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Everything and the Kitchen Sink

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I'm not 100%, but I'm here.


Cartmann99

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A few of you may have noticed that I fell off the face of the earth in mid-January. I had planned on cutting back on my FJ time to try and get some home improvement projects finished before a mid-May deadline, but not to go away completely. I was planning out what projects were most important to have finished, and then all Hell broke loose.

My Mother unexpectedly died, and I'm one of those who needs something physical to do while I grieve, so I've been busy cooking, baking, and working on our house. Baseboards don't complain if you rip them off the wall and yell obscenities as you throw them across the room. The walls don't mind when you throw a rolling pin at them because pie crust doesn't come easy for you. Salespeople, on the other hand, get a wee bit testy if you scream at them to get off your porch and direct them to have intimate relations with rusty farm equipment. 

I'm working my way through the "firsts" as the calendar works it's way through the year. Special days come and go for the first time with no phone call or card from or to my Mother to mark the occasion. No more wondering what to buy her for her birthday, Mother's Day, or Christmas. No more mischievous grins as I ask if she liked the case of toilet paper I sent her.

No more discussions of holiday menus or her reminding me that her favorite times were back when her family would drive out to West Texas to see us, and she was cooking for a whole house full of family and friends. Her mobility had decreased over the last few years to where she could no longer stand long enough to cook like that, so I always offered to cook or help cook when I went to see her so she could once again feed a house full of people.

I'm the only one left who knows how to make some of her recipes. When I went back for the funeral, I ended up giving an impromptu chicken fried steak lesson the evening after we buried her. My family is very food-focused, and it was something I could do to help keep those traditions alive and show my appreciation to the relatives who put us up while we were there. We went back again last month to see her headstone, and I made more chicken fried steak, and gave another lesson on how to make her tacos. When we left, there were enough leftovers to last at least three days.

I think Mom would have approved. 

 

 

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samurai_sarah

Posted

I'm so sorry for your loss. And glad you're back.

  • Upvote 5
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Palimpsest

Posted

I am so sorry about your loss.  The first year is always so hard.  My thoughts are with you and your family.

It is lovely to see you back - and can you share some of her recipes with us too?

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Grimalkin

Posted

      I am glad you are back. Sorry for your loss.

       I second Palmpiset's request for her recipes! I have my grandmother's/ mom's recipe book and am planning on putting the recipes on sites like Recipezazz and food.com and using thier names in the recipes with a blurb about the history of that recipe. Food was/is important to them and I think it's a way to honer thier memory. Internet is forever! I like hearing people's food traditions when looking at recipes. I know there are others who do the same. Just a thought if you wanted to. We have blogs here too. 

      Anyway, glad you are back.

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CTRLZero

Posted

Welcome back, and my condolences.  I've missed your postings, and would love to see your mom's recipes.  Take care.

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HerNameIsBuffy

Posted

I am so sorry for your loss.  I know how hard it is.

I was just talking about you recently, hoping you'd come back.  When we started the Feed Jinger blog you were one of the first people who came to mind because I love the way you blog about food.

Really glad you're back - you were definitely missed around here.

 

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Cartmann99

Posted

Thank you all for your kind words!  As those of you who have been through this know, it's a jumbled mess of good days and bad days as I slowly work my way to my new normal. 

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MarblesMom

Posted

My condolences on your loss.  It is indeed a hard time to lose Mom.

Welcome back :)

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Khan

Posted

I am so sorry for your loss. Please, if and when you are up to it, share some recipes with us?

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  • Posts

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      Posted (edited)

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      Edited by Red Hair, Black Dress
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      • Upvote 4
      • I Agree 1
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      Posted

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      • Upvote 1
      • I Agree 2
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      • Upvote 1
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      • Upvote 1


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