Clams A La Craley

2005

36" X 24"

Oil on Panel

SOLD

The recipe series continues . . .
With an anecdotal glimpse into the fieldstone farmhouse kitchen
where my Mother and Fred spent many happy years feeding the gatherings of greedy mouthed children
(together we were 8) and grandchildren (a seemingly endless brood)
and friends (never too many and always dropping in at suppertime).

Mountains of garlic, fresh bushels of parsley, pounds of linguini, silky dark olive oil,
cans of clams and bottles of wine were the staples.
The steam from the boiling pasta pot wafted in curls through his
full head of snow white hair and rough sea captain’s beard
while the smells of garlic sautéing in clam juice
brought the giggling gang, taking turns on the tire swing by the creek below,
straggling into the kitchen in twos and threes.

The culinary elements came together with inspired conversation,
bowls being passed over and under and around the free flowing wine, love and laughter,
and at the head of the table
the mischievous sparkle in his eye that reassured us all.