Paul's serving bowl of Shepherd's Stew- compared to John's more reasonable portion.  Shepherd's Stew= a thick venison stew with onions, english peas and carrots served over mashed potatoes.  Garlic drop biscuits on the side.

"She boils vegetables!"

My Mom-in-law was never known for her cooking efforts or skills.  It just wasn't her thing.  I don't recall her ever saying she disliked it.  But I do recall that everything was cooked at the highest heat attainable on a gas range and the oven was used as dish storage.  When Will and I married, she soon realized that I enjoyed cooking and did so on a regular basis.  I've never been into froo-frooery and so a fancy cook I'm not.  But I try real hard to make sure no one pushes away from the table hungry.  I think she was impressed with my skills because I soon heard her say, "Nina is such a good cook!  She boils vegetables!"  And if you knew my mother-in-law, you'd know that if she said something once, she said it a hundred times.  Upon her announcement of my stellar accomplishment of boiled vegetables, people would ohhh and ahhh... and give me the strangest looks.  It was awkward as I haven't any idea what they were thinking.  "How does boiling vegetables make her a good cook?"  "Is this some kind of family joke?"  After a couple years of this strange compliment, when it just didn't die away, I asked her to refrain, stating that she was easily pleased and other folks may not comprehend the depth of her affection for my "boiled vegetables."  Within a few more years, she felt brave enough to attempt boiling vegetables under my watchful tutelage.  Put potatoes, onions, carrots, and cabbage wedges into a big pot.  Cover with water, sock the lid on and boil.  Salt and pepper to taste, add butter and voila!  Boiled vegetables!  Youda thought she'd created a culinary masterpiece!  "I always wondered how you made the soupy part!"  Yep, secret ingredient- water.  Kinda crucial when ya boil things.  And I will never forget how she treasured that "soupy part."  She would recycle that stuff for a week- boiling other vegetables, like green beans in it!  (But I'm proud to say I have never boiled a green bean- it's already quite dead and it seems just plain cruel to torture it further.  In WV, we cook our beans until they are "dry" with a little chopped onion and garlic and, if you're feeling froo-frooey, bacon grease.)

So, today, I boiled vegetables.  Made me smile and weepy all at the same time.  It was quite tasty- glad to know I haven't lost my gourmet touch!