Key Lime Pie Macarons for a Family Reunion

Growing up, we went to the Ford-Fulgham family reunion every year. Mother would cook her best fried chicken and sides, pack them and us in the car, and my father would drive us three hours to the Center Grove Baptist Church for dinner on the grounds. Several families who had loved ones buried in the cemetery attended, along with regular church members, each bringing their own special dishes that were shared with everyone who came. We would stand in the dust and heat eating and telling stories. The stories were repeated every year with some embellishments added from time to time. A church service was held with enthusiastic singing. One uncle who truly believed in making a joyful noise could be heard over every one else. We would visit the grave sites so as not to forget. Each year the same old men would tell me that they had not seen me since I was knee-high.

I had not been to the family reunion in forty years. My excuses were that I was working, it fell on Mother's Day, etc. This year my sister organized the reunion, it was moved to the weekend before Mother's Day and I wasn't working so I was able to attend. My mother, aunts, and uncle have been dead for many years and I had only seen my cousins at the occasional funeral. Would I recognize anyone?  Would they recognize me?  How much have I changed?  How much have they changed?  Will I recall their names and things we may have done together so many years ago?  

If you've never been to a reunion in the south it is a time for family to reconnect, reacquaint, and it revolves around the food.  Everyone brings their best pot luck dishes, which are placed on a long table.  You fill your plate to overflowing with an assortment of food, trying to sample each item to not hurt anyone's feelings.  Macarons are my specialty, so for the family reunion I made key lime pie macarons. I packed up the macarons and my family and drove us to the Center Grove Baptist Church.

Family Reunion Haiku

family reunion

reacquaint and reconnect

all about the food

Key lime pie has the perfect balance of sweetness and tartness. It is light and refreshing, the ideal dessert for a hot spring or summer day. Previously, I wrote a blog about Key Lime Pie macarons, which describes the thought behind and how I made them.  This story can be found at  https://www.marionmacarons.com/blog/2018/08/01/key-lime-pie-macarons.

key lime pie macaron

The key lime pie macarons were placed on a large ceramic plate and laid out on the food table for everyone to enjoy.

key lime pie macarons

I had a wonderful time at the reunion! Yes, I did recognize my cousins and they recognized me. We enjoyed reconnecting with each other and our past, telling stories from many years ago that seem like they are in a dream. Family is a strong connection that time and distance cannot diminish.

cemetery at Center Grove Baptist Church where my maternal grandparents are buried

Annabelle placing flowers at her great grandparents' grave

my sister telling stories about our ancestors

family gathered in front of the Center Grove Baptist Church that my grandfather built

The Ford-Fulgham family reunion was enjoyed by all. I look forward to seeing everyone again next year.

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