The following story happened when I was... five or six?
My mom, being inclined to All Things Natural, used cloth diapers for my brother and I when we were babies. She made Ghostie out of one for me - it was my security blanket of sorts - a round head, rubber band neck, layers of ghost about 6 inches in length.
Ghostie went everywhere with me.
One day, driving home from Grandma + Grandpa Z's house at the beach, I opened the "wing" window of the Volvo and stuck Ghostie's head up to it.
I suppose for fresh air?
This is where it gets tragic.
Ghostie was sucked out the car window so fast. I remember feeling a huge mixture of emotion, and I sat there in silence. My brother told my mom to pull over, we had a problem.
She pulled over, I explained through heartbreak and sobs that Ghostie flew out the window! We must go back and find him! My brother told me I should have said something right away, and that we were miles away now. Mom told me that a nice deer would find Ghostie and take him home with her.
I spent the rest of the car ride in silent tears, feeling a desperate loss. We made it home, unpacked the car and I went to my room.
This is one of those stories I tell to make a point about how much I love my brother:
He came into my room probably an hour later... holding A New Ghostie. He made me a new one.
I still have Ghostie today.
Right now during such tragedy and loss, I am taking extra time to tell my loved ones how much they mean to me. I am appreciating everything. I am making sure there are bright spots to every day.
... and we have people over and I feed them. It's one of my favorite things to do.
This weekend we enjoyed a house full of laughter, fun people, great food. Including a new hummus:
garlic & chive hummus
1 can garbanzo beans, drained, save liquid
2-3 cloves garlic, minced
3-5 chives, finely chopped
juice of ½ lemon
1 tablespoon olive oil
½ teaspoon sea salt
Combine beans, garlic, chives, oil and salt in food processor until smooth. If needed, add a small amount of saved liquid from garbanzo beans to adjust consistency.
Serve with pita, crackers, olives and cucumbers.
Did you have a special stuffed animal or security blanket when you were little?
lynda says
How long does this last refrigerated?
spabettie says
hi Lynda! my rule is 3-4 days, and hummus doesn't last that long around here anyway! I'm sure it will last longer, but I'm not the best person to ask because I have a weird thing about food sitting around too long.