Ice Cream for Breakfast!

I had several wonderful loving aunts when I was growing up so it would be almost impossible to pick a favorite. Each had special talents and each holds a special place in my heart.

My aunt Ruby was the Grand Dame of our family. I guess you would say she was a “fashion plate.” When my aunt would see me, she would start at the top of my head and scan down to the tips of my toes to make sure I was dressed properly. Did I mind? No, not at all. She did it because she cared. As a matter of fact, it tickled me. And, yes, when we were going over to her house, I made sure that I was “put together.”

My aunt Ester was a baker. Not so much a cook. She made the most delicious, moist, flavorful cakes that I had ever eaten. To this day, I haven’t found a better tasking cake. I can still taste those cakes and wish that she were here to bake me one of her “delicious delights.”

My aunt Jo was what I called a professional shopper, so to speak, and with her two daughters in tow, you can imagine how much fun they would have spending all day in the department store. She would immediately call us upon her return and would bring over all their purchases to show them to us and ask our opinions. It was so enjoyable to see her coming with those arm-loads of packages.

My aunt Tina was known by everyone for her cooking. She could cook anything and everything. I can still taste those fresh colored butterbeans and rice. When any of the children were invited to her house for dinner, we would be the first ones at the table. We didn’t want to miss out on anything that she had to offer. We even ate the vegetables ‘cause they always tasted better at her house.

I spent a lot of time in the summers with my aunt Tina. I would spend the night at my aunt Ruby’s house and when she left for work, I would walk the two blocks to spend the day with Aunt Tina, just in time for BREAKFAST! She had a special cabinet that was easily accessible to kids. My uncle had filled this special cabinet with every kind of cookie and candy one could imagine. I can remember his smiling face as we raided that cabinet. He just loved making all of us happy with all those treats.

“Jeannie, what do you and Deborah (my cousin) want for breakfast?” my aunt Tina would say. Then she would rattle off all the choices: pancakes, eggs, grits, bacon, sausage, waffles, toast... And, without batting an eye, my cousin and I would shout, “ICE CREAM!” I was waiting for her to say, “Absolutely not,” when she walked over to the cabinet, pulled out two bowls and filled them with vanilla ice cream. Then she walked over to the goodie cabinet and offered cookies to dip into the ice cream.

Did someone say Oreos?!?

That was my aunt Tina! Always trying to make us feel special. We didn’t get to do that at home. Home was where we had to eat all those vegetables (and these weren’t like my aunt Tina’s). My mom would say, “If you don’t finish those peas, you can just sit there ‘till you do.” So, I would be left alone, at the table, in the kitchen trying to figure out how and where to dispose of those green things so that my mother couldn’t find them. There were some evenings I sat there for quite a while... There’re some children that can entertain themselves for a Looooooong Tiiiiimmmmeeeeeeeee...

Those moments with my aunts were so memorable. Carefree times. My place of retreat. I guess we all need those places in our lives no matter what our age.

Yes, even now... I will grab a bowl, open the freezer, and help myself with gigantic scoops of ice cream. And yes... with Oreos for dipping. I do this when I’m alone. No witnesses.

YOU OUGHT TO TRY THIS SOME TIME!

~ Jeannie Joyner

The Family Jewels

I know a lot but not really some. I have a lot of cousins, aunts, and uncles that I enjoy seeing. We don’t really have it on both sides of the family, just one. It’s Dad’s side of the family (my Dad’s mom’s side of the family, I think... well, it’s his dad’s dad’s side)…

We get up early in the morning to drive up. We normally go to Columbia in South Carolina. It’s not a park, it’s at a church... like a church... it’s the church hall. Church gets out... at 12, but then we stay ‘till like 2 or 3 to visit and eat. It’s like church food, a pot-luck—where everyone brings something and it’s GOOD. Sometimes we bring broccoli casserole or black-eyed peas, it just depends. There’s a lot of different foods. My favorite thing there is the chicken and macaroni and cheese... sometimes rice, different kinds of desserts... chocolate—chocolate cake!

When I was a young kid, I used to play with my cousins—not really running around inside—sometimes we were outside, but it was very hot so we would stay inside most of the time, just kinda talking, but now we don’t really do that anymore... just kinda stand and talk with the adults. We also used to sing church music but we don’t do that anymore either. I used to love singing with the family, many good songs. I loved to sing with them.

Now, I just stay inside and talk and watch the family. I enjoy seeing my aunts and everyone comes up to talk to me. There’s a talk, not exactly like a meeting, but talks about life and how everyone is. It’s like celebrating birthdays if someone passes on or not here and sometimes anniversaries. That sort of thing.

We count [guess] how many candies in the jar and if you guess it right then you win and get to take the candy, but I’ve never won. So, I’m not real sure... but Dad says you do. And... we play BINGO! We put nickels, well not money, but sour candies [Sweet Tarts] on the words (instead of the numbers) under the letters. If you win, then you get a prize. There are different ones [prizes]. Then it [BINGO] starts up again... we play several times... maybe two or more.

After all the activities, we have to clean up and put all the tables and chairs back. I was sad leaving and was very tired by the time we headed home from the fun, but still had a good time while I was there.

~ John Joyner