monkeyglands's My Page

monkeyglands
HIGHLAND IL
May 22, 2008
May 23, 2008

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I'M A PROUD GRANDMOTHER WITH A HUGE AND CLOSE-KNIT EXTENDED FAMILY. YOU NAME IT, WE'VE MUDDLED THROUGH IT TOGETHER! I'M HAPPILY MARRIED TO MY HIGH SCHOOL SWEETHEART (WHO STILL KEEPS THE NEIGHBORS ON EDGE BY RELIVING HIS GARAGE BAND DAYS IN OUR LIVING ROOM!) WE ENJOY TRAVEL, GOOD MEALS TOGETHER AND HAVING OUR BOYS AND THEIR FAMILIES HOME AS OFTEN AS POSSIBLE.
IT WOULD HAVE TO BE A WEDDING RECEPTION I AGREED TO CATER FOR A DEAR FRIEND'S DAUGHTER. TO BE DIFFERENT FOR THIS AFTERNOON RECEPTION THE DAUGHTER DECIDED TO OFFER HER GUESTS A MULTITUDE OF CAKE CHOICES. I SPENT AN ENTIRE WEEK BAKING 53 THREE LAYER CAKES, BOUGHT A FREEZER TO KEEP THE LAYERS IN FOR THE NEXT WEEK WHILE MADE BATCHES AND BATCHES OF FROSTINGS AND FILLINGS. tHREE DAYS TO THE WEDDING I BEGAN TO CONSTRUCT THE CAKES AND PACK THEM INTO MILK CRATES WE BORROWED FROM A LOCAL DAIRY DISTRIBUTOR. THANK GOD IT WAS JANUARY AND THE CAKES COULD STAY SAFELY WRAPPED AND CRATED IN THE TWO VANS IT TOOK TO HAUL THEM! THE DAY BEFORE THE CEREMONY WAS SPENT ON THE SPECIAL REQUESTS; ONE HALF DOZEN FILLED CAKE ROLLS FOR THE CHILDREN WHO WOULD BE PRESENT, AND A SUGAR-FREE VERSION OF THE WEDDING CAKE FOR THE BRIDE'S DIABETIC FATHER TO ENJOY. ALL IN ALL 60 CAKES PLUS THE 5-TIER WEDDING CAKE MADE THE 20 MILE RIDE TO THE EVENT WITHOUT A HITCH! AND SUCH A STUNNING DISPLAY THEY MADE - PICTURES WERE TAKEN BY A MEMBER OF THE ST LOUIS POST DISPATCH AND PUBLISHED INTO A BEAUTIFUL BOOK AS A KEEPSAKE FOR THE BRIDE AND GROOM. IT WAS A VERY PROUD DAY FOR ME!
MY OLDEST SON, HOME WITH HIS FAMILY FOR A HOLIDAY VISIT DECIDED HE HAD HEARD ME WISH FOR A REMODELED KITCHEN FOR THE LAST TIME. DEC. 31, 1999 (AS A SURPRIZE FOR ME) HE DEMOLISHED MY KITCHEN - AND I MEAN CLEAR DOWN TO THE MORTER AND LATHE IN MY 100 YEAR OLD HOUSE. THEN MY DEAR SON AND HIS FAMILY HAD TO GO BACK HOME. IT TOOK TWO YEARS OF REFINISHING, PAINTING, DRYWALLING, WAITING FOR CUSTOM-AMISH-MADE CABINETS, MOVING PLUMBING, MOVING AND ADDING ELECTRICITY....WE COOKED IN THE MICROWAVE ON A DINING ROOM CHAIR. WE HAULED DIRTY TABLEWEAR IN A LAUNDRY BASKET TO OUR SECOUND FLOOR LAUNDRY ROOM SINK TO WASH THEM. THE COFFE POT AND TOASTER LIVED IN THE LAUNDRY ROOM IN ORDER TO BE NEAR BEDROOMS AND MORNING BATH FACILITIES. EACH NIGHT FOR TWO YEARS WE'D COME HOME FROM WORK AND CLIMB THROUGH WHATEVER WAS NECESSARY TO GET JUST ONE MORE PIECE OF THE REMODEL DONE. THE END RESULT IS STUNNING, BUT I CONTINUE TO THREATEN TO PUBLISH A BOOK ON HOW "NOT" TO REMODEL A CENTURY OLD KITCHEN!
I WISH EVERY YOUNG HOMEMAKER HAD A GRANDMOTHER LIKE MINE. I DEVELOPED A PALATE, A TOUCH FOR SEASONING, AND THE TEMPERMENT NECESSARY TO GET FOOD ON THE TABLE FOR MY FAMILY OF FIVE OR FOR "THE FAMILY" OF 100+. THANKS TO GRANDMA I CAN KEEP MY HEAD ABOUT ME AND GET MEATS, POTATOES, VEGETABLES, SALADS, HOMEMADE NOODLES AND HOMEMADE ROLLS, DESSERTS AND DRINKS ALL TO THE TABLE HOT AND READY TO GO ON TIME! EVERY YOUNG COUPLE SHOULD HAVE A COOKING MENTOR. FOOD IS A NECESSITY THAT SHOULD ALSO BE A JOY AND AN ADVENTURE TO SHARE.