Ode to my Daughter

Today H and I got a delayed 5th birthday present for Daughter. Her very first library membership! Anyone who loves books, and Daughter does, knows this is the best gift ever. Daughter's a relatively early reader. As she doesn't watch TV (photosensitive), I helped and encouraged her to read as early as possible.

I sometimes check blogs of 2 moms who had kids at the same time as me. I did today, and this blog really brought a lump to my throat. It's by Joyce Slaton and her daughter who also turned 5 recently has had many, many of the same "symptoms" I struggled with in the past my daughter. Luckily for Joyce, she got an OT to help her, whereas, we just had to find our own solutions with the help of the wonderful world of books and the world wide web ofcourse.

http://blogs.babycenter.com/momformation/2010/04/19/very-violet-letter-to-a-five-year-old/

Thanks Joyce for sharing! Sharing problems and triumphs over the web, oh what a solace and source of strength it has been for me.

Reproducing the wording of the blog here:

Very Violet: Letter to a five-year-old

Posted by Joyce Slaton in Very Violet | April 19th, 2010 | Trackback

My dear Violet:

Today you turned five. I usually stay up crying the night before your birthday; at least, I’ve done that every year. But not this year. Every year before I felt panicked. “I’m losing my baby.” Well, that ship has sailed. My baby is well and truly gone; but in her place she left a really fun little kid. I no longer feel like I’m losing something; instead, I feel like I’m drifting into a new world where you and I can be pals.

This is the year I saw you catch up physically with your peers. There was a time when you were so delayed I despaired of ever seeing you playing with a group of kids. It seemed like every kid on the playground was running and climbing and swinging and laughing while you were stuck in place, screaming. Every week I’ve taken you to your occupational therapy; each Tuesday a semi-nightmare of driving across town and parking and squishing my work into pre- and post-OT sessions, watching from the hallway as you climbed ladders and finished mazes and learned how to pop bubbles as you were swinging side to side. And it has worked. Your therapist came out to me with her chart and her list of developmental milestones, and showed me: you’re ready to graduate. Three more weeks and the last 18 months of Tough Tuesdays will be just a memory.

Now you can ride a bike with training wheels. I don’t have to sit on a bench and bite my knuckles while you try to get your legs in synch and kids much, much younger than you ride by gaily. You are riding right along with them. You can climb to the top of the dome, you can spin on the tire swing. A kid comes up to you on the playground and asks you to play and you can, you do; my fingers tingle with joy watching you.

This is the year your clothing sensitivities fell away, too. No longer are you traipsing around in sundresses and Crocs in the middle of winter. When it is cold, you wear jackets! And pants! And actual shoes without holes in them. Of course, several months ago you started wearing said shoes unfastened, and you still won’t fasten them up and thus sometimes when you run they fall off, and you cry. But to not be stopping every few feet to dig little rocks out of the Croc holes, ah, that is heaven. And people don’t give us dirty looks on the street anymore because you’re not dressed for the weather. I no longer clench up in terror when I pull a new dress over your head, wondering if you’ll like it and dance off merrily, or if it will send you into a 45-minute spiral of rage. Those days are over now. I do not miss them.

This is the year you made real friends. The friend you like the very best, unfortunately, is a little boy who’s lovely to you when you’re alone, but is kinda mean to you at school when this other little boy is around. (Your first enemy! Another milestone!) We have had lots of discussions this year about friends and how they should treat you. You have resolutely stuck to your guns and decided to love this little boy above all others. You’re loyal, at least. If not sensible.

This is the year you put your face in the water at the pool: Twice. Thank God for small miracles. I still haven’t gotten you in swim lessons yet, but it’s coming, it’s coming.

This is the year you finally let me do your hair! Though I have a huge collection of hair ornaments, barrettes and ribbons and bits of colored hair that pin in, and tiny red flowers on clips, and big orange poppies that tie onto your ponytail, you have resolutely refused your entire life to accept them in your hair. But one glorious day, you let me put your hair in two wee darling little braids! And you went off to school that day! And I was so excited that I took a million pictures! Then two days later you cut off three big hunks of hair, and now your hair’s short again. And you won’t let me put in any barrettes. Sigh.

This is the year you learned how to dial the phone (your first phone call: Granddaddy), how to put on your own story CDs, how to make your own peanut butter and jelly sandwich. This is the year I started being able to pull up to the library, give you the bag of books, and let you go put them in the return slot. Or giving you the quarters and trusting you to stick them in the meter. In fact, this is the year we entered the brave new world of me not having to eyeball you every second. If you get out of sight in public, I no longer panic. If something is wrong, you will call to me. This is the year I learned to trust that.

This is the year you got interested in the kitchen. Equipped with the kid-size choppers and cutting board I bought you, you cut crinkle potatoes or big hunks of cucumber for dinner. Unfortunately, though you will wash, peel, cut, cook, and admire said vegetables, you will not eat them. You can, however, pour your own milk, make yourself toast, and measure out flour and sugar for recipes.

This is the year you learned how to whistle, how to write your own name, how to buckle your own booster seat. Oh yeah — this is the year you started riding in a booster seat. Can I tell you how awesome it is to just have this tiny, light, easy-to-carry-and-buckle thing to deal with rather than the bolted-in 50-pound monstrosity we formerly used? My wrists thank you for growing, Violet.

But best of all, this is the year it started being possible to reason with you. Just now as I’m writing this you came up to me and said, “I’m hungry.”

“There’s no milk, I’ll make you some toast.”

“But I want to eat in here and watch Zoboomafoo!”

“Two choices: smoothie in here, or toast in the kitchen. You pick.”

“But I don’t want a smoothie! And I want to watch TV!”

“Toast makes too many crumbs. You want toast, you eat in the kitchen. I’m not going to argue about this.”

“Mom? Will you please make me a smoothie?”

Not a fight, not a scream, not a holdout, not a time-out. This is the year when you started seeing my point. And the year when I started explaining things to you, one friend to another. I have good reasons for the stuff I ask you to do, or the stuff I won’t do for you. I am willing to explain my reasons, and I’m willing to hear your input. Then together we can decide the best direction to go in. Because this is the year we started feeling like a snug little unit. Not the mom-with-baby-appendage, not the mom-lashed-to-screaming-toddler, not the little-kid-running-while-mom-runs-after. But like two friends, two friends who walk together because they like being together.

Because this is the year I started feeling really happy and comfortable as your mom. You have twined your way into every part of my heart; there’s no part of my life that isn’t touched by you and changed by you, no part of me that’s not also a part of you. Ever since you came out of me I’ve felt you moving further and further away, felt us getting more distant from the time when we were one. But lately I’ve felt you moving back.

We are the two who are one, the koala bears holding on for dear life, the old people walking in the park holding hands, the best skaters in the middle of the rink, twirling while everyone smiles at us. If you cut me open and dissected me, you would find you’re in every cell of my body, and most particularly in the very center of my heart. My love for you is fierce and red with teeth, it’s soft and pink and pillowy like a morning snuggling in bed. You have changed me. I am yours.

Giada's Lasagna Rolls

I love cookery shows. 3 of my favourite TV cooks are Jamie Oliver, Nigella and Giada. Pictured here is my version of Giada's Lasagna Rolls which I tweaked to suit what was available in my larder/fridge. H and Daughter loved it and so did I. Writing this post reminds me I should SO try this again!

Anyway, following is my tweaked recipe:

Ingredients

Sauce:

• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 4 teaspoons all-purpose flour
• 1 1/4 cups milk
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/8 teaspoon ground black pepper

Lasagna:

• 1 (15-ounce) cream cheese like philadelphia
• 1 (10-ounce) package frozen chopped spinach, thawed, squeezed dry
• 1 cup plus 2 tablespoons grated cheese
• 3 ounces of chicken chopped,or thinly sliced mushrooms if you prefer vegetarian,
• 1 large egg, beaten to blend
• 3/4 teaspoon salt, plus more for salting water
• 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 1 to 2 tablespoons oil
• 12 uncooked lasagna noodles
• 2 cups pasta sauce
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella (about 4 ounces)

Directions

To make the sauce: Melt the butter in a heavy medium saucepan over medium-low heat. Add the flour and whisk for 3 minutes. Whisk in the milk. Increase the heat to medium-high. Whisk the sauce until it comes to a simmer and is thick and smooth, about 3 minutes. Whisk the salt, pepper, into the bechamel sauce.

Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F.

Whisk the cream cheese, spinach, 1 cup cheese, chicken/mushroom, egg, salt, and pepper in a medium bowl to blend.

Add a tablespoon or 2 of oil to a large pot of boiling salted water. Boil the noodles until just tender but still firm to bite. Drain. Arrange the noodles in a single layer on a baking sheet to prevent them from sticking.

Butter a 13-by-9-by-2-inch glass baking dish. Pour the bechamel sauce over the bottom of the prepared dish. Lay out 4 lasagna noodles on a work surface, then spread about 3 tablespoons of ricotta mixture evenly over each noodle. Starting at 1 end, roll each noodle like a jelly roll. Lay the lasagna rolls seam side down, without touching, atop the bechamel sauce in the dish. Repeat with the remaining noodles and ricotta mixture. Spoon 1 cup of pasta sauce over the lasagna rolls. Sprinkle the mozzarella and remaining 2 tablespoons of cheese over the lasagna rolls. Cover tightly with foil. Bake until heated through and the sauce bubbles, about 20 minutes. Uncover and bake until the cheese on top becomes golden, about 15 minutes longer. Let stand for 10 minutes. Meanwhile, heat the remaining pasta sauce in a heavy small saucepan over medium heat until hot, and serve alongside.

The original version which is more authentic Italian (eg. they use ricotta, parmesan and prosciotto which I substituted with easier to find ingredients can be found here : http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/giada-de-laurentiis/lasagna-rolls-recipe/index.html

So, what's your favourite celebrity inspired recipe?

People Changing

Everyone changes. Some people gradually and some suddenly and drastically.

Yesterday I came across an acquaintance who has suddenly taken on the hijab. When I say I came across, I mean I saw their picture in facebook and the comments they wrote under their picture. Someone had asked her why she wasn't wearing a sari to the wedding she was pictured in (it is common for married women to wear the sari at weddings in our country). This person was dressed with head covering and a loose fitting long sleeved salwar kameez. She replied, I want to be a better human being. That really got me. What does that mean? Being a better human being is as simple as putting a piece of cloth on your hair? Why is being good looked at in such a physical manner? Is it not more important to be good within, in your actions? Why don't we try to be austere in how we live too? This person works in several educational institutions (breaking the rules of the one where she is a full time faculty) because as she had once explained to me "money is always good to have".

And secondly if one does not want to attract attention to oneself and be a less vain person, why wear heels, make up and contact lenses as this person did? Why is it just down to covering one's hair?

Can someone kindly explain how by simply covering one's hair and choosing not to wear a sari (which can also be worn in a conservative manner) one can claim to be a better human being?

That being said, I need to clarify that if someone wants to do something for the sake of following some doctrine, that is their prerogative. I only question their judgement when they think something superficial helps make them a better human being! If this person had said that I am covering my hair because my religion demands that I do it, I would not have made any bones about it.

Vegetarian Shashlik Kebab

I once cooked a full vegetarian meal for some people who did not eat eggs or fish. Took me a while to figure out the menu!

Anyway, this was the main meat replacement number that I did and it turned out pretty good.

Vegetarian Shashlik Kebab

Ingredients:

Mushrooms

Paneer

Capsicum

Tomato

Onion

Any ready made kebab masala (I use the Shaan brand)

Lime

Oil.

Method:

Cut all ingredients into bite size pieces. Squirt with lime and sprinkle with the masala. Fry (but not deep fry) in a pan till mushrooms and paneer are slightly scorched on the outside. but not down right burnt. Fry the rest of the veggies separately. Let cool and arrange in skewers. Enjoy!

Birthday Bash

Daughter turned 5 recently. Had never planned a birthday for her all by myself (since used to live with inlaws before who pretty much decided how it went). So even though I am not a party person, decided to take up the challenge. In the end, decided that there just had to be 2 events. One where Daughter would be able to have fun, and the second where we returned the dinner invitations that we had till now received. The first event would be for her school pals and the second for families we had come to know.

So the first one took the most amount of planning. Decided to have a princess tea party theme. Decorated the place with balloons and streamers which took a lot of time. Had a throne where all the kids posed (well at least the ones who made it on time). Had some games planned. Was a bit confused about how to give the gifts to the winners of the games. What if the others burst out crying, heaven forbid? Had snacks which we labelled with fun names from cartoons and fairy tale characters. At the end of the indoor party we took the kids to the huge play ground we are blessed with where they basically ran riot for a while until their parents took them home.

Above is pictured one of the tea party items. Which was super easy to put together by the way. Just mixed 1 part yoghurt with 2 parts whipped cream and icing sugar to taste. Decorated with strawberries and jelly. Make sure you have bowls to serve this in.

The second party we got catered. From a place called Raffles which I heartily recommend. Excellent food and service. I did make an egg curry with coconut milk to add to the buffet which was Indian. The gulab jamun (one of the dessert items was to die for)!

Restaurants in Colombo

We dine out here a lot and so I have decided to briefly review my experiences. Should have been doing this as they happened but better late than never eh? In this post I will review 3 restaurants. Limiting it to 3 per post as otherwise I will never finish the piece. Future posts will cover more restaurants.

Taprobane

Located in Cinnamon Grand Hotel, it is the best value for money eating place in Colombo in my opinion. You get 5 star ambience at unbelievably affordable prices. The food is mainly continental. Though the odd biryani does feature on the menu. There is a kid's menu too. Love the grilled fish in a herb/garlic saucewith rice and veg and also the spaghetti bolognese. All the kid's menu items are good too. My personal fave dessert item is the creme brulee which comes in two small glasses which is perfect for sharing. The service tends to be a bit slow at peak times though as they have a bustling crowd for the buffet to cope with as well.

Cricket Club Cafe

Even if you don't have a thing for cricket like me, this place is still worth a visit. The decor is interesting and a cricket lover's dream with signed memorabilia on display. The service is fast, though decidedly unfriendly. The prices are affordable and the dessert items are tasty. Personal favourite is the Mexican Chicken wrap. Also the mango crepes served with ice cream and garnished with coconut flakes was good (though the crepes were a tad on the hard side). Daughter loves their spaghetti bolognese. Prices are very affordable and the atmosphere is child friendly. Decor is a bit worn out though.

The Gallery Cafe

We dined here on our anniversary and it was worth it. The ambience is great, the place is packed, the decor classy. However the seats were not the most comfortable, I must say. The food made up for it. I had a champagne risotto. Daughter had a gnochhi dish. Forget what hubby had. The dessert was excellent. Here's a link to their site. http://www.paradiseroadsl.com/cafe/Introduction.html

The Gallery Cafe is situated right beside the Paradise Road Studio, a shop reminiscent of Zara Home which I just love. Both the shop and the restaurant are a bit on the pricey side.

Tsunami Alert

On the 12th of June, Sri Lanka was placed on tsunami alert after an earthquake in the Nicobar Islands of India. I felt the earthquake while lying in bed. At first was wondering why H was shaking the bed. Then figured it out. The next thought in my head was Tsunami. Checked the tsunami alert websites and sure enough Sri Lanka was placed on one. Panicked for a while as we live very close to the sea. Then went back to sleep at 1am. Woke up to find the alert had been lifted.