I went to a friend’s baby shower this afternoon. Of course, my own baby wanted to be the star of the show. She’s been fussy these past few days, and I should have known that her behavior would only intensify in the presence of others. I tried to nurse her, which meant I soon had milk running down my stomach and staining my shirt. At church, earlier that morning, I had to SOP milk off the chair I had nursed on. I’m talking PUDDLES ( I make A LOT of milk, which is both a blessing and a curse.)
So after my breast shot milk across the table and Lucy’s whimpers began to border on full-fledged yelps, I decided it was time for us to leave the shower. I carted her away in what’s quickly becoming my number one enemy: the car seat. Car seats are too heavy. I would pay someone a hefty sum to an invent a car seat that is remarkably safe while also being under two pounds.
If you can sense an air of discouragement in this post, you wouldn’t be far off the mark. I’m tired and on edge. I feel like a good night’s sleep, a long bath, and a dinner out with Ryan would do me some real good…but as you know, infants don’t allow for much “me” time.
But perhaps what I truly needed today, I did actually receive. Because before I left the baby shower, I got to hear the wisdom and words of the women in attendance. We each went around and gave advice to the mother-to-be. I know I wasn’t the only one that teared up during this timeless transmission. Women (old, young, mothers, not-mothers) shared their hearts and wisdom. We reminded each other of the value in MOTHER. Because we were all children once, and if we were lucky, we remember what it felt like to be so completely loved.
And so I must remember this. My daughter is more than I could have imagined. She stretches me, she breaks me, she captivates me. I bring her to my breast now and she smiles as she nuzzles close. Her laughter is richer than any sound I’ve heard. Her unintelligible syllables are far more moving than any line of poetry I’ve read. And when she sighs as she rests her head on my chest and I can feel her breath deepen as she falls asleep, I know that what I’m doing–mothering–is the both the best and the hardest job in the world.
And in the culinary world: This deconstructed spring roll salad made an appearance on our dining room table a few weeks ago. They make for an immensely popular appetizer or a light weekday lunch. The first batch I made was gone within minutes. The tangy sauce, the crispy wonton shell, and the flavorful pork made for food that was delightful to eat and to admire.
Deconstructed Spring Roll Salad
*From McCormick Spices
2 tablespoons fish sauce
2 tablespoons rice vinegar
2 tablespoons sugar
2 tablespoons sesame oil
1 tablespoon chopped chives
1 tablespoon soy sauce
1 tablespoon red chili sauce
2 boneless pork chops, 1/2 inch thick
1/2 cup carrots
5 cups spring green mix
12 wonton wrappers
Mix fish sauce, vinegar, sesame oil, sugar, chives, soy sauce and chili sauce in small bowl with wire whisk until well blended. Reserve 1/2 of the vinaigrette. Place pork chops in resealable plastic bag or glass dish. Add remaining vinaigrette; toss to coat well. Refrigerate 30 minutes.
Preheat oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Spray both sides of wonton wrappers with no stick cooking spray. Place a 12-cup muffin tin upside down. Press a wonton wrapper around the outside of each muffin cup. Bake 3 to 5 minutes or until wonton wrappers are lightly browned. Cool on wire rack.
Grill or broil pork chops until desired doneness. Cool slightly. Cut into thin strips. Mix salad greens, pork and carrot in large bowl. Add reserved vinaigrette; toss to coat well. Fill wonton cups with salad mixture. Serve immediately.