Tuesday, December 30, 2008
Lucky New Year's Day food
Edna: Since we're coming up on New Year's Day, we'd best get to cooking Margie. You know Mama always said that there were some foods you should eat on January 1st to give you good luck. Remember how she used to make that big pot of black-eyed peas?
Margie: I do remember, Edna. Mama would put that hog jowl in that pot then we'd have onions with them when they were done.
I recall you never would eat the hog jowl. No wonder you never had much luck.
Edna: Margie, I don't see how hog jowls are lucky; they sure weren't lucky for the poor hog.
Another lucky New Year's food I've always wondered about is cabbage, which is supposed to be a sign of prosperity. Cabbage was never lucky for me, because it surely doesn't agree with me.
Margie: Cabbage doesn't agree with me either, Edna. I've eaten it in the past but I'm sure not prosperous in a financial way.
I do enjoy my greens though. Greens are supposed to be a symbol for cash but nobody ever told me how many to eat. Do you know?
Edna: Eat them all, Margie, I can't stand greens.
You know, one food that is supposed to be unlucky on New Year's is any kind of fowl, like chicken. That's a shame, because I sure do have a hankering for some Kentucky Fried.
Margie: Edna, are you sure about that? The Colonel never told me that when we were dating!
I sure could eat some of those mashed potatoes and gravy about now. I believe they'd make me feel lucky .
Edna: Well, you'd best head on into town and pick some up then. Don't forget the biscuits.
Margie: Kiss my grits, Edna. I'm calling Cousin T.
Edna: You know, one of these days that boy is going to get tired of running errands for us. I hope it's not before he brings back our chicken dinners, though.
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
It's Fruitcake Time
Margie: Folks, it's that time of the year again. You know what I mean. Yes, time to give those fruitcakes as gifts. Trust me when I say nobody wants them. Do yourself a favor and waste your money on something else.
People sure have made fun of poor old fruitcakes over the years. You know what I do like about fruitcake? If it wasn't for the fruitcake then we wouldn't have that old saying about somebody being "as nutty as a fruitcake."
Hey Edna, what do you think about fruitcake?
Edna: Oh Margie, you left yourself wide open on that one, but I'm going to take the high road and behave with some dignity. I must say, I'm not a big fan of fruitcake. But it is indeed a time-honored holiday tradition. You know, Mama had a recipe for fruitcake, it was for the kind that got soaked in rum for a month. Whoo boy, that would sure brighten up your holidays!
Margie: Get off your high horse, Edna. You left your dignity in San Francisco. Didn't think I knew about that did you ?
I could use some brightening up so I might just make Mama's fruitcake. It ought to be ready by New Year's Eve for my party.
Edna: You'd better serve that thing with black coffee and designate some drivers, because just one slice will make you see pink elephants.
Margie: Are we going to the circus? I love elephants, Edna.
Edna: Save some of that rum for the fruitcake, Margie.
