Special Mom’s blog

Today is Varalakshmi Pooja. A ritual I greatly enjoy. The past three days my boy had been helping me in the kitchen but today, I literally banned him since I really wanted some peace. A long list of food is prepared and offered and my white board was ready with that list. In fact I unloaded the dishwasher and that is a job I never take away from my son. A concept called MADI, basically cleanliness banned us children in our childhood from entering the kitchen during the festive times. I truly understand why they did it only today. I enjoyed the peace and quiet as I prepared my offerings.

The smell of good food attracts my boy. So to counteract that smell my husband got him Donuts and coffee from Dunkin Donuts. But as my Mashapoopa or lentil donuts were being fried, these a spicy treat pulled my boy into the kitchen. Simultaneously I was also working on my rice dumplings. These are not something I make frequently and I had two kind if fillings ready, one sweet and another spicy. A youtube maami (Aunty) had given an idea that it was fine to make the sweet filling a day before and that is what I did. My worry was how am I going to save it from my foodie boy and by God’s grace he did not find it. He hates these fillings yet his curiosity always gets the better of him. Anyhow these momos were more challenging than I thought.

Early morning I had made a phonecall to my parents, when my Dad listed a list of goodies made by our neighbor and had shared with them. My parents do not do this pooja or ritual so the neighbor had generously shared with them the neivedhyam or food and they were having them with their evening coffee. The list was double to what I do. As I put my phone down and started my day, I was in two minds if I should add one more item to the list. I had all the ingredients and it was something I can do with ease. Nei appam or the jaggery mixed rice flour sweet was attacking my brain as I set my day into motion.

But as the clock ticked, I was overwhelmed by the work that was already on hand. I decided to drop the extra dish out of my mind. It is Lord Krishna’s favorite and I decided I would do for his birthday. Then I went back to finish the dumplings and my fried lentil donut.

I also took up on myself the task of cleaning the kitchen as I checked off each item. By the time all was done and I was prepared for my prayers the kitchen was clean. I think that was one of my biggest achievement of the day. The prayers lasts nearly an hour with lot of rituals and cleaning would be hard if I had a sinkful of cooked vessels.

Anyhow my boy with success was able to control himself until I was finished with my prayers and had his lunch with all the treats. Offering to God before us eating is a big part of our tradition. This is something very hard for an impulsive foodie boy. But that was his training today.

This is my 25th year of doing this prayer. I really felt blessed after today’s prayers since it is not an easy task and I have been given that energy to do the same. I usually order flowers online from Indian shops but this year I missed the date and the orders closed. But my garden did provide me with rose of sharon and of course some jasmine (which I had refrigerated over three days) and that made this 25th year special. Two dozen store bought roses added more beauty to the altar.

This really kickstarts the Hindu festive season and the next couple of months me and my boy will be busy in the kitchen. Yes, for the rest of the festivals my boy will be joining me for the food preparation. Today was an exception and I enjoyed it.😊