Anti-Climactic Mothers Day!!!

When I look back now, i think it was very Relaxed , but at that time I was feeling "Cheated" and that was maybe because I was "Entitled" to it!
Plus now I truly feel how pressured a "hallmark holiday" can be!

So it all started with: " We have a plan for Mother's Day"
Breakfast in bed, a bike ride, a picnic in park, a lovely dinner with closest friends like family to celebrate all mothers, grand mothers and a day of pampering (aka my pampering)

And let me just say...."It was anti-climactic"
There were "tantrums" mainly mine. Overly dramatic... since i am like, its mothers day and its all about me and my MIL. (Read: Entitlement syndrome) But it wasn't. So i yelled (Sort of politely "not").
I gave myself a "Timeout" and folded two loads of laundry.
I gave myself a "Timeout" again and then cleaned up feverishly.
I gave myself a "Timeout" again and then just stomped my feet around the house like a BIG baby.

We (The Girlies and I) did make up by the afternoon over some hugs, some more hugs and some flowers... Always Flowers!
And then the day improved..... We were snuggling in and watching a movie, getting misty eyed when the Indian national anthem played in the movie and kids laughing at me. I should have fond memories of a lavish lunch and an even more lavish colorful dinner at home. Above all I should have the fondest memories of the bubble bath with the girls and having a "bubbles" funky hair!

So yep..... but I will remember "my own tantrums" from this Mother's Day and I do really wish the girls remember the "bubble bath fight"  instead. Time will tell!

But that is parenting, some good, some bad.... and not always perfect.
I had wished my mom-friends in the morning
"Happiest Mothers Day... these kids make us stronger, weaker, happier and angrier with all the emotions in between! May we have the continued patience to love them more than we already do"

I just didn't know that that's exactly how my day will go!

Quick Food Fix: Spicy Cauliflower Steak

Needing my mommy moment~

Last night, I really craved 'good food' something rich, delicious and yummy, and home made.

I wish my mom lived closer and I could call her and tell her, I was this and this. But oh well, reality sinks and I am a mom now and I still wanted some 'good food'

So I got down to business and now a total show off - I started food prep 5:40 pm and by 7:20, dinner was made, kids were fed and were getting ready for reading and bed time! So a very satisfying evening!

Dinner Menu:
Vij's Adapted cauliflower steak
Malai Kofta,
Paratha,
Cucumber sabzi....
followed by left over fruit custard from the night before!

Yippie and it was totally worth it! All four of us thoroughly enjoyed the dinner  and licked our fingers and cleaned the plates! Even Little Lady, who picks and chooses which vegetable she wants, took second and third helpings of 'Vij's Adapted cauliflower steak'

The recipe is adapted from here. A friend had made it a few munch bunches ago. I modified to fit in my 'Quick Food Fix Rule'

Serves 4:
Ingredients
Caulifower florets cut length wise
Spices: 1/4 tsp
Salt, Pepper, Mirchi/ Cayenne Pepper, Cinamanon, Crushed jeera powder, rock salt
Ginger: 1/2 inch- Grated
Garlic: 4 cloves- Grated/ finely chopped
Olive Oil: 3 tsp

For coating:
All Purpose Flour/ Chickpea Flour: 2 tsp mixed in a liquid paste in 1 cup water
Panko Breadcrumbs: 1/2 cup (feel free to use other variety, i just have some left over from my Onion Rings evening)

Process:
1. In a box mix all ingredients, oil and the florets should be marinated with all spices well

2. Add the coating ingredients and again mix well
3. In the pre-heated oven (425), on a greased dish, lay out the marinated florets evenly spaced

4. Let it bake/ crispen for 10 minutes
5. Flip and let them bake for another 10 minutes
6. Ta Da!! Garnish with chopped cilantro and enjoy!

It is the perfect combination of crispy cover, soft flavorful cauliflower, who new 'Gobhi' could taste so well!

And yeah, a weeknight malai kofta recipe will follow: I skipped all frying and just enjoyed the 'healthier' twist. However truth be told, the portion i gobbled was not 'healthy; for sure.

Beauty and the Beast

 All I wanted for Mothers Day was a relaxed day with my family. The kids all over me and my husband next to me. And that is exactly what I got. It felt so good to hold on to my pre schooler and sleep at 11 in the morning when the rest of the family snoozed away as well.

There was this sweet nothingness of the day which made it all the more special.

I had tickets for 'The Actors Training Center RepertoryCompany' for their production of 'Beauty and the Beast' for the Mothers Day evening. And I was a bit skeptical about driving to 'Wilmette Theatre' due to the distance. But I got over the laziness of the Sunday evening and made the trip. I was so very glad I did.

The theatre itself is small. We picked up more than our share of the Pop Corn from the concession stand and headed over to the theatre. The performance in my five year old's words was 'Breathtaking' She loved the songs, the beast and Belle. She was very scared when the wolves come to take the father away and above all she loved the dancing Tea Cups.

I thought the timing of the play, the characters and the music was just perfect. It was enthralling for the little kids and very simplistic for us. The production quality was ok though. But for the size of the theatre it was just right.

Right after the performance all the characters stood outside to chat with the guests and I think that was so sweet. You get to meet the characters, who were 12-16 year old kids. My daughter was so pleased to take a picture with Belle and was asking the director, Carol DIno all sorts of questions- Where did you get the clothes from, how did the music come etc etc. She was patient enough to answer all the questions.

My husband was outside for a bit and saw that the girl who played Belle had fallen down on her knees during the performance. She was icing her knee in between the shots. When he told me, I was shocked. The Princess didnt show it for the play and the meet and greet after. So very professional.

It is an inspiration to see these kids perform with so much confidence, grace and attitude. It is a lifetime's learning’s for the kids from the Training Academy.

Overall, my Mothers Day got sweeter with this lovely performance.

I received free tickets for the performance for review. The views expressed are solely my own

It's going to be different this year!!!

And it dawns on me... thanks to slick advertisements on TV and grocery store with cards, and baskets and me getting emails: this deal that deal for this day that I know Mother’s Day is coming.
One evening, while seeing one of those cute (cheesy) advertisements for mother's day, I asked SD: So when is it this year? He was as clueless as me. And yes, in all fairness, I am as clueless about Father's Day as well. I am sure the slick advertisements will tell me.
I googled, and now I know: May 9th. Perfect, Sunday! I could head for brunch with family. SD could get me a card, V will definitely have an art project and a lovely gift waiting for me. I will call my mother and mother in law, and wish them. And maybe I would write a mushy post after about how great the day was! On how I got pampered; or how, I could sleep in and not worry about a thing.
But wait a minute. I am fine if it turns out to be just another lovely Sunday. I will be fine cheering for SD's cricket game or getting up earlier to cook up V's favorite breakfast, or head out to zoo! It could be more than what Hallmark dictates it to be. Don't get me wrong, I love hallmark Day's. No harm done is my take.
Remainder of the year, SD will continue to volunteer to help clean up dishes. V will shower me with unexpected kisses and cute one-liners. My mother’s will mean as much as any other day. I will still consult my mother on OMG, How to I store this. Or ask my mother in law, how to cook this! They will be equally supportive. SD will continue to do his bit to support my crazy endeavors, stepping up to let me chill with my girls or simply be him and cheer me along. My friends will continue to help me out when I really need to shower or just pee and V needs to be fed!
So you know what, every day, is a mother's day for me.
Hmm, so may be, this year, I will reverse Mother's day meaning. It might just become a day, when I thank all the special people in my life, who help out in big and small ways to make me a better person, a better mother and happier self! Yes, that's going to be my mother's day gift to others!

Brunch at my place, while they put their feet up and relax, I thank them for being wonderful to a confused mother through the year!