As I was serving up a random assortment of leftovers today, it occurred to me that sometimes it’s the odd little idiosyncrasies of our loved ones that become our most
treasured memories.
Such is the case with what I call “The Eclectic Leftovers Buffet.” This kooky little tradition started with my beloved Granny Wheeler who was well-known for serving up an odd-ball array of whatever little bits of leftover meals she had in her fridge. It didn’t matter how big or small of a portion – if it was a leftover, it came out of the fridge, was properly reheated and served buffet-style to visiting family and friends.
Of course, as a kid, my brother and I thought this ritual was absolutely crazy, but deep down inside, we really loved it! It became a hilarious topic of discussion as we drove to Granny’s house – what would be on the table this time? Leftover meatloaf and chicken noodle soup with a side of sauerkraut? Or maybe it would be leftover fried chicken with spaghetti and meatballs? Who knew? It was definitely a routine that kept us laughing and made Granny all the more dear to us!
As I’ve gotten older, I see the wisdom in this funny little custom of my Granny – Food doesn’t always have to be stunningly plated and perfectly paired to fill the belly and the soul! Leftovers can be a surprising source of memory-making and memory-sharing! I know that’s what it is for our family.
What do leftover turkey, roasted potatoes, chicken parmesan, meatloaf, sloppy joes, broccoli soup and pumpkin pie have in common? Nothing! That’s why this odd-ball assortment of leftovers is called “The Eclectic Leftovers Buffet” – a fun family tradition (that’s frugal too)!
What about you? What are your fondest family-meal memories and traditions?
What a lovely story! Makes me think of my grandmother who passed last December. My husband and I have a lot of eclectic food nights too. I’m also famous for random stews! Happy New Year!
Thanks so much for sharing, Jenna! Family meals can be such a wonderful source of fond memories since they bring people together. Appreciate you taking the time to share your thoughts. Lots of blessings, Kelly 🙂
When I was a kid my mom called this “Grabs”! She would put out all the leftovers and we would fill our plates, sometimes with a little good-natured fighting for our favorites! So fun to hear that others have traditions like this as well! Thank you for sharing!
Thanks for sharing, Carrie! I can totally relate with some good (and maybe even not-so-good) natured fighting over favorites. LOL! And I totally agree – how awesome to know that other families have similar traditions! Thanks so much for taking the time to share your thoughts! Love hearing from you! Blessings, Kelly
This really made me smile. Thanks. 😀
Thanks, Lynda! I appreciate you taking the time to leave a sweet note – you just made me smile! 🙂
My kids call it Snack Dinner.
So cute, Laura! Thank you for taking the time to share! Lots of blessings to you and your precious kiddos! 🙂 Kelly
I LOVE leftover buffets! We do this often and it’s a fantastic way to not let anything go to waste! Have a happy new year my friend!
Thanks, Laura! You’re always such a sweet encourager! Wishing you a super blessed New Year too! 🙂
When we lived in Sugarland TX, our backdoor neighbor and I had kids close in age and her husband worked a lot of nights. My husband traveled back and forth to Austin and didn’t always make it home on Friday nights. So Lori and I instituted a ‘smorgasbord’ night. On Friday nights we would combine our leftovers from the week and have the kids dig in. I cooked things she didn’t and she cooked things that I didn’t so basically our kids ate each other’s leftovers. If the weather was good, they’d eat on the patio and play while we talked and had adult conversations. Worked out beautifully…and I miss it…not had a neighbor since that I could do that with…and great memories for our kiddoes.
What a beautiful story, Susan! Thank you so much for taking the time to share it. I love how you and your friend blessed each other and your children with this sweet time of fellowship! Absolutely blessed and honored that you shared this with me and all of us! Lots of blessings, Kelly
In ans. to what some of our family old time favorites are : is mashed potatoes, gravy, a vegetable, meat and applesauce. My husbands family was used to have fruit and cake and milk for dessert.
Another favorite for me and my family when I was still a girl which was rather a treat and not a regular meal was fried green beans and cooked potato chunks drained and butter and salt and pepper added, then cornstarch pudding to dip over the beans and the potatoes. And if we had bread dough rising we often fried some bread dough patties and had some fresh hot bread with butter.
Another treatlike supper once in a while was hot caramel dumplings with milk and fried potatoes as a side. Oh those sweets and treats. Now I would so like to see my family eating a more healthier diet. Praying Lord help.
But oh if you speak of fond and traditional meals… We ( well the ones that don’t dodge dairy and white flour ) really regularly eat hot egg bread soup for supper, or another milk soup either called rival soup or fish soup or simply cracker soup. Chili soup is another one we like and also chicken and dumplings
Thanks for taking the time to share some of your family favorites, Sarah! Hoping you’re having a super blessed New year! 🙂 Kelly
We often eat left overs to. Sometimes it seems that that is all we have.