For his last meal, I made something called the "bacon explosion". Yes, this was not appropriate for a proclaimed vegetarian to prepare, but since it was his last meal with us as a boy under our roof, I thought I would succumb to his wishes. Just look at this...
Now, I'm not going to take the credit for the woven bacon mat. I attempted this, but failed miserably, continually weaving strips where they didn't belong. Finally, in frustration, I grabbed the hideous mat, balled up the raw bacon in my hand and threw it back down onto the cookie sheet. The 15-year-old girl, who is also a vegetarian, was having wild success weaving her bacon mat, and asked if I would like it if she wove mine. I said yes.
Then, as if a woven mat of bacon wasn't enough, we fried more bacon with sausage, added onions, garlic, spices and a sauce, rolled it up, then baked it. If you have carnivorous men in your family you would like to really impress, I would suggest making this for them. Just search "bacon explosion" on youtube. The 18-year-old boy pointed out how easy that is to remember because "bacon" and "explosion" are the two coolest things on the planet.
For those who chose life and health over angioplasty, there were other alternatives to the bacon explosion, such as this lovely strawberry salad...
...and mashed potatoes...
(You know I always have to throw in a picture of the twins since they're adorably gorgeous.)
The next day it was time to drop him off at the airport. Even though native El Pasoans make fun our of town for many reasons, including the fact that it is the third "fattest" city in the nation, and the first "sweatiest", I have to say that the airport renovation it just lovely. Copper patina seems to be the theme, such as the roof with pineapple accents...
...and this metal carving along a divider...
There are Mexican and Southwest accents throughout as well...
Okay, enough of that. Back to the 18-year-old boy. Here he is checking in...
I can only imagine the thrill he was feeling knowing that he was taking the first step to striking out on his own.
There was sadness on our parts as we said goodbye...
But there was also indifference...
....and even maybe not so much sadness because I think there were some left-behind X-BOX agreements that took place with the 10-year-old boy...
After he boarded, we hung out a little longer...
...and just in case you want to know, I'm doing okay. My stomach does do a little flip every time I think of him on his own, but then I remember what a good boy his is and that my sister will make him do push-ups if he messes up in any way.
Miss you, 18-year-old boy!
Today on Whole Food Kids: Dark Chocolate Shakes...
Hmmm, I had a time like this, but I was the young one leaving and traveling, and it was so cool!
ReplyDeleteBest wishes to him and to you.
And yes the twins are adorably gorgeous.
I know all about this! I am going through the same thing. You sound a bit braver then me..care to share some tips?
ReplyDeleteThose are some really great pictures too!!
My kids love bacon..I'm going to have to check that recipe out!
Thanks!
Ummm, that bacon explosion was a little gift of love to your son wasn't it? I would have given up on the mat as well. I am sure it smelled good.
ReplyDeleteYour twins are cute as buttons and your little baby is adorable!
Those pictures brought tears to my eyes and reminded me of the time my two oldest left to go serve with an organization for three months. They had never been away from home except for the occasional grandma visit. That was had. They survived. It was four years ago now and I had just found out I was pregnant with number nine. Thanks for bringing this to mind.
I am sure your son will do good!
I haven't been blogging much, and I missed you! I also must have missed where he is going? My four are still small...makes my heart hurt to think of them up and leaving me. They won't really, will they?
ReplyDeleteHow did you ever manage to take pictures? I would have been fogging up the camera lens with my bawling!
ReplyDeleteJb, I think taking pictures made it a bit easier and I really wanted to document it to have later.
ReplyDeletei'm glad you tried to kill him before he left. that was the most disgusting thing i have ever seen in my entire life.
ReplyDeleteI have so many memories of leaving home and family from the El Paso airport for the many adventures I had when leaving the nest. But there were also several homecomings at the same airport. My favorite was the carpet with the two lizards that look like they were ripped off from the Sobe label. Only a few more years till our eldest probably leaves for her first adventures from that airport.
ReplyDeleteYou and my mother... She had a little tear when they droped me off at the air port... But were happy a month later when I told them they would no longer need to pay for my insurance! lol! But now she is sad again becuase I am out here having a baby without her.. ugh can't win with you mothers!
ReplyDeletei couldn't imagine saying good-bye to my oldest son. You sound like a champ mamma!! I loved the letter you wrote him and glad you shared it! I appreciate your willingness to share the deep thoughts of your soul with the blogging world. I truly enjoy reading the words you type. You are a strong woman... THANK YOU FOR YOUR EXAMPLE!
ReplyDeleteOh my goodness Jen!!! I could NOT believe it when I opened the email of this posting and saw the 'Bacon Explosion' on it!!!!! !!!!! !!!!! Extremely health food conscious Jen, made the 'Bacon Explosion' - Shockaroo!!! ;-p
ReplyDeleteBut I am so proud of you for doing so!! See, all five of the guys in this family have earmarked that recipe as a "we ARE going to make that sometime!", let alone my daughter-in-love whom is a bacon fanantic ....so it doesn't surprsie me that your 18 year old son would have done so too. But for 'mainly a vegan' 'Mexico Jen' to make it herself, definetly an act of love!!! Good job mom!
The recipe recommends using 'Byron's Butt Rub'as a seasoning. Seeings how Byron is the name of our eldest son .... yeah. Lot's of humor lines over that part around here .... guys!
I do plan on trying some of it when we make it, but I would also like some of your salad ;-}
An idea for you, when the twins and three year old get to the point of constantly asking when or how long till we see the 18 year old again? take a piece of paper and write the number of days left, you know, start it at let's say 32 and count down to 1. Hang the paper up high on their bedroom door. Then every morning have somebody hold each one of them up so that they all get to put a line through the number. When you go see your sister and the 18 year old boy, take the paper to him. He will think it's cool!
Did the 18 year old boy tell the 10 year old boy he had to take over some of his chores in order to use the X-box? ;-p
Tears and smiles, smiles and tears, a mother's right of passage with children leaving her nest.
Hey, Jenny - Comment #1: I think my name - bacon blast - is cooler. And it was surprisingly good, too!
ReplyDeleteComment #2: I'm glad I couldn't go to the airport with you guys - your pictures made me plenty sad enough.
Comment #3: Just for the record - the "pineapple" decor at the airport are actually agave plants. You know - southwest theme and all - but not southwest Hawaii! Love, Mom
Well, Mom, I wish we could have been sad together. And thanks for the correction about the pineapple. The agave makes more sense. Figures our airport would sport the tequila-making plant on its roof.
ReplyDelete