The Pepper Grinder

I was probably in my 20's when I found out about the pepper grinder. Seriously, our family didn't use pepper... in fact, my Mom's spice cabinet probably held only salt. It was a little bit of a standing joke that the pepper shaker in our house probably shouldn't be used, as the pepper contained within was probably more than a few years old. Basil, Oregano, Thyme, Mint, Cumin, Coriander, Red Chili Flakes... that little spinning spice rack that we all aquire during marriage... no use for that in my childhood home. I grew up in a meat and potatoes family with salted steamed veggies on the side. In fact, one of my sisters to this day thinks some pizza sauces (at chain restaurants) are too spicy.

It's interesting how our food likes and dislikes evolve over time. I remember specifically some time in middle school. One summer, I LOVED iced tea... couldn't live without it. The very next summer... HATED it, and I still haven't acquired the taste back. My favorite meal while growing up was pork chops served over steamed rice with the grease of the pork chops poured over top... yummy. Now, I wouldn't go near that meal with a 10 foot pole.

The people you meet shed light on food that you may not have otherwise discovered. A high school friend of mine used to put peanut butter on toasted bread, then throw a slice of American cheese between the slices and eat it as a sandwich. Who'da thunk? If you haven't tried it, I insist you do. I'd eat one every day if it weren't for the high calorie content! :) How about bagels?? I found out about these babies in college from a lady I babysat for... but the really good ones exist only in New Jersey. Dipping a peanut butter sandwich in chocolate milk... oh, heaven. My Dad taught me this one. Munching something salty after having something sweet, like a potato chip after a brownie... a different high school friend introduced me to this awesome combination. Priya just discovered it on her own yesterday in the movie theater with Twizzlers and popcorn!

Anyway, I digress... the real reason for this post is the pepper grinder. Sanjay, at age 3, just found out about this magical little puppy a few days back when he saw me using it in the kitchen. His reaction was priceless, and probably a little more worth noting than my 20-year-old perception of this contraption. After asking what it was, he said with excitement,

Oh that's great Mom.
That's cool, cool, cool.
You can just do that and the pepper will come out?

I'm thinking of getting him one for his next birthday.

I Didn't Know He Had It In Him

Sanjay has manners and he also has a nuturing side that we are starting to see. Maybe school is bringing all of this out of him or maybe he's just decided that it's easier to get what he wants if he's polite about it. Whatever is causing it... I hope it lingers.

Today I was walking down the stairs in front of him and picked up a ball of fuzz-and-dried-grass (at least that's what it looked like) that I'd noticed days ago. Sanjay says to me, "Sank you Mommy for moving that for me". In the car, when Mommy and Daddy are talking and Sanjay wants to interject, we hear "umm, scuse me Mommy?". What's gotten into this boy? Then today a friend was over and Sanjay sat down too fast, accidentally bumping her head which sent her into a fit of tears and requests to go home. Sanjay felt so bad for what had happened... he asked her to stay and even went to the freezer and grabbed the boo-boo bear. He wanted to hold it directly on her head, but she insisted on doing it herself. Sweet, sweet Sanjay. Although we are seeing this side of him more and more, it still only makes up about 7% of his personality.