10Dec/096
Gathering Together: Family & Friends
Spending time with family and friends is a special treat, especially when it involves a farm, copious amounts of food, cheerful banter, and a good sized wood stove to keep the temperature nice nice and cozy. First we talk, get acquainted and re-acquainted (depending on the situation) later we chow down and when finally the most reluctant of quitters push their chairs away from the table we head on out for a walk to explore the green farm trails and pastures. Family and friends, there is nothing quite like a day spent with them, nothing.
What are your family gatherings like? Do you have a favourite dish made in steadfast tradition by that certain relative?
Enjoy this article?
The Latest Posts:
- We Loved With A Love That Was More Than Love.
- He’s more myself than I am.
- Valentine,You Must Allow Me To Tell You…
- Stones of Remembrance Because I Love Him: Mommy Jewellery
- Marked by Blessing
- Despair is Losing its Grip, a Lasting Peace Filling its Fingerprints
- Transformed Through Pain, Learning Who I Am Now.
- May There Be Beauty from This Pain.
I (adoringly) HEART—>
December 11th, 2009 - 10:32
Our family gatherings are full of food and conversation and lots of noise with many children running about. Since my Grandma died, many family members have moved away and the gatherings aren’t quite the same, but we had a heck of a time down south for Thanksgiving with a lot of extended family…just like the old times. Some of my favorite dishes are cranberry jello salad (a really good old family recipe…and I’m not usually a Jell-O fan), these lovely cheesy potatoes that are SO bad for you, and my favorite of all are Grandma’s iced sugar cookies. I’ll let you try them some time. It’s a tradition that has been passed down and started generations ago. They’re difficult to get right, but if you do, they’re soft and scrumptiously buttery. I’ve almost got it after 9 years. I remember making them with my Grandma who told me, “if you really want to do it right, you have to use your hands.” I do.
December 12th, 2009 - 21:22
That is such a sweet memory! I would love to make sugar cookies together..IF you are willing to share the recipe (maybe it is secret). We should do that in the next couple weeks.
Yes, I always use my hands, things get mixed way better and you feel like you have actually done some hard work.
December 12th, 2009 - 07:30
getting together with my loud and zany italian family is always a treat. the holidays are a time for hugging, shouting, fighting, EATING, and playing cards. there’s never enough room (we have a HUGE extended family)–i’m 35 and still sit at the ‘kiddie table’…but i wouldn’t want it any other way.
as for traditional food…we never eat anything other than italian. we have lasagna on thanksgiving (my aunt does make an ornamental turkey which we use for sandwiches later!), ravioli on christmas, and all types of salads, sides, and desserts.
happy holidays to you!!!
December 12th, 2009 - 21:23
I have East-Coast relatives and they are much like your family. They are very fun to be around. They are Italian. I wish our boys could be around that side of my family too, but here we are around the calm farming folk (which I love too).
Sounds like great fun!
December 13th, 2009 - 22:26
I will probably make them the first part of the Christmas week (Monday or Tuesday). If you want to join, that would be fun.
I agree about using your hands. Just like kneading bread…there’s something soothing and satisfying about it.
:)
December 16th, 2009 - 02:09
My family is small, or rather the part that gets together for holidays is small. It’s just me and the three “kids”. This year we will add my daughter’s boyfriend and next year there will be a brand new grandson to add!
Usually the girls go off and spend time together in another room and my son sits and talks to me and we almost always watch a bunch of movies.
And they cook. I used to make tamales every year. This year will be the first that I don’t (unless I end up doing it at the last minute this weekend before I leave to California). My son loves to cook and my youngest daughter always wants to make something. My other daughter’s boyfriend is a very good cook too so I think I am not cooking this year.