My biggest gift in life was having a loving grandmother. She taught me through example, how to cook, care for your family, and live independently. Her Christmas Eve parties were legendary. She would start baking months before and have a freezer full of homemade cookies, fudge, ravioli, perogi, cavatail. Everyone was at my grandmother’s house dressed up in their finest and singing praises of joy for all the abundance of food and cheer. Those were the best times for my family. After my grandpa passed, my grandma kept the traditions going. I would often be with her as she prepared for the party. We would spend most mornings kneading dough and letting it raise for an hour at a time for cinnamon rolls. She would tell me about being in the kitchen with her mother watching her cook and bake for a family with ten kids. We pinched the edges of flaky pie crusts, and filled raviolis by hand. When I was little I would guard the door so the infamous gingerbred man couldn’t escape. Her cookie menu included nuthorns, raisin filled, peanut butter, chocolate chunk with walnuts, snowballs, and pizelles. I remember sneaking cookies out of the freezer when my grandma wasn’t looking. Anyone who walked through the garage usually had a secret pit stop for a cookie.
When I got a little bit older, I was recruited to roll my grandmother’s hair. She had this amazing full head of golden blonde hair. Thick and fine. She had rolled her hair all her life and when she was 80 she opted to have someone do the rolling for her. She coached me on how to part and what direction to roll in. Afterwards she would wrap a scarf around her head and go back to the kitchen to create more deliciousness. Her recipes about how to make your life are the ingredients that keep me going today.
Last weekend I worked with my mom and sister in law and we made raviolis. I could feel my grandma’s presence with me as I kneaded the soft dough and the flour dusted my clothes. Every movement and feeling was guided by her beautiful spirit. Your love is Evergreen grandma and I miss you everyday. So thankful I could Roll with you in life.
My grandmother (20) at Niagara Falls. Her recipe for Raisin Filled cookies.
Imogene Power