It's nearing Thanksgiving and our community is having its first Friendsgiving event. I decided my offering would be seasonal cookies from the heart of my kitchen. My son is my assistant. As I search for recipes, I remember baking with my Nonnie as a little girl. Memories of her rolling dough on her large breadboard come to mind. For many years of her life, my mother would make holiday cookies with me, using the Susan Branch cookbooks or recipes she found. One year my aunt passed down Italian cookie recipes from my Nonnie who did not read, write, or speak English. I laugh now reading that all of those recipes used lard, a staple during the war years.
Like my grandmother and mother, I enjoy being creative while baking. Above is a new group of pumpkin spice chocolate chip cookies I made this morning with a pumpkin that was previously roasted. To get the right taste I added various spices. Tomorrow I will add a dark chocolate frosting.
"Baking is the poetry of the kitchen."
Jean -Anthelme Brillat-Savarin
I was delighted to find this quote this morning. Baking is not only an art but a tradition in my family. It is a way to express creativity, emotion, and feelings as does poetry.
Baking Memories
Memories float through my kitchen today
as sweet smells waft through the air.
Nonnie's large breadboard sits in the corner
reminding me of loving hands
that kneaded the dough to create
delectable cookies and honey dolls.
I pause to offer my son finger licks
of the leftovers in the bowl,
an after-baking tradition.
The art of baking has become
a blessing beyond measure.
draft, ©CVarsalona, 2024
SPECIAL NOTE:
I am passionate about baking. I love the art of baking so much that I wrote a children's poem, "Would You Like To Bake?', that was published in "Clara's Kooky Compendium of ThimbleThoughts and WonderFuzz". This fabulous book was recently published by the amazing duo, Sylvia Vardel and Janet Wong, high-spirited and talented poets, authors, and editors. Frank Ramspott illustrated the book with clever designs and artwork to delight children. This is a book that you will want in your classroom and school libraries. Stay tuned for my full review of the book.
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This is my Tuesday's Slice of Life that I send to Two Writing Teachers,
a meeting place for a world of reflective writers.
Carol, unlike you, I did not grow up in a baking household. I don't remember my mom being a baker although she could make any meal. My grandmother usually only baked bread in her coal stove. Where I got the joy of baking I do not know. Your cookies sound delicious and I am sure they will be a hit at your gathering. Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family. Bob
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