Chapter 12, Poop

 

Poop

“Nanou! Nanou, wake up!”
“Wha-at?” I complained half a sleep.
“I need to go to the bathroom”
“So go” I said and turned over.

Avi didn’t go. We were left alone in the house while mom and dad went to the movies.
“You are a big boy now, you are five years old and we know, you can take care of your brother. Mom and dad are going to the movies so don’t fight or mess up the house. Just stay in bed and go to sleep. By the time you wake up we will be back home.”
“Yes I know” I said to Mom “I am a big boy.”
It was all fine until Avi decided to wake me up.

“You have to come with me,” he cried. “I can’t reach the door latch.”
It was a big lie. Avi, even being two years younger than me looked almost bigger than me - he was heavier, and the same height as me. Avi was afraid of the dark. He wanted me to get up and go to the bathroom with him. Now, why should I? I was perfectly comfortable sleeping in my bed and really didn’t need to get up just so he can go to the bathroom. I knew he could open the door – I saw him do it before.
“I am not getting up” I said firmly. “You can open the door by yourself – you are a big boy”
“No!” he cried. “You are the big boy, Mom said so.” You have to open the door for me. I can’t reach.”
“Yes you can! I saw you do it before, you’re just a chicken and you are afraid of the dark.”
“No I’m not!”
“Yes you are!”
“Am not!”
“Are too”
“Then prove it to me,” I said. “Show me that you aren’t afraid and go by yourself like the big boy that you are.”
“But you are the big boy!” Avi insisted. “Come open the door for me.
“Big boy or not, I don’t care” I said, rolling over to face him now. “I am not getting up and I don’t care if you make in your pants.”

Avi didn’t make in his pants, nor did he go to the bathroom. He simply took his pants off and made his deeds right next to my bed, on the floor.
I couldn’t fall asleep. The smell was horrible, and I had to hear him snoring in his bed now across the room.

When Mom and Dad came back, they weren't sure what to do first, laugh or yell at me and Avi. They ended up cleaning it up and going to bed.

***

 

 

Pinwheel Cookies

  This is a dessert we make for holidays like Purim or Tu BiShvat – the birthday of the trees. It takes a few steps to make, but it is worth every moment spent.
Filling:
1 & ½ Cups Chopped Dates
1 Cup Sugar
1 Cup Orange Juice
½ Cup Chopped Pecans or Walnuts (If you don't want to use nuts, you may add some spices - cinnamon, maybe ginger, nutmeg, cloves etc. Use just the spices you like, and combine with some dry fruit, like cranberries, apricots, cherries - just to give it another dimension.)

Dough:
2/3 Cup Softened Butter, (I used parve margarine or coconut oil to make it lactose free)
1&2/3 Cup Packed Brown Sugar
¼ Cup Sugar
2 Eggs
3 Cups All-Purpose Flour
3/4 tsp Baking Soda
3/4 tsp Salt
3/4 tsp Ground Cinnamon

1) Combine the dates, sugar, and juice (spices), cook, and stir over medium heat until it thickens. (add other chopped dry fruit towards the end)
Add lightly toasted and crushed nuts (if using) and let it cool. (you may put it to the freezer for 10 -15 min.)

2) Cream butter (margarine) and sugar, add eggs, one at the time, beating well after each addition

3) Combine the flour, baking soda, salt and cinnamon. Add to creamed mixture. (I just sift all dry to the egg mix at once) Divide in half
(I highly recommend chilling the dough at this point, if you don't have much time, just put it to the freezer for 10-20 min, it is too soft to work with)

4) On floured surface (very well, floured!!!!), roll out the portions of dough into a ¼” - thick rectangle. Spread with half of the filling. Roll up jelly-roll style, starting with the long side. Repeat with remaining dough and filling. Wrap each roll in plastic wrap, refrigerate overnight (I did not have time to go over night, so I put the rolls into freezer for 1 hour or maybe little longer, until they became firm to touch. 

5) Unwrap dough, cut ½”. slices. Place 2”. apart on greased baking sheets (I use parchment paper). Bake at 375F for 10-12 min.

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