Imagine for a moment that you're in a strange city. It's below freezing out, the wind is blowing, you're not dressed warmly enough, and you're trying to find somewhere to duck inside. Suddenly, you stumble upon a charming little French cafe. You open the door and are immediately greeted with the delicious aromas of the two most complimentary things on the planet, the duo of deliciousness, the answer to every wearied travelers ills: a freshly baked baguette and a cup of hot soup. You order a cup of steaming French onion accompanied by a huge hunk of baguette to dip into it. You're in heaven, yes? Yes. Because what is more simplistically perfect than a bowl of French onion soup and a fresh baguette? Hmmm? Okay, if you're stumped, the correct answer would be nothing.
Well, if you disagree, then Peanut disagrees along with you. Disagrees wholeheartedly. If there's one thing that gets her more jacked up than politics, it's restaurants that offer no crackers or white rolls--only the French baguette.
Today we went to Panera for lunch. Not a charming little French cafe, I know. But they make a durn good baguette--and bagel, for that matter! Now, Peanut has only recently been introduced to Panera. She likes it, but would much rather eat an egg roll at Oriental House or snag a sandwich from Chik-Fil-A. However, Panera's recently vamped up their menu--more greens, organic chicken, etc--so I've been trying to encourage the little nut to eat there more. It's just a healthier choice! She digs the soup and salads and the coffee, but becomes irate when there are no rolls or crackers to be had. Today's exchange with the cashier went something like this:
Peenie: Hi! I'd like a cuppa veggie soup and a small coffee.
Cashier: Sure! Would you like chips, bread, or an apple with that soup?
Peenie: Crackers, please.
Cashier: I'm sorry, we don't have crackers. Can I offer you chips, a baguette or an apple?
Peenie: I don't like those baguettes. Too hard. No crackers?! What kinda place doesn't serve crackers with their soup?!
Cashier: Um...well, we have chips? Chips are...kind of like crackers?
Peenie: What?! (Laughing) Chips are most certainly NOT crackers!
Katy: Peenie, just tell the lady what you'd like for your side. You don't have to eat it if you don't want to.
Peenie: Oh. Ok, I'll take the bread. But next time, I'm bringing my OWN crackers.
(A few moments later, at the table.)
Peenie: I don't like this bread. It's too durn hard!
Katy: Dip it in your soup, Peenie--that'll make it easier to eat.
Peenie: I don't like it. We should've gone to Oriental House.
...sigh.
I'll leave you with this:
Last Thursday, after we had eaten dinner, Peanut asked me what my plans for the evening were. I told her I didn't know--that I might put my pajamas on early, sip some tea, and read. What followed:
Peenie: Why don't you go out and DO something? Are you tired?
Katy: No, not too tired. Just feel like taking it easy tonight.
Peenie: I wish you'd go do something.
Katy: Alright, Peenie. Tell you what. I'm gonna go run around the neighborhood naked. What you think about that?
Peenie: I'll come right along behind you and do it, too!
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