Saturday, August 1, 2009

It’s in the genes

Toasted We ran down to my folks today--well, actually, we drove the truck--to return the tables we'd borrowed for the garage sale. In the space of a three-hour visit, my Mom fed us pizza, fruit salad (I didn't have any of that), chocolate chip cookies, and on the way out, she wanted us to try the white cheddar Cheezits she just loves and tried to send some home with us. Oh, and when they were at Aldi's the other day, they had raisin bread on sale for 50 cents a loaf. She said she couldn't believe her eyes, thought that had to be wrong, but sure enough, it was 50 cents.

So she bought twelve loaves, froze them, and sent one home with us.

I haven't had raisin bread for a while, but mmm, I love it toasted with butter on it! Yeahhhhh, TOAST!Thanks, Mom!

I swear, if you manage to get out of their house without eating something, you must have some kind of anti-food mojo going on, because Mom loves to feed people! I'm surprised she let me get away with not having any fruit salad, and didn't just dish me up a bowl and set it in front of me. She comes from a family of southern cooks, and I remember my Grandma being the same way, as well as all of Mom's sisters. They all cooked so similarly, and when we'd have family get-togethers, you can imagine the tables laden with food, all homemade. You don't see that so much anymore, which I find kind of sad. There are some things that taste pretty good out of the store, but it would be a cold day in hell before I took any kind of store-bought salad or other dish to a reunion or get-together. It's a matter of pride.

Anyhoo, we had a really nice visit, with talk of family matters--good and not-so-good--and travel. Dad has been retired for 30 years now, and they've been able to travel to many places in the country, including the northwest (they loved Mount Rushmore) and the southwest. I guess Ken and I both come by our travel bug honestly, because my parents have always loved to travel (The first time they went to Florida was in 1951...can you imagine how cool it was then, with the old motels and pre-interstate?), and so did Ken's folks.

Not only did I get my Mom's stocking-up gene, I guess I got the travel gene, as well. I suppose there are worse things to inherit from your parents, like, you know...bitchiness or psychoses.

**Last minute update before midnight: Rabbit rabbit rabbit!

14 comments:

  1. From one travel bug and home-made food advocate to another, glad you had a great day!

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  2. Hi Beth,
    Sounds like you got a great set of genes. Home Cooking and Travel are a couple of great traits. Just don't combine them ... when on vacation, take vacation and let someone else do the cooking!
    Best,
    Marty

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  3. George's parents are the same way. Tons of food, send stuff home with us, feed us. lol
    Yeah we like us some home cooking around here.

    We like to travel too and would do more if we did not have the dog. But I would rather have the dog and just travel by car and take her to places she can go, b/c we LOVE her so! lol

    Have a good rest of the weekend.
    Sonya

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  4. Hi Beth... my aunt was the same way while we were in CT last week... she made huge pots of ravioli, pasta fagiole, homemade meatballs, Italian sausage in Italian sauce... it was incredible. I don't have bowls big enough to serve that kind of food, but she does. You got to love our family members who take great joy in keeping us fed. Maybe when I'm retired, I'll be able to do that for the next generation in my family. bea

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  5. Oooh, I want some of Lexie's chicken and noodles... I miss your mom!

    And you, too, of course! :)

    Heather

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  6. or alcoholism....

    SO glad you had a good visit with your parents....i love people who hand out food or are always worried if you are starving or not and start feeding you...that is my kind of people. :)
    i bet you love listening to your in law's or your parents talk about their trips, huh?

    love ya

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  7. Stacations are okay, but at least once a year a vegecation, or at least a vacation, is in order. Thanks for a good day little travel buddy :o)

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  8. Yes, there are certain family members who try to stuff me senseless. It is tough to keep from being rolled out the door.

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  9. All in all, a great sounding day and visit!!

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  10. At family get togethers, all the food is made from scratch in whomever's kitchen we are trashing that day. ;) It was MY kitchen one year and omigod... never again. There are always leftovers that are sent home in generous amounts to each family to eat off for the next week. It's always been that way and I intend to keep it that way. The only time we don't do that at get together's is in the summer. We make hamburgers, hot dogs, brats and then have a lot of cold dishes on hand to go with everything. Don't tell my husband that you're mom hands out food, he'll follow you over there from now on! ;) LOL
    Love,
    Jamie

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  11. 50 cents a loaf......that is a bargain. I,too would have stocked up and put them in the freezer!

    I understand about all the food thing......I come from a very large Italian family and something is always cooking on the stove or in the oven.........ready for anyone that walks in the door.....have to feed everyone!

    Hugs, Rose

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  12. I could have gone for the 50 cent raisin bread. Since I worked all different hours I must say I did not have an open kitchen. I did remember to make extra when Alan was still alive and my daughter was divorced. I could help them out.

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  13. It sounds like you were very well fed. I haven't had raisin bread in years either, sounds good. Wow, 12 loaves...that's alot of raisin bread! I don't come from that type of family, not much cooking or baking really went on so it would be fun to me.

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  14. What a great post! 50 cents is a wicked bargain! WOW! I am like that... I feed people... it's an italian thing around here... you may visit me and only have coffee...but I will offer you different foods at least 3 or 4 times... LOL AND we always ask people to stay for dinner...

    be well...

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I'm funny how, I mean funny like I'm a clown, I amuse you?