gathering
The week leading up to our June 9th family gathering was massively busy with several causative factors. For one we did several bouts of babysitting. We were also having company for the weekend – my cousin and her husband were coming down from Knoxville for our reunion and staying with us Friday and Saturday nights. This involved cleaning up the house and basement since they like to sleep down there – because they like the total darkness – there are no windows in that bedroom.
Goals were set to get several things done in the house and outside – as you know, one can get more done if there are goals. An outside goal of the Spice was for the yards to be mowed and I wanted her to be happy because as you know, if Mama ain’t happy, ain’t nobody happy. Another outside chore was to clean the weeds and grass out of the garden, this was beginning to be a problem since we actually had a couple of rains that started bringing these unwanted growths out. If these green trespassers are gotten out while they are small, the garden chores are much lighter later on.
My cousin had called us when they left the Knoxville area on Friday, but we contacted them when they were closer to get a more exact arrival time because we were ordering pizzas. These were ordered and as it turned out we had timed it to within 10 minutes and the Spice was gone to pickup the pizzas when they arrived. She got back with the sustenance shortly and we all pounced on the pies with great gusto, enjoying them as well as the company and conversation.
Our dishes for the next day required some prep work – we put the roasts on to cook slowly all night. The squash casserole was mixed up and refrigerated for baking the next morning. The field peas with snaps were cooked some – to finish on the morrow. We then conked out for the night.
Next morning was a madhouse of prep with the baking and cooking and such. We also had to obtain a large chest of ice from the church just down the road. My ‘famous’ scratch banana pudding had to be cooked completely that morning. The pudding was completed except for browning the meringue, so it was placed in the oven to brown and I went to get ready.
Shortly all the dishes were done, we loaded them up in the van, as well as us people and headed out to my bro’s place. It is somewhat north of Augusta, Georgia – about 20 miles away and we arrived there a little after 11am. Our goodies were brought in and added to growing numbers of dishes on the long food table. Several of the folks were already there and they just kept coming in – they were all either blood kin or spouses of kin – plus one that was shortly to become an in-law.
About noon, they found one with a commanding voice – nice way to say ‘a big mouth’ – to call the gathering to order – the loud one happened to be me. Grace was said and the victuals were shortly being consumed. The eating only dimmed the laughter slightly as we were all enjoying just being back together another time. There were 46 folks of all sizes in attendance. There are six of us ‘kids’ in our family – three guys and three gals and all except my oldest sister were there with various spouses, offspring and some of those with spouses and offspring of their own.
As the afternoon wore on, the group gradually thinned out and we finally tore ourselves away from the remainder and made our way back home – with glad hearts for what was and yet a bit sad for having to leave good company. Even in the parting, I know that God is good, all the time. ec
Goals were set to get several things done in the house and outside – as you know, one can get more done if there are goals. An outside goal of the Spice was for the yards to be mowed and I wanted her to be happy because as you know, if Mama ain’t happy, ain’t nobody happy. Another outside chore was to clean the weeds and grass out of the garden, this was beginning to be a problem since we actually had a couple of rains that started bringing these unwanted growths out. If these green trespassers are gotten out while they are small, the garden chores are much lighter later on.
My cousin had called us when they left the Knoxville area on Friday, but we contacted them when they were closer to get a more exact arrival time because we were ordering pizzas. These were ordered and as it turned out we had timed it to within 10 minutes and the Spice was gone to pickup the pizzas when they arrived. She got back with the sustenance shortly and we all pounced on the pies with great gusto, enjoying them as well as the company and conversation.
Our dishes for the next day required some prep work – we put the roasts on to cook slowly all night. The squash casserole was mixed up and refrigerated for baking the next morning. The field peas with snaps were cooked some – to finish on the morrow. We then conked out for the night.
Next morning was a madhouse of prep with the baking and cooking and such. We also had to obtain a large chest of ice from the church just down the road. My ‘famous’ scratch banana pudding had to be cooked completely that morning. The pudding was completed except for browning the meringue, so it was placed in the oven to brown and I went to get ready.
Shortly all the dishes were done, we loaded them up in the van, as well as us people and headed out to my bro’s place. It is somewhat north of Augusta, Georgia – about 20 miles away and we arrived there a little after 11am. Our goodies were brought in and added to growing numbers of dishes on the long food table. Several of the folks were already there and they just kept coming in – they were all either blood kin or spouses of kin – plus one that was shortly to become an in-law.
About noon, they found one with a commanding voice – nice way to say ‘a big mouth’ – to call the gathering to order – the loud one happened to be me. Grace was said and the victuals were shortly being consumed. The eating only dimmed the laughter slightly as we were all enjoying just being back together another time. There were 46 folks of all sizes in attendance. There are six of us ‘kids’ in our family – three guys and three gals and all except my oldest sister were there with various spouses, offspring and some of those with spouses and offspring of their own.
As the afternoon wore on, the group gradually thinned out and we finally tore ourselves away from the remainder and made our way back home – with glad hearts for what was and yet a bit sad for having to leave good company. Even in the parting, I know that God is good, all the time. ec
posted by mreddie | 11:34 PM
7 Comments:
Now that I'm almost the matriarch, I miss those family gatherings. Except for the two of my kids who live here, we're all scattered to the winds.
Even so, I usually end up with anywhere from 12 to 25 on Thanksgiving.
Sounds like a good time was had at your family gathering.
We go to my husband's family reunion next month, in Athens, Alabama.
You have a wonderful life!!!
I thank God for people like you who have the heart to thank God for your wonderful life!!!
May God continue to bless you and your loved ones.
Betty G
Hi Mr. Eddie ~~ The family gathering sounded like a lot of fun - and food.
They are the best times- with family
Thanks for your comments on my Father's Day post. Glad you enjoyed it. I am sure you have a wonderful day. Take care, Regards, Merle.
I used to love family reunions but now so many of my family has passed on to a better place that we rarely get together anymore.
I'm glad you had a great time!
The food makes me hungry! I love getting together with my family and was able to this Father's Day which was such a blessing!
granny - Thanksgiving is a favorite with us as well - anytime our family can get together is a real hoot! My nephew's stepdaughter is getting married this coming Saturday and I'm looking forward to seeing most of them again.
junierose - I see from the map that Athens is in the north center of the state - we have one just barely across the Mississippi line on August 4th. It will take place in a rural community center on state road 23 about 8 miles north of US hwy 78. I'm looking forward to that one too, even though it is usually very hot.
itsboopchile - Thanks - God is good, all the time!
merle - I have always enjoyed these family gatherings - and now even more that I am getting to be one of the elder statespersons of the group.
brenda - These things are a bit of bother but well worth it. The one we have coming up in Mississippi on Aug. 4th is from a much wider group of our family in that area. We even have some coming from Arkansas and Louisana.
the beloved - We have some good cooks in the group - it was a yummy gathering. :) ec
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