Laughter, Food, and Family

The visit with my sister, brother-in-law, and niece was fantastic.  It made me so happy on many levels.  First, of course, is that we laughed and talked and laughed even more.


Cee treated us all to Outback's take-away, and of course, I had to have some crab.  This time, though, it was snow crab rather than Alaskan King Crab... but I have to say, this snow crab was the best I've ever had.  And then we had to talk about the best food we'd had in all the places we'd visited in our lives.  Cee had chicken shawarma in Israel.  Mine was an incredible Paella in Barcelona.  CeeCee enjoyed Korean in Dallas.  It's interesting all of life's memories that are connected to food. Of course, that makes sense, considering you need food for life.


We laughed about Mom's lack of cooking prowess.  Not in any sense was it disrespectful laughter, rather it was how Mom's cooking colored our perception of certain foods that we thought were hideous, but that we now love.  It wasn't that she didn't care; she just didn't KNOW how to cook.  To her, considering how poor she was as a child, food was not necessarily something about which to be inspired, but more about keeping bellies fed.  And, frankly, Mom hated cooking.  It was a chore for her. 


Happily, to her daughters, cooking became a passion.  Cooking became a creative outlet; cooking became a way to show love to those with whom we shared our creations.


It isn't often that I write two posts in one day, but I have to tell you that I had SUCH a great day today.  Thank you, Cee, Bud and CeeCee.  It truly was such fun.  I may be exhausted, but being with you was worth it.  MORE than worth it.  I love you all so much.