Food and Family

I know I've said this in many posts before, but I strongly believe that food brings people together.
This is very true for my own family. I don't have a huge extended family, but its not small either. On my mom's side I have three aunts, two uncles, and five cousins. My dad's side I have my Granny, one aunt, two uncles, and countless cousins. Some of whom are already married and have their own kids. I also have more cousins on my mom's side (she has something like 15, which make then my cousins too I guess) but I'm not in contact with any of them. Its not to do with fighting or anything, my mom just isn't close with any of them.

Food has always played a prominent role in my family gatherings. Particularly on my moms side. My Gran (who was my mom's mom)  had a love for food and cooking, and she passed it down to all of her kids. Ever since I can remember, family dinners with my mom's family centered around food. When my Gran was alive she would spend so much time cooking for every family dinner that we had. It was amazing, she was such a good cook! Besides being a good cook, my Gran was an amazing baker. I remember one year at Christmas, instead of buying presents for everyone she just gave out giant boxes of baking that she made. I remember it being one of my favourite gifts from her.

Food is also part of my family gatherings in so many other ways. Time spent in the kitchen talking with my aunts. Eating at a long table set up in my dinning room stretching all the way to the living room, to accommodate all 20 of us. Spending time cooking with my mom, to get ready for a family dinner. As well as just so many other small things that just add up to form memories. Yes that sounds cheesy, but its true. It's the little things add up to form memories.

On my dad's side of the family we have a family reunion hosted by my dad's cousin, it happens every August long weekend. Food is such a huge part of it. Everyone pitches in to help cook, and there is always an endless supply of snacks to eat. My dad's cousin lives right by the beach, and has a crab trap. Normally we have fresh caught crab for dinner one of the nights, it is so good!

Those are just a few ways that food connects my family. Most of them are small ways, but they really do keep my family connected.