My mother passed away 13 days before her fiftieth wedding anniversary. Oh, so close. Even without Mom being there, we decided there was still much to celebrate. My parents were together more than fifty years, have four children and fourteen grandchildren. We gathered on the day of their anniversary, August 2nd, at my brother Dave's house. We were each to bring some of our favorite recipes that had been handed down from Mom. She was known among family, extended family, church family and friends as being an awesome cook and baker. After the meal we played games, one of them included Mom. I think it was called "Imagine If", or something along those lines. For part of the game we were talking about, "Imagine if Nana..." It was fun reminiscing, laughing, celebrating the union of my parents.
Dad with my three brothers. Dave, open your eyes!!
When we attended family reunions, everyone expected Mom's ham potpie. Brenda (Dave's wife) made that and Mom's famous sticky buns.
I just had to make O'Henry bars, a favorite of my children.
Sticky buns... sorry Brenda, not quite like Mom's, but close! No one ever seems to be able to match what Mom could do when it comes to her sticky buns.
Maria (Tim's wife) made Mom's chocolate eclair cake. My nephew CJ calls it "clairity cake", so we now have a new name for an old family favorite.
I also made Mom's zucchini bread recipe.
I can still remember years ago when I asked Mom how she made her cucumber and onion slaw.
When Dale first tasted Mom's pickled red beets, he was hooked. Any time we would see them served at a picnic or in a restaurant Dale would have to have some. He was always disappointed. After tasting someone else's red beets for the last time he declared, "I'm never eating another pickled red beet unless your mother made them!" Dale has eaten other red beets since, ones we made using Mom's recipe!
Ahh... Mom's dill pickles. It doesn't get any better. She gave me that recipe too! Brady loved Mom's pickles so much he used to ask for them for his birthday! One time Mom gave us a jar for no reason. There were only eight people in our family at the time, and there were eight pickles in the jar. After each of us had our pickle the kids started yelling, "I get the garlic! I claim the onion!" Once that was eaten the kids started grabbing for the dill sprig and grape leaf. Finally, there sat the jar completely empty except for the pickle juice. You guessed it... we passed the jar around the table and drank that too!! Now that's a good dill pickle!!
Dad with my three brothers. Dave, open your eyes!!
When we attended family reunions, everyone expected Mom's ham potpie. Brenda (Dave's wife) made that and Mom's famous sticky buns.
I just had to make O'Henry bars, a favorite of my children.
Sticky buns... sorry Brenda, not quite like Mom's, but close! No one ever seems to be able to match what Mom could do when it comes to her sticky buns.
Maria (Tim's wife) made Mom's chocolate eclair cake. My nephew CJ calls it "clairity cake", so we now have a new name for an old family favorite.
I also made Mom's zucchini bread recipe.
I can still remember years ago when I asked Mom how she made her cucumber and onion slaw.
When Dale first tasted Mom's pickled red beets, he was hooked. Any time we would see them served at a picnic or in a restaurant Dale would have to have some. He was always disappointed. After tasting someone else's red beets for the last time he declared, "I'm never eating another pickled red beet unless your mother made them!" Dale has eaten other red beets since, ones we made using Mom's recipe!
Ahh... Mom's dill pickles. It doesn't get any better. She gave me that recipe too! Brady loved Mom's pickles so much he used to ask for them for his birthday! One time Mom gave us a jar for no reason. There were only eight people in our family at the time, and there were eight pickles in the jar. After each of us had our pickle the kids started yelling, "I get the garlic! I claim the onion!" Once that was eaten the kids started grabbing for the dill sprig and grape leaf. Finally, there sat the jar completely empty except for the pickle juice. You guessed it... we passed the jar around the table and drank that too!! Now that's a good dill pickle!!
3 comments:
It was fun reading this blog and seeing how you celebrated your mother on that important day! The food looks so yummy too :) Love you!
Oh my, that food looks good. Do you make homemade pot pie noodles as well? WOW! I never made ham potpie, but I think I will use the rest of the ham Mom brought, cause that looks GOOD.
Can you email me the recipe for the eclair cake as well? That is right up my alley.
I think it's great way that you celebrated your parent's anniversary. Your mom left many wonderful things to remember her by. Glad you enjoyed the day with your family.
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