Thursday, January 26, 2012

Caffeinated Randomness - Comfort Memories

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This week a dear bloggy friend, Jedjidja, wrote a post on a memory of her grandparents visting her as a child.  This reminded me of my great grandmother.  For those who do not know, I was raised by my grandparents.  So my relationsip with them is more of a child/parent relationship.  My relationship with my great grandmother (my maternal grandmother's mom) is the relationship I think of when I think grandparent relationship.  

My great grandma was 66 when I was born.  I remember her coming to our house and bringing digestive biscuits or wafer cookies with her for tea time.  I remember driving in her blue car (I don't know what kind) and getting picked up from school or going to the doctor.  When I was around 5 years old, she had a major heart attack.  This slowed her down.  However, she had just moved into a condominium that was walking distance from our house.  Sometimes after school my grandmother would take me over to her condominium for tea time.  Tea time was always around 3.  The tea was served in delicate china mugs.  There was always some cookie, bar or cup cake that she had made.  But I always waited for the shortbread.  Not whipped shortbread, but traditional Scottish shortbread.  It's more of a bar.  It is also hard and when dipped in your tea is amazing.  I was the shortbread girl.  I would do anything to get some.  The year I lived with my mom when I was 12, she sent me some for my Christmas gift.  My mom wanted me to put it out for our guests, but as it was my Christmas gift I said no and hid it in my room.  
When my great grandmother died I was devastated.  She was so important to me.  I loved listening to her stories of growing up in a mining town.  Or her advice "you meet good boys at church."  Because of this relationship I encourage my children's relationship with their grandparents and great grandmother (my grandma).  I love when my grandmother and kids get to visit with each other and I think it's great that even though we don't live in the same city that they are able to skype. 

My friend, Shawntele, at Rambling with Grace, has a new meme on Friday's called 5 Fave Friday.  This week she is talking about comfort food, which I think is quite fitting with my memories of great grandma.  These are the foods that I think about when I think about family and friends.  They bring back memories of growing up.  They make me think places I have been or places I want to go.

1.  Shortbread - Obvious

2.  Fish Sticks and French Fries - We didn't have a lot of money growing up, but these bring fond memories of sitting with my family eating dinner and watching sitcom reruns at dinner time.

3.  Chocolate Chip Cookies-A classic and a favourite of everyone at any age.

4.  Dutch Apple Taart - When I was a teenager we started buying these for our desert for Christmas dinner.  This year I made my own to start the tradition in my family.

5.  Lasagna - Even though lasagna isn't that hard to make, it is time consuming.  Growing up it was a treat when my grandmother made Lasagna and usually a big family function was going on. 

What are your memories that bring you comfort?  What are the foods you automatically go to remember them?

Come link up your memories or other randomness this week.

6 comments:

Sherri said...

Wow those are some really awesome memories to have!! I will have to share about my Grandma someday soon.
By the way I also love Scottish shortbread, it was one of my Mom's favs.

Shawntele said...

I love how your favorite comfort foods are associated with such beautiful memories of your grandmother; that is precious. :)

Thanks for linking up!

Paula said...

Chocolate Chip Cookies is a family favorite at our house. I like that they're so easy to make.
Did you get the recipe for the shortbread? I remember going to my great grandma's house and she usually had cookies to share too. I think she usually had oatmeal raisin-not a favorite of mine.

Juanita Rose said...

I am expecting you to bring some of that shortbread to your next coffee visit upon my return to the west. Love the memories you shared...

Michelle said...

Sherri - There is nothing like Scottish shortbread. I think the only think I like as much is a Dutch version called Boeterkoek. It's almond flavoured

Shawntele - Thank you for the inspiration. I was just going to write about my great grandmother and then saw what your Fav 5 was going to be this week and just felt led.

Paula - I have the recipie, but have never made it. I'm scared I will be disappointed. My sister has tried to make it but it wasn't the same. I may have to just jump in and try to make it. Something to do this week?

Juanita - I will attempt to make it in your honour when you get home....soon!?!? :)

Unknown said...

Hi Michelle, I linked you up today with my Random 11 post. I am hoping you can join in.
http://lovelaughterfriendshipandfaith.blogspot.com/2012/01/random-11.html

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Alberta, Canada
I'm a 39 year old (oh yeah I'm telling you my age) Stay at Home mom. A former Bad Girl now reformed sinner, I'm married to my Y2K guy and raising 3 great children from God. Proudly Canadian, however, missing the West Coast, I currently live in the prairies watching the farmers fields produce as I learn how God produces the fruits in me.
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