Let’s Rescue this Beautiful Sunday

It wasn’t until I became a real adult that I realized just how wonderful and blessed my childhood had been. It’s not enough to turn the legal age of an adult – there is so much more growing and maturing to do. Sometimes I think other cultures have it right.

In our society if you become a parent, you raise your child. In other cultures, the elders raise the children. They are too old to hunt or gather or do other physical tasks. But they have the knowledge, maturity and the wisdom required to make great care givers and pass on to the children the core values of society. Believe me, just because your body can produce a child doesn’t mean the rest of you has a clue what it takes. Especially today. I honestly don’t know how my parents did what they did.

I see so many examples of parents giving 100% to their children. By that I mean they are running themselves ragged to sporting events, competitions, recitals, whatever else. There is no time for family. Every waking moment is spent in the pursuit of something. And the family dinner no longer exists. At least not the way families once were – sitting down together around the dinner table. It wasn’t just mealtime that family obligations and commitments took center stage. Children helping out around the house. Chores were divided up, and everyone worked together. I see parents I know, after running their children here and there, come home to get the laundry done or the house cleaned in the wee hours of the morning, then drag their tired butts up and head off to work so they can afford to sent their children to as many camps and activities as possible, to give their children a better life and have those big ticket items under the Christmas Tree. Without realizing it, they are in fact raising selfish children. It’s okay to cheer your kids on and want the best. It’s also okay to set time aside for family obligations, and to expect that children help around the house. I’ve watched tired parents folding laundry while their teenage children are flopped down on the sofa, playing video games, oblivious to the needs of their parents.

When I was growing up, we had our time with friends, our interests to pursue, and our obligations to our family. Those obligations came first. My brother mowed the lawn. My sisters and I did the dishes. An hour every Sunday was for God. Evenings we shared a meal together, and in so doing shared each others lives. I can so clearly see the look on my youngest sister’s face when she would inadvertently say something silly or funny, and we’d all burst into laughter. She would smile with this confused look on her face that clearly said “What’s so funny?” And for the next ten minutes she would repeat the last thing she said over and over, trying to get the joke.

The ties that bid ran deep. It wasn’t just our home, in homes all across America family connections were important, as were a sense of community. We grew up with a strong understanding importance of Faith, Family, Community. These were valued above all else.

It seems to me the world has lost its compass. Family was that grounding point, giving everything else a sense of purpose. One way we can adjust our focus would be to reintroduce the concept of Sunday Supper. Okay, so maybe every Sunday doesn’t work right now as you wean from the outside distractions but maybe once a month, then twice, then start extending Sunday to include Grandparents, Uncles, Aunts, or close friends if relatives are not nearby. It truly is a magical, joyous feeling to be surrounding by loved one, breaking bread, making memories and deep connections that will last forever. Forgive me for going off on such a rant. But honestly, something’s got to give if our society is to not just survive, but flourish.

Fried Chicken with Creamy Skillet Gravy
1-1/2 cups Milk, divided
1 Egg
2 cup Flour, divided
2 teaspoons Garlic Salt
1 teaspoon Paprika
1 teaspoon Black Pepper
1/4 teaspoon Poultry Seasoning
6 bone-in Chicken Thighs
3 cups Vegetable Oil
1 cup Chicken Stock

Heat oven to about 250 to 300 degrees. Place a wire rack inside a rimmed baking sheet and a serving platter in the oven to warm.

In a medium bowl, beat together 1/2 cup milk and egg. In a resealable plastic bag, mix together 1 cup flour, garlic salt, paprika, pepper and poultry seasoning. Shake bag to blend, the remove 2 tablespoons of the flour to make the gravy. Set the reserved flour aside. Place chicken in bag, seal, and shake to coat. Once all the chicken has been floured once add remaining cup of flour to the bag, set bag aside. Dip chicken in milk and egg mixture, allowing excess to drip back into the bowl, then shake once more in flour mixture.

In a large skillet, heat oil to 365 degrees. Place coated chicken in the hot oil, and brown on all sides. Reduce heat to medium-low, and continue cooking chicken until tender, about 30 minutes, turning as needed for even cooking. Remove chicken from skillet, and drain on paper towels. Hold on the wire rack to keep the skin crisp by allowing hot air to circulate around the chicken.

Discard all but 2 tablespoons of the frying oil. Over low heat, stir in the reserved flour mixture. Stirring constantly, cook about 2 minutes. Whisk in chicken stock, scraping browned bits off bottom of skillet. Stir in remaining cup of milk, and bring to a boil over high heat, stirring constantly. Reduce heat to low, and simmer for about 5 minutes. Taste and adjust seasonings as desired with salt and pepper. Keep warm until ready to transfer to a gravy boat.

Mashed Potatoes
8 medium Russet Potatoes
Kosher Salt to taste
1/2 cup Milk or as needed
4 tablespoons Butter or as desired
Black Pepper to taste

Peel and cut potatoes into 1-inch pieces. Place the cut potatoes into a large pot, cover with about 2 inches of water. Season with Kosher Salt; bring pot to a boil of medium-high heat. Reduce the heat to medium-low and gently boil potatoes until tender when pierced with a fork, about 15 to 20 minutes. Drain potatoes well in a colander.

“While the potatoes are cooking, gently heat the milk in a small saucepan until ready to use. Cut the butter into small pieces and set aside.

Return the potatoes to the pot; cover pot with paper towels to absorb the steam while the potatoes “dry” over low heat.

Note: The paper towels are optional. By doing this, the mashed potatoes are fluffier. For a creamier potato, skip this step.

Once the potatoes are “dried” mash with a potato masher or pass through a potato ricer in batched back into the warm pot.

Add the butter; then gradually add the milk, whipping constantly with a large spoon or whisk until the potatoes are smooth and creamy. Season with salt and pepper, transfer to a warmed serving dish.

Finish off this delicious Sunday Family Supper with a side of buttery corn. Remember to say your prayers!

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Come, let us bow down in worship;
let us kneel before the LORD who made us.
For He is our God,
and we are the people He shepherds, the flock He guides.