I’m talking to a small group of people and it feels good to be with friends. But I’m tired. My fingers are speckled with green food dye which catches my eye when I gesture. I stir and sip a cup of coffee. Way too strong, amended with chemical powdered creamer and plenty of white sugar.
Tonight I’d made the kids a tricksy Halloween-themed dinner: “Ghosts in the Forest”. A spectral rice ball, chicken drumstick and cherry tomatoes – just like I saw on the internetz last night – on a bed of roasted bright-green asparagus and with a side of Ralph’s amazing grilled zucchini. And: a mint milkshake colored green. I know. A peppermint milkshake, ugh. But it’s what the kidlets wanted.
I’d used too much peppermint extract and too much food dye, turning the ice cream drink into something akin to Nilbog food. But our children were very pleased. They love so much little goofy and special meals. Like I remember a few years back I made them the final meal in the book Bread and Jam For Frances – “cream of tomato soup, a lobster salad sandwich, celery, carrot sticks, black olives, two plums, a tiny basket of cherries, and vanilla pudding with chocolate sprinkles”. I totally fucked up cooking the lobster tail and all but it was fun. That was quite a few years ago. I guess I just like doing that sort of thing.
A friend told me recently I’m making great memories for my children. I know that’s true. I also get to make great memories for myself. It feels like a wealth of time I’m allotted to do so.
Grateful.
“Like I remember a few years back I made them the final meal in the book Bread and Jam For Frances ”
That’s awesome! My kids love that book, although I always say, “How do you know what you’ll like if you won’t even try it, Frances?” if they turn their noses up at something new. Sounds like you made them a great meal. We had a great dinner the other day because Tallon suggested buying broccoli at the farmer’s market “For Daddy because he likes it and then we can make him broccoli for dinner.” Very perceptive that boy. So he and I made Scott’s very favorite casserole that his mom makes, and T-bird was my helper, which he loved, especially since I let him wear Scott’s chef hat while we cooked. He was so damn proud of himself, he told Scott all about what we did to make dinner and what his role was. And he’s been talking about it ever since. Those are the moments I love. It’s funny how food can create such wonderful memories.
This is lovely.
Thanks for your comments, ladies. Jen, I always liked how lovingly they described food in that book. I think it’s responsible for how slow-cooked spaghetti and meatballs are one of our weekly meals.
A casserole with broccoli is FTW. And it’s pretty special how T. knows he made his dad something his dad loves.