A First at the Last

A package arrived in the mail a few weeks ago.  It was carefully taped and stuffed with miles of bubble wrap.

It began its journey on the American west coast and traveled over 2,500 miles safely to me in Tennessee.  

My good friend Becky shares a wealth of information about cooking, sewing, and thrifty living on her website Becky at Home.  There she showed how she canned fresh tuna bought from local fishermen on the docks.  When she learned I had never eaten freshly canned tuna fish, she sent me a care package.  It held two cans of tuna fish she had canned herself, a jar of her famous homemade plum sauce and pickled zucchini.  Becky had a bumper crop of zucchini's this past summer and was drowning in squash so she tried pickling it.  My family had never tasted any of these foods and we were ecstatic when we opened the box.

No one was allowed to open any of the jars early because they were to be eaten at a special taste-testing event.  We chose Dustin's last meal before he left for his new job in Iowa.  He needed something new for his last homecooked meal.

Becky sent instructions to barbecue chicken breasts then use the plum sauce as a dip.  I did that and also marinated two breasts in the plum sauce.  All were baked in the oven together in one dish.  Those that were barbecued won the taste-test contest hands down.  My carnivores could not get enough.

The squash pickles were a big surprise.  Never have I considered using zucchini or other squash to make pickles.  It just didn't sound right but when I took a bite, I was impressed. They were great. I will definitely be making these next year.

I wasn't sure what to expect when I opened the tuna fish jar.  It did not taste like the fish I have always bought at the grocery stores here in Tennessee.  The flavor was astonishing.  Compared to Becky's tuna, storebought brands taste like cardboard.  If only I lived near an ocean.

What was the opinion of my guys?  They were all thrilled!

Not one bite was allowed to be wasted.  Scooter was asked to clean out the tiny bits of tuna left in the bottom of the jar.  It's always his job to wash the dishes.  Everyone has chores.  He licked it clean and begged for more.  

Since I had done all of the cooking, my guys kindly cleaned the kitchen while I propped my feet up in the living room.  Just as I was getting comfortable, I heard Scooter whining and complaining. Something was wrong.  When I returned to the kitchen, I discovered why he was distraught.  Dustin was LICKING the casserole bowl.  That was Scooter's responsibility!

"Mom!" said Scooter.  "Make Dustin behave."

"It's too good.  I must get every bite."

"There is nothing left for me!"

I apologized to Scooter for Dustin's bad manners and explained he is leaving tomorrow.  He will be gone a long time and must eat his own cooking.  Bless his heart.  When Scooter heard that, he immediately forgave Dustin then generously offered him his bowl of dog food saying, "It tastes better than your cooking."

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