Plastique Spatulus

[Joseph Franklin Swaba]

After weeks of grueling reflection and serious introspection I made a firm decision! In what would appear on the surface to have been a compulsive and spontaneous purchase, I threw caution to the wind and acted in the moment. Only the truly observant would have known this was a premeditated act as I usually do not carry such large sums of cash with me at any given moment.

I bought a shiny red omelet skillet! I paid all of fifteen dollars for it and I confess it was one of my better purchases this year.

So what does this have to do with leaping you may ask? Well, I have always been one of those individuals that like to cook with all four burners going at once. To me one of the greatest feelings of satisfaction is coordinating a delicious meal—sautéing in one skillet, browning in another—all four going at once and culminating at precisely the exact moment. The determination, the concentration, the adrenaline, the flavors; who could ask for a greater self-induced frenzy.

In my house we have cabinets full of far too many pans of all shapes and sizes, but my trusty favorite omelet skillet had seen the hands of too many children (children using metal spatulas I might add). Imagine trying to impress the love of ones life with a gourmet breakfast in bed only to have the Pièce de résistance, the coveted and infamous three cheese omelet with the works, fall apart minutes before the waffles are done!

Yes, for me, buying an omelet skillet is a symbolic leap. Well, getting married just over a month ago and deciding to have another child may also seem like leaps, but it is all just a matter of perspective really.