Tutu Tea Party: Baked Onions

Probably the alternate title of this post could be "Love is love is love."  Love is the thread I've been trying to focus on the past few days.   I'm feeling very overwhelmed by the overtures of hate that our nation seems to be embracing.  If you're one of my facebook friends you know that I've been talking to Thatkid a lot about love, kindness, and protection of people who don't look like him.

I look at Thatkid and his friends and it gives me hope for the future.  The way they love and accept each other.  I hope that it never changes, and I'm going to do everything in my power to foster that. 

Over the weekend, we were treated to a celebration of love at K4's second birthday party.

The party was actually a tea party.  A tutu tea party.  A 2-tu tea party.  The girls were asked to come in tutus, and the boys were requested to wear bow ties.  Luckily we have ties and my boys love dressing up.

There was a photo booth which helped to spread the message of love.  And I took advantage with some of the people I love most.

There wasn't actually tea at the party, but the kids didn't seem to mind. There was a little table set up for them, and plenty of kid friendly food.

After lunch, Tinkerbell made a special appearance.  She led the kids in all sorts of games.  And this is where I brag about Thatkid a little bit.  He happily took his little brother by the hand and did the activities with him.  Which makes Thatbaby so happy also.  He's so much more confident with his brother by his side.

Tink brought out a parachute and Thatbaby found his place beside her, across from his brother.

But with his eye on his role model, he was able to quickly figure out how this worked.

After the activities, Tink whipped out some face paints and got to work.  Even Thatbaby got into the action.

Thatkid and another partygoer organized all the kids into a fashion show to show off their painted faces.

They made a makeshift runway on a flight of stairs and stomped down, posing at the end.

I see so much beauty in those faces, even covered with face paint.  I see imagination.  I see innocence.  I see people who may grow up to change the world we live in.  Because change is possible. 

Take the onion.  It's a fitting metaphor.  And I'm not going with the well known "onions have layers" trope.  A raw onion, when cut, brings tears to the eye.  It stings.  And I know that's how many of us feel right now.  But with time and heat, those onions transform.  They caramelize, turn into something sweet.

Right now I put my hope in the children, and the future.  And I hope with time and guidance they will bring us to a sweeter place, filled with love.

Baked Onions

4 large Spanish onions

2 1/2 cups chicken broth

4 sprigs of rosemary, chopped

4 Tbsp olive oil

1/2 stick butter

1. Preheat the oven to 400. Peel the onions and cut in half horizontally.  Trim bottoms so they sit upright.
2. Arrange onions in a baking dish and pour over the broth over.
3. Scatter the chopped rosemary overtop and season with salt and pepper.
4. Pour over the olive oil and bake for 50 minutes.
5. Remove the onions from the oven and pour the cooking liquid into a small saute pan.  Bring to a boil.
6. Remove from the heat and whisk in the butter.  
7. Pour the sauce over the oven and cook for another 15-20 minutes.