Letter to my friend the chef…

Yesterday I sent the Grange a ‘date’ request for September 12. It’s time to hold a memorial gathering for my folks. When dad passed, mom was unable to plan (couldn’t sequence any longer) a gathering for dad, and wouldn’t let me do that for her. When mom passed we were riding the Covid wave. Since then… Estate settling, a big remodel, getting DH’s mom moved and then working on her house so it could be rented etc… It feels like it’s time. It feels good.

I’m hoping for Saturday 9/12 because it’s after Labor Day, town will be less afflicted with what mom called Tourons, and the weather will still be fine. The gathering I envision is casual (like my folks were) with some time for people to share stories/reminiscences. I want to have a few screens with a rolling slide show, back ground music ~ a playlist of the things they loved arching from Willie Nelson to the Modern Jazz Quartet, a beautiful blank book that guests can write in if they’re moved to, conversation, and nibbles.

Again, things they enjoyed: Oysters on the half shell, gravlax, prawns, cheeses, chicken wings (before they got popular!) olives… And more, of course. And by that time the apples and plums will be ripe 😁. I want food to be easy for guests. No cutlery required, available, but again, casual. Think beautiful sausages cut into generous bite-sized pieces with (ack) a toothpick in them and pickled mustard seed on the side (I make the mustard!!). Mom made a great gumbo, but I don’t know how to make that a finger food 😏. Wine, a couple of different beers, and maybe a cider. What we call Fuzzy water, ohhh, coffee and tea too. No hard stuff. My folks enjoyed their martinis probably, no, completely to excess.

Ideally someone, not me, will wield the kitchen! Interested?? Lodging out at the farm. Name your price! I’d pick up the supplies, unless you have wicked wholesale deals. 

And if not the grange, then somewhere else! Finger’s crossed. The 12th shows available on their calendar. Let me know your thoughts!!