This short piece below was written last night during a writing workshop with Molly who writes the blog Orangette and Matthew from Roots and grubs. More details in a sec…

***

The moment I saw Matthew open a plastic container filled with red stuff in it called “kimchi”, a smell of dirty socks filled up the room. I wondered, has someone taken their shoes off – it’s been a long day after all – or is this what kimchi actually smells like? I never had kimchi before and I try to resist the urge to ask my neighbors at the table if they had eaten kimchi or know what is, but the stench of moldy socks terrifies me and I decide to play it safe.

“Have you ever had kimchi?”, I ask the woman who sits next to me. “Yes!”, Diana replies with a spark in her eyes and a big smile. “What is it? What’s in it?”, I hear myself asking. I consider myself an adventurous eater and hearing myself asking all these questions surprises me. I postpone the moment of tasting it by writing down the dialogue that goes on in my head.

I lift the fork with a cube of a pickled veggie stabbed on it, it’s covered with red matter, and I bring it closer to my nose. “Hmm, it actually smells good. Fresh and vibrant”, my brain tells me. I touch the kimchi with the tip of my tongue recalling vaguely something that someone once said about kimchi being hot and spicy. “Hmm, not so bad”, I think. I take another tiny bite and feel pleasantly surprised.

It’s almost 9 PM; it’s been a long day and I’m tired but each part in my mouth that has touched the kimchi is being brought back to life. I should take another bite.

***

This is when I had to stop because time was up.

You might still not know what kimchi is from my description so, well, you’ll have to do your own research, or check out this post on Matthew’s blog.

But why am I telling you about this? Because I share with you my experiences with food photography, the workshops, my learning curve, the tips and tricks I learned. I am also taking writing workshops and I wanted to share this one with you as well.

I never planned to write. I disliked the writing class I had to take in high school as well as the literature one. I had no patience for reading books and analyzing what the author meant to say back then. I had more urgent things to do at 17. I think my final scores in those classes were around the 70 +/- (out of 100). I now wish I listened better.

I did get better with writing essays and research articles when I was a student and a research assistant, but this kind of writing is different than academic writing. I have a lot to learn. I need a lot of practice. I don’t know how good or bad, interesting or boring I am. I’m trying to find out.

(Hint hint: Your feedback will be greatly appreciated!!!)

Do you write? Do you struggle with it or does it come easy to you?

Categories : Stuff

I really got into the mood of pancake making, and of course eating, after my Poffertjes travel back in time experience. So, naturally, I was extremely happy when Simone has suggested we make more pancakes together, this time Danish ones called Ebelskiver, and this time Trissa from the beautiful blog Trissalicious joins too. I’m in the US, Simone in Holland, and Trissa in Australia! How cool is that? I think, that’s one of the the fun-nest aspects of blogging.

I have already made those Danish pancakes twice and I can easily predict the future and tell you I will be making them a zillion more times. According to Wikipedia, Æbleskiver (Danish meaning apple slices) are traditional Danish pancakes in a distinctive shape of a sphere. Somewhat similar in texture to American pancakes crossed with a popover, Æbleskiver are solid like a pancake but light and fluffy like a popover.

This brought up the need to buy yet another pan. An ebelskiver pan. After much debate on which pan to buy, I’ve decided to go with William-Sonoma after watching their video tutorial on how to make Aebleskiver. then I headed to the store to see the pan with my own eyes and all doubts were gone. I used the pan twice and I love it.

I found that making ebelskiver was much easier than making poffertjes. I think this was mainly because I only had to handle and flip 7 pancakes at a time instead of the 14 little poffertjes. (Some poffertjes pans have even 20 or more indentations which I can only imagine takes a high level of skill to make.) They also take a bit longer to cook compared to the poffertjes which allows you some time to breathe in between flipping and batches. With the poffertjes, by the time I poured the last teaspoon of batter in the pan I had to immediately turn them to the other side. So, bottom line, ebelskiver is much easier to make.

Flavor wise, they turned out just-right sweet and light as air. They reminded me of little doughnuts, but of the good kind, like those made with yeast and left to rise and then fried in oil. (Yu-um.) Only with ebelskiver what makes them have a light and fluffy texture is whipping egg whites. (Don’t let that scare you or stop you, in case whipping whites is something you think you don’t know how to do. 2 minutes in a mixer and it’s done!) I made them with different fillings: sliced banana, a bit of chocolate, strawberry jam, and plain. Sprinkled with powdered sugar and a drizzle of maple syrup or melted butter – optional, but recommended. My favorite was to eat them plain or filled with jam which reminded me of these Hanukah doughnuts,

Actually, when I served them plain with butter and sugar they reminded me more of the Dutch poffertjes I had 21 years ago on my trip to Holland than the poffertjes I made at home. Hmmm, could it be? Could it be some conspiracy going on in The Netherlands where Danish ebelskiver are being served in the disguise of Dutch poffertjes? I wonder…

You can watch the William-Sonoma tutorial video is here, more recipes here, or in photos and steps here. I used the recipe that came with the pan only I cut it in half since 20 mini pancakes are enough for the four of us. Each time we had leftovers to nibble on later throughout the day. Ah, don’t you love Saturday mornings?

Now, if I hadn’t told you about the little drama we had here on Thursday, could you have guessed? Or the mostly sleepless night we had last night? Ebelskiver are a major distraction from all of that, but this is what’s going on behind the scenes of our presumably perfect lives. The happy face we put on when we interact with the world outside.

My girl had to be weaned off the pacifier overnight after her injury. She likes to have it when she goes to sleep but we had to do it cold turkey. She cried during the night and asked for it so we haven’t slept much. We went in and out of her room a couple of times, taking turns, my husband and me. Then at around 3 am, when all we have tried to do did not work, we brought her to our bed. I only got kicked 2 or 3 times, got punched in the eye once, and got smacked on my head with her little fists 4 or 5 times. On the other hand, it’s just so funny to see her little face within 3/8-inch distance from mine, her soft curly hair in my face and tickling my nose. These are sweet moments.

Ebleskiver

Makes about 20 pancakes (or 4 batches)

1 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 tablespoon sugar
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 eggs, separated
1 (250 ml) cup of milk
2 tablespoons butter, melted, plus more for cooking
For filings: jam, bananas, chocolate chips, apple sauce
Maple syrup, for serving
Powdered sugar, for serving

In a big bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, sugar, and salt.
In a small bowl, lightly whisk the egg yolks, then add the milk and the melted butter.

Whisk the yolk mixture into the flour mixture until the batter is well combined.
In a third bowl, using an electric mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, whisk the egg whites on high speed until stiff but not dry peaks form, 2 to 3 minutes. Using a rubber spatula, gently fold the egg whites into the batter in 2-3 additions.
Put 1/4 teaspoon butter in each well of the pancake pan. Place over medium heat and heat until the butter begins to sizzles. Using a pastry/silicon brush, coat surface of wells entirely with the butter. Pour 1 tablespoon batter into each well, then add some of the filling (if using) in the center of each pancake and top with another 1 tablespoon of batter. Cook until the bottoms are golden brown, crispy, and slightly pulls away around the edges, 3 to 5 minutes. Using 2 wooden skewers, flip the pancakes over and cook until golden and crispy on the other side, about 3 minutes more. Transfer to a plate.

Repeat with the remaining batter and fillings.
Dust the pancakes with confectioners’ sugar and serve warm with maple syrup.

*** Let’s check out what Simone and Trissa made…

The pan

My best props

Categories : Breakfast, Recipes

You know how I wonder from time to time what really goes on in people’s lives, especially those who blog and continue to post their happy posts with recipes and photos, creating an impression that they never fight, they don’t have conflicts, everyone is happy and they all love one another, and eat well, and so on… Well, I was thinking about it again this today. I was sitting in my PJ this morning, writing a post about Danish pancakes that I’d like to publish on Saturday, but as I was typing and looking at the photos something happened.

I got a call from the day care my 2-years-old daughter attends. Her teacher was on the phone and told me with a somewhat shaky voice that my girl fell when she was riding a bike at the playground and hit her face on the cement trail. Her mouth was bleeding and she was inconsolable. They could not tell how bad the injury was because she would not open her mouth and show them. She just cried and cried.

I got dressed as fast as I could, trying to get my brain rolling with different scenarios and what should I do. I drove there, calling my husband on the way (using the ear piece) and then the dentist’s office – I still didn’t know if I should call the pediatrician or the dentist or the emergency room – to update them on what’s going on and asking to make an appointment. When I got to the day care, I saw my girl sitting on her teacher’s lap. They were both quiet – all the other kids were still outside – her teacher hugged her. My girl looked sad and in pain, her upper lip red and swollen like a raspberry. When she saw me she reached her arms to me. I took her in my arms and sat with her. She told me “Awee, awee”. “I know, you’re hurt, my sweet little girl”, I said. “Are you sad?” “Yes”, she replied. Then it was time to find out how bad was the injury. I tried to convince her to open her mouth. She resisted at first but after a few attempts she cooperated. Such a smart and brave little girl. She opened her mouth and both me and her teacher took a peek. Then I sat with her in my lap some more as I called the dentist again to give them more details. They referred us to another dentist who specializes with treating young children.

We got to the dentist’s office and I had to fill out some forms as my daughter held me tightly with her arms and legs and wouldn’t leave me. She was afraid. We sat in front of the fish tank and while she watched the fish swim around, I filled out the forms. After a while she felt more confident and noticed the toys. We sat on the carpet and played with Lego and dolls until we got called to see the dentist. There she was afraid again. New place, unfamiliar faces, but she was brave again and didn’t resist or cried too much. She’s such a good girl.

While we were in the waiting room (for about 45 minutes) I recalled that I fell on cement when I was about 3 years old. My baby teeth got damaged and when the permanent ones came out they were blackened and discolored. Only when I was 17 a friend convinced me to go to a dentist and have these teeth taken care of. Until this day I have issues with those teeth. This of course makes me worry about my beautiful little girl. (Tears in my eyes…) Well, most of it was not about her beauty but the worries I had for a moment that her life will turn out to be like mine (an abandoning father, divorced parents, etc etc, everything that came after). But then I got a grip on reality. Her life are not going to be like my life used to be until about 10-15 years ago. She will have a happy one.

The dentist saw that my daughter chipped her two front teeth, but they seem to be in place. Her teeth went through “trauma”, as the dentist said, and there is no way to tell right now if there will be damage to her permanent teeth when they come out in a few years.

We went back home. I offered her juice, a special treat in our house, with a little straw to drink. She wanted to take a sip but her mouth was aching and she cried and refused to drink. Later, I made her chocolate milk in a Sippy cup but that hurt too and she did not drink. A friend called and suggested I give her a popsicle, a sweet treat that will entice her and might numb the pain with it chilliness. I don’t have a popsicle so I tried ice cream. The second it touched her lip, she cried again, “Awee, awee, it hurts”. Two hours later, I even tried mini chocolate chips, thinking that offering her all these favorite treats will cheer her up as well as give me some indication on how bad she feels, physically and emotionally. I hugged her and comforted her. Then I put on her favorite TV show, The Wiggles, until I got my thoughts straight. I called the dentist’s office and told them that I am worried she might get dehydrated if she doesn’t drink. I asked if I should give her children’s  Tylenol to reduce her pain.

I lay my baby on the couch and told her I will give her a purple medicine that will make her feel better. She resisted at first but not too much and I was able to give it to her with the syringe pointed to the corner of her mouth (like I saw a vet do a couple of times during those days when we had a sick cat). She actually liked it and said “the purple” tasted good and asked for more. Purple is her favorite color.

I took her to her room for a nap. No binky. She wanted her binky as she always does when she takes a nap or goes to sleep at night but of course that hurt too. We sat in the rocking chair, and I read her a book, then I sang to her until she fell asleep. She fell asleep fairly quickly and I continued to sit with her in my arms. In my mind I was thinking about all the things I needed to do, but I stayed. I love watching her sleep, she looks so peaceful as if she is feeling safe and snuggly in my arms, covered with her soft blanket. Oh, how I wished I could sit with her until she woke up.

I sat like that for about 25 minutes. Then my arm started to feel numb. Then the phone rang. Someone left a message and the answering machine started beeping … Annoying like a drop of water falling on your head in 30 seconds intervals. After a while I couldn’t take it anymore. I put her gently in her crib, still wrapped in her blanket. She woke up and asked, “Where is Daddy?”. “Daddy’s at work”, I replied. She blinked and rubbed her eyes and said, “All done” and reached her arms for me to pick her up. “You should nap some more”, I said and stroked her hair. It didn’t look as if she was going back to sleep which she really needed, so I sat back in the rocking chair and she looked at me form her crib, still lying down covered with her blanket, until she fell asleep again. I tip toed quietly and left her room with the door slightly open.

Daddy and brother came home in the afternoon. After I begged her to try and drink for hours, the minute she saw daddy she drank her juice and ate a little. My husband said she probably felt my anxiety and that is why she did not drink. Ahhh, go figure. The good thing is that she had a good rest, she drank and ate a little, and played and she feels better. As we waited for the boys to come back home, we sat by the kitchen table and played with play dough. After a while I felt that I could not sit anymore. I needed to get busy and distract myself. I started making banana bread. My little genius declared, “Banana bread” when she saw the 3 banana being smooshed with a fork while the mixer was working. Genius, isn’t she?!

We had a quick dinner. No banana bread for the genius. daddy gave her a good bath and then I sat with her again and read a bed time story. She asked me to sing to her. Talk about how kids change you! I never sang so much my whole life before she was born. She asked for another and another and another song. I didn’t even I could carry some of those tunes. But for her… I guess I can do anything. At least for 20 minutes… But then I could no longer sing.

Now we have to watch and see how she does in the upcoming days. Hoping she won’t have an infection. Wishing her teeth will stay pretty and healthy as they were. The bruise and inflammation /swelling (I’m really not good with medical terminology. It’s as if I refuse to know these things.) are supposed to be gone in a week or two.

I’m thinking about the song by Sting “how fragile we are”. We are fragile, but we’re also resilient and strong. I know my children will fall and get hurt, physically and emotionally, many times and I won’t always be there to watch them and protect them. It makes my heart ache to think about it. It makes me want to cry. It makes me feel a bit helpless but I know that I cannot suffocate them with worrying too much. But I will always be there for them as soon as I can and give them a hug. And then start nagging for them to eat and drink…

Categories : Family

Remember the Naked Chef?

You know, the guy with the cool hair, very energetic, talks fast, cooks even faster, Jamie Oliver? About 10 years ago when he became famous, he was referred to as the Naked Chef. These days he is simply Jamie. I did not understand what the nakedness was all about back then. I tried out as I looked and cooked some of his recipes. They were all good but after a while I thought they were too simple, too minimalistic. Not worth spending my money on his cookbooks because in those days I believed that only cookbooks and recipes with a long list of ingredient that took a long time to make were worthy. After a while I stopped using Jamie’s recipes. Only years after, under the influence of Ina Garten and cooking as a personal chef for nearly 4 years in other peoples’ kitchens (The food had to be fresh, quick and easy to prepare), I finally learned that cooking good food doesn’t necessarily mean using long and elaborated recipes. It’s not about killing myself in the kitchen in order to make good food, to make other people happy.

As I changed my approach to cooking, I realized that I prefer to use good ingredients and only do little to them in the process of cooking. I understood that when I shopped for ingredients of lesser quality (sometimes, but not necessarily, cheaper) I needed to work harder to make them taste good. But still, it was not nearly as good as when I used higher quality products (sometimes, but not necessarily, cheaper/the same price/cost more) which did not require any messing around with. This is how I’ve been cooking in the past 7 years. Naked.

Well, not literally.

I invest more of my attention and time to read the labels on products at the grocery stores so I can make better choices when I buy food. I’m not saying I do a 100 % perfect job but I do my best to buy ingredients that are fresh, local, organic, sustainable, and seasonal. It’s good for me and it’s better for the environment. Another approach to the nakedness “thing” is when I read the labels, I look for those products with the shortest list of ingredients where I know what all/most of the words mean! Then, back in the kitchen, I don’t have to work so hard to make those products taste good because they are already beautiful and their flavor is as it should be.

About two weeks ago, friends invited us for dinner. The guy cooked some recipes from this cookbook,

I love cookbooks, so I had to take a peak.
The book was beautiful and had many recipes I immediately wanted to try out. The photos of the natural, unfussy food were amazing too.
The food our friend cooked was simply delicious.
So, of course, I had to buy the book.
And cook from it.

As for reading recipes… Jamie’s recipes are of the few that I actually enjoy reading. (Most recipes are written in such a boring and technical way…) It feels like he is really talking to me. I can feel myself getting energized just by the way he writes them, as if he is standing in my kitchen only a few feet away (I wish), and the photos only add that extra kick in the butt to make me jump off my seat and get cooking.

See?

Photo by © David Loftus as seen on Jamie’s web site

But these days, there are other ways in which I find Jamie Oliver inspiring. He is not only a very talented chef, business man, and fun to watch and read, but his passion about food exceeds way beyond his home and restaurants’ kitchens. He is passionate about teaching people about good food, how to raise it, and how to cook it.

You know that bad food is making people terribly sick.

Oliver is doing a very important job in schools and cafeterias in England, and wanting to do so in the US as well, teaching parents, children, schools, and the lunch ladies about real, healthy, good food. I don’t want to go into much detail because in this video below Oliver does a great job.

Also, make sure to read “Lunch Lessons: Changing the Way We Feed Our Children” by Ann Cooper. The book has eye opening information about the food kids eat in the schools’ cafeterias and offers healthy recipes. Ann Cooper works with the legendary Alice Waters.

Now watch this:

For the original whole baked cauliflower with tomato and olive sauce, click here. I made a few changes, here’s my version:

Whole cauliflower in marinara sauce and olives

Adapted from “Cook with Jamie” cookbook

1/2 red onion, peeled and sliced 
3 cloves of garlic, peeled and chopped
1 large head of cauliflower, outer green leaves discarded
olive oil 
a handful of black olives, pitted
1 anchovy fillet, sliced
a handful of fresh parsley
20 oz. tomato/marinara sauce, or canned chopped plum tomatoes 
a splash of red wine vinegar
salt
ground black pepper

First, find a pot in which the whole cauliflower will fit, leaving an inch around.

To the pot, add the onion, garlic, and a drizzle of oil and slowly sauté for about 10 minutes over medium heat until softened. Add the olives, anchovy and parsley and cook for another couple of minutes. Add the tomato sauce and about 1/2 cup of water, and a splash of red wine vinegar, season with salt and pepper. Stir everything together and bring to the boil. 
Gently add the cauliflower to the sauce. Half of the cauliflower should be in the sauce, half above it. Drizzle with olive oil, sprinkle with salt and pepper, put the lid on and let it cook on low heat for about 30-40 minutes.

NOTE: I think an even easier and faster way to do this is to cut the cauliflower into florets and cooked it totally immersed in the tomato sauce.

Tags : cauliflower, children, Jamie Oliver, school
Categories : Chefs, Food books & Cookbooks, Kids and Food, Power and Food, Recipes, Side dishes and Vegetables

Back in January 2009 I posted a recipe for Rugelach, my favorite cookie! I still cannot understand how cream cheese, that brick of gooey, plastic-y cheese I do not like eating turns cheesecakes and cookies into sublime desserts I adore… But, anyway, this post is about photography. Those were the photos I took back then:

Continue reading… »»

Tags : cookie, Food, photography, recipe, Rugelach
Categories : Food Photography

Once upon a time, in a land not far away, with a twist of a fork, two side dishes accidentally met on a plate. The first one, pasta, loved by all, orzo shaped, whimsical and a bit chewy, seasoned simply, and the second one, garbanzo beans, not as mainstream as pasta, a bit more serious but sweet at heart, were destined to meet. Although life has taken them on different routes, it was fate that eventually brought them together. Looking back, it all makes sense. These two individuals, separated side dishes, were made to be married into one bigger and better dish.

A few nights ago I prepared dinner of one main dish and 4 simple side dishes; grilled lamb, broiled and marinated eggplants, simple orzo, garbanzo beans, and thick Greek yogurt. It was all simple and good, and the best thing? We had leftovers, my favorite! So, the following day this is what we had for lunch. I placed the side dishes neatly side by side on my plate, and then, all of a sudden… in a spin of destiny, I uploaded orzo and garbanzos on my fork and ate them together in one single bite… There was love in the air. The sun came out of the clouds. The next thing that happened, unexpectedly, unplanned-edly… I had an “A-ha! No one moves” kind of moment and I ran to fetch my camera. I wanted to capture and share that happy moment with you, my friends, and the rest of the world.

The only sad thing to shed clouds on that joyful moment was the fact that we didn’t have any leftovers of the thick Greek yogurt I mixed the night before with a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil, chopped mint, a spray of lemon juice, salt, pepper. But other than that, I think I should just move the camera to be permanently placed in the kitchen because there were “A-ah! Oops, too late” kind of moments before, you know, like here, and here. You can never know when life will bring a sweet surprise that you would want to tell the whole world about, right?!

I can easily see how this couple, orzo and hummus, can make a lovely life for themselves together. Go places, have adventures, and create a family of little side dishes similar but different than they are. And when life together might become a bit boring, too much routine-like, they can spice things up. Because, when you have a good foundation together, the sky is the limit. You can always add tomatoes, red onion, feta, olives, nuts, fresh herbs, whatever, to a duo when they complete one another so well. (Wait, am I really talking about food here?) But first, you got to have that strong bond between two good ingredients that can do well on their own before they join forces together to create something that is more than the sum of its ingredients.

Do try this at home.

I don’t have an exact recipe but this was a no brainer to make, really.

For the orzo: Cook1/2 box of orzo pasta in salty water according to the instructions on the package. When it’s cooked al dente, drain, season with more salt and a little ground black pepper, a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil, and mix well, so the pasta don’t stick (It is sticks, it will make it harder to mix with the garbanzo beans. Just think about it…)

For the garbanzo beans: Drain the beans and rinse with cold water, and drain again. Sauté 2-3 tablespoons of finely chopped onion in a little extra virgin olive oil over medium heat until it softens. Add the beans, a pinch of salt, cumin and paprika, mix and cook until the beans are warm.

Marry orzo and garbanzo beans together.

Enjoy the party.

Enjoy life.

Tags : beans, eggplant, garbanzo beans, orzo, Pasta, recipe
Categories : Main dishes/entrées, Pasta, Recipes, Side dishes and Vegetables

Everyone says that spaghetti and meatballs in tomato sauce is a kid-friendly food. One of the ultimate favorites. Way up there in the top 10, maybe even top 5, on the kids’ food list. Well, at least that’s the theory. But in our household? Not so much.

I always wondered why magazines/restaurants/cookbooks make that claim because every time I made this dish, aiming to make my son happy with this supposedly kid-friendly meal, he refused to eat it. I made spaghetti and meatballs in tomato sauce numerous times hoping that he will warm up to it. Finally, I came to the conclusion that he is not a tomato sauce fan, even more than he dislikes ground meat in any shape and size, whether a meatloaf, burger, round or flat meatballs (should they be called meatflats in that case?). He is a cheese and/or butter sauce type of guy. Last week, I made it again. Surprisingly, everyone was licking their red sauce covered lips and wiping their faces with napkins.

But my goal is not to cook kid-friendly meals. Continue reading… »»

Tags : meat, meatballs, Pasta, recipe, spaghetti, tomato sauce
Categories : Beef, Kids and Food, Main dishes/entrées, Pasta, Recipes

Let’s start with flowers… Continue reading… »»

Tags : Valentine's Day
Categories : Happy, Holidays

I have a friend whom I love dearly. There were times when I wondered how we became friends, and stayed friends, because we are just so… different.

I’m a planner, she’s spontaneous.

I’m formal, she’s casual.

I’m kinda strict, she’s more laid-back.

I remember details, she doesn’t care much about that stuff.

I love to bake, she doesn’t.

When I teach a baking class, she talks about play dates. (But she did come to the class!) Continue reading… »»

Categories : A cake for the weekend, Cakes, Dessert, Recipes

Routines.

Just by saying this word a need to inhale deeply emerges as if an invisible cigarette was stuck in my mouth. (Yes, I used to be a smoker. I don’t miss it.)

How do you feel, what do you think, when this word, “routine”, pops up?

For me, that depends. Some days, “routine” makes me light and happy, some days “routine” makes me heavy and tired.

It’s the sort of experience you can describe as “can’t live with it, can’t live without it”, you know what I mean?

It’s like traveling, only you travel at the same place, at the same pace, all the time. Wouldn’t it drive you nuts?

I’m ambiguous about routines. I know them from both sides. They have a comforting effect. They promise safety. You know where you’re going and what lies ahead…On the other hand, routines can be gray and boring and drive me crazy. They can make me fantasize about running away as far as I can and living a more adventurous life. But I stay. Because, I know. I know that no matter where I go, they will follow. Maybe in a different shape or form, but they will follow.

That’s what life is all about, isn’t it? We all need some sort of routine. It has the power to make us feel cozy and warm like a safety blanket, but a blanket can also choke you as well in your sleep.

About 15 years ago, when my life seemed to be in chaos, I craved for a routine. For something fixed in my life. I tried to adopt little habits, like eating the same salad for dinner, or a yogurt for an afternoon snack, whatever it was, just as long as I have a routine where I can find myself doing the same thing at the same time at the same place each day. Something I can expect and look forward to. A sure thing I can rely on. None of those little habits lasted more than 3-4 days. I ended up adopting a street cat.

Routine is a commitment. Whether you like or not. It can be an anchor when everything around is stormy. It makes you accountable to do something for yourself or for someone else. It is there, waiting for you. Like a pet. Like a child. Like a spouse. Like home.

So, you might as well choose your routines and make yours happy and colorful ones.

Like our morning routines, which go like this;

I wake up, wash my face, brush my teeth, (most of times) comb my hair, then I go to the kitchen. I turn the lights on, open the faucet and let water run for a few seconds while I take the milk out of the fridge. The same thought runs in my head, I always hope the kids will still be sleeping so I could have a few minutes of quietness to make each one’s drink. I pray to be able to take my first sip of hot (instant) coffee before the kids jump out of bed and start their non-stop chatter. They are so energetic.

Each of us has their own preference for a morning drink. I use the same cups to make warm chocolate milk for the little one but my boy changes his mind about his drink every day – he’s not a routine kind of guy, I guess – I make tea for the husb, and coffee for me (unless I’m sick, a non-routine, then it’s tea).

While waiting for the water to boil, I clear the dishwasher from ah, the dishes, we used for last night’s dinner. I open the fridge once again and take a peek, starting to plan the day’s lunch boxes. Then the guys come to the kitchen for breakfast.

I used to declare myself a non breakfast maker. Even to guests. Although I felt rude and inhospitable, I’d say I only make lunches and dinners but not breakfasts, each person is on their own. But here I am, each morning, standing in my PJ, making breakfasts and packing lunch boxes. The children ask for this or that. They command me. But I do encourage independency whenever possible. I feel like a helicopter in the kitchen. My head starts spinning and I need to sit for a minute.

After breakfast they fiiiiinnally leave.

Now, wouldn’t this drive you crazy?

Yes. And, no.

Because, just before they walk out the door I get kisses and hugs and it makes all this craziness worthwhile. Priceless.

It makes me fall crazy in love with my family.

We hug and kiss each other each and every morning, at the same time, at the same place, almost in the same way, every day.

It’s our morning routine.

(PS – This is a “Happy” post but I can’t even keep up with the title. I get bored after a while…)

Categories : Family, Happy