I love that sometimes it only takes this to lure my mother into enthusiastic conversation:

“Mom, I bought some asparagus at a good price today.”

“Ooooooh. What are you gonna do with it?” she croons.

“Steam it and cut it into small pieces to put in salads over the next few days. In a balsamic vinaigrette.”

“Wouldn’t you rather grill it or sautee it in olive oil? It gets so flavorful that way.”

“Actually, what I’d prefer to do is cut it into small pieces and put it in salads. It brings salads to a whole new level of good,” I say.

“Yeah, that does sound good,” she concedes.

I treasure her. And sometimes I even win.