His mother (88 years old) made us a batch of her famous Italian cookies and even four chocolate cupcakes for Valentines Day dinner. Jim used to own a wonderful, friendly restaurant down here, (Station 42) one we'd go to every single Thursday night after Jesse's Suzuki piano lessons. In those days his mother, Ann, would make sauce, meatballs and pizza fritta on Thursdays and the three of us looked forward her cooking all week. We never met her, just enjoyed her "gravy and meatballs" and never met Jim. Fast forward - the restaurant closed years ago, we'd all but forgotten about our weekly ritual and then I called an estate sale agent in nearby Avon. After meeting and talking with him a few weeks ago, I discovered who he was and found out his mom is still alive and still cooking up a storm. She'd like me to come to her house for a cup of tea before we take off - perhaps I can persuade her to give me her memorable recipes, who knows!
So, after an emotionally rough morning we're sitting here enjoying a cocktail in our nice warm cottage. We're waiting patiently for the wonderfully fragrant Sauerbraten to finish cooking and looking forward to our hearty German Valentine's dinner. Its a good way to finish the day I think.
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| my view across the lake right now..... |
Sauerbraten? My dad's favorite.... not mine. Down sizing can be an emotional experience. It was for me. Happy Valentines Day!
ReplyDeleteWhat a neat story:) And some yummy dessert treats which you two deserve with the weather you are having. What a terrible last winter you are having in "central" NY! My mother said she couldn't see across the road when I talked with her around noon. Enjoy your Valentine's dinner which sounds so good:) Happy Valentine's Day! Give my doggy Valentines a treat from me:)
ReplyDeleteWhat a Valentine's Day roller coaster. You have made so many difficult
ReplyDeleteand heartfelt decisions in the last bit of time. And you have been mired in
in all this selling farm and loved family possessions for months now. Hope
You can give yourselves a break and recharge. Don't keep driving when you
are tired and hurting.
Seriously? You make sauerbraten? I haven't had it in almost 30 years and my mouth is still watering at the thought!!
ReplyDeleteHow lovely to have such a gift of memories on a tough morning. Fitting I think, to be reminded that it is the memory and not the stuff that is so precious. Somewhere your things will still be "cooking up a storm" while you're making new memories.
Your view cracks me up {sorry}.......
Hey, your view looks the same as our view was all day and night yesterday here in Indiana! We are sharing weather. Today the sun is shining brightly, but it is arctic cold. Hoping we can navigate country roads tomorrow to take the Renegade to it's next beautification appointment. The parting with "stuff" can be very painful. We just did most of that last October, but unlike you, we had it compressed into just two weeks. I don't know which is more difficult. We still have some things in storage, but I've shed tears several times over things we said good-bye to. But then I remind myself, it was time to let go of the burden of too much stuff...and embrace the adventures that await us. Onward!
ReplyDeleteHappy belated Valentines!
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely surprise to what probably was an emotionally draining day. Hard to see those "things" leave I know. So glad though you are all snug as a bug in your new cottage!
ReplyDeleteThe silver lining in your story is that you still have a little cottage to go home too and closely to your farm house.
ReplyDelete