After a busy two or three months, Christmas came and went and then we found ourselves in a busy beginning of a new year. After all this time (21/2 months) I have found myself, and my family, cooking and sharing meals.
And needless to say, the pounds have piled on.
It really began the middle of November when we celebrated Hubby’s birthday (as well as son-in-law and grandson). We have always honored Hubby with a family gathering, including his favorite cake, Fresh Apple Cake. We would choose a menu and it varied almost every year. This year was one we hadn’t tried before.
One of our grandsons has taken up fishing and he likes to cook his catch for friends and family. So I asked him to cook fish for us and I would buy shrimp to go with them. Our daughter and son in law cooked them, along with the corn and potatoes. So the fish with fries and hush puppies, along with the boiled shrimp and coleslaw, made up the delicious meal that Hubby (and the rest of us) enjoyed in mid-November.
It was only a short while until we were getting ready for Thanksgiving, which meant another big meal. This one consisted of the usual Thanksgiving fare- chicken and dressing, baked ham, salads and other side dishes. The little ones always want ham with yeast rolls and they are happy. A grandson brought a huge bowl of Death by Chocolate which was devoured, especially by his cousin who is about the same age. This was our big traditional meal because all of our family was going to be here for this one, but not for Christmas.
This one was a hit with all and especially by the bathroom scales which keeps seeing the numbers creep up.
Well, you know what is next on the calendar. Another family get-together which includes lots of food and family.
Not wanting to have the chicken and dressing so close to the last one, we went in another direction. This time we chose chicken and sausage gumbo with rice and our grandson brought a large dish of Dirty Rice, or as he said if south of I-10, Rice Dressing. Also, the usual baked ham for the young ones who did not prefer gumbo.
We had our Unbaked Fruit Cake which no one wanted, as well as our usual Christmas candies and snacks.
It was a great meal and fun gathering of family and friends.
Now, we can take a breather, or at least we think we can.
But, alas, not so.
Next comes New Year’s with Greens and Black-eyed Peas.
This was a smaller event with only our children, just the five of us.
When growing up, we had black eyed peas and cabbage, supposedly for money and ease in the new year. This was practiced by everyone in the south, mainly because the peas and some type of greens were available in the rural areas.
Our family all liked cabbage so it was on the table that day. However, our son doesn’t like cabbage but loves turnip greens, so we just substituted the type of greens. Added to this was corn bread and Apple Dumplings.
We enjoyed the plain meal and now, we’re expecting that money and ease.
While not knowing about the money and ease, we can be sure of one thing.
The numbers on those scales keep creeping up.
Fannie Moore lives in Shongaloo.