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Great Foodie Gifts! Shop Online
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"It's surprising how much memory is built around things unnoticed at the time."
Hope y'all have a joyous & healthy New Year! This time of year is always, for me, a time of reminiscense. This year's no different, but I'm puzzled this year why I seem to have no childhood or young adult memories of New Years Eve, or of the turning of the new year. I have many, many wonderful memories of New Years with Barbara (we celebrate an amazingly big anniversary in a few days). But my two favorites for New Years, at least of those that have come to mind so far, involve the boys. Our tradition for many years was to spend New Years in Mobile with Barbara's family. It didn't get any better than Mimi Stern's West Indies Salad & Gumbo, the small of Papa Stern's cigars, & betting on endless bowl games. One year, about 25 years ago, Barbara & Matt & Josh had gone on ahead a few days before me & I followed, arriving early New Years Eve. My surprise for everyone was that I had shaved off my moustache. Matt had never seen me without it. When I walked in the door there he was staring up at me. This two year old was giving me the strangest stare. He was convinced that he knew this person, that the size, shape & voice were familiar, but something was wrong. I recall picking him up, giving him a huge hug & having him lean back in my arms, trying to get a different perspective on what had happened. After a few minutes he accepted the fact that I was me, albeit flawed in a new way he had never imagined. He reached out his little hand & tentatively touched my lip, then pulled his fingers back as though he'd been burned. He wasn't upset or scared, just very pensive. Trying to make sense of the unimagined. He reached out again & I grabbed his fingers between my lips, startling him into one of those treasured giggling bouts that left him breathless. But he would not be denied. He wanted to know where my moustache had gone. No answer satisfied him until I finally told him I sent it to the moon. He thought long & hard & finally accepted this answer. But he kept touching my lip & I kept biting those delicious fingers! My other favorite this year was from, as close as I can figure, 1991. Josh was 15, soon to turn 16, chomping at the bit to get his driver's license. He hadn't started driver's ed yet, & I'm not sure he had ever been behind the wheel. Barbara had gone to Mobile for New Years a few days early with Matt. Josh & I were driving in New Years eve. I recall we were running a bit late - It was dark when we started driving across the Achafalaya Spillway. If you've ever driven east on I-10 the spillway is that section of interstate built over the vast swamp west of New Orleans. Having driven this route dozens of times, I recall that 20 years ago there was no illumination on the roadway then - the only lights were from your own & other vehicles' headlights. I also recall that there was almost no traffic. I have no idea what came over me, but I suddenly & spontaneously asked Josh if he wanted to drive. You know the answer. I found a place to pull over & he got behind the wheel. In the dark I recall that Josh's knuckles gripping the wheel were not white - they were incandescently glowing from the thrill & terror of getting behind the wheel for the first time. He did great & I guess that the statutes of limitation have expired so I can tell the rest of the story. We were in our BMW (yes, those were heady days), & I suggested to Josh that he speed up a little, then more, then more yet. At about 110 MPH I reached over & turned off the headlights. Don't ask why. I don't know why. We both screamed. I turned the lights back on, he slowed down, & I think we both realized that we had just experienced one of those magical father/son moments to be treasured. I do not endorse this behavior but would never let the moment go. Ever. Do you have any wonderful New Years memories. I'd suggest recalling one that makes you smile & holding on to it for a few days. You'll feel great! As for the Market Saturday morning, I have two important words again: Lemon Curd Our glorious local citrus season continues. The Meyer lemons are spectacular - sweet & amazingly fragrent. Our Lemon Curd is a tart-sweet treat made with local Lemons, eggs & butter. Come early - we made extra this week but it never lasts! Is your host or hostess this year for New Years eve a foodie? We have some wonderful gifts to bring along. Made with locally grown red jalapenos, our Artisan Sriracha Sauce isa bit of fire but so delicious. We have plenty of our Vanilla Extracts, Vanilla Paste, Worcestershire Sauce, Smoked Salts & more - they all make great foodie gifts! Here's a link to much more information about the Market Come by and have a taste:: Urban Harvest Farmer's MarketsHere are the goodies we'll have Saturday:
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Food for Thought