which gave this simple appetizer a fresh new flavor. Even Ian, not a fan of soup, slurped it up!
This fresh take on an old favorite gave me the opportunity to reflect on our travels. Ian has traveled extensively in his short life, but he doesn't really remember it much. Our last big trip was to Thailand two years ago, and while he has flashes of moments, this recent trip was truly a new adventure for him. And his enthusiasm and joy in that adventure was certainly contagious, bringing fresh perspective to the rigors and hassles of traveling.
Each stage of the trip itself brought many questions, about security, where the bags go, what all the vehicles around the plane were doing, etc. The magnitude of all the moving parts of traveling by plane can get lost in the hustle and lines and tedium of airports, but Ian had me stopping and thinking about how exciting it all can be.
While in Scotland, where Ian visited as a toddler but doesn't recall, he wondered over the many forms of transportation (including Granddad's missing car!) and explored a real castle and gobbled fish and chips. We even watched The Wizard of Oz, a favorite movie from my childhood, and this old favorite seemed somehow brighter and more marvelous than I remembered!
For me, one of the joys of being a parent is the new energy and perspective that little eyes and hearts and minds bring to both the mundane and miraculous moments, as well as everything in between. This is perhaps the first trip that Ian will remember clearly in the years ahead, and I hope that the magic of discovering new places and adventures carries him all over the world. And I may be right beside him part of the way!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)