HAPPY DIWALI!

Today is the Hindu celebration of lights. A friend bemoaned to me that her non-Hindu husband didn't bother to celebrate this holiday with her, and it seemed like her version of Christmas and New Year's all rolled up together. So PP and I decided to make a grand gesture, and if that failed, guilt her into having dinner with us! So we sent the most pathetic pleading pictures and my friend laughed. Bahahahahahahahahahahaha! Then she said, I'm just holding back to saying yes in case I finish late. I can text as the day progresses. One final adorable picture of PP and Calico, and I heard nothing.

I thought it was a go.

I went to Pushap for sweets and finally figured out what a Ladoo was. I ordered 3 almond and pistachio ladoo (I had never had before, but remember this being a real treat to a child widow in the 2005 TIFF premiere Water), 3 julebi, 3 almond barfi (my favorite) and 3 dil bahar, and wished everybody a happy Diwali.

I got 4 samosas with tamarind hot sauce, and ate one in the car on the way home. Boy, they smelled great!

I bought cardamom seeds and evaporated milk for chai.

I bought cauliflower and pumpkin for aloo gobi and a delicious curry.

I got naan from the freezer out to thaw. I had even made cabbage squares for the occasion.

I tried to pan fry the papadum, but it burnt, so I did the remaining in the microwave for the magic minute.

We were ready at 17:30 with table set. I found every candle in the house and turned on the twinkle lights. There was a jug of cold water in the fridge, and napkins with a fall theme. It had surprised me with rain late this afternoon, so the chalk mandala on the front step was a wash, but I had the feeling PP would come through, and we had found a few coloring pages and pencil crayons for after supper to fill in the gap. I had started the rice and turned on the oven to warm the naan and samosas when I thought I had given her enought time. I often stay late after the shift 7-15, but usually know what is up by now, and I still hadn't heard. She called, and said she was heading home. I was a little surprised, wished her a happy Diwali, and told her about cooking all afternoon, as well as Rebecca's artistic surprise that she had been working on for about an hour and a half, barricading me from the basement throughout!

 She said, "Traffic, late, pen and paper, bla-bla-bla". I thought I had given her a pretty good estimation of our effort for the invite, but she was not having it. Too bad. It was meant to show her love as a guest of honour.

So our first Diwali reminded me of a bad birthday party one year when only one guest made it to the party, and a thanksgiving when my ex's whole family decided last minute to be out of town. Except it was a lot better, because we lit the candles and ate way too much, and admired our handiwork and grand gesture. By the end, I reached out to friends that I was to meet for Indian tomorrow, and invited them here. I may be down two samosas, but I have plenty of the rest. Shouldn't be a total loss. PP did try everything, even if the samosa required ice for recovery!

So here's to Diwali, and the grand gestures of life that go sideways. Too bad this one has so many dishes!