Welcome Home

This week, my daughter spent the Fourth of July climbing the 528 stairs of St. Paul’s Cathedral in London. Why you ask? This is why:

She reached the top and got a wonderful view - without keeling over. 528 stairs! She is young, you know. Dear Daughter had to do something to mark the specialness of the day. She adores London but the English don’t celebrate Independence Day with fireworks or hot dog eating contests. Not sure why. She thinks it is a bit weird to be on foreign soil, going through a day so special at home and so ignored elsewhere.

We have those special days here in the States, the days ignored by others and celebrated by a very few. We call them Homecomings.  Newborns come home from the hospital where they were born every day.  Doesn't matter if they are coming home to a castle or their great-grandmama is the Queen...ahem.

Sorry, we are on Royal Baby watch at our house.  I already have a baby grandprincess born three months ago.  But my daughter and I really, really really want Kate Middleton to have her baby this week so she can purchase commemorative tea cups and tea towels while she is there.  I just checked and the press has set up camp in front of the hospital. Let's hope.  

Now where were we? Oh, homecomings. It isn't limited to new babies.

A child raised in Maryland comes home from their first year at college in California.  A North Carolina couple returns from a mission trip abroad in Russia.  Soldiers and sailors return from the danger in the Middle East.  It doesn’t have to be a national holiday to be the most special day of the year for families and friends who are reunited. Even Mondays are celebrated!

Stop what you are doing right now and watch the ESPN SportCenter video story, Going Home. Watch this video right now. WITH TISSUES.

Our reunion may not be quite as emotional but I am already planning our welcome home dinner for the dear daughter. Ham, macaroni and cheese and Man O’s carrots (see recipe below).  No special Steele family dinner is without these orange veggies cooked to death in butter and sugar. Yes, it is the middle of summer and requires the oven being on for an hour but it’s tradition!  And our daughter's coming home.  

ManO’s Carrots

5 medium carrots, cut into thin strips

2 tablespoons butter

4 tablespoons sugar

2-3 tablespoons water

pinch salt

Place carrots in a 1 QT casserole. Add rest. Cover tightly with foil. Cook 1 hr at 400 degrees.   

What is a dish that is a traditional part of homecomings in your family? What dish makes you feel like you are home, even when you aren't?