The final days in Texas were filled with activities - all fun, relaxing, and chock full of calories!
(Actually, we got to talking about it...would you believe out of all the cooking Dad did, I ate ONE piece of pie. NO, I wasn't dieting or trying to be good or playing the martyr...I was just too slow! By the time I was ready for a piece, either the whole pie was eaten or had been packed and taken home with someone. Remember all the pie pans I told you we bought pre-Dad-arrival? We have ONE pan left in the house. It doesn't matter where they went - it left here full of pie and love. At this rate, if Dad stayed one more week, we'd have no cookware left.)
If it seems to you, dear reader, that Dad never left the kitchen...well, he didn't. Much that is. But it was his chosen domain away from home and he allowed enough audience participation to make the Holidays one of the best ever.
Here's a direct quote from Dad, "For the first time in many many years Christmas was more than just another day."
Dad did the cooking and relaxing and story-telling. We tried to pay for everything - he somehow snagged two meals (both at Cracker Barrel). And for the first time ever, we didn't do ANY shopping (other than grocery) the whole time he was here. Not one mall. Didn't even drive past Shepplars!
He wasn't held captive in the kitchen the WHOLE time. We spent LOTS of time drinking coffee and "talking story" as they say in Hawaii. Dad never did get used to the deep chimes of the clock, though, they startled him every 15 minutes!
As he heads to Atlanta, we are left with a loan to the bank for enough flour, sugar, and yeast to feed an army; we have food plates and pie pans spread all over North Texas; and surprisingly enough - no leftover food in the house.
We met with the OTHER grandparents last night (Erin's folks) for dinner. We all agreed that Dad has had so much fun, he will have a standing invitation to come here anytime Mom goes to Atlanta in the future. Drew is GREAT on the grill, but I can't boil water without burning it...so it wasn't surprising when I overheard some plotting that from now on whenever Mom flies to Georgia for her playdates with Caitlin, Papa Charlie will come to Texas and pass along all his culinary training to Ethan.
Aloha, Dad!
Mahalo for a GREAT Christmas.
Come back SOON!!
I want your dad to stay at my house next Christmas. Your joy of good cooking and family really brought me back to my mom's amazing artistry in the kitchen. She made the holiday season a special time through the gift of her cooking. We sorely missed her this year, and although I learned well from Gladys, no one will ever duplicate her fabulous, mouth-watering yeast rolls. She made a giant batch at Thanksgiving and then froze half for the family's Christmas Eve gathering. There was something in her hands - which were beautiful by the way - and in the way she made cooking look effortless that made the food taste better I think. Anyhoo, thanks for sharing what sounds like a very special visit from your dad. Are there any cookbook copies around? Can I check it out of someone's library?
Posted by: Renegade Teacher | January 14, 2008 at 01:52 PM