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!

Rempeyek Udang (Indonesia)

The dinner conversation at out house the last two nights has centered around the garden. Yes, spring is upon us, and it is time to start planning for which veggies and fruits we're going to put into the backyard plot. We're developing our vegetable wish list, thinking about what we could can, freeze and eat off the vine. We're adding fruit trees and vines to our slice of urban agriculture, thinking of the jams, pies and juice in days ahead.

Admittedly, it is still very, very early for planning given that we shouldn't plant anything until at least May 15th in our growing zone, and the rule of 'green' thumb seems to be to wait until after Memorial Day. But the weather has us planting the seeds of our imagined garden, even if we must wait to dig our hands into the dirt.

Our garden is certainly a family project. At this stage, we are all envisioning fresh lettuce, tomatoes and cucumbers in a few short months, while imagining the possibilities of adding perhaps sweet potatoes or asparagus to the plot. I take on the role of garden manager, planting, weeding and maintaining the plants. John is the heavy lifter and is always up for a run to Home Depot or a quick round of weeding. And the boys are my best little pickers, enthusiastically monitoring the growth of the plants until they are perfectly ripe and ready for the table.

Right now spring is invigorating our family. The fresh air is spurring us on to sneak in bike rides, afternoon walks, and quick runs to the daily routine. We're planning our backyard life of gardening, sandbox adventures, and sidewalk chalk of the months ahead. The fresh air spurred me on to look past the leftovers tonight and make a batch of Rempeyek Udang, giving me a little burst of energy to fry shrimp cakes with celery, onion and a bit a red pepper.

More importantly, we're breathing in the possibilities of new experiences, new recipes and new life even as reinforce the bonds of our family by working together on a garden the reflects the shared joy we have in refrigerator pickles, rhubarb cake, and garden salsa.