For the Love of Food and Family

I grew up around many wonderful cooks. Both of my grandmothers were farmers wives who also grew up on farms themselves before marrying their farmer husbands. I found both of them to be fabulous cooks. I think my parents are pretty terrific cooks as well.

When I was a child, I remember spending a lot of time in my grandma Rose's kitchen. Playing with the items in her drawers, checking out what she had stored in the pantry, watching her cook many delicious foods (apple cake, banana bread, spaghetti), or sitting on the counter top with my siblings pouring ingredients into the mixer to make chocolate chip cookies. That was one of my favorite memories (among many). I remember trying to sneak tastes of the cookie dough when she wasn't looking, even though she knew we were doing it.

In her backyard, chickens wandered around. She would go out to gather eggs, and then come into the kitchen to clean them off with water and vinegar. I remember getting to "help" a few times as long as I was careful.

Every year at Christmas, grandma Rose made Oyster Stew and either chili or chicken noodle soup. It's one tradition I hope to share with my future children and grandchildren. Last fall, I felt lucky to receive the Oyster Stew recipe of my grandma's.

I don't remember my grandma Irene in the kitchen as much except making bread. I enjoyed waking up to the smell of it. I know she cooked a lot though. There were many mouths to feed. Every holiday, there was always so much food to choose from. A person could easily get stuffed trying to try each dish.

As I've grown older, I've wanted to be like both of my grandmothers. To be the farmer or rancher's wife, to have a houseful of children, and to be able to cook like them. Although I'm not married yet and I don't have any children yet either, I already see both of them in me in many different ways.

I feel like I have a love affair with food and cooking because of these two women. I feel lucky and blessed to have been able to watch them prepared wonderful dishes to serve to their families.

For grandma Rose and grandma Irene: I love you both!