Monday, July 21, 2008

Grandmother's and Mom's

As I was planning my dinner for tonight it went through my mind how very much I've been influenced by three very important women in my life, my Grandmother's and my Mom.



After deciding to make potato salad, I realized that I not only use my Mom's recipe for it but serve it in a bowl that belonged to my Grandma, a bowl I remember her putting her potato salad in to serve the family Sunday dinners. When I make my potato salad I always put homemade pickle and some of the pickle juice in the potatoes. The pickles are made using my Grandmother's recipe which I have written in her own hand on a scrap piece of paper.



Last week I started my first batch of pickle for this year, using that treasured recipe and cutting the cucumbers into a crock my other Grandmother gave us years ago.



It seems like everywhere I look in my kitchen I see reminders of these three women, dishes, recipes in their own handwriting, crocks, my Mom's rolling pin and sifter and I realize that even though things change there's a continuity to my life thanks to these three remarkable women. Oh, my life is much easier. I have an air-conditioned kitchen with every modern necessity we think we need, but I don't think my meals are nearly as good as my maternal Grandmother's, cooked on her wood cookstove.


So, it's back to my meal preparations. Oh, by the way, with the potao salad we're having BBQ'ed ribs, squash with onions cooked in them, fresh tomatoes and sliced cucumbers, all from our own garden, and peaches from a local orchard.



Till next time.........

Diane

13 comments:

  1. Diane, Same here...And the best recipes I have are the ones passed down from my family. The old mixing bowls I tend to favor the most are the ones that have the most use to them and have been passed down. I bet them are some yummy yum pickles you make.~~Pam

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  2. So nice, thank you for sharing... makes me appreciate my family all the more... Hugs, MO

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  3. I sure do appreciate my Mom and Grandma's too Diane, they were all fabulous cooks, and such hard workers. I remember my Mim canning everything under the sun, from mincemeat to pickle relish, and peaches galore. I remember the wonderful aroma during canning season, that filled the house, the very one I live in now that is chock full of so many fond childhood memories.

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  4. I'll be right over for dinner!

    ~ I too have many things that belonged to my garandmother and I love them all so very much..it feels good to carry on traditions that our mothers and grandmothers did...I think it makes us feel closer to them.

    Take care, hope you enjoyed your dinner.

    :)doreen

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  5. Thanks Diane. I have a couple of cherished pieces from my Nanny in my kitchen. I'm teary-eyed!

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  6. Oh Diane, this is so great and so true. I use things from my mom, grandma and my great-aunt in my kitchen. Things always seem to taste better that way, don't they?!

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  7. I AM COMING TO VISIT YOUR BLOG FROM WA STATE... WE ARE NEIGHBORS I DO BELIEVE,,,,((:

    A VISIT TO PORTLAND IS ALWAYS A GRAND TIME..SHOPPING AND GREAT FOOD.
    HAPPY SUMMER MONTHS TO YOU..

    MISS P

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  8. So well written, Diane! It's the little things, sometimes, that are the biggest treasures.
    Nancy

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  9. I love this post Diane... it takes me back to wonderful times in the kitchen with both my mom and my Nan. They were both superb cooks and I'm glad I have some of their favorite recipes!

    ♥ it!!

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  10. Diane your blog really hits home! Thank you for the sweet memories. There are old kitchen "tools" and cookbooks, but my favorite is an old handwritten receipe for very simple creamed onions.

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  11. Hi Diane:
    I am not sure how I came across your blog but it made me homesick. I have wooden dough bowl that belonged to my Mother's Grandmother that i get when my Mom passes. She is 100 years old and other than a bit og dementia she is going strong : )
    The home made pickles and useing them in potato salad is the old way of doing thngs and it sounds delicious : )
    I love Oregon and your post's are fun and exciting to read!!!
    Peace
    carole

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  12. This post really takes me back too.There sure isn't nothin' like our grandma's,that's for sure!Yep,the old dishes and recipe's just can't be beat!
    ~Mandy

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  13. Diane!!! Youll have me dreaming of pickles tonite!!! They sound YUMMY!!!
    Jen

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