food love

These last few days have been filled with sister time, frolic and food.
My sisters and I met up in Modesto on Monday
for a Memorial Day cousin reunion at the Chicken Barn.
Don't let the name fool you. The Chicken Barn will not be mocked.
Their luscious tender chicken nuggets
and crispy spuds are held in reverence.
Their homemade bbq and mustard sauces
bring a small tear of joy to the eye of the partaker.
17 cousins meandered their way to a park,
with too many tiny kids to count,
ending the day at La Morenita munching on chips and cabbage salsa.
We spent the day feasting, laughing, storytelling,
and not quite believing how we are turning into our parents.
The fun-ness of being together. Of laughing from our gut. Of being real.
Of enjoying the company of those who are most like you is incomparable.
Yesterday, we sisters wrapped our day around buttery scones,
hot cups of tea,
a fresh summer salad of corn and lime,
and dinner at a lebanese restaurant with a hummus so creamy,
it danced on the tongue.
Maybe it's the way my family works. Food is equated with good memories.
Grandma and Grandpa's homemade peach ice cream....
Mom's apple pie with the pie dough cinnamon rolls baked beside it....
Chris and Traci's hand shaped pizza brushed with fragrant olive oil....
It's all enmeshed with the goodness of being together, loving each other
and enjoying the moments that we can grab together as we are doing life.
Today is Will's 4th birthday. We're going to have some fun.
We're going to have some presents.
And, of course, we're going to have some cake. Chocolate.
Let the love begin.