I am raising a pecan boy. And I’m not happy about it one bit. Not that I don’t want my son to eat nuts. I do. I love him to get all of that healthy fat. But it isn’t about what he’s eating. It’s about how he’s saying what he’s eating.
My husband and I are from opposite ends of North Carolina, and, in his Eastern part, our favorite nut is pronounced pe-can. I, on the other hand, say pe-caahhn. (Like, ahhh, what a delicious food.) Doesn’t that just sound nicer?
Anyway, there are all kinds of competitions in this state, barbecue style being at the top of the list and word pronunciation being further down. But my husband and I like to have a little friendly competition over pretty much all facets of inter-state sparring. And, if you’re going to engage in a little friendly competition, what better way to do it then to use your two-year-old? (Y’all don’t really know me yet, so I feel it necessary to say that I’m kidding 🙂 )
Last week, Will’s grandfather got him a nutcracker. Not one of those scary-looking Christmas ones, but a cool, metal and wood one. He loved it immediately, obviously, because it goes without saying that grandads always know the coolest things to get their grandkids. It’s never a toy, and it’s always their favorite thing. We have this big, beautiful, plentiful pecan tree in the backyard of our beach house, so we all ran out and fought the squirrels for the choicest pe-caaahhns. And, let me tell you, I took every opportunity to say that word.
But it was no use. Because, brow furrowed in concentration, my little guy looked up at me and said, “Mommy, aren’t these pecans delicious?” (Raw pecans really are divine, no argument there…)
I smiled tightly. “Yes. These pecaahhns are the best I’ve ever had!”
He scrunched up that little nose and said, “No, Mommy. It’s pe-can.”
Daddy: 1. Mommy: 0.
Well, the good news is that, even if we argue over pe-can vs. pe-caahhn, we can all agree on something. They taste the best when they look a little something like this gorgeous pecan pie:
If you’re looking for some yummy ways to use all those raw pecans falling in your yard, check out these amazing pecan recipes: Thistlewood’s Farmhouse Pecan Pie, candied pecans on Cooking Classy, and Toasted Butter Pecan Cake at Bird on a Cake. For something a little healthier, here is one of my family’s all-time favorites: Lightened Up Raw Pecan Pumpkin Butter at Oh She Glows.
Hope you’re enjoying this beautiful Spring day. Thanks for coming by today!
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