We have decided to celebrate the holidays at our ranch in Sallis this year, and I am doing my best to stretch my space inside the little log house.
We always enjoy holiday dinners with at least 20 people, sometimes more. At our larger house in Kosciusko, that is no problem as I have a table that will seat 12 very comfortably. However, after taking into consideration everybody’s preference, the country won out.
I do understand their wanting to get together here. The feeling of family and friendship and nearness just comes alive inside the walls as we all gather to eat and visit.
Our table and counters are loaded with turkey and all the fixings; folks are standing and sitting nearly shoulder to shoulder. Thinking back to my mother’s house as I was growing up, it was common that the men would enjoy their feasts first and the women and children would wait patiently for our turn.
Yes, the food was cold by that time, but we just dove right in as if it was fresh from the oven. I never understood why we could not just hold our plates in our laps and eat at the same time. With all the “political correctness” of today, I am very sure this system would never happen now. Anyway, I always thought “ladies first.”
Of course, after the men had filled their bellies, they “retired” to the front room. After we enjoyed our spread, we cleaned up and washed dishes. I do remember one Thanksgiving that my brother washed dishes, but back in my childhood, that rarely happened.
I can be sure that this time together will be filled with people talking over one another, loud little boys, little tussles among the kids, lots of hugs and lots of full tummies and great memories!
I have learned that memories are precious, and we are blessed to be able to make them. So, as you sit down to enjoy your holiday meal, touch that shoulder, pat that back, hug your loved ones, kiss those sweet cheeks and make those treasured memories.
Weekly Recipe
Meme’s Mac and Cheese – Large bag of elbow macaroni, 3 cups Pet milk, 1 pound of Velveeta cheese, 8 oz. package of shredded cheese blend, ½ package mozzarella, 3 T. flour, 1 stick butter, salt and pepper and bread crumbs.
Directions – Melt butter and add flour and blend until blended. Add milk and whisk until smooth. Add cheeses and make sure all is mixed well with no lumps, salt and pepper. Pour into a 9 x 13 baking dish and top with bread crumbs. Bake 350* until bubbly and brown about 30 minutes.
Peggy Sims is a Kosciusko native that writes a weekly column for The Star-Herald.
