Sunday was a really nice day, made nicer by spending it with children and grandchildren. A good meal, good conversation and lots of hugs. Doesn't get much better than that.
Except when Oldest Daughter brings a gift.
Sunday morning I had worn a sweater on the way to my daughter's home, to ward off the last of the morning chill. And because the day was so warm and sunny, I didn't think about the sweater until I was nearly home again. Last evening Daughter called, wanting to know if I would like her to drop off the sweater. When she arrived, she had a present for me. With a grin, she handed me a bag containing the ham bone left over from dinner. She knows how I dearly love a meal or two of ham and beans.
So the beans, the bone with a goodly amount of meat left on it, and generous handfuls of dehydrated onions and carrots are in my cast iron dutch oven, simmering on the stove. They will simmer there all day. The apartment is already starting to smell wonderful. And tonight I will have a feast.
Some might say that a leftover ham bone isn't much of a gift. But for me, who enjoys the simple pleasures in life, it is just right. Thank you, Jill.
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I think it is a good gift. I have made many a delicious soup that way. And it was nice she thought of you and went to the trouble.
ReplyDeleteHarry...It is a treat for me. What with meat prices headed skyward, it isn't often that I have a ham bone to make one of my favorite meals. I agree - it was a nice thing to do.
ReplyDeleteAfter I gnaw the rest of the meat from our ten pound ham, I plan to do the same...just can't decide which bean or pea I want to prepare. Having done green split pea in years...yet I love pinto bean with a bit of Rue. Biscuits, or cornbread?
ReplyDeleteExcuse me...should read, Haven't. Duh.
ReplyDeleteStephen...I had the same debate with myself this morning, but as I still have several jars of split peas and ham that I canned up last year, I went with the beans. And I think it is almost sinful not to have cornbread with beans and ham!!
ReplyDeleteIts been years since I had a good ham & bean meal. Never enough meat left on the small bone to go to all the work. Enjoy.
ReplyDeleteRob...I know what you mean. When my kids were still at home, the only thing left on a ham bone was the smell of ham.
ReplyDeleteSeems apt, given the time of year, but this reminded me of the feeding of the masses with five fish and five loaves of bread :)
ReplyDeleteRMan mother loved a good eisbien. And RMan thoroughly enjoyed the pea soup I made with the leftover bones.
Dani...I hadn't thought about the loaves and fishes, but you are right. :)
ReplyDeleteIt is amazing how far a person can stretch one ham bone and a couple cups of dried peas or beans. I cooked like that a lot when I was feeding four hungry kids. Still do, I guess!
Ham bones, turkey carcass, old hen carcass...ALL are great gifts and make the most yummy soups or broth! Love them all. I can almost smell your soup asimmerin'!
ReplyDeleteBlessings!
CottonLady...Oh, it was good!! Made enough for a couple more meals and some to freeze for later. I hate waste, so any time I can get my hands on a ham bone or turkey carcass, I'm happy.
ReplyDeleteVicki, keep an eye on the Walmart sales flyers. Sometimes they put the big Smithfield hams, that usually cost $35 to $40 dollars, on sale and you can buy them for about $13.00 each. When that happens we buy several and freeze some of them.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Harry. I didn't know that. It would be well worth the two hour round trip bus ride for me to get to WalMart for ham at that price. I like to pressure can ham as well, and use it for scalloped potatoes or ham salad, etc.
ReplyDeleteLove "Ham & Beans." After our family Easter feast I quickly took the bone and a good amount of leftover ham and put it in the freezer for future use. Nothing much better than that, especially on a cold day. I can smell yours simmering away now.
ReplyDeleteJim...The simmering ham and beans made my little apartment smell heavenly. I'm glad that I learned years ago how to take what some people toss out and make it into something as good as ham and beans. With food prices going up so fast, it really helps with the grocery bill to know how to stretch the meals a person can make from one ham.
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