Since the first of the year Lydia and I have been having a “mother-daughter day” one Saturday every month. We leave Olof and the little kids at home and drive to town, where we eat a leisurely lunch together and then maybe do a little shopping. It’s been good for the two of us to have some one-on-one time set aside when neither of us is distracted by the TV or the telephone or the other kids or what-have-you. In the space of just a few months it’s taken on the status of a “family tradition,” and we both look forward to it all month. It’s something I’d like to continue doing for as long as she lives at home, and I hope she’ll grow up with fond memories of our monthly lunches.

Today we went to the Chinese restaurant Lill Kina, where I had stir-fried noodles and vegetables and Lydia had a burger and fries. She’s not so adventurous where food is concerned, obviously, but I’ve got to admit that she comes by it honestly. If it weren’t for the two vegetarian options on the menu, I wouldn’t find much of anything to eat there either. Like my friend Ellen‘s vegetarianism, my lack of enthusiasm for eating meat was born mostly of squeamishness and pickiness. Just the thought of much of what’s offered at Chinese restaurants (squid? Not on your life.) is enough to set my stomach churning. We stuck with the safe choices, though, and had a satisfying, tasty lunch.

When we came home, Lydia had a message to call one of her friends, and she set off shortly for a sleepover. Olof and I spent most of the evening in front of the TV, and have just finished watching Supersize Me. Wow. I’d write more about that, but I’ve got to finish this up so we can run to town and hit the fast-food drive-through before coming back to watch The Princess Bride.

I’m not kidding.