I have a large box that I keep in my closet. In this box, I store all the special letters and cards that my family and friends have given me throughout the years. It is a special place that I visit when I'm feeling lonely. Picking up a few letters and reading the words written in handwriting that I know almost as well as my own can alleviate much pain.
The other day, I found something that my grandmother had sent me when I first left for college. It was a collection of recipes and an essay on cookie making that she had submitted to a magazine for publication many years ago. Her words, her pictures, and her recipes filled me with a sense of continuation. While my grandmother never had these recipes published, her love for baking, for reading, and for writing was passed on to her granddaughters. Each time I pull out my mixing bowls, I think of her.
I think of a woman with open arms, with a face that could still turn heads. I think of a woman who always welcomes me with a smile, a plateful of brownies, and her never dying love.
My grandmother and I loved to bake together when I was a little girl. We moved away from Houston when I turned 13, but my passion for bread and sweets didn't dissipate. I continued to learn, and I began to imagine her by my side.
We talk on the phone about different recipes. She offers me suggestions, and I tell her about what I've been making.
The other day, I found something that my grandmother had sent me when I first left for college. It was a collection of recipes and an essay on cookie making that she had submitted to a magazine for publication many years ago. Her words, her pictures, and her recipes filled me with a sense of continuation. While my grandmother never had these recipes published, her love for baking, for reading, and for writing was passed on to her granddaughters. Each time I pull out my mixing bowls, I think of her.
I think of a woman with open arms, with a face that could still turn heads. I think of a woman who always welcomes me with a smile, a plateful of brownies, and her never dying love.
My grandmother and I loved to bake together when I was a little girl. We moved away from Houston when I turned 13, but my passion for bread and sweets didn't dissipate. I continued to learn, and I began to imagine her by my side.
We talk on the phone about different recipes. She offers me suggestions, and I tell her about what I've been making.
Today is my Grammi's birthday. She still makes some of the best pies and rolls I've ever tasted, and her kindness and her grace flows out of her like honey. When you see my grandmother, you see beauty. It radiates from the inside out. She has been a loving wife, mother, and grandmother. Her presence has made Noelle and me a little sweeter, a little kinder, a little more full of love.
When I thought about what I wanted to give my Grammi for her birthday, I thought back to those recipes I had found in my special box. Although she may not have been able to share those wonderful cookies all those years ago, I wanted her to be able to share them now.
I spent much of December baking the recipes that she created. They were astounding, and they were some of my favorite desserts I have baked since the creation of this blog.
These Strawberry Jamwiches were my favorite. The simplicity and the sweetness remind me of my grandmother's nature. They are beautiful to look at, and even more enjoyable to eat. I took mine with a tall mug of tea. I sat by my window and looked out through the tall pecan trees that surround my house. I thought about my grandmother, her tiny kitchen, and her heart bursting with love. I knew that I wanted to bring as much joy and beauty into my children and grandchildren's lives as she brings into ours.
So Happy Birthday, Grammi. These bars are all yours, and I know that my readers will enjoy them as much as I do.
When I thought about what I wanted to give my Grammi for her birthday, I thought back to those recipes I had found in my special box. Although she may not have been able to share those wonderful cookies all those years ago, I wanted her to be able to share them now.
I spent much of December baking the recipes that she created. They were astounding, and they were some of my favorite desserts I have baked since the creation of this blog.
These Strawberry Jamwiches were my favorite. The simplicity and the sweetness remind me of my grandmother's nature. They are beautiful to look at, and even more enjoyable to eat. I took mine with a tall mug of tea. I sat by my window and looked out through the tall pecan trees that surround my house. I thought about my grandmother, her tiny kitchen, and her heart bursting with love. I knew that I wanted to bring as much joy and beauty into my children and grandchildren's lives as she brings into ours.
So Happy Birthday, Grammi. These bars are all yours, and I know that my readers will enjoy them as much as I do.
Strawberry Jamwiches
3/4 cup butter
1 cup sugar
2 cups flour
1 tsp baking powder
1 egg
1 tsp vanilla
1/4 tsp ground allspice
1 cup almonds, finely chopped
1/2 cup strawberry jam
3 TBSP confectioners sugar
1. Beat your butter until light and fluffy. Add your granulated sugar and beat until creamy. Add egg and vanilla. Blend well.
2. Whisk together flour, allspice, baking powder and almonds. Stir into butter mixture with a wooden spoon.
3. Spoon half of the dough into a lightly greased 9 inch baking pan. Carefully spread strawberry jam over top. Drop large pieces of the remaining dough over the strawberry jam.
4. Bake at 350 degrees F for 40 minutes or until just lightly golden brown. Remove to cooling rack and sift confectioners sugar on top. Cut into squares when cooled.
Always,
Monet
Anecdotes and Apple Cores
PS. For those of you who were curious....the spoons from my New York Style Crumb Cake post were from Anthropologie. I love that store (and thankfully my mom does too :-)
3/4 cup butter
1 cup sugar
2 cups flour
1 tsp baking powder
1 egg
1 tsp vanilla
1/4 tsp ground allspice
1 cup almonds, finely chopped
1/2 cup strawberry jam
3 TBSP confectioners sugar
1. Beat your butter until light and fluffy. Add your granulated sugar and beat until creamy. Add egg and vanilla. Blend well.
2. Whisk together flour, allspice, baking powder and almonds. Stir into butter mixture with a wooden spoon.
3. Spoon half of the dough into a lightly greased 9 inch baking pan. Carefully spread strawberry jam over top. Drop large pieces of the remaining dough over the strawberry jam.
4. Bake at 350 degrees F for 40 minutes or until just lightly golden brown. Remove to cooling rack and sift confectioners sugar on top. Cut into squares when cooled.
Always,
Monet
Anecdotes and Apple Cores
PS. For those of you who were curious....the spoons from my New York Style Crumb Cake post were from Anthropologie. I love that store (and thankfully my mom does too :-)
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