Thomas Keller Is A Verb

It's been a hectic week and I won't bore you with all the details, but let's just say it is no fun to have a fever of 101, a broken down fridge, no computer, and a hungry family to feed.

When it rains, it pours. And here in Oklahoma, there is usually some hail, lightening, and a tornado, or two, to go along with it.

One prevails though, and I find comfort in this little world we've carved out here in the blogosphere. It is great fun(!). And such a joy to log on and see your thoughtful posts and messages. I really do mean that.

Some people think computers and technology have separated us. And to an extent, I guess that is true. There are times when I am typing away on my computer when I could be outside visiting with neighbors. But truth is, I don't have much in common with them. And the computer allows me to keep in touch with my family and friends who live in other states and countries. Also it allows me to meet people who share the same interests and hobbies, such as you. A good friend who lives in France once said to me, What would we do without our magic boxes? I would be lost.

I had a nasty bug and knew it was serious when I didn't feel like eating or using the computer. I felt guilty because I wasn't in a cooking mood. So my family survived on simple meals while I dined on Jello and Melba Toast.

One hectic day, my son was in a hurry to get out the door, so I offered to make him a sandwich. Delicately I sliced the bread, slathered the mayo, layered the turkey and lettuce, taking care to make it just right. Then my perturbed son said, You don't have to Thomas Keller it Mom, I'm in a hurry.

Now, we don't exactly set around talking about Thomas Keller all the time. So I was surprised when my son knew who Thomas Keller was. And this sandwich I was making was nowhere near the level of a Thomas Keller sandwich. But Thomas Keller is an icon for perfection and my OCD son can certainly relate to that. So my son coined the term to represent perfection in food, or, in our case, just putting a little extra effort into our regular run-of-the-mill, home cooked fare.

We had a little chuckle because we've never eaten at a Thomas Keller restaurant before, and more than likely never will. But the term stuck. So now, whenever we go all out on a dish or a meal, my kids refer to it as Thomas Kellering it. It is funny how kids invent new terms and words like that. In our family: black olives are Bee Bops, we carve Jack-Pumpkin's on Halloween, and whenever we need to make a quick turn in traffic, we say, Hold on Nathan. We're gonna go pick up Daddy.

Well, it is late, the fridge is fixed, my cold is starting to ease, and all seems right with the world as I set here typing on my new computer, listening to Debussy's Claire De Lune.

Hopefully, I will be back to regular cooking and recipe posting soon. In the mean time, my kids loved this Ad Hoc's Rice With Roasted Cauliflower recipe. It is almost a meal in itself.