September 23, 2008 · 3 Comments
Mom obtained a paralegal degree while Alison and I were in high school. She went to work for a law firm and Alison and I were tasked with making dinner a couple of times each week.
We always made the same things. She made Mac & Cheese, and I made Tuna-Lemon Loaf. This goes along with our childhood board puzzle/game where I put in the US and South America and she did Europe and Africa. Now I’m afraid we’d both be lost with all the new/re-named countries.
So, I didn’t want to make Mac & Cheese because it took too long. What I did was basically a tuna souffle. Two cans tuna, three eggs, yolks in the mix and whites beaten to stiff peaks. I don’t really remember the rest but can ask my sister after the dust settles.
I don’t remember what I was going to say next as I’ve spent the last 20 minutes on the phone with Margie, Jim’s Mom, She’s a nurse and has been very helpful with information on Mom’s drugs and dying. She’s at the VA with a lot of older vets so has been through this many times.
From time to time, I do make my own Mac and Cheese, with special cheddar. The tuna souffle has gone by the wayside because Jim can’t eat anything that swims. But I often wonder how it would taste.
Thanks for sticking with me and have a great evening. Dee
Categories: Editorial
Tagged: Mom
When we were young, Alison and I always wanted to surprise Mom with breakfast in bed. Mom hated eating in bed but we didn’t know that in those days.
She had to know what we were planning as we got the refrigerator rolls, cinnamon and orange. Made eggs and bacon and poured juice and were good to go.
Mom would get up on Mother’s day or her birthday and eat at the table. Oh well, we tried but she didn’t appreciate it.
Now Jim and I eat breakfast in bed on weekends. OK, I have to get up and make breakfast first. Then we break Mom’s second cardinal rule – we go to the movies on a sunny afternoon. I’ve had people tell me they were calling Mom when sister Lisa and I ducked out to see a flick!
Good night, now. We’re both taking Zoe out for her final walk of the day. Dee
Categories: Editorial
Tagged: breakfast in bed, Mom
September 23, 2008 · 2 Comments
Tell her you love her. Now. And try to get some secret family recipes, like kugelhopf, that was never written. I can only find yeast-based versions and Mom’s is a quick bread. Great for breakfast, lunch or dinner but also makes a superb bread pudding. A little brandy in the creme Anglaise.
Now it’s time to take out our girl, Zoe. The dog.
Categories: Editorial
Tagged: Mom
Mom always had a full meal for dinner, when I was growing up, that always included a homemade dessert. Yes, she got her hair done every week while Alison and I were at ballet lessons, and wore a dress to vacuum the house.
I think of taste and texture when I think of rice pudding. I can already hear my siblings laughing at me. But I never got it. It always seemed strange. Perhaps I’ll look for the perfect recipe, make it and try again.
As to desserts (which I do not make) her Dutch apple cake was great. Apple pie, amen. Cheesecake tastes wonderful but is almost healthy. Viennese torte was for birthdays. I would have loved one for my 50th, coming up very soon, but that is not to be.
I’d like to publish some of our family recipes but it may take a while to do so. We so enjoyed our time at the table. Hopefully we will, without Mom. It’ll be sad for a while after she’s gone. Dee
Categories: Editorial
Tagged: hospice, Mom
September 23, 2008 · 1 Comment
In more ways than one. I dealt with the chaplain and priest to allow my mother the peace she needs to let go. She’s a fighter, tough bird, and I feel bad being back here at Hurricane Central. There may be no way for me to go
Mom's Gerberas
back to the Catholic church but I have been in touch with my favorite priest, advisor, mentor Fr. Cap from college days since Mom has been in such distress. He just lost his twin brother John to a stroke a few weeks ago.
Spaghetti squash. I bought one yesterday and know how to roast it but didn’t know that the larger they are, the more strands (delicate ones) can be obtained. Also, recipes mainly call for a microwave with plastic atop the squash. I won’t do that. So I’m a spaghetti squash convert.
Categories: Editorial
Tagged: hospice, Mom
September 23, 2008 · 1 Comment
I only took off a few days. It was needed. Our family meal was steaks for Jim and brother Kevin, and sides for the rest of us.
We had spaghetti squash with garlic and parmesan. Pasta with asparagus and shallots. I messed that up with too much pasta partly because it was cappellini and things get lost in it. It’s OK, I’ll do better next time. We were shopping from the pantry, not the grocery store.
The question is, when will be the next time. Cooking and eating have always been mainstays of our familial relationships, to the point that non-cooks who happily eat our food complain that we always talk about the next meal. If you have a good name for these people who eat our creations but complain about us planning or making meals, write in now. Nudges is an option, nood as in hood. Not necessarily a good one.
I’m so tired from hospice, travel, and not sleeping or eating that I have to go to bed now. Just tucked Jim into bed with a hot water bottle for his back. He’s snoring so is OK.
If I’m going to leave you, I’ll tell you so. Just needed a few days off and look what good stuff I got! Life is a mess but I have to get the blog back!
Please come back to the blog. I don’t intend to be here one day, gone the next. I used airplane time to read Michael Ruhlman’s “The Making of a Chef.” Crying time shouldn’t be held against me as my mother and muse may die tomorrow and I won’t be there for her. I already told her that many of my childhood memories/recipes will make it here on this blog.
I wish you well and hope you do the same. Dee
Thanks for those who stayed. The numbers are down but please stick with me – there’s more to come. Dee
Categories: Editorial
Tagged: relationships
