Today would have been my Grandma's 105th birthday. She passed away 10 years ago June 20th, 1998. The photo above was the last picture I have of us together, taken in 1996. Actually there are three generations here including my mom and myself. As I write this I am fighting back tears, not really knowing how to write about this wonderful woman that so completely impacted my life in so many ways. I certainly wish right now that I was a more eloquent writer. This is the woman who taught me to finger crochet, then "regular" crochet, embroidery (making many embroidered green felt bookmarks), sewing, cooking, baking, taking time to read, and much much more.
Grandma was always there for all of us. Even when she and Grandpa moved to Evanston in the early '70s, so Grandpa could start a new job, she wrote letters and called weekly. Grandma and Grandpa visited several times a year as well. For us kids the waiting for their arrival was so painful! Waiting and waiting for their car to turn into our road and down the hill to our house.
"When are they going to be here, mom?"
"Soon, two hours to go."
"Is it almost time yet?" "Oh, wait! I see their car! They're here, they're here!"
We would all run out into the yard and wait for them to pull up in the drive. Then we would help them unload the car really fast because we knew what was coming. The packages. Yes, throughout the year Grandma would make clothes for me, my brother and sister. Beautifully made, using the latest fashion patterns. I loved all the clothes she made for me. From my favorite pullover flannel top (above) to matching Easter outfits (below) for all of us, sometimes including my mom! Year after year, for a long time! My favorite gray wool flannel pants (below), skirts, tops, and of course the annual Christmas nightgown.
I never, ever saw Grandma in anything else but dresses that she made for herself. In the pictures you see of her here, she made the dresses that she was wearing. They were usually a in a blue floral print, calico or a solid blue. Blue was her favorite color.
Above (left) was my very favorite, what I called, my smock top. With, get this, "Holly Hobby" printed fabric! Oh yes, my favorite. I loved Holly Hobby and that smock top!
Oh my, so many, many memories. I wish I could just capture them all and lock them in a box. Even to this day, right now, if I close my eyes and think back, I can still feel the velvet softness of her cheek when we hugged. If I am really still, and think really hard, I can still hear her say certain things, and I can hear her laughter. I still can smell the perfume she wore. Either Youth Dew or Chanel no5. Not just smell it, but how it smelled on her. Oh, how that lovely perfume takes me back. Warmth, security, unconditional love. The little gestures of her love. When I was in college she and Grandpa would come to visit me once a month. Gram would pack a care package in a large brown paper bag (no plastic grocery bags in the '80s). In the package were granola bars, my favorite crackers, a Harlequin Romance (she would read them and pass them on to me, I'm the other romantic in the family) and sometimes a Lazy Daisy Cake. And on really special occasions, she would bring me a bottle of Chanel no5 perfume. Mmmm.
Grandma wrote letters to me when I was away at college, and when I moved to Vermont. The older she got, the fewer letters I received. I still have those letters, but I haven't been able to read them again, yet. Someday I will. She would always end her letters by writing "Well, hush for now. Love, Gram K."
In honor of Gram, today I am going to make the Lazy Daisy cake and I am going to share the recipe with you. Many recipes of hers I still use today, and will share them down the road with you. A little bit of Grandma for us all.
Have a good day friends, and "hush for now".
Lazy Daisy Cake
350 degrees for 25-30 minutes
Grease and flour an 7" x 11" pan, set aside.
Beat: 2 eggs in medium bowl
Add and Beat:
1 cup sugar
1/4 tsp.salt
1 tsp. vanilla
Beat In:
1 T. butter, melted in a 1/2 cup boiling hot milk
Sift Together:
1 cup flour
1 tsp. baking powder
Combine all and pour into prepared pan.
Broiled Coconut Topping
3/4 cup coconut
3/4 cup brown sugar
1/2 tsp. salt
1/3 cup shortening
2 Tbs. milk
Combine and cook, stir constantly until sugar melts. Spread on top of warm cake. Return to oven at 375 degrees for 10-12 minutes.
