Roast Chicken: A Sunday Tradition

Here on our little urban farm we have a Sunday tradition; my husband roasts a chicken

and with it we roast whatever we can find in our garden. 

Here we used onions, green garlic, artichokes, carrot and stuffed him with bay leaves. 

It was delicious...my husband is a very good cook...he masquerades during the day as a banker

 but nights and weekends he is a chef.

"Tradition is the illusion of permanence."

Woody Allen

I have been thinking about traditions lately and the importance of them.  What we do over and over

teaches our children what is important to us--everyday or special days. 

When we consistently do something, week after week, year after year,

 it has value and power and teaches us about things that are great than ourselves. 

Seasons, holidays, birthdays--gives us a glimmer of something that is rock-steady and

dependable in a world that is not any of these things.

This is why I love our tradition of roasting a chicken every Sunday,

we gather what is ready in the garden, we sit outside--when the weather permits

and enjoy the beauty of our farm and eat together as a family,

enjoying each others company.

We enjoy this tradition so much we are going to add to it  this fall. 

We are going to raise and process our own meat birds. 

for this city girl this is a big step but my husband the chef wants to do it. 

To enjoy chickens that we raised, controlling exactly what they eat and

processing them humanly at our own home. 

Do you know of any breeds--besides Cornish Cross--that you would recommend?

What traditions do you like to celebrate?

Have a restful weekend!