Jen's Mental Scribblings

Last Friday night was my monthly Mom's Night Out. Conversations during these nights always range all over the place. At one point we were talking about Gluten-Free baking. One of the Mom's daughter attends a school that requires home-made snacks and in her case they have to be gluten and egg free (a child in the class is not only a celiac, but anaphylactic allergic to eggs). So  we were talking about different products and different methods of GF baking. I mentioned that allanh bought me a GF baking book produced by the CIA for Christmas. Both of the other Mom's looked a bit confused, but let me go on. Then one of them asks, "What does the CIA have to do with GF Baking? And why would they produce a book?"

"Are you thinking that CIA means Central Intelligence Agency?"

They nod.

"Its the Culinary Institute of America"

Blank stares.

"Its the number one Culinary Academy in America."

More blank stares.

"You've never heard of it?"

Both shake heads.

I virtually hit my head on the desk.

They both concede that it makes sense that that CIA would produce a book on GF baking.

Ut.

I just got off the phone with my friend C (different person than last time) who called to say that she might not make it to the beach with the group tomorrow.

J:"Oh no, what's going on?"
C:"Oh L had a bad night last night and if he does it again, I won't be able to make it."
J:"Oh? What happened?"
C:"He went to bed normally and woke up screaming at 10PM and took an hour and a half to fall back asleep."
J:"And he slept the rest of the night?"
C:"Yea, but it took forever to get him back down. Every time I put him in his bed, he'd wake up."
J:"That's it? C you are talking to a person who hasn't had a decent night sleep in 4 years."
Crickets

I guess she didn't appreciate being called a wimp in not so many words, but C'MON! 11:30 is my normal bedtime! It takes that long to get everyone to sleep and do a minimum of household chores, and maybe jump Joe on a good night.

Sheesh! Some people are just damn spoiled! I am not the person to complain to 'cause for one night in a blue moon your kid kept you up for an hour and a half. The last time I had an uninterrupted night's sleep was in March when I was at Allan and Randy's House and no kids.

Oy!

I've made a friend at the Y. She's a lovely, older Indian lady who is visiting her family for a few months. Her daughter goes to work out and so she sits in the lobby and we started talking. On thursday she mentioned that they were going shopping after the Y at 99 Ranch for Pomfrit and shrimp. She then stated that she was going to be making curry out of them so that she wouldn't have to cook for a couple of days. 

I said "Ooo that sounds good!" she asked if I like Indian food, and of course I said I love it! (Which I do!) She then stated that she would have to bring me some.  Cool! Then she says she'll not put in so many chiles. I assured her that she could give me the straight dope, and that I love hot & spicy food.

Yesterday we all managed to get to the gym at the same time. She says "Oh good! I have something for you." And she pulls out this gladware container full of shrimp curry. I put it into the car and I just got a chance to eat it.

OH MY GOD. It was wonderful. Flavorful, redolent of spices, a lovely hint of cilantro, a gentle overtone of a shrimp flavor...and then the heat starts to kick in. It started in the back of my mouth and came forward, and got hotter the longer I left my mouth empty. The heat was wonderful, but never overcame the taste of the sauce.  Needless to say, my nose started to run.  I haven't had indian food like that since college when a dormmate brought food from home.

I am so going to beg her to show me how to make it! I need to know!

Now I also have to figure out what to put in the container to send back. I'm not sure what to send. I'm thinking either chili or my chicken and dumplings. I'm sure allanh will have a suggestion for me.