Life changes. There's no doubt about it. And although the changes aren't always welcome, they come along anyway.
So could be said about youngest child and only daughter, leaving the nest about three weeks ago. She has just turned 21, so in comparison to her three older brothers, she's a late bloomer. But then, she is still studying, and that in itself, ruled out independent living for some time. In recent months, she floated the idea with us, being that we would be the ones funding said 'independent living', and we agreed that The Time Had Come.
A suitable share arrangement with a Uni bestie had arisen, and it seemed that along with The Time Has Come, Seize The Day was the apt motto.
So it is, that Husband and I now find ourselves co-parenting a cat that she wanted (no great hardship really), and fielding up to a dozen phone calls a day. Topics listed as follows:
Q. How do I make stir-fry sauce?
Answer: Make a cup of broth with a stock cube, add whatever flavours you want, thicken it with a paste of cornflour and water.
Q. Where do I buy Pho paste from?
Answer: Any Asian Grocer stocks several versions of a Pho (Vietnamese Noodle Soup) Base.
Note: See restaurant worthy version of her Pho above, our first meal with her in her own place.
Q. How do you make Gnocchi? Can I make beetroot gnocchi?
Answer: Roast a fresh beetroot and one or two large potatoes. Allow the potato to cool, and grate it finely. Puree the beetroot and add to the mashed potato. Season well. Add an egg and enough gluten free flour to form a dough. Divide into four portions. Freeze some if you want for another day. Take a portion of the dough, and roll into a long sausage. Cut the sausage into nuggets, and flatten with a fork. Add to boiling water and cook briefly until hot. Serve with olive oil, parmesan and cracked pepper.
Q.Can I make fresh gluten free pasta.
Answer: Yes. It's just gluten free flour, and an egg, formed into a dough, rolled flat and cut into noodles with a sharp knife. You can even tint the noodles different colours for fun.
Q. Now that I'm broke, what can I give my friends for gifts?
Answer: A home made cake is always a winner. Palette knife flowers are dead easy.
Or come raid my scarf stash or grab some thrifted scarves, launder gently of course.
Then embroider with cute icons meaningful to the recipient.
I love this one with beetles and butterflies.
It's a whole new world for her and for us.
I think we can all make it work.
Happy Days.
What big changes are afoot there?
...Mimi...
