Before I write about my initiation in the kitchen,its important that I write about the circumstances that brought it on.
When I was almost 10 and my sister 7, my dad was transferred to Saudi Arabia.He worked for a reputed Cement Company and was deputed to their cement plant in S.A. As with all chemical industries, this factory was also situated away from the city. They had built a colony for their employees a few miles from the factory and that became our new home.It was the most beautiful place I ever saw. No matter where you were you could see the sea-The Red Sea.And we had our own backyard filled with SAND!! What more could two kids want?Apparently there was something that was missing- a school. The only big school was in a city called Jeddah 4-5 hrs away. To make this the best arrangement for their kids, all the ladies in the colony decided to start a small school in an empty Villa. Each class had about 2-3 kids .The maximum strength that year being of grade 1 and that was 6 kids. As it turned out ,I was in grade 5 and there was no other kid with me. And so, I had to be home tutored. My mom taught me all the subjects except Science and Maths. And another lovely lady started tutoring me with those two subjects.It was not the best situation and definitely not one my parents would have chosen for me, given a choice.But that was the best we had.
But keeping a high energy 10 year old entertained all the time was not easy.Since I was used to studying independently from a very young age, I found it easy to fit in this pattern. I would be done my assignments long before I was supposed to, and then would go and hang out in the kitchen with my mom. I would pretend that she was a big chef and I was her assistant and a TV show host,commenting on her each and every action- rite from rinsing the veggies to chopping them. Mom decided to channelise this into something creative and asked me how I would like to be a big girl and help her out. I was thrilled. The first thing I learnt to make was Tea! A nice hot aromatic cuppa chai! But I was still not allowed to light the gas stove. Mom would do that for me and keep a close eye on me. I still remember how I memorised the proportions- in a sing-song way-
1 cup water,1 tsp sugar, 1 tsp chai!! yayyy 1 tsp chai!
2 choti elaichi. boil boil,boil!
1/4 cup milk.. simmer simmer simmer..
Its brown! Its done!yes its done!
hahhaa.. and that’s how I made my first few cups of chai! Perfection came with practice and I graduated to other more important things like rice. I had a similar way of remembering the proportions for making rice too.
But every time,someone came to visit,I had to show off my newly acquired skill and ask mom coyly -“Should I make tea?” And when the guests would say- “No no beta.. No need”. I would insist..”But I make good tea!” and wouldn’t give up till they complied! And I do make a mean cuppa chai! Anyone for tea?
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Babymoon- I thought Honeymoons were special, but i found out babymoons are even more special. The presence of a third being, whom WE created, is what makes it so.So, for the thanksgiving weekend, we decided to go to Las Vegas. It was a 6 hour drive and was a beautiful scenic drive. We were on this long winding road with rocks on either side . The only negative was..since it was a two lane drive , there was no way we could stop. So by the time we reached Vegas,we were badly in need of good greasy food, and a clean restroom!But there was a bigger incentive to reach Vegas …My friend P and her new husband D. I was meeting P after almost 4 years and was really excited to catch up with her. Since it was almost dinner time, we decided to freshen up and meet them for an early dinner.I was tired and insisted DH take the car! Big Mistake! Driving on Vegas strip when practically the whole town is out.. Big mistake. The actual drive was 5 minutes and it took us 25. And then to find parking that took even longer. Finally we parked and and were on our way to meet P& D.We had a lovely dinner at Cesar’s palace.. I say lovely not because of the food but because of the company! We hit it off like a house on fire. It didn’t feel even for a minute that we were meeting D for the first time. P knew Sanj from our dating days. After dinner we walked the famous Vegas strip and went to see Bellagio Fountain. It was amazing.
Finally, after way past midnight, we hugged and said goodbye.It was a short reunion but a very sweet one. They had an early flight to catch and we were tired from the drive.
Next day, we spent our time and money,playing slot machines. Both of us were not great fans of gambling.In fact before going to Vegas,I was sure of not even playing the slots.I didn’t want to expose my baby to all the smoke and sinful gambling scene. But little did I know that to even reach my room from the reception,I would have to pass the slot machines. And all the colorful, musical machines were temptation enough.So, we found ourselves spots near the entrance – for a breeze of fresh air every few minutes.. and spent the day there, getting up just to eat or the oh-so-necessary restroom breaks!
That evening we went for a show called – The tournament of the Kings.It was beautifully directed and performed. They took us back to the Reign of King Arthur. It was Dinner show. Dinner was served the old fashioned way, without any cutlery.And the show ended with a big bang- a burst of firecrackers and right at that moment,I felt Baby Sunshine move for the first time. I think She must have been asleep and the loud noise must have startled her. I could feel her hysterically moving all over my belly!! That was such a sweet sensation. I tried to make DH feel, but her movements were too feeble for him to feel. And then we were back to the slot machines.Finally when my eyes were glazed out,DH decided it was time to go up to our room.
Next morning after a big breakfast, we were on our way back home. It was a lovely trip, with lots of fun.DH forgot his cellphone charger and the hotel room was not Wi-Fi enabled and so he was free to dedicate all his time to me. It was one of our best vacations. -
Nov 28th, 2006
The moment the doctor mentioned going for a level 2 ultrasound, I freaked out. What was wrong with my Little baby, was I to blame somehow.. all these thoughts flooded my mind in lesser time than it would take to say Level 2 ultrasound.
My OB reassured me that it was nothing to worry about and it was routine.And she would rather send me for it now rather than wait for 2 more weeks and then if the baby didn’t cooperate again .Why worry for the rest of the weeks?
So, off we went to see the specialist for a Level 2 ultrasound.
This machine there was more sophisticated and so we got to see each and every organ in detail. Baby’s heart with all the 4 chambers, lungs, arteries, blood vessels, bladder, arms, legs, bones of the upper arm and leg, tiny feet, head, different parts of the brain..everything was so clear.I was reminded of my biology class in school.
We also saw the little one nodding as if saying yes,then, there was a distinct wave! It was really busy that day kicking all the time and trying to hold a foot with one hand, as if showing off its flexibility to mom and dad.
But all through this we still didn’t get a peek between the legs. The ultrasound tech tried to look and prod from every angle possible and more she prodded, the baby was trying to hide behind my belly button.
Finally, DH said – “OK I know its a girl.. I am sure its a girl“. I was completely baffled.. “huh? what? how? do you see something that i don’t see ?“ And he says smiling confidently- “its just my gut feeling“.
And Lo! Behold! Just then Our little angel opened up her legs ..as if to prove him rite!
“Its a Girl!!!!!” said the tech.And I just smiled at her and said.. “ Oh wow!“ OH Wow!! can you get any lamer?? DH came closer and held my hand and asked me “what’s wrong? you are not happy?” Of course I was happy.. ever since I could remember I wanted a little girl to dress her up in pretty outfits, to pamper her, to treat her like a princess. But somewhere between getting pregnant and finding out the baby’s sex, i had begun preparing myself that it could also be a boy and may be i went overboard with that. Or may it was just the certainty of knowing the gender that made me numb or should i say non-reactive. It had to sink in for me to react. But by the time we came out of the ultrasound room I was back to my normal self, filled with more excitement than ever before. I was finally having my little girl!And she was going to be precious. We decided to keep the baby’s sex a surprise for the rest of our family and keep everyone guessing.It was going to be our little secret! -
My mom was a great cook.Be it cooking daily fare or special treats,she was just great at everything. Now when I am almost a mom,I find myself missing her even more and catch myself planning delicious treats for my baby.
Yesterday,I was telling DH about my mom and her always ready nutritious snacks and he said “OH! the more you talk about your mom, the more I realise what I am missing”. That’s when I decided to bring back some good food to my kitchen.. get some delicious recipes on the table.. and almost rushed to the kitchen at that moment. And then my big belly and third trimester fatigue brought me to a screeching stop!
Anyway, I was playing with the idea of a cookery blog for a long time and decided to do it after the baby is here.. but then I decided why wait..I might as well start it now.So here’s my tribute to my mom and her delectable recipes.
This blog also features my growing collection of recipes,some I have perfected and some I am working on.
I am what I am because of her..She was the best mom, perfect wife, a wonderful daughter.. just perfect in every possible way.She made every task seem effortless, even enjoying the toughest chores.I don’t know about the rest but I sure hope to be that kind of mom someday.And what better way to start than with perfecting her recipes.
This one’s for you mumma!
