Rib Stickin', Finger Lickin' Good Thing Going Here

The ribs were awesome. The pasta and salad equally delicious. The fact that everyone is pulling out all the stops to make every Eat Together a great time, leaves me at a loss for words. Are there more gourmet cooks in my family than I realized? Yes. But, what is being revealed on a monthly basis goes far beyond what's on the plate. Everyone is trying, and succeeding on all levels. There's been no wishy-washy commitments or second-guessing suppers. You are opening your doors, showing us a little more of who you are and sending us on our way stuffed like a turkey (thanksgiving pun.) For this is not merely an opportunity to show off your cooking skills, but in a much bigger picture you are in fact showing us your version of "passing a good time." No one will argue that as New Orleanians we like to eat and be merry. And as the old adage goes, where there's food, there's people. But aside from all the great menus we are putting together, we're creating comfort, memories and an experience. We're past all the small talk now, for just below the surface, there is a tradition brewing. Or maybe it's a ritual, or maybe it's just what we should have been doing all along. Whatever you want to call it, it seems to be working. In this week of giving thanks, I say thanks to all of you for making this such a great family.