I love this essay that Tori wrote for one of her college classes. It goes to show that you never what little moments in life will touch your children and create lifelong memories. I love the feelings and emotion she expressed. Reading it took me back to that time as well and I can remember it vividly, although my experience was a little different than hers. Nevertheless, it is sweet to read and understand her feelings. Very nice essay capturing a childhood memory. Love it!
Tori Trent
ENGL 2010-13
Dr. Julie Simon
24 Jan. 2014
Chicken (uncooked)
Peas or corn (optional)
While the water is
boiling the uncooked chicken make the noodles.
Basic Noodles for 2
people:
1 egg
2 Tablespoons milk
¼ teaspoon salt
1 Cup flour
Whisk first 3
ingredients then stir in flour. Roll on floured surface until 1/4th
of an inch. Cut with a knife or pizza cutter into strips. Take out
chicken and drop noodle strips one by one into the rapidly boiling
water. Add flour to thicken or can of cream of chicken soup. Cut up
chicken and add to soup when noodles are done (about 15 minutes).
Before serving you can add frozen peas or canned corn (drained). Add
salt or garlic salt to taste.
My
Grandma's Chicken Noodle Soup
I see tall trees
lining the Tennessee forests outside, peaking through the window of
my grandmother's kitchen. My grandmother instructs her
grandchildren, telling them to mix flour, eggs, salt, and milk into a
medium sized bowl. I drum my hands into the sticky mixing mess. My
sister and cousins all take turns mixing the items into a doughy
ball. Once the dough is mixed, my grandmother tells us to cover the
table top with flour and hands us a wooden rolling pin. I watch as
the ball of dough takes a flat and thin shape across the table. We
scrape the remains of the dough from our hands when the dough is
flattened. My grandmother demonstrates how to cut the dough into
thin strips, explaining that the strips will become noodles. I mimic
my grandmother's demonstration as I concentrate on cutting the dough
into precise, proportional noodle-like shapes. As we continue to take
turns cutting the dough, my grandmother drops pieces of chicken into
a large pot of hot water. She informs us that she is making the
broth.
When the dough is
fully cut, Grandma instructs us to carefully take each strip of dough
and place them into the pot of boiling water. We each eagerly take
several strips of dough and dump them into the boiling chicken
mixture. “Careful, we don't want the noodles to stick together”,
Grandma warns. Correcting our previous behavior, we carefully avoid
clumping as we place the dough strips into the pot, one after the
other.
Peering down into
the boiling cauldron, the strips of dough become puffy and expand as
they cook. They begin to take the form of noodles as they are
violently turned from the current of the bubbling potion. I start to
smell the savory steam, escaping from the brew.
Now all we have to
do is wait. Family from all over the country is here, casual
conversation takes place and smiles fill the room. People share
their latest news about their lives as the aroma of the soup
increases in the room and continues until it fills the entire house.
My excitement increases and my patience is tested the longer time
passes. Finally Grandma grabs a fork and catches a floating noodle
in the pot. She tastes the noodle and announces that the soup is
finished. Finally! Our hard work and our efforts will be paid with
the delicious taste and texture of Grandma's chicken noodle soup.
Family trickle into
the kitchen as the conversations quiet. People gather around the
large pot with bowls ready. Grandma asks my father to bless the food
and everyone instinctively folds their arms, closes their eyes, and
bows their heads. My father's voice rises above the silence as he
thanks his father in heaven for family, the time we have to share,
and the food. As a chorus of amen follow his own, people excitedly
pick up their spoons and start to devour. I sink my teeth into a
combination of broth and noodle while concentrating on the soft,
chewy, uneven texture.
I take several more
bites before I raise my head to take in the view. I see my family
surrounding the my grandmother's table to share this delicious meal.
Emotion rushes over me, feeling grateful for the rare opportunity to
see my extended family sharing this moment. This soup may be simple,
but it has complex feeling hidden in it's savory taste. The Trent
family is made up of many, many people. I have aunts, uncles and
cousins that grew up in Tennessee but since then they have spread
through the states, making it rare and difficult to see them
together. Seeing, smelling, and tasting this soup reminds me of my
heritage, past memories of family gatherings, and most of all, my
grandma.
It is a rarity when
I get to see my grandmother in her own kitchen. I take joy in the
remembrance of past visits to grandmother's home and having the
uncommon opportunity to taste her meaningful chicken noodle soup. The
sight of family gathered around the table talking and laughing and
consuming the soup floods my being, bringing a satisfied smile to my
face.
Zip Lining was way fun!
Monkey head!
I think this was our favorite stop. It was really beautiful. We Went zip lining through the Jungle, got to hold monkeys, toucans, and other animals, and had a beautiful spot on the beach to snorkel. This location also had a boat that had been placed in the ocean with a big rope swing to jump from. we had a great time. Our guide told us about how they love to eat iguanas. He told us about how you need 4 people to catch one. A seer to spot it, A climber to climb the tree to see where it goes, a runner to run after it, a catcher to catch it and a dog. He also told us about how he ate his friends pet iguana. I didn't believe him about all this stuff but he swears it is true. It isn't legal to sell them so you can't find them in stores or restaurants.
The best crab I have ever Joes stone crab!
