Thursday, December 27, 2012

Annual Cranberry Eating Contest - Is this the 5th Year?

Well here we are again.  Another year of decorating, baking, wrapping, and the ever so popular Cranberry Eating Contest.  I take great comfort in knowing families across America pause on Christmas Eve to partake in the age-old tradition of Cranberry Eating.  

I'm sorry -- what?  What is that you say?  YOU do not participate in the cranberry tradition?  Well, get with it honey child.  Everybody is doin it.  And yes, if they jumped off a bridge I just might do it to.  If there were paparazzi and attention.  Cause we all know how I feel about attention.

Anyhoo...

Back to the Contest.  This year was like none other.  The final was a record breaking outcome and we even had to add some new rules to the event.

Middle Twerp started us off (MT) and boy was he geared up and ready.  He had been training his palette that day eating a few cranberries here and there for conditioning.  He wanted no one to see him training.  He was trying to hide his skills.

Please no paparazzi in the training room.
It's on like Donkey Kong
Plus he was talking smack.  Which made us all want to beat him even more.  

Eldest Twerp was fairly confident in her skillz as well.  Confidence is not a character trait lacking in our family.  Some call it vain.  I always respond "you probably think this blog is about you...don't you?  Don't you?"  Then I give them a bunt cake and some sweet tea in fear I hurt their feelings.  
 Everyone made it through the first round with smiles on their faces.
 Pretty much....
 For the most part...
I am just sayin...  Some of us are more seasoned than others....

 Not to brag or anything...but you probably think this blog is about you.  I KID.  I KID.
We were well into the game....  Everyone had survived round after round (Nana sat this year out) -- so we had to step it up a notch.    We were going to allow the person before you to CHOOSE your cranberry for you.

What are you talkin about Willis?


It's in....
And it is...

GOOD -- the smile got her through another round...

Next ET got to pick one for BT -- please note BT is our reigning champion.  Believe me, he has not let us forget about it.  Or fogetta boutee  -- as my Uncle Vito says.  

It's in...
 And...
Oh, can he hold the smile?
It's not looking good....
Oh help us Lord Jesus, the judge showed mercy on his sweet precious soul.

And, of course, I made it through..
 It's like a walk in the park I tell ya.


 Another round of smiles...

And on we go...

 Until this....  I swear it was the saddest thing of all my born days.

BT had picked out my cranberry.


And you would think that the mother of this child would have shown grace and mercy upon the woman who spent hours in labor bringing him forth into this world....



You would be wrong.
This child showed no mercy.
 But I am strong...
Determined...
More than a conquer...
Help me baby Jesus...
Sweet Elizabeth, I'm coning home...
 It was a sad day in the universe as I was out.

And then there were four..

MT rocked it through...


 ET sailed with flying colors....

 And G-pa.....
Well bless his heart.  

 And then there were three....

Was BT up for the sour cranberry?
That is a pucker face if I ever have seen one in all my born days...

You are OUT....  
 We needed some solace from G-pa.  He understood.

And then there were two...  MT and ET...




It was neck and neck --


 For three more rounds...


 The berry selection was ever so careful...


 Yet time and time again, smiles remained...
 After many more rounds....a few glasses of wine and slices of cake (Hypothetically speakin and all)

 (and a few close calls)


The judge was ready for his ruling...
 Anticipation swelled as each argued their position.
 But in the end there were CO CHAMPIONS..

Both ET and MT took the title home for 2012...
 And I may or may not have helped myself to another piece of carrot cake.  Hypothetically speakin and all.

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