Remembering My Childhood Holidays and Special Days
It was great fun to prepare my recent party recommendations on Mardi Gras and Oscar Night celebrations. Any opportunity to bring friends together is noteworthy! But then I got to thinking about how important it is to focus on our own families too! Growing up there were so many little things that my mother did for me and my sister. Little things that turned an ordinary bagged lunch into a celebration, or a weeknight dinner into a party for four!
Every Valentine’s Day, we’d have dinner in our dining room with china, candles and all! My mother had a special tablecloth with red and pink flowers all over it. The meal was always Italian, you know, red sauce, and dessert was always cherry Jell-O. Red food dye turned our soda into something fancy, and my father’s martini would get the same red treatment! A little present, a cupcake, or a candy would be waiting next to our plates.
St. Patrick’s Day received special treatment too. For dinner we’d have Corned Beef or Irish Stew with soda bread and green Jell-O! Of course, the beverages were also green! Even our school lunches on these holidays included a little something special, usually a patterned paper napkin and a shamrock or heart cookie!
When I start reminiscing and so vividly remember these special touches, I know that I have to keep up the traditions for my children, even making that Jell-O! These little extras aren’t difficult or expensive, but do make your loved ones feel very special. Isn’t that what we’re all about anyway? Here’s a few easy holiday recipes that you can try on February 14 or March 17 – Ziti Casserole, Beef & Guinness Stew, and Corn Beef and Cabbage Dinner.
Enjoy!
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