TwitterNov 17 2009
Raisin memories . . .
Having a full out “stop day” from business naturally equaled no business blogging. So that left me with a bit of a hole. Not often at a loss for words, words wasn’t the problem. The problem was which words. But I decided. And it all started with raisins . . .
Cooked a yummy cheese burger for lunch. Quick seared on both sides to trap in the juices then baked in the oven to finish the cooking. Topped it with, Colby cheese, ketchup, mustard, mayo, and Portabella mushrooms cooked in olive oil and a generous amount of garlic, sided it with lightly steamed broccoli and a pile of Bread and Butter pickles… Oh god, now I’m hungry again… As I munched I listened to Duma Keys. After
My Kitchen Aid Mixer. Love her. A thing of beauty.
eating I decided to bake something. Oatmeal Raisin Cookies. Not for me, for John1 who loves them–that man deserves a batch of homemade cookies for how hard he works. Listened to Duma Keys as I melted, blended, measured, splashed, and dropped ingredients in my Kitchen Aid mixer–I love my mixer. I think everyone should have one.
Well, I never cook with raisins without thinking of my grandmother . . .
I enjoy cooking and baking. I’m damn good with food. Started in my grandmother’s kitchen. Not by my doing. But by watching. That woman could cook anything and make it good. Well except that she had an annoying passion for the raisin. She managed to slip those things into what seemed like everything, including the occasional chocolate chip cookie. Yup. I’m serious. And apparently she’s not alone. I stood in a bakery last year and eyeballed that very cookie type sitting under a gleaming glass case, atop a snow white, lacy, paper lined tray, aligned in perfect rows. There was a business card shaped linen sign proudly standing erect in a shiny metal holder with beautiful, swirly calligraphy announcing to their customers that these were their Chocolate Chip Raisin cookies. I mean really. Is this something to advertise to the world? That they put raisins in their chocolate chip cookies.
I started surveying the shop. This had to be a joke. Convinced that if I got into my spiritual state deep enough I would find my grandmother’s ghost floating among the customers, eyes twinkling and her belly rolling with laughter. So convinced that this was a joke from the spiritual side I asked the little worker bee, “So your owner seriously bakes chocolate chip cookies and puts raisins in them?” Reply… “Yes she does, and they’re good you should try one.” I laughed, shifted, and said, “That’s okay. Thanks. My grandmother used to say the same thing when she baked them. I never agreed.” Startled and wide eyed this young thing says, “Oh, wow. I haven’t heard of this type of cookie anywhere but here.” “Well,” I said waving my hand, “you didn’t grow up around my grandmother.” At this point I quickly chose something, paid, and left. The moment had grown just a little too surreal. I, myself had never heard of them outside my grandmother’s kitchen. And I made food one of my most intense creative outlets throughout my 23 year marriage. Submerged myself into it, like an over steeped tea bag. Where was I really?? Twilight zone moments should be left carefully and defiantly quickly . . .
Night, Love ya,
Theresa Jane
-hope you enjoyed my bit of history and humor
I hate raisins!!! I hate when people “sneak” them into things, especially things they shouldn’t.
OMG! We have the same mixer, except mine is red. We have the handle that makes the bowl go up and down. Just one more thing to ad to the list. LOL I am glad you took the day to do Theresa stuff. I hope it helped.
I nearly got the red one!! Just about. It was very close. My kids got this for me this past mother’s day. The biggest ever gift as a mom I’ve gotten. I was beside myself. They went back and forth between the red, even told me when they got it that if I wanted red to exchange it. I gave it a lot of thought and came very close. But then stayed with white in the end. But I have moments that I wish I had gone with red. I did have the gray one–not the smooth one, the one with texture, it’s really almost a gray black–one for 14 years but when I divorced I left it for my daughters to use. My oldest was cooking and baking up a storm and I didn’t have the heart to take it with me. Although I will tell you that it was all I could do to leave it. That mixer and I had quite the bond let me tell you! But I love my daughter and didn’t want that crappy divorce to take away her mixer.
And yeah, that grandmother of mine and her raisins! God you never could be sure when you’d bit into something and have a mouth of them. I used to get so annoyed at her for putting them in the chocolate chip cookies. I used to ask her if she had to do that. She always laughed and told me that they were good that way. And that raisins were good for me. I would sigh and pick them out. Which she didn’t care for but didn’t stop me either. LOL Memories.
Theresa Jane
I love chocolate chip cookies with raisins! My family doesn’t though.
I always thought there was something about you . . . hints of my grandmother, that’s what there be. LOL Well, Chocolate Chip Raisin Cookie fan enjoy!! And I hope your family lets you sneak some in. But if you pass me a plate just know, I’m picking those plump babies out!
Theresa Jayne