Presidents Past

Yes, we actually have a Presidents Day tradition. And, yes, we do it every year, without fail. The tradition comes from Trevor's youth. It is something his family did while he was growing up, and it is something that has been part of our children's lives as they are growing up also. That's kind of how traditions work. And like most of our traditions, this one also involves food.

Good, old fashioned food.

The tradition is this. We eat like the Presidents of old would eat. What would Presidents of old eat? Well, in our minds the only thing they ate was stew and maybe some homemade rolls. And so that's what our meal consists of every single Presidents day, hearty stew and a batch of homemade rolls. We eat by candlelight, we eat with only the basics, no place mats or decorations. We eat and then we discuss.

This is a picture of our discussion. The discussion where dad pulls out his fact sheets about good old George and Abe and he reads them. The kids are always fully engaged, OR bored out of their mind and sleeping on the table. The latter is usually the case. I have a great respect for the Presidents of old and am grateful for this tradition which allows me and my family to reflect on them and our great country, I don't think we do that often enough. Oh, and if we lived in those days half of my kids would starve, because every year on Presidents day I clear off 3 to 4 bowls of "old fashioned" stew that hasn't even been touched. That seems to be part of the tradition too!