For many historical reasons, I enjoy nothing better than a quick meal of PB&J. Back in the ’90s, a restaurant chain started that revolved around gourmet PB&J. Freshly made, no less! Of course, I’m talking about Peanut Butter and Jelly. Today, I replaced the jelly with Maple Syrup. Why? I don’t have to go to the fridge! In the cabinet, side by side, PB&S.
Growing up, I replaced the dreaded watermelon with a PB&J. Again. That’s history.
Take off into the woods to play?
Carry a PB&J wrapped in wax paper for lunch alongside my BB gun and pocket knife.
Crawl into a deer stand on a cold winter’s morning?
PB&J and a thermos of black coffee.
Today, just about any brand of PB will do. Skippy. Jiff. But where did Bama disappear to? No matter the brand, just make it extra crunchy!
Bottom Line? I’m content to enjoy a good PB&J meal instead of cooking something hot and nourishing.
Why Have A Kitchen?
Someone asked recently about what we do for dinner, to which I described the main dish surrounded by side dishes that go hand-in-glove with the pickings. One meal a day, normally dinner, requires kitchen implements to prepare, yet we spend thousands of dollars dressing up the kitchen as if it’s the spotlight of any good home. We are not into gourmet meals, and seldom do we prepare for more than just the two of us, but we upgraded the kitchen counters and appliances to the tune of $15k a few years ago.
Why do we prepare a meal like this? For generations, we’ve been sold on needing a fully equipped kitchen with all the latest and greatest gadgets. We replaced our old stove that was struggling. A Jenn-Air electric with a down-draft venting system costs nearly $4k. The fridge costs about $2k and requires water filters every time you turn around!
Let’s see, our Ninja Grill costs less than $300.00 and, alongside a pressure cooker and microwave, we seldom depend on the costly apparatus that requires huge amounts of electricity to cook.
Where’s my PB&J?
Good Ol' PB&J: Today, just about any brand of PB will do. Skippy. Jiff. But where did Bama disappear to? No matter the brand, just make it extra crunchy! Click To TweetA Place and Time
There is a place and time for everything. Give me a hotplate, and I can prepare bacon and eggs, my next most important go-to meal. Perhaps the only thing I need a big kitchen for is when we have guests.
Alas, life has changed.
Blame the pandemic, aging, distance, or having no family nearby; our needs are changing. New habits are forming. There is a place and time for big meal needs, but I’m not sure that’s what I’m interested in hosting. It’s a lot of work.
I remember family gatherings of my younger years.
Tables piled with platters heaping with food.
Make-do dining tables and scraps of chairs to fill the gaps.
Never paper plates, always a mixed bag of china and melamine,
and drinking glasses may be the old jelly glasses reused.
Sweet iced tea, hot black coffee, and sometimes Russian Hot Spiced Tea.
Deserts were sticky and fluffy, but my favorites were pecan pie.
Oh, and if Grandma would just make her famous bread pudding.
Throw in paper napkins, and that was the most disposable item.
Everything else? Washed, dried, and separated to go home with whoever brought them.
We could make do with leftovers for days!
That’s generally what was good about those days. The feasting of leftovers! It kept the memories of our family gathering alive in our hearts.
I’ve written about my past, mostly because they are my memories. Treasure Trove is a favorite memory, alongside What’s Your Trajectory? Both topics may have a hidden treasure that would improve your day. Click on their links and check them out!
One Last Thought
My life is nothing if it’s not keyed into spiritual thought. PB&J may always be good for me, but I enjoy the big feast every once in a while. Weekly Church has been our fare for years and generations, but these times have changed what we think we need. Habits have changed. Maybe even our love for things of God has grown stale.
Last night, we had a 3-hour, come-and-go, online or in-building Prayer Meeting.
It was not what we expected a dozen years ago,
but it was better than nothing!
Life has changed.
I’m concerned we’ll never get back to what was once normal life.
Maybe it’s time to point our hearts back home.
Maybe we need to start replacing our PB&Js with hosted gatherings. Bring your special dish to the table, and let’s feast together. I know I’m missing it! Are you?
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