Found 'em

Nicki recently sent me a note about hard-boiled egg molds used by insane Japanese mothers when making obento (lunch boxes) for their child. Only a woman with one (and maybe a baby who often sleeps) would do what these women do. We were several months into the semester when I saw the obento section in the department store. It is bigger than the hair care isle at Wal-Mart. There is such a selection of lunch making paraphenalia - I mean character shaped molds for rice balls and vegetables, sparkley seaweed sprinkles, stuff I never dreamed of. I was completely ashamed of what I give Alex for lunch. (But she likes PB&J.) These moms must seriously spend an hour putting this art form together. They are over the top gorgeous. I think Alex is lucky when she gets a left-over burrito. Her teacher grills her every day on what she is eating. I'm so pitiful, I get a thumbs up from her teacher when I put in a note for my child saying "I love you!" One day I cut hearts in her nori (the seaweed covering her rice ball). The teacher did cartwheels and so did Alex. I am so ashamed of my weakness.

Now, back to Nicki's note. She told me they have these really cool molds. You boil the egg and peel it, then immediately pop it in the mold, smash the lid on and rest it in cold water. When it's cool, your egg is in the shape of a fish, rabbit, teddy bear or car. Found them tonight at the Y100 shop. The kids were with me and Alex yelled, "Hey, all the kids in my class have eggs like those!" You see, when asked how you know that your mother loves you, a Japanese child will respond, "Because she makes my obento." I am a total failure.

But in the hopes of redemption, I bought the molds.