Celebrate Tradition!
Every family has some foods that are only prepared once a year, but that everyone absolutely loves. Something that you look forward to literally all year long, and that when mentioned the whole family’s eyes light up.
Have you ever asked why you have that food only once a year if everyone loves it so much? I have. Growing up I used to think that when I was an adult I’d make turkey and dressing anytime I wanted, or that sweet potato pies would be a monthly treat. But you know what? I was wrong. It’s funny, no matter how strong the craving I just can’t bring myself to bake sweet potato pies unless it’s Thanksgiving. It comes down to one simple, yet really important thing - tradition. Sure the pies would still be good, but I wouldn’t enjoy it quite so much without being surrounded by all my loved ones with our bellies full of turkey.
One of the things I hold nearest and dearest to my heart is my family’s dessert traditions. For Christmas each year my Grandmother would bake up the most buttery and moist yellow cake I’ve ever tasted, and between the two layers she would spread crushed pineapple and frost it with a simple and delicious buttercream. Oh, how we all looked forward to her pineapple cake every Christmas. The cake layers soaked up the juicies from the pineapple, and the butteryness of the cake and buttercream against the mild tartness of the pineapple - the cake was simply amazing! So as I sat down this year to plan our Christmas meal, changing a few details, attempting to start new traditions I thought about the pineapple cake and the fond memories and realized that’s just one tradition we will without a doubt carry on.
