Grammy Hinkley makes the best oatmeal. It’s even better than Mother’s cream of wheat. In the summer of 1971, at the age of ten, I’m sitting at her round kitchen table with its matching oak chairs, savouring the oatmeal’s sweetness. In Denver, Colorado, the sun is shining, and it streams in through a nearby window, which is open, and I can hear birds singing. Besides the table and chairs, there are countertops, a sink, a stove, an oven, and a refrigerator. Appliances sit on the countertops, but with my limited vision, I can’t make them out. The floor is a brown-checkered linoleum.
Grammy and Granddad are sitting at the table with me. We eat and talk. When all of us have finished, Grammy clears away the dirty dishes and gets out the cribbage set. I watch, fascinated, as she and Granddad perform their morning ritual.
What do you remember about your grandmother’s kitchen? Was there a particular food your grandmother prepared that you liked the best? What other activities did you and your grandmother do in the kitchen?
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My grandmother was a terrible cook! LOL! My grandfather was the cook of that pair, but she was an excellent baker! She made delicious nutbreads from recipes which have been passed dow through the generations. (My mom makes them now.) She also made cookies, pies, & cakes that were delicious too! Some of my happiest years of childhood are the 6 years we lived with my grandparents. My grandmother, who we called Meem, often played games with my cousins & me on warm summer nights before bed. Yahtzee was a favorite of all of us, & she used it to help us with our math skills. In the fall, she & my grandfather, Pap to us, would make homemade applesauce. He & would take turns cranking the grinder :ile Meem stood at the stove watching to make sure the apples she had cooking didn’t burn. She always added extra cinnamon for me because she knew I loved it. The wonderful smells emanating from that kitchen are etching in my memory, & every fall, I try to get Mom to make some homemade applesauce. From the time I was born, my grandparents were an integral part of my life. They were literally at my side daily when I was in the incubator so my bond with them was very strong. Sadly, my grandmother died 3 months after we moved out of that house. My grandfather lived another 10 years. What sweet memories!
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Those are sweet memories. Thank you, Randi, for sharing.
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My grandparents had died when I was born, but I had a wonderful aunt who made the best pies. I will always remember her lemon pies. I even wrote a poem about her and her lemon pie. love the image in this post.
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I’m sorry you never knew your grandparents, but your aunt’s pie sounds good. Thank you for stopping by.
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Sadly I have little recollection of my grandma. I do, however remember my grandfather. He often cooked bacon and spaghetti for me, which I loved! I also remember many happy hours spent together, with him reading to me, everything from “The Famous Five” through to fairytales. Best wishes – Kevin
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I’m glad you and your grandfather had such good times together. Thank you for stopping by.
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