Much More Than Just Pickles

  This morning bright and early, Son and I were slicing up a bunch of vegetables.  It was pickle making day!  These were not ordinary pickles, however.  While the actual recipe was a bit unusual as these were squash pickles that are more of a mixed relish, the pickles are extraordinary in the fact that they are pretty much a bunch of good memories.  Yeah, confusing...yeah, happy.  You see, Mom made the first batch of squash pickles that I had ever tasted.  I thought that there could be no better condiment on the face of the earth.  After that first taste, Mom and I spent many hours of quality time slicing veggies to make our new favorite.  Memories were made.

  That tradition continued with my own kids.  Two out of the three say these are their favorites.  Son does not eat any type condiment so pickles of any kind are a no go.  But memories are being made because he helps me with the creation of the pickles for the other two.  My oldest son insists these are the "best ever" and Darling Daughter feels nigh on the same.  When they are back at the Little Bayou House during spring, they pounce on the opportunity to make (and eat) these delectable treats.  Today, Son and I talked and laughed as we sliced.  Not only did we talk about pickles but just about everything else under the sun.  (It takes a good while to slice up nigh on a half bushel of veggies!) 

  Now that the jars are filled and sealed, our task for the day is finished.  Those squash pickles will be eaten over the next few months but the time spent together will last a lifetime. Son commented "Grandma sure knew what she was doing when she got us all together to do things."....and she did.  She understood that it is times like this that last forever.  Smiles and pickles somehow just go together.