June 19, 2024

Just Beauty

Today we lovingly poured our ruby-colored red drink into champagne flutes that had been purchased with my mom nearly two decades ago. We toasted our ancestors and to love as we reveled in the spiciness of sorrel. It is celebratory.

We nibble on boiled peanuts that taste of black-eyed peas and connect us to my childhood. I vividly remember eagerly squeezing the shells to get to these slippery and soft nuts.

And of course there’s watermelon. Today they look like thick discs topped with salty crumbled feta and the tiniest basil leaves and royal purple flowers. This dish is a nod to living in Greece in the 90s and it’s ubiquitous (and delicious!) sheep’s milk cheese. Is it possible for the feast to be more wonderful because it’s set in the Black Garden? Why yes.