Double Bonanza

When I was growing up, my Dad was really into the show "Bonanza". In fact because he worked so much and so hard (he was a brick layer), I often watched it with him side by side on the sofa just to spend time with him. He was a man with many faults, many issues, but he was a good man who loved me with all of his heart and as best as he knew how. My Mom adored him and so Bonanza was allowed to take over just after dinner time and Mom was a worthy equal to Bonanza's TV show chef, HopSing, she could match him meal for meal.
Well, to this day, I still LOVE Bonanza, I seldom miss a rerun, and yes, it always takes me back to my happier growing up times (some were pretty tough), and I grab hold of the good. Sometimes it's a smell, or a laugh, or a look, but I can find myself back in my Moms kitchen or beside my Dad on the sofa in a hearbeat. I love foods that help me reminisce and I love to have people around my table as we share all the stories from years past. I'll name some of those dishes that I can easily remember and make myself on occasion to create that sense of family and community. Oh, and did I mention that I own a Cowboy Cookbook and a Bonanza Christmas "LIVE" CD...I'm seriously a lot of fun;).
Some of the memory lane dishes I'll share by what we called them, and you all know how to get a recipe if you want one, just ask. Cooking things you've never had can be intimidating, but just know, lots of people have had 'these' foods to test their palatability (my own word?) for you.
Moms favorite was of course in the day a "jello" salad and hers was truly exceptional to me as a kid, and got along fine with my adulthood too. This one is a Raspberry and Cream Cheese beauty with frozen raspberries, cream cheese, raspberry jello, walnuts and sour cream, yummo!!! And of course, Baked Beans were a staple because they were inexpensive and went with every kind of meat on the menu, I remember the smell when they were baking. Moms were over the top good, but I have to admit over time I've kept the basic vital elements and updated just the process because I have less time. I use Moms list of smoked bacon, sweet onions, a handful of chopped apples, brown sugar, mustard, ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, a hint of garlic, and my own CANS of Pork and Beans. Mom use to do her own dried beans, I'm too lazy. Yet with every mouthful...she's there with me. Without question almost every night was a meat dish, and ours ranged from fried chicken, to pot roast, to grilled burgers, grilled chicken, beef stew, braised short ribs, spaghetti and meatballs, to Tuna Casserole. One never knew 'what' we would have, we didn't care, we just knew we would love it because Mom worked hard on dinner, while Dad worked hard at work.
Was our family like the Bonanza one? In some ways I suppose, everyone had bad days, some I would have loved to have missed, but we were human. The main element was love, somewhere if you looked for it, there was always love. Is there a perfect family, no way, not then, not now, not one ~ because God is the only one who is truly perfect. He tries to teach us all to approach our families with love and with forgiveness always on it's tail because you will always need forgiveness where love exists. I learned growing up and watching my family that you will find 'what you are looking for', so be careful what you look for, and be willing to give it to God for your hearts sake.
Have some dinner with your family, make some memories for yourself and those you cherish, and, if you want to leave them savoring your very best...leave them knowing more of Jesus around your table. He's the 'candle light' in the center of your room, and His light never goes out ~ He makes every meal you serve delicious and full of things good for the heart.
Thanks for being in the kitchen with me, it means a lot to have you here and a part of our family, a part of my hours. I hope in some way I've put a smile on your face, and some encouragement in your day to re-create 'family around the table'. It IS a sweet time for me.