Tuesday, August 28, 2012

Cookies

The last two posts I've put up were kind of throw aways. Two weekends in Chicago, over 1200 miles in the air. It's exhausting.

But it's been making me think about family a lot.
All of the things we are missing. All of the memories that aren't being made for us and our girls.

During the first weekend, my mom was at the center of the trip. She had grand plans for Gracie. She wanted to make up for lost time with some of those memories. She wanted to bake.

Armed with three kinds of chocolate chips, they worked together, side by side, in a sweltering kitchen without pause.

I'll crack and you stir.
You pour and I'll stir.
Careful, only the eggs are supposed to go in the cookies, not the shells.
Let's taste. Does it need more chips?

There is something so back to basics about baking. I can't imagine a childhood without it; without those memories of stirring, pouring and kneading. Teaching your kids how to cook is like teaching them about soul. How to put love into something inanimate, that has the ability to animate.

And I'm glad that Grace was able to have that afternoon in the kitchen with my mom baking cookies.

Eggshells, salt pockets and all.

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This post is inspired by Sarah McCoy's The Baker's Daughter. In a small Texan town, Reba discovers Elsie's German Bakery and falls in love with more than the pastries. Shes drawn to Elsie's life in Germany during the last year of WWII. Join From Left to Write on August 29  as we discuss The Baker's Daughter. As a member, I received a copy of the book for review purposes.

5 comments:

Thien-Kim aka Kim said...

I'm so glad that your daughter was able to bake cookies with your mother. Those are the best kid of memories!

Lisa Hanneman said...

My mom spent so much one-on-one time with my oldest son. She taught him to crack an egg at three and he helped with many batches of cookies. She'll never have that kind of time to spend with her other grandchildren, whether they live near or far. But this is a good reminder to ask her to make it a priority at least for an afternoon.

Char said...

I regularly bake at home with my kids. I think this will be the first year I invite them to help with all the holiday goodies my step-mom, step-sister and I set aside a day to bake every year. I want them to enjoy that experience with their Grandma and Aunt too! Thanks for sharing.

Some Suburban Mom said...

I love this post. I wish I enjoyed baking and cooking more, but I do truly treasure the times that my kids and I have muddled through recipes together in the kitchen!

Sarah McCoy said...

Agreed! Baking such a fundamental aspect of the family. I'd even go so far as to say it is one of the elements of being human! We prepare food. We nourish those we love. We share those recipes and make them into our traditions. I cook and bake regularly to feel a connection to all those I love--past, present and future.

Thank you for sharing how THE BAKER'S DAUGHTER inspired you! Such a treat.

Yours truly,
Sarah