Potato Balls Anyone?

My family has so many different holiday traditions that are centered around food I could be here all night long typing about them. About the pea salad that only Aunt Linda makes so well, or the rice dish that we all like but are SOOOO tired of eating every year, or maybe the pigs in the blanket (hamburger and rice stuffed cabbage leaves baked in tomato soup) that only my mom makes because none of my aunts are brave enough to try to tackle the chore. My maternal side of the family is of German and Russian descent and we used to have so many more "traditional" foods that could be directly tied to that culture but unfortunately four years ago my grandma passed away. With her so did many of our favorite foods. But that isn't what this is about. Its about what is still here and with us and how important of a role that food plays in my life as well as those around me.

My stepfather is Norwegian, through and through, and from shopping at the UffDa Shop in downtown Stanwood to eating that nasty fish you would never think otherwise of him. One of the foods that his family has made for years, although a variation from the original recipe from Norway, we eat potato balls. To describe them will make someone think they are  getting ready to eat a big glob of paper mache goo but to experience them is something totally and completely different. Now don't get me wrong, not everyone can get on board with this food (my uncle used to say that he never thought anyone could ruin a potato until he met my dad) but its something that our family LOVES. Whenever there is a special occasion and we are given the choice of what food to make, both my brother and I beg my dad to make these for us. If we are lucky we get them maybe once a year, typically for a birthday dinner. If we're really good kids (kind of like the naughty or nice list) sometimes he will just make them as a surprise for us. Funny how two thirty-something adults can be reduced to little kids again at the mention of my dad making this meal for us.

As for other traditions that are centered around food for me and my family... I would have to say the newest one (that just developed over the last two years) is eating dinner with my parents at least one night a week. It used to be on Wednesday nights but has changed to Tuesdays since I became a student again. Its become so normal for us to have dinner with them at least one week night every week that if something should happen and it doesn't occur, my entire week feels displaced or different. This is so important for all of us because it gives us the opportunity to come together as a family, sit down, have a conversation over a nicely cooked meal (thanks Mom) and focus on nothing but just being a family. My girls absolutely adore Grandma and Grandpa both and this gives them a chance to spend time with them as well. In this world where everything is so crazy and hectic and always on the run (henceforth the need for FAST food) I know that on Tuesday nights, we will eat well, enjoy great company and re-center in order to tackle the rest of the week.

Fast food- where would we be without it, right? My answer- probably at a much more acceptable and healthy weight, probably much richer in the pocket book and probably much more at ease with the way in which my kids are growing up. I would also be stressed out all the time about having to plan meals, constantly applying lotion to my dishpan hands and struggling to do the weekly grocery shopping. We don't eat out frequently but I would call it often (is there really a difference there). At least a couple times a week and thats because we are on our way to a meeting or a practice or on our way back from a meeting or a practice, or I had an especially difficult time coming up with a thesis for my paper so couldn't even begin to think of what to make for dinner. I'm thankful that the Mcdonalds, Burger Kings and Jack in the Boxes of the world are here because they do make life so much more convenient. However, typing this makes me realize that convenience has nothing on sitting down at the table with my daughters and eating a home cooked meal. Funny how fingers running on a keyboard about random thoughts of fast food can make one have an epiphany about the state of their family unit.

So thats my food story, gotta love it, gotta hate it, bottom line - gotta have it! I'm so thankful for the traditions that we have centered around food, even though I can't stand the pea salad and the rice dish makes me gag every year.. I personally wouldn't change a thing (except the fast food thing).