Snapping Beans

I remember sitting in Gram's kitchen, while she sat on the ladder, snapping beans.  The "ladder", really wasn't a ladder at all, well, not a ladder proper.  It was one of those kitchen chairs where the seat flips up, and there's a step ladder underneath.  But, anyone who ever spent any amount of time in Gram's kitchen knew exactly what the ladder was.  And she'd snap beans, first the ends into a stainless steel bowl, and then each bean, into one inch pieces, into the old aluminum colander.  It seemed to me that the bean snapping often happened early in the day- enough light through the windows that the lights in the kitchen were off, but still early enough the the sun hadn't crossed the roof to bathe the room in dusty sunlight.  There always seemed to be so.many.beans.  And it was just the three of us at supper, she, Papa, and I.  The colander was full, even with the number of beans I'd steal, and munch on while we chatted.  I don't remember the conversations, not in detail, but they were easy, and comfortable, not like old slippers, because they never felt worn, but comforting, and familiar, yet still fresh- like biting into your favourite apple in the fall- crisp and new, but known and welcome.

There are so many things about that kitchen I wish my own children would have know- the gold loop carpet, and light green counter tops.  The avocado appliances, and warm maple cabinets.  The wooden table, with 3 chairs and a ladder.  The way it smelled, from morning 'til night, the way it FELT.  It really was the life force of that big old house.  Or maybe it wasn't the room at all, but the woman in it.

Fresh Green Beans
2# or so fresh green beans, whole, organic of possible (have you looked to see if you have a local farmers' market?)
a stainless steel bowl
a metal colander
a pot large enough to hold the colander over about 2" of simmering water
a person, with whom to chat, or not
a problem to solve, or not
a child or two, to snitch beans, or not

snap the ends off the beans, and put them into a small stainless steel bowl (compost, chicken food, or, save in a zippered freezer storage bag for making soup stock)
snap the beans into 1" pieces over the colander
rinse
place the colander over a pot with a few inches of water in the bottom
bring the water to a boil, toss the beans over in the colander with a large metal spoon a few times until they are vibrant green
remove from heat and serve (we always ate them plain, but you could add butter, or olive oil if desired)