Aunt Dorothy's Best Broccoli/Cauliflower Salad

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Recipe:

2 heads broccoli
1 head cauliflower
1/2 pound bacon, fried
shredded sharp cheese or Longhorn cheese
1 small red onion

Dressing:
1 cup mayonnaise
1/2 cup sugar 
2 tablespoons vinegar

In small bowl, combine mayonnaise, sugar, and vinegar. Stir until creamy. Set aside. Combine broccoli and cauliflower florets in a large bowl. Crumble bacon and add cheese. Then pour dressing mixture into bowl and stir. Refrigerate until ready to serve.
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My father's mother, Lillian Gertrude (Swartwood) Colyer, was born on July 11, 1895, and she lived until March 11, 1990. She remembered when women first got the vote, and she exercised that right religiously. I remember her quite well. She was a church-going lady, and a maker of homemade applesauce, and quilts.

She made amazing peanut butter fudge, and one of my favorite stories about her was the time she caught a fish the day before fishing season opened, and she walked home with that fish secretly tucked into her boot, lest the local game warden discover her transgression.

We typically have our family reunion, which is the getting together of all of her descendants, on the Sunday in July closest to her birthday. The reunion took place on this day at the Lost Creek Rod & Gun Club on Shade Mountain, Juniata County.

It was to be a hot one, and I have to tell you I am not a lover of the heat. I also take a medication for blood pressure that renders me more heat-intolerant. The high temperature for the afternoon in McAlisterville, which is the closest town, was around 93 degrees on this day. I know it was cooler than that back on the mountain where we were, but not by a lot.

It is the group's tradition to walk up to the waterfall on Lost Creek before the meal, which is usually served around 4:30 to 5 p.m. Because it was so hot, I skipped the walk, and my husband sat in his chair IN the creek, while I sat on a rock nearby, with my feet in the cold water. This was my view.

It was shady there, and when the breeze blew, not uncomfortable. There are bugs, though, of course, gnats and mosquitoes that will get you if you're not vigilant (and perhaps even if you are). My blood must be sweet; everywhere I go, I get bitten. Maybe it will ruin your impression of my idyllic life to tell the truth, but here it is: many of my summer evenings are spent scratching bug bites, or putting cold packs on them to stop the itch.

And then the walkers who walked to the falls were back, and it was time to go inside and eat. There was quite a spread this year, maybe even better than ever. There were many delights on the food table, and I walked around taking pictures before we asked grace, and then enjoyed the fellowship of a tasty meal together inside the hunting camp that my dad and brother belonged to. And that my brother still does - brother Robin has Dad's locker now. Oh, and by the way, in order for someone new to join the camp, someone who is already a member has to die - that's a pretty exclusive club!

I am showing you a picture of the one dish that is my favorite, every year, no matter what. I have been known to eat it irrationally, and occasionally, to cadge a small container of it for later. This is my Aunt Dorothy's broccoli/cauliflower salad. And it is PERFECTION. Look how tiny she's cut everything up. Look at how well mixed it is. Look at its absolute beauty. Consider this: it TASTES even BETTER!

My Aunt Dorothy is now the last of her immediate family, upon the passing of my father in fall of 2023. One of my favorite photos from any reunion, ever, is this one of my father and his two sisters laughing, at our family reunion on July 14, 2013. That's Ella Mae on the left, Lee in the middle, and Dorothy on the right. They were siblings who clearly adored each other, it was obvious to anybody with eyes to see.

Anyway, we had our meal, and enjoyed the food and the fellowship, and then we cleared everything up and adjourned to the outdoors for photos. Eventually, we said our good-byes, and our I-love-you's. There are ones I only ever see at this event; every time I leave, I wonder and worry whether and when I will see them again.

And then my husband and I drove down to my parents' house, where we met my little sister and her family, and my brother and his friend. In days of old, we'd go down and visit with Mom and Dad after the reunion, and enjoy watermelon on the back porch. 

But that did not happen on this day, because Mom and Dad have a new address, in Heaven. We did, however, go through more of their stuff. And I brought another whole carload of it back, to try to fit into OUR house, much to my husband's chagrin. (Insert grumpy husband noises here.)

And now, in conclusion, let me wax on with a bit of philosophy, about family, and reunions. The long and the short of it is this. We miss the ones who cannot be there with us any longer. You know how reunions are. You're so glad to see everybody you got to see. But you miss some really important faces. This event was always a big deal for my dad. He would be there from start to finish, and we kids would go back to Mom & Dad's after. 

I have so many treasured memories, but oh how it hurts not to see my parents when we go there now. I am grateful, still, for all that I have now, and for all of the love I have experienced in my life, which has been CONSIDERABLE. 

Regardless of where my parents now reside, I am a beloved child of two people who adored each other beyond reason, whose daily example set the bar pretty high for me. I am a member of a large and beautiful family that takes the time to get together each year to enjoy each other's presence and fellowship - and FOOD - no matter how hot the day.

Nothing can replace FAMILY. Hold your family close. 
Love the ones you love. TELL them you love them. 
Don't miss the family reunion!!!!

Oh, and if you get a chance, do sample that most excellent broccoli/cauliflower salad before you go. I can promise you you'll never find any better! :-)

Our soundtrack song is Bon Jovi and Jennifer Nettles, with Who Says You Can't Go Home.