In celebration of my brother...

"To the outside world we all grow old. But not to brothers and sisters. We know each other as we always were. We know each other's hearts. We share private family jokes. We remember family feuds and secrets, family griefs and joys. We live outside the touch of time." ~ Clara Ortega

There's a full moon in the sky tonight - go check it out if you can. On the full moon in this month Raksha Bandhan is celebrated. It is a day which celebrates the bond between brothers and sisters - and literally stands for 'a bond of protection' - the sister prays that her brother would be protected from evil and the brother promises that he would protect his sister from any harm or trouble.

I tied the rakhi for my brother today. It's a physical representation of a bond that's already very strong. He's younger than me though sometimes acts as though he's older than me. I didn't particularly like him in the very early years. That changed when I ran away from home (yes, I've run away from home - I didn't go very far)... when I returned home what hurt the most was the tears from my brother not the vexation/punishment from my parents. I'd never thought that he'd miss me or be worried just as I'd never thought that hearing him cry for me would be so heart-wrenching. It was... and so from that day on I've tried my best to take care of him. The boy, no matter how big of a man he grows to be, is my baby brother forever and always and I love him.

I used to pick him up from primary school and we'd walk home together.

We had our own secret game - which drove our mom crazy cuz she just didn't get it.

He was 8 when mom was diagnosed with cancer and so when she couldn't manage to take care of him/us I did.

He is exceptionally brilliant at anything that he puts his mind to.

He is my partner in dealing with the parents now... we've got a sort of good cop/bad cop vibe.

When I am peckish he makes me goodies - he's a far better baker than I am.  

Two years ago this weekend, he was in New Jersey and I was in Massachusetts - we took the weekend off and spent it in New York. We stayed at a hostel in Chelsea, stumbled across the Rubin Museum which had an awesome exhibit on mandalas, saw Phantom of the Opera, had dessert at Bryant Park, interesting conversation with a bartender at Von, the best French Toast at a diner, got taken for a ride in one of those bike-carts, and had an overall very fun time together. Precious - because I can't think of a time when it will be just the two of us with nothing to do but have fun.   

Giving thanks for my brother tonight... saying a prayer for his continued well-being... sending love his way always.

Peace,

Ren

I'm having cravings... or A list of The Best Things I Ever Ate

“Enchant, stay beautiful and graceful, but do this, eat well. Bring the same consideration to the preparation of your food as you devote to your appearance. Let your dinner be a poem, like your dress.” ~ Charles Pierre Monselet

It's very strange really... I don't know why I'm having them. Is it hormones? Stress? Time of the year? The fact that I know people who are pregnant (can one have sympathy cravings... hmm)? The fact is though that I'm having food cravings - which come on very suddenly and very strongly. :( I don't know why ... is it because I'm slightly hungry? Aargh! What's worse is that I know exactly where to get what I'm craving... *sigh*

Last month I had a craving for vegetarian spring rolls from Kam Wah - I've only recently been introduced to this restaurant in Maraval - though I've known of its existence for years I'd never actually been - let me tell you: The Best Veg Spring Rolls... Ever! I was leaving Port-of-Spain after having to work the afternoon shift at the Energy Conference when suddenly I could taste and smell the fabulousness that is the spring roll. No, I did not get any... traffic and tiredness after work meant I drove straight home and ended up eating roti and some vegetable I can't remember right now.

After getting back from California in January I found myself craving broccoli-cheese soup. I love broccoli-cheese soup. I believe that craving came to the fore because I had a most excellent cup of it at Panera Bread, CA. I'd first tasted their soup in New Jersey last year. It be the most scrumptious soup... *sigh* There are no Panera Bread outlets in Trinidad and Tobago... and although Panera Bread has recipes on their website - they don't have the broccoli-cheese soup recipe up (WHY???)...

At the moment I'm craving singapore noodles. From a restaurant in Chaguanas called 'Passage to Asia' which means that I can actually get some. I know that there's food at home though... and I sorta am trying not to buy food when there is at home (or when there is stuff that I can make at home). Aargh! WHY do I want these noodles? :s

*sigh* This is a bit of a whiny post so I'm turning it around. Perhaps if I embrace the fact that I've had great food experiences these cravings will go away? One can hope.

A list then ... of The Best Things I Ever Ate! (in no particular order... in fact I'm sure I'll probably miss a few):

• Vegetarian Spring Rolls (Kam Wah)
• Broccoli-Cheese Soup (Panera Bread)
• Very Berry Bread Pudding (The Red Lion Inn) - my mom and I spent a night here last year - we both thought it was totally yum :)
• Aged Cheddar Baked Macaroni & Cheese (B. B. King Blues Club & Grill) - took my mom to a buffet brunch to see Strawberry Fields (a look-a-like, sound-a-like Beatles tribute)
• Carrot Cake (Bryant Park Cafe) - my brother and I spent a weekend in NYC in 2009... it's an expensive place - we only bought dessert ;)
• Spanakopita (Kripalu) - I spent time here in 2009 - overall the food is amazing. I must add: poached egg over braised vegetables, buckwheat pancakes, olive bread, goat cheese balls (don't knock it till you've tried it) and cheesecake...
• Callaloo - as made by my mom.
• Dhal - as made by me (original recipe provided by dad - not sure where he got the measurements from as he does not cook)
• Crepes / Pancakes / any breakfast-ish item - as made by my brother (who is amazing in the kitchen)
• French Toast - from a diner somewhere in Chelsea, NY - made with challah bread - simply divine... I can probably find the actual address somewhere...
• Carrot muffins - from a supermarket in Canada - my mom, brother and I visited Canada in 2001 - my aunt brought these home from the supermarket - I ate most of them and she went back to find more... lol...

I think that's it for now... can't think of anymore at the moment though I'm sure there are many... and surprisingly - I'm no longer craving singapore noodles...

Yay!

peace,

Ren