BAKING IS LOVE MADE VISIBLE

My Grandma Fanny used to make the most delicious cookies! I vividly remember they were in the shapes of moons, stars, clovers, and hearts. I always looked forward to our holiday meals, and the times my parents would go away on vacation. Grandma Fanny and Grandpa Max would come to stay with my sister and me. We actually sat down to three home cooked meals each day, and it was such a treat! Sadly, my mother didn't inherit my grandma's talent for cooking and baking. Weekly, my mom would go to the grocery store and come home with an excess of toilet paper! While we were well stocked with that, there was not a lot of food. She could make a "mean" salad though. Generally, our meals were basic and boring. As a result, my sister and I learned to cook and we both love to cook. One can never have enough food, and we enjoy having company for the holidays. My true passions are creating soups and baking desserts. It was the logical progression that once I got married and had my own children, I became the host for many holiday celebrations. Family gatherings are my happy place. I love to convene around the table, feed everyone, and observe the different generations interacting and conversing about the topics that are relevant to each of them. Baking for others also helps me remember the joyous times from my childhood when my Grandma cooked for me. Eleven years ago, my first grandchild was born. When he turned one, I baked him a Birthday Cake. Since then, it has become a tradition for Nonni (that's what my grandchildren call me) to create a cake for each of my five grandchildren's birthdays. Since May, I have baked five Birthday cakes! (I am now done until next May! phew). Each child always has a different request as to the theme: i.e. Minnesota Vikings, Witches, the cake shape in a number or as a donut, Van Gogh's Starry night, a Rainbow, etc. Next they tell me the cake flavor(s). Then, the shape and colors of the actual cake. And finally, the type of icing and the exterior accessorizing with edible decorations. We start discussing these demands months before so that I am sure to obtain the necessary ingredients! My goal, of course, is to honor all the requests AND make a delicious cake for them. But, primarily, I just delight at the sight of these children when they first spot the cake design. There is no greater pleasure for me than to watch their faces light up with wide smiles. And, then, if I'm lucky, I am rewarded again with their joy once they take that first bite. No ask is too much for me. I will bake exactly what they want, no matter how many steps it takes. I want them to know how important they are to me, and how much I love them. Baking is an authentic way for me to show my love to and for others. In my opinion, my birthday cakes are meant for my SPECIAL people on their most SPECIAL days. Now that I have finished decorating my grandchildren's houses for Halloween, and that craziness is over, I immediately start the baking for our Thanksgiving feasts which take place on both Thursday and Friday! Its been a tradition for me to make between twelve to fourteen desserts each year. Each member of my family has a favorite, and I intend to honor them as long as I am able. One enjoys the Gramercy Tavern Brownies, another loves Emeril's chocolate bread pudding with fresh shlag, another must have my famous 3 day rice pudding, and yet another enjoys Kahlua Cake or the molasses cookies! At the same time of providing stess relief for me (because it requires focus on measuring ingredients and paying attention to technique), it eases physical and emotional hunger for everyone. These desserts are my own way to enjoy quality family time. It is a method for me to create and give my individuality to those I love. It is the fashion in which I bring the family together and hopefully, it's a reminder of the sweetness of sharing time together. If and when I can no longer do all this, I have ensured that my daughters will be able to take over. When each of them had their bridal showers, I presented them with a binder of all my recipes. My hope is that when I am no longer here they can make my recipes and pass them on to their children and grandchildren. I know they will get just as much pleasure from this as I have! "The people who give you their food give you their heart." Cesar Chavez "Cooking is like love. It should be entered into with abandon or not at all." Harriet van Horne PEACE OUT-ONE B