We Gather Together…

“Memories mean a lot as we age. They are real~though often embellished with time. There is a patina about them which shines through any darkness. We presume there will be a tomorrow and time to add more memories…can we be sure?” Sugi Stewart

World events, life events and time in general can bring distance if we let it. That distance was narrowed by the Stewart clan of Glendale, Ohio over Memorial Day weekend as almost all of them gathered to live, laugh and love. Hear me and hear me, clearly…Memories were made. Oh, wait…they also ate!!! One of my favorite scriptures is “Where two or more are gathered together…make a casserole!!!

Highland Circle, Tupelo, MS was the gathering place where first introductions to the weeist of the clan were finally possible. A birthday was celebrated. A wedding anniversary was celebrated. A new home was christened and an outdoor Family Room was created for gathering, eating, telling tales and sharing an abundance of love. A sense of place was not only created but recognized and celebrated for the warmth of family and loving environment which created a roller coaster of emotions throughout the weekend.

FRIDAY

Most of the family gathered Friday evening and as was the custom at Nonnie’s house Mildred’s coffee cake was available to immediately open the memory banks.

Mildred’s Coffee Cake shown on family heirloom linen in silver rimmed cut crystal.

Since Mildred’s passing it seems there is only one person who has been approved to make said Coffee Cake. Trust me, there is a reason. I can’t imagine it being any better than he made it. It’s unlike any coffee cake I’ve ever had in that there is a gooey layer on the bottom, a very moist cake layer and then a caramel like crumb layer. It is absolutely lucious. I presented the cake with the appetizers because my sources reported it was always waiting at Nonnie and Pete’s when out of town family arrived. I did hear a couple of questions, “why with the appetizers” but when I turned around I saw folks with a piece in each hand and a brother walking around with the entire plate. I love how family favorite food can be such a delightful catalyst for memories.

Tupelo Tea was offered at the kitchen bar as well as nectarous nibbles which were displayed on a recent TimMagic acquisition…the Brooklyn Dining Table by Four Hands. Then, a raucous game of badminton was the prelude to a casual supper culminating with feting NeNe, the weekend’s organizer and hostess.

First…

Then…

Finally…

NeNe aka the birthday girl loves Dark Chocolate and Red Wine.

Dark Chocolate Ganache with Fine Dark Chocolates and Dark Chocolate Covered Toffee

The casual evening was a perfect way to begin the perfect weekend.

SATURDAY

The hostess let everyone know a light breakfast would be available between 8:30 and 10. I had a full work day ahead and arrived promptly at 8:30 expecting to find only the hostess up and about. But, no!!! The place was abuzz with activity and pretty quickly there after folks started coming in the door looking for coffee, a new and different yet delicious coffee cake, fruit, yogurt and granola and YES, a casserole..a breakfast casserole…but still!!! The day was of full of tours, seeing historic landmarks, family workplaces and even a lunch was thrown in before everyone went to their respective abodes to prepare for the evening festivities.

As Dillard Fay aka Mom would say “it came up a shower” mid-afternoon. And, as Quindel (Dad) would say “just enough to cool things off”. By 6:30 the atmosphere could not have been any better. The home’s carport and drive through “magically” turned into an outdoor living space…fully covered, softly lit and gently cooled with air coolers.

The entrance was dressed with classic urns filled with boxwood topiaries.

Family history records tennis being a constant part of their lives. Stewart being the paternal family surname tips one off to the British Isles heritage which conjured a Wimbledon aesthetic as inspiration for the mood board. Shades of green and white anchored the look (also a nod to the Emerald Isle/maternal family lineage). Classic architectural and decorative elements created the foundation for the decor. The real truth is tent riggings are eyesores. Much of the decor was meticulously placed to pull focus away from the tent mechanics.

COCKTAILS

Cocktail hour began with an array of savory delights placed on Bistro Tables flanked with White Leather streamlined barstools. The tables were dressed with multi-colored textured sateen linens and accented with a cachepot of chartreuse flowers and citrus as well LED table lamps. The Yang of the contemporary elements made the Ying of the traditional elements all the more pleasing.

The hostess special cocktail is Bourbon Slush…the perfect starter for a Spring Soriée.

The custom moss bar was dressed with a floral composition consisting of hydrangea, beehive ginger, monastera, young apple branches, limes and curly willow accented by a gold tray and a band of variegated aspidistra ribbon. The flowers were accompanied by a family portrait circa 1988 and a McCarty Pottery Squirrel. Note…Glendale has been known for “Michigan Immigrant” Black Squirrel population since the 1940’s. “Pete” the patriarch of the family befriended Squire Squirrel which ate Planters Peanuts off the foot of his shoe. Thus, the bar featured another McCarty piece filled with Planter’s Peanuts as well as a Michael Aram bowl of Spiced Pecans.

The dinner buffet was served from an 18′ table dressed with heirloom linens passed along from the Heekin clan…the matriarch’s family lineage. In 1840 there was one Heekin family living in Ohio. At the time this was 100% of all the recorded Heekin’s in the USA…fine treasured heirloom linens, indeed. Again, the table featured pieces from the McCarty Jade Collection as well as pieces from Waterford, Mikasa and Simon Pearce. The flowers towered over the dinner selections in tall sprays of flora and fauna which appeared to have been artfully curated and freshly clipped from a glorious botanic garden. The green cymbidium orchids were accompanied by sarracenia, hydrangea, sparkleberry and young apples.

THE FAMILY ROOM

Guests tables were dressed with lime and white Jacquard accompanied by Chesterfield planters filled with fugi mums, dianthus, hypericum, artichokes and lime. The McCarty squirrel again graced each table. There were five squirrels in the room…one for each of the siblings as a family memory as well as a Mississippi memory of the weekend. Guests were seated in chartreuse or white Eames Eiffel chairs and their places were marked with A&W Root Beer Bottles…a favorite memory of the cousins.

The focal point of the space was inspired by a wall the hostess often does when she host receptions honoring family friends enjoying special milestones in their lives. The black and white aesthetic kept the piece visually calm and allowed each image to have its place in the collage. The POP of color came from a large Stewart Family Heart/Crest composed of all the green things by Rosemary Gaines at Jody’s Flowers. There was a lot of time spent in front of the installation recalling (or trying to recall) stories of each photo. Equally the lounge area became the “Family Room” for the entire weekend. The space consisted of eight gray arm chairs with white porcelain garden stools and LED lamps. The space was centered with a multi-colored rug and a large citron velvet ottoman.

DINNER

Guests were invited to find there seats where a plated salad was waiting.

The buffet offered a wide array of Southern favorites as well as several dishes focused on dietary restrictions.

Roast Gulf Shrimp and Boiled Royal Reds anchored the East end of the table accompanied by Remoulade and Cocktail Sauce. Succotash offered vegetarians a dish full of texture and freshness. Fried Green Tomatoes with Comeback Sauce was a huge hit. OMG rang out numerous times. New (as in dug out of the ground in Pontotoc) Potatoes with Dairy Free Sour Cream and Cheese and Real Bacon offered Spring Goodness…scattered, smothered or covered???

The centerpiece of the table was roast chicken. I know you expected fried but I refuse to serve fried chicken unless it’s served “hot out of the grease”…like Mom did. We went down that road for a wedding but I didn’t even consider it this time. And I’m so glad we didn’t. This was quite possibly the best roast chicken I’ve ever eaten. It was hot, moist and juicy. Several people went back for seconds. Not only was the chicken amazing but Chef Steve’s carving aesthetic added more Magic to the experience…totally FABULOUS!!!

The West end of the table did not disappoint. In fact, for the Vegans it was a full meal deal (just ignore the bacon around the beans. I suppose we should’ve done some wrapped in scallions…we’ll remember that for next time). Risotto with Spring Peas and Mushrooms was accompanied by Pasta Primavera, Green Bean Bundles and the table was punctuated with Cornbread Fritters. When we met with Beverly Blaylock of Tupelo’s Sweet Tea and Biscuits she said, “what about bread…do you want homemade rolls?”. I responded that I actually wanted Cornbread Fritters. She asked if she could make muffins. I said I’d prefer Fritters. She said, “well, fritters have to be served hot”. The hostess and I chimed in unison…”We have double ovens”. Beverly delivered crunchy cornbread fritters hot out of the double ovens. I wish I had one right now to crumble in cold milk.

The desserts were right up there with Covered Dish Suppers at First Freewill. Mom’s Coconut Cake, Louise’s Orange Slice Cake nor Rubye’s Banana Split Pie were there but let me tell you right now…ALL the other bases were covered. Again, maybe the best Banana Pudding I’ve ever eaten. Mom’s was amazing but I haven’t had it in twenty-two years. I’m pretty sure Mom would gladly give Beverly first prize. Just look at the Mile High Meringue!!! I hear all you meringue haters and you know what…I’m so proud you don’t like it because I will gladly scoop your portion free of that deliciousness. Also offered was Fresh Strawberry Tartlettes and Lemon Blossoms. As noted earlier the hostess is a serious chocolate lover. Thus, the pièce de résistance was Chocolate Cobbler. You know, I didn’t even ask Beverly to try to make it pretty. It just is what it is…Sinfully Delicious!!! In the cup you see cobbler, ice cream and fresh whipped cream. Beverly hasn’t known me long but she is a quick study…there was no sweetened hydrogenated oil aka Cool Whip on this dessert buffet. They were all delicious!!!

Real Magic

Following dinner one of the most magical things happened. It was not planned and honestly as accomplished as I may be at creating magical moments…there is no way I could have orchestrated something so beautiful and full of soooooo much emotion. It was a time of place. It was a time of open and honest sharing. It was a time of family. It was a time of remembering and reveling. Most of all it was an hour of love. Those of us who are not blood relatives were brought into the fold and asked to share…an opportunity we will cherish forever. Some things simply cannot and should not be planned.

“Rich Melodies and Fervent Delivery”…LA Times

The hostess invited a musician whom she felt was a perfect fit for the evening. She assured me we would be fast friends. I’ve worked with her for twenty-three years and have become as close as any non-biologically related individuals can be. If she says he’s good…he’s good. However, as my skeptical music friends often say…”I’ll be the judge of that”.

I’m a musician with more training than I care to think about. However, I seldom listen to music. When I do…it’s mostly classical or vocal jazz standards. She was right (DUH)…Tom Kimmel is the Gold at the end of the Rainbow!!!

He started his evening by meeting the weeist of the clan who’s had a penchant for music…especially guitars before he could even say the word. Brandt and I bought him a guitar for Christmas…basically a toy but it was tuneable and he could wrap his wee hand around the neck. Now he has that toy as well as a legit six string and a four string. He arrived at the party with his guitar on his back just like Tom did. Tom was so kind to take a moment to “pick” and clearly our precious Jack did the Grinning. IYKYK

“Tom is known as a songwriter and his compositions have been recorded by many popular artists, including Johnny Cash and Waylon Jennings (Heroes), Linda Ronstadt (The Blue Train), Joe Cocker(A to Z and The One) and Randy Travis(Shallow Water and See Myself in You). His songs have also been featured in television series including Captain Kangaroo, Miami Vice, Touched by an Angel, and Dawson’s Creek and in films including Twins, Runaway Bride, Serendipity and even She-Devil.”

The event was Saturday. I’ve listened to Tom everyday since and we’ve texted. As he also lives in Memphis there is another dinner in our near future. The Family Sharing was a hard act to follow. Again, it wasn’t planned but Tom’s music and gentle Irish spirit was the perfect segue into what was the evenings beautiful closing act.

SUNDAY

The clan met at Jobos in Hotel Tupelo for a lively and lovely brunch. The food was good but no disrespect to Jobos…nothing can beat family stories. You know how it goes…one is told which reminds someone of another. Whether it be about childhood, family vacation or when an uncle is on live TV and the Goliath Beetle he’s holding and talking about suddenly takes flight and lands on the front row of the audience spread across the bosoms of Honey Bee Queen who is there with her Honey Bee Court. Nothing and I do mean nothing can compete with that. We may or may not have totally disrupted other diners brunch.

Sunday afternoon included watching “the race” and hiking on the Natchez Trace. I, myself sat in my favorite chair on Oak Grove Road and relived the previous days event while editing the photos for your enjoyment. I certainly enjoyed the event but I was also very focused on timing, details and keeping wine glasses filled. Thus, editing the photos helped me see the event for how special it really was.

Folks came in from the hike and immediately partook more food and shortly thereafter dinner prep began. I rallied to help but was told in no uncertain terms that I was not to lift a hand. Watching a meal being prepared in a kitchen which I designed and have cooked in numerous times is quite possibly the most challenging experience of my life. Simultaneously, it was certainly a generous thank you for my orchestration of the gathering.

The cast included an aunt, an uncle and six cousins. Live music was provided by the weeist one.

Each had an assignment and while serving time got pushed a couple of times the execution resulted in the weekends perfect culinary finale.

Crunchy Ramen Salad v. 2~Roasted Broccoli~Spinach Pie~Braised Pecan Crusted Red Grouper with Tzatziki~Roasted Young Carrots with Red Onion and Carrot Top Pesto~Native Son Farms Crusty Bread

From all reports the house was lovely and a good time was had by all. However…

To say only that “the house was lovely and a good time was had by all” would be an understatement. The words extraordinary, magnificent, incredible, unsurpassed, etc. would come closer to capturing the joy, love, laughter, and enjoyment of the magical setting, delicious food, and special drinks which you created, designed, coordinated, expedited, and executed for our family gathering here in Tupelo for the Memorial Day weekend and holiday. D.E.B

It definitely was a time we will all hold dear…