The Shrimp Dip Plate and Other Calamaties

Saturday, November 27, 2010 in Life, That's Why I'm a Dork

My mom’s been bringing her famous shrimp ball to family events for years.

I stopped eating it 10+ years ago when I became a vegetarian, but I still remember the deliciousness of the shrimp ball. And the entire family loves it. And I still feel a little sad when she breaks it out every time, because I don’t partake anymore.

But mostly, I cringe and shake my head a little. Because in true mom fashion, she faithfully whips it out on a special made-just-for-her-by-her-kid plate. Every single time. A dedicated, personalized shrimp dip plate and dome that yours truly painted for her, oh, about 15 years ago or so, at one of those paint-it-yourself ceramic shops.

Always a detail girl, I painted the teensiest little shrimps and green onions (or are those chives?) on the dome.


I painted black checks around the edge of the plate. Sassy!


I labeled it, in case there was any doubt.


Inside is a giant shrimp-like creature, bemoaning his fate. (I guess the becoming-a-vegetarian writing was on the wall.)


I remember well how proud I was of my creation, as dorky as it was (have you met me?) – and I was so excited to give it to my always-wonderful mom.

Until she unwrapped it and pulled it out of the box – and I realized in horror that it looked alarmingly like something other than a domed shrimp dip plate.

Man.

I am such a boob.

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This post was written by who has written 267 posts on The Hazel Bloom.

15 Responses to “The Shrimp Dip Plate and Other Calamaties”

  1. Jennifer Jo Saturday, November 27, 2010 at 10:13 AM #

    Heeheehee. You ought to make her a matching one…

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    Reply from Kare:
    November 29th, 2010 at 7:30 AM

    Ha! Yeah… maybe the next one can have a star design a’la Janet Jackson.

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  2. emvandee Saturday, November 27, 2010 at 10:29 AM #

    Ha! I love it. You’re so funny.

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  3. Kristen Saturday, November 27, 2010 at 11:58 AM #

    Thanks for the giggle. That was just too funny.

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  4. Kim-Liv Life Saturday, November 27, 2010 at 9:18 PM #

    LOL!!! What a sweet girl you are!!! I know that I treasure each and every item my kids have made for me and I bring them out often too. I will have to show this post to my 11 year old daughter to show her what’s in store for her!

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  5. Leanne Sunday, November 28, 2010 at 11:43 AM #

    Ha! Well it’s a lovely boob dish, nonetheless.

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  6. fooddreamer Sunday, November 28, 2010 at 2:13 PM #

    Oh my, I am wiping away the tears of laughter. I honestly never would have seen the resemblence to that, um, part of a woman’s anatomy, until you mentioned it!

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    Reply from Kare:
    November 29th, 2010 at 7:32 AM

    fooddreamer, bless you for that! :)

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  7. Reema Monday, November 29, 2010 at 10:30 AM #

    that was hysterical! I love the crying shrimp inside… and now I am just thinking of all the ways I love to eat shrimp… A “Bubba” Gump moment!

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  8. Sinclair Tuesday, November 30, 2010 at 7:26 PM #

    My favorite part of this whole story is that you only made that 15 years ago…. cause I know how old that woudl have made you. Teeheee….

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    Reply from Kare:
    November 30th, 2010 at 7:42 PM

    Right?! I have no excuse except for the fact that I am a complete, total, and utter dork.

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  9. Jenn AKA The Leftover Queen Wednesday, December 1, 2010 at 9:01 AM #

    This is so great! If I was your mom, I would use it every year too – I think that was such a sweet gift!

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  10. Jenn AKA The Leftover Queen Wednesday, December 1, 2010 at 9:03 AM #

    Oh, and I used to feel the same way about my grandfather’s homemade sausages for the holidays those 10 years that I was a vegetarian. I regret not enjoying them when I could. Not to say you should eat your mom’s shrimp ball, but just sharing my experience.

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  11. Laurie Monday, December 13, 2010 at 8:30 PM #

    The famous boob dish! I love that the boob says “Mom’s specialty”…lol.

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  12. Philip Tuesday, February 15, 2011 at 6:50 PM #

    That is all kinds of cute :) Now i want mom’s famous shrimp-ball recipe!

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