Family Reunion in Sioux City, Iowa

Road Trip: Day 2

I have one brother, no sisters. It's very hard for me to imagine what it must be like to grow up in a large family. I never had to share my room or fight for my parents' attention. Unfortunately, with only one sibling, when you're on the outs it's almost like being an only child. Nobody left to form an alliance with.

Ted is one of four children, and his dad Bob one of seven. This made for a very large clan gathering in Sioux City, Iowa.

Ted's sister Sarah and her husband Bill. Each branch of the family had a different color shirt, which really helped me figure out how everyone was related.

Ted's other sister, Betsy, an expert at multitasking.

The Calhoun Reunion was like most clan gatherings. We ate, we played silly games, we ate some more. Did I mention that we ate?

The Afternoon Cheese Course.

There was some imbibing of beer and spirits, too.

The Mint Julep Table. A little chilly for them, but they were oh so good!
(I nabbed this photo from Cousin Sandy, who is in the pale blue shirt across the table from me.)

After the gathering ended, after the campgrounds were tidied and the mountains of leftover food packed away, the diehards met in Bob (Ted's dad) and Rachel's room for some more drinking, storytelling, and yes, a little bit of singing.

Now that I'm home, I need to track down a few of the old family recipes, especially the one for banana bread. Dee-licious!

The best damn banana bread, period.

Ted's Grandma's Banana Bread
(Courtesy of Cousin Jeanne)

1 cup sugar
1/2 cup butter (margarine)
1 teas sour milk
1 teas. soda
2 eggs
2 cups flour
pinch salt
2 or three bananas mashed
1/2 cup nuts

Bake at 350 degrees for 1 hour

Note from Jeanne: I usually double this. For the sour milk I put a little vinegar in the sweet milk and then add the soda.

For Frosting:

1 - 2lb. bag of powdered sugar
1 - pinch of salt
1/4 stick of butter or margarine
a little drop of milk

At right: Grandma Polly Calhoun