Blog-TOWER OF BABEL

I found some bold truth this morning at 719 am, Sept 1st, the year of our freshman year, lord help me with coping with Ben’s growth. I cannot handle that he is in high school. High school either makes one, or breaks one socially, emotionally, and academically.

I was an outcast in high school. If it were a rendition of the Breakfast Club, I would have been played by Ally Sheedy . No words would ever cover my thoughts, my poetry or my teenage pain. I felt like a poet laureate and that the rest of the world was stupid. I would picture myself living in a Parisian garret , living on leftovers from the class c restaurant below me on Rue des Terribles  , and having a French brooding boyfriend who shouted a lot and smashed the good paper plates. Ah, to be broke, talented, in Europe, jobless and in love. (sounds like a freelance flight attendant, doesn't it?)

Ben is playing high school differently. He still talks to his parents, not much, but does talk when needed. He is clean cut, hates drugs and alcohol, (whew), and wants everyone to act not in a rude way. I watched as his 73”, very thin frame loping into Branford high, he looked back( slo mo) and waved. I choked, gasped and cried. It is the beginning of the animal that will eventually, but hopefully not, eat him, and spit him into a man.

I felt as though I was witnessing the end of all things common between us. The word "mom" erased. What will he be, who will he marry, will he fall in love? How many times? Will he live his dream of being artistic? Or will it be wiped out by college? I said to Ben today "do not loose your dreams, be who you want to be.” Am I living thru him or warning him that he may have to sell out and become a carpet salesman in Paramus, NJ?

Think about it. What were your dreams in high school. Mine were to travel, fall in love with a few tormented (check), marry a foreigner (check) join the peace crop ( no check), write my memoirs (I am working on it ok,!!!!! I am waiting for the publishing company to call, it is a 212 area code! do not ask me again). Have a cool child with a heart with not much chance of becoming an asshole (double check), get closer with my family (check), forgive my mother (no check, check in mail), and have a lot of diverse friends, check check check) and if in USA, live by the sea, near a cafe, library and art gallery.

So my question deigns truth, did you become who you dreamt?

 

This weeks blog is a continuation of the ELEGANT YET ECONOMICAL CLASS performed by Executive Catering on Elm, Owner Molly Sprong, New Milford CT. I must say that all of Molly’s chefs are very well schooled and very happy to work there.

Here are the highlights: (you will get very hungry) It is the winter menu.

Garlic Braised Short Ribs (cheaper than meat) served with pea spaetzle with tomatoes and mint, great for winter.

Polenta crusted chicken breast with balsamic caper pan sauce - holds well in the oven, super tasty

My favorite is the west african vegetable cobbler , a medley of sweet potato, pepper , yukon jack potato, cumin, red pepper. great for vegans and vegetarians. would make a really great side with jerk chicken or bbq.

Desserts. my favorite!
You can make this one on the aircraft. 6 oz ramekin. put tab of butter in bottom. tear up a croissant, blueberries, more croissant, sugar brown or white, bake called a blueberry croissant puff.

White chocolate strawberry tiramisu
 
The best one was Mango Napolean (you can cut phyllo dough into triangles, mango jam, caramel topping and whipped cream, stack and serve). Yum!
 
Strawberry , banana and chocolate bundles, cut pie crust into 4 inch squares, take a dove chocolate, cut banana, strawberry, fold the crust closed, bake 350 for 10 minutes 

Here are some winter dishes on the menu.

Roasted butternut squash and apple with clove Crème Fraiche Soup.
Grilled pork chop with caramelized pear brandy sauce.
Lobster pot pie
Beef wellington with gorgonzola sauce
Curried couscous with pine nuts and raisins
Cranberry crumb pie

HAPPY NEW YEAR!.............I woke up this crisp winter morning and i was curled up under the down comforter in a pensive mood. Glad to say goodbye to 2008, it was my first holiday i have ever had, that i was laid off. This sort of took the shine off my pumpkin brithere and sistera, let me tell you. BUT. lemonade is coming!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I am going to do all the things i put off while flying.

1. Take better care of myself. vitamins, drink more water, have more fish, reintroduce a vegetable once in a while, and stop attacking the can of chocolate frosting at 3 am. Hormones!

2.  Take a writing class, i need one. That is obvious, right?

3. Hang more with my brother and sister. My brother is as funny as chevy chase and my sister takes a lot of heat for wearing those talbot sweaters with the santa on them. I have tattoos for god sakes, we are polar opposites and I love her.

4. Stop stressing about money, I lost most of it. I can always sell a kidney.

5. Take an asian fusion cooking class and a cuban cooking class.

6. Make plans to go stuff. I would always wander away when peoples would take out their planners. I could not commit

7. Road trips! I hate to fly on the "I DUNNO" airlines

8. Get a six pack

9. Electrocute myself if I have a negative thought

10. Let people see me vulnerable

11. Turn off the lights, detail my truck, and do not take too much shit.

12. Read more, go to movies instead of shopping

13. Sit in the park, hang with my animals.

14. Recycle

15. Read the new york times.

16. Be a better friend

17. Pedicure the gargoyle feet more

18. Church

19. Drive slower

20. Get off Nicorette gum

HAPPY NEW YEAR DANIEL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!