Memories of Grandma

I have always loved baking around the holidays. Honestly, there is more sugar in my house this time of year than any other as I make oodles of different kinds of cookies for gifts as well as school and office celebrations. I've tried out a couple of new recipes this year, but there are some that are "standards" in my book and this is the only time of year I make them

Today, I broke out my Grandma's decadent chocolate chip cookie recipe. Beware - these are NOT for the calorie conscious! It reminds me why I only make them once a year because (a) my Kitchenaid really gets a workout from them and (b) they seem to call and beckon me at all hours.

I always loved to cook and bake with Grandma, so it is extra special for me this year that Kyra has taken such an interest in baking. Yes, I can usually get things done quicker without her, but these are truly moments that I am going to treasure in my heart for years to come. It's hard to believe Grandma went to meet the Lord almost nine years ago this month, but I know I'm keeping her memory with me by passing these recipes on and I'm praying that the sweet smell of these cookies reaches her up in heaven.

Scent of my childhood

Since we are visiting our hometown, I snuck out this morning for a run. It's actually disappointingly chilly weather for July, but it was great running weather. Anyhow, as I was running a local trail, I kep smelling a smell but I couldn't place what it was. On my way back, I noticed the ground was strewn with fallen mulberries. We used to have a huge mulberry tree in my parent's back yard and I remember eating them by the handfuls with my brothers. Funny that I could still vaguely remember that smell.

So memorable I can still taste it!

I was just responding to a question of the day at Lifetime Moments about what my favorite type of cake was. Actually, I can do without the "cake" portion of cake - just give me a good buttercream frosting and I will be in sugar-shock heaven. But there I go on a tangent again.

Anyhow, the question got me thinnking back to the days of my *ahem* youth and the best darn cake of all time - the banana cake with buttercream frosting from Patty Cake Bakery in Griffith, Indiana. Words cannot describe exactly how yummy the buttercream frosting was on this cake. It is making my mouth water just thinking about it.

Sadly, Patty Cake went out of business years ago along with my hopes and dreams of ever obtaining the recipe of this much beloved frosting and cake. I guess it's just as well - my hips don't need it!