Sunday's meal is my favorite meal because it has always been different than any other meal throughout the week, mainly because it is a time of family, relaxation, fun and a good wholesome meal. It is also a time for coming together after a seemingly long week of hustle and bustle, and preparing for the week to come. Mother the key player, gets everyone gathered together in preparation of the meal. There are only a few of us who attend, Mother, Father, brother, two sisters and the four grandsons. While the children and men settle into their usual routine of watching sports and playing games, Mother and the older of the sisters begin to prepare two delectable courses of delightful decadence. Since this is a weekly event, we know how and where to begin. The kitchen is a large brightly illuminated space filled with memories of the past. The stove has not been changed in fifteen years and as a matter of fact the same decorations are still on the walls, flower pot borders, chicken ornaments and the Felix the cat clock is still ticking, even the flowed curtains, all still remain the same, giving the familiar and comfortable feel of home.
And so we begin preparing the meal, Chicken is usually on the menu but it is alternated from time to time with pot roast or turkey. Today pot roast will be served, cooked to perfection garnished with chunks of potatoes, baby carrots, green and red peppers and red onions and a batch of southern fried chicken, juicy and golden brown. A large pot of mashed potatoes seasoned with butter, garlic and chives, with a pot of creamy brown onion gravy. Next on the menu, French style green beans, and a side of fresh collards and a steaming pan of buttery corn bread tops off the first course. The oven is hot and the kitchen is delightfully warm. The aromas that fill the room are of succulent, tender beef mixed with onions and peppers wafting through the air making my mouth water with anticipation of a meal that I can actually taste at this moment. And there's nothing like the smell of fried chicken. When the first course is set aside, there is still more to be done. Mother is the baker and she prepares desert with the help of the younger sister, who by this time is anxious to get in the kitchen to help out. A double chocolate triple layered cake, adorned with decorations in white icing and a creamy strawberry cheese cake topped with whipped cream and fresh strawberries are next on the menu, made with elbow and knee, as we like to say. She always makes a batch of our favorite cookies. Chocolate chip and walnut, with a bucket of ice cream in the freezer, sounds wonderful doesn't it? Of course there is ice tea drinks for the kids and the coffee pot is set.
The table is set, Mother and the sisters decorate and adorn the setting with gold lined plates and the family's freshly polished silverware layered in gold. The linen and lace lined table cloth that has been in the family for generations, looks as good as it ever did. The pot roast steamy and a beautiful sight to see; sliced, garnished and cooked to perfection, sits at the center of the table, surrounded by the remainder of the first course. Everything came out just the way we planned, although there has been a time or two when things did not turn out as planned, today all is well. We gather together at the table, full of anticipation because we know we have a wonderful meal before us and it will be a delightful time of good food, great conversation and the warmth of togetherness. Not forgetting to mention the tantalizing desserts that await us after dinner or the time we will share together for the rest of this harmonious day. Father says grace and we pass the corn bread all is well in this house today, for this Sunday's meal is truly a delectable delight!
And so we begin preparing the meal, Chicken is usually on the menu but it is alternated from time to time with pot roast or turkey. Today pot roast will be served, cooked to perfection garnished with chunks of potatoes, baby carrots, green and red peppers and red onions and a batch of southern fried chicken, juicy and golden brown. A large pot of mashed potatoes seasoned with butter, garlic and chives, with a pot of creamy brown onion gravy. Next on the menu, French style green beans, and a side of fresh collards and a steaming pan of buttery corn bread tops off the first course. The oven is hot and the kitchen is delightfully warm. The aromas that fill the room are of succulent, tender beef mixed with onions and peppers wafting through the air making my mouth water with anticipation of a meal that I can actually taste at this moment. And there's nothing like the smell of fried chicken. When the first course is set aside, there is still more to be done. Mother is the baker and she prepares desert with the help of the younger sister, who by this time is anxious to get in the kitchen to help out. A double chocolate triple layered cake, adorned with decorations in white icing and a creamy strawberry cheese cake topped with whipped cream and fresh strawberries are next on the menu, made with elbow and knee, as we like to say. She always makes a batch of our favorite cookies. Chocolate chip and walnut, with a bucket of ice cream in the freezer, sounds wonderful doesn't it? Of course there is ice tea drinks for the kids and the coffee pot is set.
The table is set, Mother and the sisters decorate and adorn the setting with gold lined plates and the family's freshly polished silverware layered in gold. The linen and lace lined table cloth that has been in the family for generations, looks as good as it ever did. The pot roast steamy and a beautiful sight to see; sliced, garnished and cooked to perfection, sits at the center of the table, surrounded by the remainder of the first course. Everything came out just the way we planned, although there has been a time or two when things did not turn out as planned, today all is well. We gather together at the table, full of anticipation because we know we have a wonderful meal before us and it will be a delightful time of good food, great conversation and the warmth of togetherness. Not forgetting to mention the tantalizing desserts that await us after dinner or the time we will share together for the rest of this harmonious day. Father says grace and we pass the corn bread all is well in this house today, for this Sunday's meal is truly a delectable delight!
