Sunday Dinner

I was blessed to grow up in a home where my mom cooked and baked daily and most importantly, she was really good at both (my mom might be the best cook EVER!).  To me, food represented family and fellowship.  Just about every evening my mom would have a homemade meal waiting for us.  Dinner was family time and you were expected to be there unless you had a sporting event, were sick or out of town.

Now that I have a family, I have carried on that tradition and try to have a meal made for my family every evening.  These days it might be hot dogs and goldfish but at least there is something on the table for them to eat (or throw at me in the case of the boys).  I love to cook and bake.  My heart is full when I am in the kitchen.  It is my little way to nourish peoples' souls if that makes any sense.

Finally, today, I was able to really cook for our family.  We don't have a lot of money and I wanted to think of a way to say thank you to all of Tony's family for their help in getting us settled.  I knew that cooking was the answer.  I have dreamed of making a meal for his family since we began seriously dating over 10 years ago.  Today, was the day.  Sunday Dinner (which really happens around 12:30 pm).

The menu was simple and easy.  I chose food from my childhood that made me happy, food from Tony's childhood, food our family loves and something new.  I cooked and baked for 16 people and I LOVED EVERY MINUTE OF IT!  What would a girl from Texas who fell in love and married a boy from small town Indiana and created a family of picky eaters make you might ask?  So here it is:

Leigh's Loves

• Mashed potatoes - nothing fancy, just potatoes with lots of butter and milk a splash of salt, pepper and paprika (the way my mama taught me).
• Glazed carrots - carrots cooked with butter, brown sugar and smidge of salt and pepper

Tony's Loves

• Baked beans - Bush's Country Style Beans with a dash of ketchup, yellow mustard and brown sugar added

Tony's Family Traditions

• Oriental Cabbage Salad - Cabbage, almonds, sesame seeds, Raman noodles - AMAZING!
• Italian Beef - Roast in a crock pot with Italian Seasoning and Peperocinis. Pure goodness!

Something New

• Chocolate Strawberry Nutella Cake - Since I have gone country, I had to reference a great city girl who has gone country.  Thank you Pioneer Woman for an amazing cake.  Thank you Tammy and Emily for helping me make it.  YUM!   http://thepioneerwoman.com

Dinner was a success and my heart is full.  We had family here all day and I was so happy and grateful.  Family is why we moved here.  I was so lucky to grow up with my aunt and grandparents just a few minutes away.  Many of my fondest memories are with them and I wanted that for our children.  Oh the laughter that filled our house, front porch and yard... what a blessing today was and all the people in our lives.

Now to pour a glass of wine and finish the dishes...