I remember growing up, we always went to Grandmaws after church for Sunday dinner. She had two long tables spread with food. All the aunts, uncles and cousins would be there. Everyones favorite was the fried chicken. It would often be in a dish sitting beside a fried squirrel or rabbit. As I can remember, at one time, she did all the preparing herself from ringing their necks to plucking and skinning. Then she would fry them in her own special batter.
The family grew bigger, she grew older and papaw passed away, so there came a time she had to give it up. The smell of Sunday dinner was forever absorbed in the walls of that old house. She later moved into a retirement home where we visited often. I wish I would have visited more. I can still vision her standing in the kitchen with silver wavey hair, wearing a handmade shirt and apron trimmed with ruffles.
Up until the day she passed away, there would always be chicken on her stove top, in a basket wraped in a tea towel. It did not seem to matter to anyone that it sat out all day or that it was cold. It was grandmaws fried chicken and it was good either way. She always had chicken, cornbread and some sort of cake or fritters waiting for company.
As years passed, my family would still enjoy chicken dinners after church but we would all head down to Kentucky Fried Chicken. It was not near as good as grandmaws, but with a family of six, it was an affordable way to feed us. A bucket of extra crunchy chicken with all the fixins would satisfy.
This past weekend, the family met for my brothers birthday dinner. No, we didnt have chicken even though mom can make it almost like her mom. We had country style steak instead. While visiting, somebody found an old kentucky fried chicken bucket, dated 1969, laying around.
We all got a good laugh as we always joke how mom keeps a lot of stuff. Then we talked about how we used to fight over the extra crispy flakes left in the bottom of the bucket once the chicken was gone. Dont worry, this was an unused bucket. KFC had let mom have some buckets once so she could turn them into pinatas for a festival at church once or twice.
Not sure why she still has this bucket, but it triggered memories.
That chicken sounds like mama's chicken, she taught Sherry to make it also. The boys (and me) loved it when Sherry cooked chicken I loved you memories. A lot of southern memories are family oriented and similar.
ReplyDeleteYOurs make a great story, THANKS!
(Now it is Bo's or Popeyes for us. BUT KFC is also still good!)
I like BO's better than KFC
DeleteI never knew any of my relatives. I envy your memories of yours.
ReplyDeleteIll be your Sister!
DeleteGreat memories! It's funny how remember our mothers and grandmothers always in the kitchen.
ReplyDeleteThats where they spent most of their time it seems.
DeleteFun memories of family times!
ReplyDeleteIt sure was.
DeleteGreat memories! Except for cookies, my mom was not a good cook. Figure that one out.
ReplyDeleteBut cookies!!! Thats all that matters.
DeleteNice memories. : )
ReplyDeleteMy mom and grandma never liked to cook so not many meal memories for me.
I think your the opposite!
DeleteSpecial memories
ReplyDeleteYep sissy tou were there
Deletelooks in pretty good shape considering the age
ReplyDeleteIt really was. Haha
DeleteWonderful memories of your grandmother! I bet that chicken she made was so very delicious!
ReplyDeleteThanks for visiting :)
betty
It sure had more flavor than todays chicken.
DeleteThat bucket reminded me of visits to my granny's house. We would either hit up KFC or Sonic for a big family dinner. Now my grandmother's house was a whole different story- purple hull peas, southern cornbread, fried chicken, yum!
ReplyDeleteOh man that sounds good
DeleteWe loved the chicken too. But I must admit their new Nashville Chicken is just too darn hot. GREAT bucket. Perfect for memories to be stored in.
ReplyDeleteSpicy chicken is good too!
DeletePS) that says DARN but looks like DAMN. Sorry.
ReplyDelete