Summertime was made for relaxin and visitin, friends as well as family. I hafta say when I go to Sister's house the first thing I do (OK maybe the second after playing with the pups) is open her fridge and give it a quick once over. Dont ask me why, its habit I reckon, held over from childhood when I would go to Grandmother's house and check to see if she had any Cool Whip.
Sister is what I call a progressive shopper so a visual trip thru her fridge can be an enlightening experience. If anything new and yummy is out in the stores, you can be sure Sister will try it. Why, she has discovered many delectable 'cant live without' items. Sister is the first person I know who tried those flatbread sandwich round things. I love 'em! She is always my 'go to' source for the latest good snacks and wine, too. Several of my 'cant live without' items, Sister turned me onto; like the goat cheese rolled in cranberries from Costco! Truly amazing yall, with crackers and a cocktail! So, you see, when I look in her fridge, its research plain and simple!
When Reagan comes over, lookin in our fridge IS the first thing he does. Disappointment is quick to register on his face, too. Like he was expectin it to suddenly be overflowin with nothing but beer and beef on a stick! Heck, there is no telling what he thought would be in there, but I can tell you that it has NEVER been filled with beer and beef. Why, the look on his face is enough to break a mother's heart.
Next, he heads to the pantry. I declare, its the very same disappointed look. It should make me happy I guess, on account he remains hopeful that any day now a paradigm shift might occur. See, Reagan is every bit as optimistic as I am. He has my sunny disposition and is rarely out of sorts. He sees the good in everyone but Im afraid he cant see much good in our fridge or pantry.
I began to wonder if everyone does this fridge peekin when they visit others, or is it something we only do when visitin family? I've always heard of folks peepin into medicine cabinets, but thats completely lost on me. I can honestly say I have never once felt the least little bit compelled to look into anyone's medicine cabinet. Mercy goodness, what on earth would be the point of doing such a thing? Medicine is not anything I lust after; not like a new Blue Bell flavor or leftover pie for cryin out loud!
I firmly believe you can tell a lot about a person by peekin in their fridge. Are they neat or sloppy? Do they clean the shelves or are they crusted over with spilled goop? Are the fruits and veggies organized or furry with neglect; is the cheese blue when its not Gorgonzola, is the milk a liquid or a solid blinky mess? How many bottles of hooch do they have in their freezer? See! Its better and more accurate than reading tea leaves! Im happy to report that Im somewhere in the middle of all that but Sister's fridge absolutely glistens! Why, it is a pure joy and inspiration just to peek inside!
As temptin as it is, however, I would never dream of fridge peekin while visiting a friend's house or even while visiting my aunts. Im very respectful of boundaries. Its a curiosity though. You might even say fridges are the window to your soul!
When I was single, this fella I dated for a while was always makin snarky comments about how many different kinds of mustard, olives and pickles I kept in my fridge. I admit that condiments hold a place near and dear to my heart; no doubt an homage to Mama. Why, it seems Im drawn to anything floating in vinegar. But in all honesty they do jazz up most any food! I never met a caper I didn't love or a sandwich that wasnt vastly improved by a liberal sprinklin of somethin pickled. Now keepin the little rascals from fallin out is another matter entirely. But if you can manage, capers or a gherkin or two on a sandwich make all the difference in the world. One of my old favorite Sunday breakfasts consists of an everything bagel split and toasted with a lit'lo smear of cream cheese, some flaky smoked salmon (not the nasty wet gooey kind), a vine ripe tomato slice, a slice of Vidalia onion, and capers! You eat this with a gherkin on the side and Im tellin you, it is transcendent! And what would a salad be without pepperoncini, olives, beets, asparagus, okra or whatever else is pickled and in the fridge. And dont forget; nothin says summer like bread'n butter pickle sandwiches on white bread.
You would be hard pressed to make a decent sandwich out of anything found in a medicine cabinet though....
Visitin....
Monday, July 11, 2011
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