Joyous Festival, everyone. It's Passover season again -- that time when "being mindful about what I eat" takes on an entirely new feel. Grocery stores always amuse me. In the "kosher food" section, the top shelf is usually filled with boxes of various types of matzo, all knocked askew because shoppers are poking around for a last box or two of "Kosher for Passover" and all we find are "Not Kosher for Passover" overstocks. When I finally find that end-cap set aside for Passover sales, there is always a large empty section where the Matzo *USED* to be stocked. Now there is just one sad half-sized box of "Israeli Chocolate-covered Matzo" (kosher for passover and year round) next to countless bottles of grape juice from Kedem.

I did go home with a jar of my favorite horseradish (with beets, the last one in the store), a small bag of apples (for my own charoset all week), a small bag of slivered almonds (because I'm not a fan of walnuts), two jars of gefilte fish (which I *love*), some tuna (for variety with lunches and brunches), and some matzo ball soup in a can (for when I'm desperate). I called ahead to my best friends, to see if I could go home with a box of matzo if they bought one of those 5-lb packs (I could, and they did).

Passover (night #1) was the smallest family gathering this set of friends had hosted in, well, forever. Families have come and gone in our gang of friends, many with their own traditions and children and travels lately. But this was a blessing this year: Our hostess is expecting their 2nd child in a few months. A large dinner would have been too difficult to put on for friends. With only 5 adults and one very tired and cranky toddler, we still had a fantastic meal and long conversation (which we drew out on purpose, to allow the 2nd-entree chicken-course to finish cooking, for our Festive meal). I enjoyed entertaining the toddler (my favorite nephew, don't tell my sister *wink*) and distracting him from one tantrum when he asked for horseradish and then found out it was very harsh tasting. I had fun making it silly to say it was a food that "made my mouth go WOW!" which always made him break into belly-aching giggles.

Unexpectedly, I ended up staying overnight on the couch (just in case Mom was called away while Dad was at work and yet Toddler was in bed). Nothing bad, just watching for who might need to be in a hospital or not. By morning, no new calls, no hospital trips, and everyone got plenty of sleep. (There are SEVERAL friends expecting babies right now, plus Mom in question is part of a community of expectant Moms who are supporting each other as "birthing partners." I'm just one of the Aunties who could be on-call to take care of Toddler, just in case.)

Now I'm back at work, a bag full of Passover leftovers in the fridge for me. And a head full of thoughtfulness.