Comments on: Tip Tuesday – Special Times

By: Pam in Utah

Pam in Utah — Fri, 27 Oct 2006 04:01:41 +0000

A sweet memory of MY father was when he had us come out on the farm to help move sprinkler pipe. We were probably 8 and 9.The pipes were too heavy for us individually, so my sister and I moved them together. What a sense of accomplishment. My dad always used to say when we had done something a little challenging “I knew you could!” I loved that about him, the way he was proud of us in a good way.
One of the things I loved about my mom when we were little was that she used to play games with us all the time, and she even made up a homemade board game for me when I broke my ankle in first grade, and I was the most popular person in the class for a while because everyone wanted to play it with me. She had the nicest laugh. One funny thing that I did as a kid… When I was old enough to know better, I made some cookies and thought they looked a little different. My mom said they’d be fine, just put them in the oven. I kept checking and they kept getting thinner and thinner and I would say to my mom in the other room “they don’t look right!” Finally they started dripping off the corner of the pan and she came to look. We all laughed, as I had forgotten to put in the flour!

By: Pam in Utah

Pam in Utah — Fri, 27 Oct 2006 03:50:25 +0000

Dearest DYD, what a sweet post! You were indeed young and I was indeed pregnant and feeling way more than a little awful that particular day and I remember it well. I thought you were in kindergarten, but I think you were 6. You really wanted some cookies but I just couldn’t do anything that afternoon. You remembered it really well, and I broke every little thing down for you and gave you a little encouragement, but not that much, and it really was a fun experience. I was so proud of you, that you would just do what I said instead of saying “I can’t I can’t” like some might have. You have been an “I can” person all your life. I love that about you. And I love your family, too!

By: a fan

a fan — Thu, 26 Oct 2006 20:59:33 +0000

in my husband’s family, dad was the cook and mom was the one who didn’t know to take the large stouffer’s lasagna out of the box before putting it in the oven, thus causing a small house fire. unfortunately, dad worked a lot and the kids therefore ate a lot of grilled cheese and frozen lasagnas. but the recipes dad used and the memories he passed on to my husband are priceless. i guess the burnt lasagna cardboard memory is priceless, too…

but i appreciate the example dad set for my chicken kiev and rice pilaf making husband. i LOVE having a husband who can cook, even if it’s less frequent than i’d like. baking, not so much… but he’s killer on the cooking stuff! yesterday, our girls talked him into making “egg treats” (deviled eggs) before he left for work. they beg to make them daily!

By: KYouell

KYouell — Wed, 25 Oct 2006 19:55:38 +0000

My family has a story like this, but it was my grown uncle asking detailed questions of his wife. “Charmaine, which bowl do I use? Which spoon do I use?” etc. He was just doing it so she would come make cookies for him. One time she finally told the story in front of my aunt (that uncle’s younger sister) and he was immediately outed. He had been the one to make the cookies for them when they were kids and had the recipe memorized! What a sneak.

I like your story better. It’s a good idea to cook with your kids, especially the fun stuff that you are known for. You don’t want the food to just be a great story when you’re gone; it’s better if the descendants keep making the recipe to remember you by! Mmm. I think I’ll go blog about Horace and Doris beans.

By: Shalee

Shalee — Wed, 25 Oct 2006 15:37:36 +0000

Hi! *waves back wildly*

Dan, that was a fabulous memory to share with us. I love how literal your mom had to be because that is exactly what I have to do for my kids. (Go to your closet, pull out some socks, put them on, then find your shoes and put them on too.)

My mom liked to cook, so I watched and learn. The hardest part came when she would just throw some stuff in. I’d ask how much that was and she would just lift up her shoulders and say, “Enough.” I get that now. I do it to my kids too. It really led me to become comfortable about cooking and not just following a recipe.

I’m working on meatloaf with my daughter. I hope that one day, she can give this story as a great memory too.

By: grammyelin

grammyelin — Wed, 25 Oct 2006 12:49:53 +0000

I always knew that I LOVED your Mom. This just reinforces it. I wonder if she realized at the time: that she was not only helping you to be a happier boy, but a better husband and father in the future? That is a wonderful story and I’m crazy about all of the pictures. Great post, Dan. You could totally do this if you wanted to. Love you.

By: No Cool Story

No Cool Story — Wed, 25 Oct 2006 06:10:54 +0000

What a sweet story. It is the little things that make the best memories, your mom is awesome DYD.
Your whole family is so cool

By: Michelle

Michelle — Wed, 25 Oct 2006 04:55:08 +0000

Thanks, just thanks. Now my husband wants to know when he gets to guest blog for me. All I’ll hear is, “Daring Young Mom let him do it, why can’t I?”

By: Mary

Mary — Wed, 25 Oct 2006 02:47:45 +0000

That is so sweet! You really have a great mom. A fun food tradition in my family growing up was making Sunday-night fudge or pop-corn balls with my dad. Messy, sugary goodness just before bed. I’m sure my mom just loved it.

When we bake cookies, my toddler MUST pour everything in the bowl for me and MUST sample lots of chocolate chips. She’s a helper!

By: Nantiemeg

Nantiemeg — Wed, 25 Oct 2006 01:20:00 +0000

Dan! You rock my socks off, and so does your mom. I love you!! Can’t wait to see you, you cute wife, and all the chillun’ in 4 weeks!!