About a week before Christmas I was chatting with our oldest grandchild, Ben (18), who is attending the University of Winnipeg. He told me about a lunch he and his family had enjoyed at his aunt’s house -- at which she had used a recipe from the cookbook Together.
Following the huge fire that destroyed an apartment building in London, England in 2017, a community kitchen was opened for the women affected by this tragedy so that they would have a space to cook food for their families. Meghan Markle, the Duchess of Sussex, wanted to help, and she visited the kitchen. Eventually, the women created a cookbook with help from the Royal Foundation. It is dedicated “to all those whose lives were impacted by the fire at Grenfell Tower.”
I had read news of the fire and also of the resulting creation of a community kitchen and a cookbook. I was curious about the recipes in this cookbook. Ben asked me if I would like to have it for Christmas, and I said I would love it. So, waiting for me under the tree was this special gift he had ordered through the internet.
Ben could not have known that, many years ago shortly after we lost our first child, I would receive a cookbook which for some mysterious reason helped me in my emotional healing process. It was a Betty Crocker recipe book with beautiful pictures and I read it from cover to cover. It brought me back to life. So in my opinion, cookbooks are not just for cooking. They also have other purposes.
I resonate with what Marlene Epp said in her presentation “Cookbook as Metaphor” at a recent conference here in Winnipeg (A people of Diversity: Mennonites in Canada since 1970):
“We need more Mennonite cookbooks and less theologians.”
Ben’s sister, Kathryn (age 13) had made her own unique gift for her Opa and Oma and we will be enjoying it throughout the year together with her. It is a homemade coupon book in which she has listed all our favorite activities. We can use her coupons at special occasions, choosing one which will give us the opportunity to do an activity together with her (for example: playing a game, visiting a restaurant or a park or a bookstore, etc.) -- thus enjoying the coupons throughout the year!!
The "sleepover" coupon is free and the last coupon reads, "No expiry date" !
Sasha (9) did some Christmas shopping at her school's rummage sale. She bought me a beautiful little teapot and a glass plate. The lid of the teapot had become unhinged, but Opa was able to fix it. It has a special place on a kitchen shelf where I can see it every day and remember the love between us.
Sasha and Kathryn enjoying our Christmas celebration!
The grandchildren in Ontario did not forget us either. From them we received a special picture frame:
The photo in the frame above was taken in 2013.
How quickly they grow!
A happy new year 2019, and remember to hug and kiss your children and grandchildren !
Gotcha last, Ivan !!
Elfrieda, when I see your blog email in my inbox, I can’t wait to read it, and always enjoy it. Don’t ever stop please 😂
ReplyDeleteThank you, Helene, love your affirmation and encouragement!
DeleteWell Elfrieda, this post is certainly well timed for me.
ReplyDeleteYour Christmas reveries linger because love lingers -- like a china tea pot or coupon book.
In a few hours Stuart and I will be driving to Pittsburgh, trying to take advantage of temporary warm weather between snows. We can hardly wait to greet Lydia (and her parents too, of course :-). Your oldest is 18. Ours is only 8 (in March). And we only have three. But each is precious in our sight. I enjoyed scrolling down and reading about the miracle of the Christmas tree lights also. I missed that one earlier.
Oh Shirley, enjoy every moment. Time is fleeting! Whenever you mention Pittsburgh, it evokes great memories for me as Hardy and I spent some time there during an academic conference. What I remember most is the homeless man who brought his cart into the hotel restaurant every morning for breakfast. I could tell it was the highlight of his day!
DeleteI felt my heart grow warmer reading this delightful post. Your grandchildren absolutely adore you, and no wonder: you have planted seeds of generosity all your life. and now reaping the benefits. The coupon book is genius.
ReplyDeleteI'd be happy to add a cookbook and tea pot like yours to my kitchen. Your new year is starting off royally! Thanks for sharing this, Elfrieda.
Thanks, Marian. I wish I could invite you over for tea. Maybe when you publish your book you can promote it in Canada. We have a wonderful bookstore here where you could have a reading. And you can stay with us!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the generous invitation, Elfrieda. I will definitely have to consider an expanded itinerary at some point. I will probably begin book promotion small, starting on the east coast. Thanks again!
DeleteWhat a gift your grandchildren are to you and so thoughtful😍
ReplyDeleteSo good to enjoy and linger over the memories😊
Ruth, I’m sure you resonate with me when I say how quickly they are growing up! Perhaps that is why I linger over the Christmas memories this year, wanting to make them last as long as possible. Time is fleeting, savor the moments!
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