I went back home over the weekend and it was so much fun! I miss a small town - I really do! I also miss all the good, fresh foods that are in everyone's kitchen! I miss all the talk about recipes, what is ripe, what was planted and when it will be ready. I don't think I ever have a conversation with my mother that the subject of food and recipe sharing doesn't come up. I think that really must be a Southern thing. I came back with a few really good "goodies". One of my aunts brought this jar of fresh strawberry preserves to give to my mother. Thank goodness she decided to share it with me! The photo just doesn't do it justice . . . the color is so fresh and bright and I'm talking delicious. It tastes like just picked strawberries softend in your mouth. The BEST thing about it is I know if there was an ingredients label plastered on the jar it would read, "strawberries and sugar". That would be it. That is all that is needed, and guess what? We can pronounce every single ingredient!
Here are a few other things I brought back. While at a family reunion I won the prize for having traveled the fartherest. Imagine that!
There is a huge bag of Vidalia onions. If you aren't from the South and have no clue what a Vidalia onion is I feel really badly for you! They are sweet and delicious and make just about everything better! In fact, my husband had a fabulous Onion sandwich with one yesterday! There are two bottles of Georgia Cane Syrup made from one of the sweetest men I know and the father to one of my classmates. Again, BEST of all, look at the ingredients! The label says, "Ingredients: Pure Georgia Cane Syrup with a small percentage of corn Syrup added." That's it. Nothing more. No high fructose corn syrup, additives, preservatives, nothing. You know exactly what you are eating . . .I love it! My mother also shared a few jars of her homemade Apple Jelly . One day I will learn how to make her jellies and jams, but until then I'm glad to take jars from her!
Remember while you are traveling and see those awesome roadside stands it is worth your while to stop! Grab something fresh and homemade.
Also, don't forget about the upcoming GIVEAWAY - A bag of goodies delivered straight to your door! Comment on this post and put your name in the pot!
What did you do fun this weekend? Are you counting down the days until summer like we are?