The Holidays Will be Coming Soon

[jglass]

Halloween will be upon us within a couple of months. The evenings here are starting to feel and smell like Fall already. The evenings are getting nice and cool even though the days are still screaming hot. The holidays are the busiest time for us foodies.

I did learn a valuable lesson last year for Christmas dinner. Do not try new things on hillbillies. Stick with the same old familiar things. Fondue for instance
Well lookie there someones made some cheese soup.
Thats not gonna be a big ernuf pot fer everyone.
Wheres the crackers and why are they all them der raw vegetable surrounding that little pot?
Should have cooked all them der veggies in that cheese soup it would have been mighty good.
This would have been darn good eating over some macaroni.

I was talking to my husand the other day and he asked me if I was going to try and introduce the cast of Deliverance to anything new this holiday season and I told him I did not think so lol.
I also learned last year that my young nieces who are three and six prefer a $5 little Caesar pizza and some baked off premade cookies to my spending all day making fresh bread for nice sandwiches and cupcakes for them to have after Trick or Treating. Last holiday season taught me to learn when and where to show off your cooking skills and when to say the heck with it.

 

[Mama Mangia]

I was talking to my husand the other day and he asked me if I was going to try and introduce the cast of Deliverance to anything new this holiday season and I told him I did not think so lol.


ROFL - OMG - Janie - I needed this today! I'm so sorry that it happened to you - but I've been going through a personal hell and I needed this.

Sometimes you do have to take a step back. The day will come when they remember the good old days. I cooked my azz off for years - scrubbing, preparing, shopping, cleaning up after everyone who was too full to move because it was so good - but yet left room for all the desserts. Playing perfectionist. Making everything and anythng.

Now - I do it for those I love - and I do things a bit different. I don't "cater" to their needs or their wants. But they get what they want. Just that my attitude has changed. And its easier on me.

I still do all the planning, shopping, cleaning, cooking, baking - but there is no pressure on me now. It is so much better.

For a couple years - put the pressure on them. Bring the dessert. You were too busy to make everything. You and Jon had plans. The others are quite capable of making something. And if it is not as good as yours - oh well - they haven't died eating their cooking yet.

Thank you for a wonderful morning chuckle.

And - take it easy this year. If they complain - tell them right out - when they start to appreciate things (from the heart) you might consider making something else - but is not up to you anymore.

BTW - got any more of that cheese soup you fergot to put the veggies in? I got them ther crackers and a loaf of dis homemade bread for soppin'!

And crack open a fresh jug of moonshine - tie on a good one and tell everyone to kiss your grits!

LOL

 

[jglass]

I'm glad I could give you a laugh. Are you ok?

I have learned to save the cooking for when someone is old enough and or smart enough to appreciate my efforts lol. I have had this whole notion of everything homemade to make it extra special when in some instances they are to young to know or care if you made the cookies from scratch or not. I also learned to not waste my time trying to introduce new dishes or flavors to the people my father in law invites to his home to have holiday dinners with us. These are very country people who are used to very regular country dishes and flavors. From now on I am going to save the fancy stuff for Jon and stick with the same old stuff for the big family dinners.
I made a lovely Italian vegetable soup once and took my mother in law part of it. They didnt like it! The recipe was simple with just sweet italian sausage, bell peppers, chickpeas, zucchini and orzo as the main ingredients. When I asked her later if they liked it she said - was that some sort of eyetalian recipe? My father in law and another elderly friend both loved the same soup. One good thing about doing the Sunday Suppers is that my husband's Dad has tried alot of flavors in dishes he would have never had otherwise and he likes them.

 

[Mama Mangia]

It's easier for you - you do not have to prove anything to anyone. If they want something - they can make it as well. If it is not as good as yours - oh well - practice makes perfect - and I would tell them so.
As a matter of fact - I would show up with a store bought cake for dessert. New dishes should be kept for you and Jon - you can't change them - but someday they may smarten up.

I was always invited to dinner at a "friends" house - and I was always bringing the meal and the dessert. I was doing all the cooking, leaving the leftovers for them and carting home dirty dishes and pans to wash.

One day I was totally fed up - I walked in with a Pepperidge Farm chocolate cake - one of those little frozen ones. I told them that I was busy and had no time at all. You should have seen their faces - they had to order pizza for dinner that night. All of a sudden - "it would be a nice change to enjoy pizza" (so they said)

I didn't find an excuse to not "play dinner" with them - I came right out and told them - I was doing all the cooking, leaving the leftovers (which I did not mind),baking the desserts, and bringng dirty pots, pans, dishes and utensils home in boxes that I then had to wash after the food stuck to them and I just did not want to do it anymore.

 

[jglass]

Boy oh boy I know that feeling. Totally not gonna do it any more.

You know it is kinda your fault Mama. You have taught me to many good tricks that I want to show off in the kitchen. Jon says even though we are from Kentucky there has to be some Italian in my blood lol. I always tell him with my family tree I would be afraid to look to closely.

 

[jglass]

Jon and his family give me the blame for all of the weight he has gained since we have been married. Isnt it a double standard when a man gains weight they say boy his wife must be taking good care of him. If the woman gains weight they say look at how she has let herself go.

 

[Mama Mangia]

Janie - it's all my fault! Dang!

LOL - listen dear - you just keep up the good work, and I wish you lived closer - I'd teach you all my bad habits.

then I'd give you a meal to take to the Deliverance crowd that they wouldn't know what happened! LOL

Yes - you are taking care of Jon - that is the way it should be. Dad was a runt - mom built him into KONG!

 

[jglass]

I have to pass the blame along to someone lol. What I would give to know even half of your bad habits Mama! He was fussing today that he was never going to be able to loose weight while eating homemade sugar cookies that I had just taken out of the oven. You know I have found that after you hit that ten year married mark fussing from your husband just starts to sound like white noise lol.

 

[Mama Mangia]

toooooo funny - tell him he's not exactl Mr. GQ these days either!

And take it from Mama -

life is too short - good things (foods) come to those that labor (cook/bake) for them - and now that am older - always leave room for desserts.

And if dessert is the first course -all the better.

Mind you - I am not sayng to overeat it all - but do not deny yourself.


REMEMBER TO KEEP YOUR FORK!!!!


A Woman and a Fork

There was a young woman who had been diagnosed with a terminal illness and had been given three months to live.

Therefore, as she was getting her things "in order," she contacted her Pastor and had him come to her house to discuss certain aspects of her final wishes.

She told him which songs she wanted sung at the service, what scriptures she would like read, and what outfit she wanted to be buried in.

Everything was in order and the Pastor was preparing to leave when the young woman suddenly remembered something very important to her.

"There's one more thing," she said excitedly.

" What's that?" the Pastor's reply.

"This is very important," the young woman continued. "I want to be buried with a fork in my right hand."

The Pastor stood looking at the young woman, not knowing quite what to say.

That surprises you, doesn't it?" the young woman asked.

"Well, to be honest, I'm puzzled by the request," said the Pastor.

The young woman explained. "My grandmother once told me this story, and from that time on I have always tried to pass along its message to those I love and those who are in need of encouragement.

In all my years of attending socials and dinners, I always remember that when the dishes of the main course were being cleared, someone would inevitably lean over and say, ' Keep your fork.'

It was my favorite part because I knew that something better was coming ... like velvety chocolate cake or deep-dish apple pie. Something wonderful, and with substance!

So, I just want people to see me there in that casket with a fork in my hand and I want them to wonder, What's with the fork?'

Then I want you to tell them: ' Keep your fork, the best is yet to come.'

The Pastor's eyes welled up with tears of joy as he hugged the young woman good-bye. He knew this would be one of the last times he would see her before her death.

But he also knew that the young woman had a better grasp of heaven than he did. She had a better grasp of what heaven would be like than many people twice her age, with twice as much experience and knowledge.

She KNEW that something better was coming.

At the funeral people were walking by the young woman's casket, they saw the cloak she was wearing, and the fork placed in her right hand.

Over and over, the Pastor heard the question, "What's with the fork?" And over and over, he smiled.

During his message, the Pastor told the people of the conversation he had with the young woman shortly before she died. He also told them about the fork and about what it symbolized to her.

He told the people how he could not stop thinking about the fork and told them that they probably would not be able to stop thinking about it either.

He was right. So the next time you reach down for your fork let it remind you, ever so gently, that the best is yet to come.

Friends are a very rare jewel, indeed. They make you smile and encourage you to succeed. They lend an ear, they share a word of praise, and they always want to open their hearts to us.

Show your friends how much you care. Remember to always be there for them, even when you need them more.

For you never know when it may be their time to "Keep their fork" Cherish the time you have, and the memories you share being friends with someone is not an opportunity but a sweet responsibility.

And keep your fork!

 

[jpshaw]

"The cast of Deliverance" I'm going to remember that one. Thanks for the bit of fun this morning Janie.

 

[jglass]

Thank you for sharing that Mama.

I'm glad I gave you a laugh JP.

You guys think I am kidding about the Deliverance thing. There are lots of overalls and mopar hats everywhere you look at the dinner lol.

 

[chubbyalaskagriz]

I got a chuckle outta the Deliverance comment too!

Seems many of us in one form or fashion at times are at least a little bit irked by those who complain or those who don't always value the work it takes for us to create a meal, or fail us often whenever we ask for a bit of help... I know this has burned my butt many times too...

I suggest everyone own a copy of the folk tale "The Little Red Hen" and have it placed in a prominent place in their home- maybe even their kitchen or dining area.

The story just might help teach and reinforce the point that folks who wish to reap the reward of good eats ought to be willing to recognize the work, show appreciation and possibly even do their part to assist when assistance is asked for!

Afterall, is there anything sweeter than a child who offers to help peel spuds, a guest who offers to set the table or help clear- or anything sexier than the sight of a mate washing dishes after you've lovingly prepared them a delicious meal? We as cooks need to enable those in our lives- we need to let them know that we're happy to give them the joy of a hot meal- but that for us the joy of their consideration, gratitude, and reciprocated giving is da-bomb! It's partly why we do what we do for them!

 

[jglass]

My favorite kids book was always Stone Soup. Do you guys remember that one?

I always believe when you go some where for dinner you should take something. When ever my mother in law has her dinners I always call her up and say let me help .. what can I bring? If I am going somewhere and the hostess says she has it covered I still take a dessert and always find it welcomed.
At our holiday dinners since it is at my FIL's the people he invites always ask him if they can bring anything and he says no. Be nice if they asked the person who is actually doing the cooking.
This holiday my dear father in law is making either the ham or the turkey and I will do the other. Me doing both with everything else is to much. The two of us are also going to split up the sides more evenly. We did it that way this past Easter and it was way easier for me to handle my end. He showed me then he can do it and I will remind him when the holidays come

I swear I try and try to manage my time better or something during that time but can never seem to get stuff together faster. Working out of such a small kitchen and stopping to dig out my ingredients and then washing things up and putting them back away eats up alot of time.