Early this week, I was surfing through the radio stations in my car. Imagine my horror when my favorite oldies station was blasting Christmas tunes. Yes, you read that correctly. Imagine my horror.
Surprise, surprise: I'm a traditionalist.
- On October 5th, we get out the Halloween decorations. (October 4th is my birthday, and it will NOT be upstaged by anything, including themed decorations).
- On November 1st, the Thanksgiving decorations go up.
- And finally, on November 30th, the glory that is the Christmas tree is brought out and given a place of honor in the living room.
I just think that each holiday should be given its due - they have been bringing us joy for quite a long time now - and celebrated for the correct amount of time. I guess an appropriate amount of overlap is okay, after all, not everyone can be such a stickler like I am. But can we stop starting the Christmas tunes before we can even enjoy Thanksgiving?
Aside from the complaining (I'm pretty much a professional), I eat the holiday cheese-whiz up with a spoon. (Pun intended.) I am all about the Macy's Thanksgiving Parade, Meet Me In Saint Louis on TV, the campy and wonderful Christmas songs, twinkle lights, cookies...you get the point. Anything that symbolizes the togetherness and fun and overindulgence of the holidays: give it my number. I'll answer.
About two weeks ago, I was reminiscing with my mom and dad about our great-grandmas and great-aunts that have passed away and all the joy they had brought to every holiday gathering. The joy they brought included some of the following: the best caramel corn you have ever tasted, coconut creme pie, old-fashion egg noodles, mac and cheese, etc.
With my mouth watering, the lightbulb went off in my head: how fun would it be to roll up my sleeves and tackle a "cooking homage" for all of the women who have inspired me to be the best woman I can be?
So, this holiday season, it is all about the retro, love-filled recipes of my elders. It's going to fun. It's going to be tough. It's going to be emotional. But most of all, like the holidays, it's going to be magical.
Stay tuned for stories and recipes from my Great Holiday Cooking Adventure!
