Holidays

I have never been a really big fan of November 1 through January 2. And now with stores putting out Christmas paraphernalia sometime in October, the season just lasts way too long. I've purchased a wreath this year. A way for a local youth group to raise money for some service project or bonding trip. I've never purchased a wreath before. I don't decorate very often and truth be told, there has been years that I haven't put a tree up.
The food is what I remember most from my childhood. Mom's homemade rolls.. now a staple in my own freezer. My grandmother's pies...that my sister has learned so well. Now my aunt-in-law's nut pudding. The only true traditions that have been passed down center around those foods that have been passed down on soiled recipe cards. I'm grateful that WalMart doesn't sell those traditions. They seem untouched through the years.
When my grandmother passed away, the only real thing anyone fought over was her recipe box. My mom has gathered her favorites and created a family cookbook that sits on my shelf. But my own recipe box now has stained and smeared recipes handwritten on 3x5 cards hopefully fought over when I go. If those cards could only talk.
Is it any wonder that the novels I find so "fun" to read are those that integrate food into the storyline and place recipes to begin every chapter.