Nunnymolers in the New Kitchen

For the better part of three weeks our entire family worked hard and lived in a bit of chaos as our kitchen was renovated. Since then we have been pondering what would serve as an appropriate celebratory meal in our new kitchen. Tonight Boy 2 got tired of pondering and did something about it: he planned, purchased, and prepared a three-course gourmet meal from the land of Redwall.

Redwall exists only in the minds of author Brian Jacques and his innumerable readers. In this land the mice and other small animals of field and forest often sup at a banquet table laden with delectables such as the Nunnymolers we feasted upon tonight, along with Shrimp and Hotroot Soup, Golden Hill Pears, and October (Ginger) Ale.

Boy 2 read most of the books written by Mr. Jacques (I think he has counted 32) over the past year. Every time he entered his school's library, the librarian chatted with him over the new volumes she had recently added to their collection in anticipation of his readiness for the next one.

As he read, I had the pleasure of hearing his laughter, exclamations, and empathy for the land of Redwall and its residents. More than a few times I heard Boy 2 exclaim, "Oh, that sounds so GOOOOOD!" as he read of their many feasts.

Perusing Mr. Jacques's website one day months ago, we discovered he had written a cookbook with many of the scrumptious recipes his Redwall folk enjoyed. Thankful for his hard work for our new kitchen and knowing his love for cooking, I presented him with his very own copy of The Redwall Cookbook.

Immediately, Boy 2 read the cookbook straight through and planned his first meal; the meal we all enjoyed tonight.

Although he insisted upon cooking the feast with only the help of his sous chef (Boy 1), Boy 2 did allow me to transport him to the grocery store for his purchases and sought my advice at certain points in the preparation.

Boy 2's efforts resulted not only in an unmatched culinary experience and grand celebration of our new kitchen, but a warmth of spirit as we all anticipated and enjoyed his meal. The satisfaction his father and I witnessed on Boy 2's face as we enjoyed his creations was priceless.

But the moment that topped it all for me was the moment Boy 2 looked at me and exclaimed, "I am so tired and my feet hurt! I cannot believe you do this every night!"