Thinking Outside the Box

It started so simply - "Who wants a snack?" I surveyed the fridge & returned with an assortment of crackers, Cheddar & Havarti cheese, apple slices, celery & carrot sticks, and a little ranch dressing. I set the platter on the table without realizing the full implications of the experiment that I had just created.

Before I go any farther, I must admit - I am generally, as Tim would say, a "food purist." I prefer that different components of my meal not intermingle (i.e. I don't like my side items touching my main course). This has been true since I was a child... in fact, my parents gave me a set of divided plates when I went away to college (which I *treasure* to this day!). Anyhow, with my naive "purist" thought process, I assumed the food would be eaten in certain combinations. These were the only options that ever would have occurred to me:

• Cheese & Crackers
• Celery/Carrot Sticks & Ranch
• Apples (or any other ingredient option) eaten solo

I was honestly surprised (& slightly delighted) when, in reality, our friends partnered some of the strangest items together. I saw some of the following combinations:

• Apples & Cheese
• Apples & Ranch
• Apples & Crackers
  
• Celery & Cheese
• Carrots & Cheese
• Carrots & Crackers & Ranch

Granted, I realize that many of these pairings are not all that strange to others... but let's just say that it was an enlightening evening for me! An impromptu lesson on perspective.

The lesson to be learned for everyone else? A visit to my house might just result in you being the unaware subject of detailed research.