Jan 07 2010

Tradition

Published by at 5:37 pm under Cooking,Country Life,Memories

The sky was grey and depressing today. There are a lot more grey days up here, and a lot more rain, and this tends to dampen my spirits along with the ground. Even yesterday’s early violet turned to overcast skies. I think we should invent some kind of festival requiring lights and sparkliness and maybe even fireworks to get us through the gloomy hibernal months after the holidays are over and you can no longer eat candy and drink with impunity any time of the day or night.

My brother dropped by yesterday to borrow a couple of movies, and pointed out that I could have left the Christmas lights up if I wanted to. It hadn’t even occurred to me to do that, since yesterday was Twelfth Night and that’s when we traditionally took down our decorations when I was a child. I still think it’s bad luck to take them down on any other day, and given the family curse, I’m not willing to tempt bad luck. Especially since I’m still injury-free so far this year. I even managed not to burn myself on the oven when I put the scalloped potatoes in for dinner tonight.

I make the potatoes the way my mother’s mother did. I couldn’t tell you what the recipe is or the amounts of the ingredients. Megan was fascinated to watch me put together the layers, always in a certain order, and asked me why. The answer was that it was the way Nana always did it. It’s the same reason that I crimp the edges of pies against my fingers and then cut a design in the crust showing what’s in it, such as an apple. I wish I’d asked Nana why she did it when I did still had the chance, but I’m still part of the tradition that was handed down to her. I love that feeling.

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3 responses so far

3 Responses to “Tradition”

  1. Joyon 08 Jan 2010 at 7:25 am

    Grandmothers do have an impact on one’s life. I, too, still use some of the techniques passed on to me. Also I seem to abide by some of the superstitions passed along as well…..just by habit really.!!

    jx

  2. Jenniferon 08 Jan 2010 at 7:52 am

    Superstitions…really, I never would have guessed:)

  3. suzyon 09 Jan 2010 at 4:51 pm

    I’m afraid I throw salt over my shoulder if I spill any. And I’m uncomfortable if my umbrella opens inside. Silly me.