Grandma Henke

I’m a simple eater basically … kind of old fashioned in both preparation and taste.   It used to be that I loved trying new recipes, new sauces, new methods of preparation but at some point, and I don’t know exactly when it happened, I started reverting to my childhood favorites.    Give me a peanut butter sandwich and a glass of cold milk for lunch and I just may start to purr.    If I could I’d eat it every single day for lunch.  It’s my all time favorite.    And if I REALLY want it to be good I’ll add a layer or two of crisp lettuce.    Don’t knock it until you’ve tried it!     It looks like I’m not alone in this passion … here are some fun facts on peanut butter.

I feel sorry for my little grandson, Lincoln, who is allergic to nuts … fortunately he doesn’t know how good they taste.      

Today my daughter in law’s mother, who is from Costa Rica served me up some absolutely delicious rice pudding.   It was hot and savory and I tried to make it last as long as possible.  It brought back memories of my childhood and Mom, who made everything from scratch and loved the time she spent in the kitchen preparing meals and breads and desserts for our family of seven.    Rice and Tapioca puddings were made for us as special treats to celebrate achievements or lift up sad hearts or to nurse us back to health.   

Mother baked her bread in huge batches.   She didn’t have a bread machine or a mixer strong enough to blend and knead it so she used her ingenuity and taught my older brother how to do it.    He had strong arms and well developed muscles and could knead about 16 loaves of bread dough at a time.     Our oven wasn’t big enough for 16 pans of bread so mother again used her ingenuity and came up with the idea of baking the bread in the large cans tomato juice came in.    As far as I know we were the only kids in school who ever took round sandwiches in our lunch sacks.    I would fight anyone for another one of those rounded, hot bread top crusts slathered with melting butter and peanut butter.  

The other night Lynn and I took a midnight run to Denny’s … something we haven’t done for years and years.   We predetermined we would get what we wanted and not worry about calories or carbs.    I looked over the menu and let my mouth water over the various entrées but it didn’t take me long to settle in on what I wanted … pancakes.     When they served them to me Lynn was a bit regretful that he hadn’t followed my lead.  I had no inclination to share.   I chose pancakes over the fudge brownie sundae and I still don’t regret it.

There used to be a time I liked the combination pizza.   Now I prefer one topping and please don’t even tell me about the peppers and onions.     What is happening to my taste?   Is it getting lazy or am I?    

I won’t lie.   If I could get away with it I would have at least two chocolate cake donuts a day.    As it now stands they are now number one on my “no no” list and I avoid them at all costs because … I can’t eat just one and because they make me selfish.   I don’t want to share.

Growing up, Nacho chips and bean dip got me through monthly cramps and PMS cycles … and now my daughters have followed my lead, and I wouldn’t be surprised if it doesn’t show up in the next generation.     I don’t buy them now … not because I don’t like them, but because I no longer have to self medicate for those symptoms.   

So … enough of this.   It’s giving me heartburn just thinking about it all.   Which brings me to another staple in my old age … Maalox.    Don’t leave leave home without it.