The Art of Joy

I can remember back when my grandmother would slave in the kitchen all night long so that her family could savor the flavor of her soulful talents.  Many meals I cook today are an ode to her greatness as a self taught gourmet of food for the soul.  As I think fondly of the countless holidays she cooked for us, I am reminded that the most important memory is the time we spent together as a family. Many jokes were told and stories shared around the dinning room table of Catherine Dorothy Deramus Cast or simply Mudea. Over these meals the history of our family was handed down from one generation to the unknowing next.

I think my love of cooking and entertaining began to manifest itself when favorite daughter and favorite son were toddlers. Looking back, I see how I progressed to organizing some pretty awesome themed birthday parties at home. I miss a lot of the fanfare associated with those days. The excessive amount of decorations. The need to find all things "Power Puff Girls."  The over the top goodies bags. Even adults loved the parties I organized for my kids. Absolutely nothing screams "C-E-L-E-B-R-A-T-E" like a ceiling full of colorful balloons from a rented helium tank.  All this for the birthday party of a 6 year old....on a Monday night. 

As I have gotten older I now understand that from these gatherings memories are made. Stories are formed. Traditions and history are passed on.  As we break bread for holidays,  birthdays, graduations, baby showers and weddings we begin to add our patch to the growing patchwork that represents our family and friends.

Time is always moving, forever changing the things and people around us. So it is important to take those snap shots of our experiences and marinate on them so that they are ingrained in our soul. What I have and will continue to cherish are those holidays and birthdays spent around my Mudea's dinning room table and the lofty aromas that floated through the air.

Getting Back To Basics....

I'm always stuck on what to write about and for that reason I have not been on my blog for a while. One of my Sorors suggested I write about something that makes me happy. That I should write about things I like. My writings should in fact incorporate those things that interest me. All common sense approaches to writer's block. That sounds good on the surface, but what do you do when so many things interest you??? I love cooking, fashion, politics, spirits and travel. How does one reel in their need to obsess on so many different subjects???

I read a post on Facebook today that said in a nutshell if you want to become a better writer you must write all the time. Write even when you are not inspired to do so. Write when you have nothing in particular to write about. Write. Write. Write. So with that said I'd like to write about some of the meals I've cooked. Menu's I've created for family and friends. The craziness of holidays and all the cooking I love to do.  Perhaps along the way if I'm lucky I can learn a few things from the readers. 

Think of this as an interactive blog that allows for the sharing of ideas on whatever topic is up for discussion. Many will cover food, some will cover love, a few will cover libations and on occasion some good old fashion down and dirty Detroit politics. You can't have a blog without at least one city government post.

So with that being said, let the proverbial creative juices flow.