Monday I drove to Tazewell, VA for a really great visit with my cousins and dear Aunt Itsa, who was visiting from Richmond. I held my breath for most of the trip, in fear that the steady rain would turn to snow. I was lucky, the weather did not change until Wednesday, several hours after my departure.
As usual, when my mother’s side of the family gets together, it is all about food. My cousin Vicky just happens to be one heck of a cook. Monday night we dined on crab cakes, roasted potatoes, sauteed vegetables, cornbread, coleslaw, sweet pickles and fresh, locally made apple cake with whipped cream. Tuesday night we had roast, asparagus, smashed garlic potatoes, corn, salad and strawberries with yogurt and whipped cream. I rolled out the door for the drive home, I would have enjoyed hanging around for more good cooking.
The rest of the trip was filled with lots of conversation, laughter and catching up. Last year, at the age of 55, Vicky took up watercolor and as it turns out, is pretty good. We spent some time looking at her paintings and drawings. It was a lot of fun and encouraged me to pull out my sketch pad again.
I returned home just in time to rush to the hospital to spend a couple of days with my mother. She had an overnight panic but is home now and doing well.
Cousin Eric and Aunt Itsa. Itsa was married to one of my mother’s late brothers. She is originally from Greece, lived in a mountain cave during WWII and arrived in the US after the war to go to nursing school. She planned to return to Greece after graduation but met my Uncle Tom, fell in love and remained in the US. Lucky us!!
This is a photo of the apple cake. Apparently an elderly resident of Tazewell has been making apple cakes for years, based on an old family recipe.
Another locally made food item, bread and butter pickles. These pickles are made with the juice of a lime which is apparently what keeps them so fresh and crisp tasting…or so I am told.
Cousin Vicky in her great room with China, her sweet little pup (9 year old pup but all dogs are pups to me).
