Sunday, November 29, 2009

“Day After” Doldrums

Deviled eggs -- I forgot about Michelle’s deviled eggs at the Big Fat Family Feast. I think I was in denial because I probably consumed a dozen of them.  And Rachel’s simply superb stuffed mushrooms --  I know I ate at least four. It usually takes three days for me to process the events (and the foods) of a week of visiting relatives, but I don’t have time to take to my bed right now.

I expected to attend Mamie’s birthday party, but I didn’t expect to cater it. Mamie’s older son Junior would surely have thrown a birthday bash for his mama’s ninetieth. Then he died. His wife, Greta, his kids, Travis and Brook, and his grandkids are still reeling from the loss of Junior, as is most of Coker Creek. If there’s one thing I know how to do it’s “wing it.”  So I elected myself to organize the “do” – from six hundred miles away – with people I hardly know.  What was I thinking?

I have to help Richard cook for Charlie and Deborah’s Bluegrass night, and I have to decorate the Ruritan hall for Mamie’s ninetieth birthday party. Where’s Elaine when I need to arrange flowers and greenery. Where’s Terry Sue when I need to make ribbons and garland? At least I have Richard in residence to help me cook and carry.

We have no idea who plans to attend or what they plan to bring. Everybody is just coming off of Thanksgiving travel, cooking and feasting. Who really needs another event, or more food -- especially with Christmas less than a month away? But Mamie is my mountain mama, so I want to celebrate that she’s still alive and kickin’. A party will be had – Coker Creek Cajun style.

Judy and Deborah have promised to bring beverages. Mamie’s niece-in-law Wanda has committed to sing. Mamie’s great-grand daughter Brook has sent out invitations and organized the extended family’s participation. Junior’s son Travis is arranging to get Mamie there.  Mamie’s friend Mary Jane has alerted the Ruritan members and arranged to have the mayor declare it “Mamie Murphy Day.”  Leal from Coker Creek Village has informed the area churches and helped me plan the menu.  Jack’s friend, Mark, from the Monroe County Buzz has promised to cover the event.  And what an event it will, hopefully, be.

Charlie and Deborah are having their Bluegrass gathering the night before Mamie’s “do”, so there’s dinner and dessert to prepare for that event. While I set up the tables and chairs for Mamie’s party at the Ruritan hall, Richard peeled and cooked butternut squash; seasoned, browned and sliced pork tenderloin; and made a batch of spiced cranberry sauce. During my short visit home between the Ruritan hall and Charlie and Deborah’s house, all I had to do was arrange the butternut squash base with a crown of pork slices, surrounded by jewels of cranberry and a center of ginger-cran-pear chutney to create a dish fit for a queen. This was a trial batch of the same meal I planned to honor Mamie, our Queen for a Day.

With some squares of carrot cake and our chafing dish, we made it to Bluegrass, but I didn’t even make it to dinner before I had Richard deliver me to my bed. I still have a full “Mamie Murphy Day” symphony to survive.