Growing up in the 1950s and early 1960s,
one of my fondest memories were of the holidays. I was blessed with an
abundance of cousins on my father’s side of the family. One family had eight
children, another had five. Being an only child, I was definitely outnumbered. Still
the joy that we all shared when we were together more than made up for times
when it was just me.
There were a number of “traditions” carried
out by the family elders. More than once, I’m sure there was an eye-roll from
myself or one of my cousins when my aunt would insist we participate. The older
we got, the more eye-rolling. Yet, despite our rebellion, there was a comfort
in those traditions, a surety that if we did things a certain way we’d likely
reap the benefits of a good holiday.
Once I became an adult and had children of
my own I attempted to begin new traditions, assuming my way would be better. I
was wrong, or at least partially wrong. One of my many attempts at change revolved
around food. Or, as my mother’s much smaller family insisted, the fact that the
holiday “required” banquet-like meals. Often those traditional holiday meals
would include two types of meat/protein: the traditional turkey lovingly basted
in ginger ale, and a ham cooked in a sauce made from pineapple chunks and juice
and brown sugar. Add to that, three types of potatoes (creamed, scalloped and
sweet), two or three side vegetables, homemade rolls and biscuits, cranberry
sauce (also homemade), and a gelatin salad (no dangerous greens for us).
Desserts were also important and included
my aunt’s no-bake fruitcake, banana pudding, sweet potato pie, lemon meringue
pie, and a coconut cake.
All I wanted was to pare down on the
volume. It was an argument I lost right up until the last maternal elder was
gone.
Grandma Kelley’s Sweet Potato Pie
·
1 lb sweet potato (1 large or 2 medium)
·
½ cup butter, softened
·
1 cup white sugar
·
½ cup milk (preferably whole)
·
2 eggs
·
½ t nutmeg
·
½ t cinnamon
·
1 t vanilla
·
1 pie crust (9”) unbaked (deep dish is best)
1.
Boil sweet potatoes in skin
for 40-50 minutes or until done. Run
cold water over the potato until able to handle and then remove skin.
2.
Pre-heat oven to 350
degrees.
3.
Break potato apart in large
bowl, add butter and mix well with mixer.
4.
Stir in remaining
ingredients and then beat on medium speed until mixture is smooth.
5.
Pour filling into unbaked
pie crust.
6.
Bake for 55-60 minutes or
until knife inserted in center comes out clean.
Pie will puff up and then will sink down when it cools.
7.
Serve with ice cream or
whipped cream.
Now here I am, the grandmother of five and
insistent on a few “traditions” of our own. My tree still goes up on my oldest
son’s December 16th birthday (also a tradition in his house). We
subscribe to the three gift rule for the grandkids (one gift they need, one
they want, one they’ll wear). We’ve definitely pared down the “feast” process
but there are still requirements such as the banana pudding and sweet potato
pie. The responsibility for those goodies now falls to me and I’m more than
happy to carry on the tradition.
What I’ve discovered over the years is that
there is a definite tranquility, a peace, which comes with repeating certain
happy memories. There’s also a power, a sense of personal control over both
your life and the happiness of others when you adhere to the familiar.
We still tweak the process, making changes
where necessary, altering our food choices to accommodate allergies and likes
or dislikes. However, once we’re all gathered around the tree or the table, the
love and the peace enclose us and remind of us of all our blessings.
May that same joy and peace be yours
throughout this holiday season.
Nancy
Website ~ Blog ~ Facebook ~ Tw
Lovely post. I agree about the family celebration traditions, and how comforting they are to children. Well, to me too. :-)
ReplyDeleteAll the best to you and your family, Cat
I, too, was a child of the 50s and 60s. I remember having more food than anyone could handle. I've pared down the food for my own family, but I still make tons of goodies to pass out. I love to bake! Great post!
ReplyDelete(Chuckling softly here) This brought back memories of my holiday food table growing up, too. I think my mom finally said one Christmas that a ham that size would feed the entire family and we didn't need the turkey. Loved your pictures! Happy Holidays!
ReplyDeleteYes, humans like ritual, tradition, and discipline--don't let anyone tell you otherwise. It's a chaotic world out there--knowing you'll get sweet potato pie that tastes like Grandma on Christmas makes it a little less scary.
ReplyDeleteI love making the same recipes and repeating the traditions of my ancestors. I agree, there's a sense of peace in that, and also a feeling of walking in their footsteps. This is the time of year when we feel time stretch out behind and ahead of us. Continuity, in its finest form.
ReplyDeleteJello salad--oh dear! My Italian grandmother, a fabulous cook, just didn't do desserts, so we always had Jello with Cool Whip.
ReplyDeleteStill, there's much to be said for preparing those traditional dishes for the holidays. They have the power to transport us back in time and connect us to long-ago Christmases. Wishing you and yours a lovely Christmas together, with all the trimmings!
Wonderful traditions and memories. Thanks so much for sharing. I too can too remember those eye rolls on the ocasstion that my family traveled to where relatives where. I am on only child as well and it was to much more fun with other children around. Merry Christmas to you and yours!
ReplyDeleteSweet potato pie sounds yummy! Thanks for sharing. You were very fortunate to have such wonderful Christmases with all your cousins. Merry Christmas.
ReplyDeleteI too had oodles of cousins growing up. I have wonderful memories of Christmases spent with them.
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely, warm post. Yes there is great comfort in traditions but I too love to tweak just a tiny bit. Adored your photos. Merry Christmas!
ReplyDeleteNancy, This brought back memories for me, also. My family produced massive feasts for the holidays, as well. I marvel today at how they managed to get so much done--cleaning, cooking, decorating, sending out cards, shopping. It was taken for granted as a kid--now I can truly appreciate their multi-tasking and the yummy feasts! What is your pen name?Nancy was the only reference in this blog.
ReplyDelete