Comfort food

When the seasons change from the hot and humid days of summer, to the cool and rainy temptations of autumn, comfort food comes to mind at my house.  I knew when I woke this morning to the sounds of a steady rain, lightning and thunder, that I would have something simmering all day.  I take every Wednesday off of work to be a mom, a wife, a volunteer, a daughter.  I use this day, in the middle of the week, to prepare a hot, nutritious meal for my family.  I get my laundry caught up, I dust, I sweep.  Sometimes, I get a nap. 

Well, today is no exception.  I got up and made my bed.  I had a bowl of Cheerios and began the pot of ham and beans.  I prefer white navy beans.  That's what my sweet mom made for us when we were growing up.  John likes the brown beans.  So, I switch it up now and then so that he's happy.  Today, it was my turn.  I washed the beans, took out some ham that I had put in the freezer from a previous meal, added a little salt and pepper and then let the stove do the rest of the work.  The beans have been simmering all day, and I've cooked them down so that there is a rich, thick gravy.

The cornbread, probably my favorite part of this meal, is baked in my old iron skillet.  The cookies, (Hillary Clinton's recipe) is my family's absolute favorite cookie. 

So, in less than an hour, we will sit down at the table on this cool rainy September afternoon, and enjoy a delicious, healthy, comforting and home-cooked meal. 

Peace.