Grandmother’s Kitchen

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Sitting in my grandmother’s kitchen, I could look out the window and watch the rabbits, squirrels, and quail families nibbling on the scraps of food that we had set outside for them.

Grandmother was already hard at work whisking crepe batter or preparing pans of German pancakes for the oven. Orange sauce and vanilla waffle sauce were simmering on the stove, ready to pour as the family began to wander downstairs.

A man and a woman looking at the camera

As early as 5:00am, Grandmother would be working in the kitchen. Freshly bathed with her face made up beautifully and without a hair out of place, she waited for the family to wake and come downstairs. She’d have plans for every meal and every snack throughout our visit.

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We’d head for the garden with Grandpa and pick strawberries as soon as breakfast was finished. We wandered their hill during our visits and picked wildflowers, which Grandmother thanked us for profusely and displayed proudly.

Grandmother’s enthusiasm for hosting large family gatherings was contagious. As children, our excitement would build exponentially as we climbed the hills in Dewey, AZ, to arrive at their house on a Sunday afternoon.

As the dust billowed behind our vehicle, and our stomachs dropped as we raced over those hills, we knew our grandparents would be watching out the window for our arrival. They were often at the foot of the long driveway by the time we stopped the car.

My grandparents made us feel like special guests every time we were in their home. Grandmother always watched from the kitchen window while we played in the yard. The smell of freshly cut wood brings back memories of helping Grandpa in his workshop.

A sunshine-filled garden sends me back in time to their strawberry patch. We would sit across from Grandmother and Grandpa at the kitchen island and eat those strawberries with cream within moments of bringing them into the kitchen.

A man wearing a costume

Sitting at their counter, playing checkers or Shanghai rummy, there was always a dish of candy corn and roasted peanuts in between us. This was Grandmother’s favorite snack and I can’t eat candy corn without a peanut alongside it to this day.

She had a way of smiling craftily over the cards in her hand as she waited for us to take our turns. Having their children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren visit were the events they planned their lives around.

As an adult, I visited their home with my girlfriends. One time, we arrived very late, past midnight, and my grandparents had already gone to bed. Grandmother left a sweet welcome note on the kitchen counter next to a tray filled with salty snacks, sweet treats, and mix for hot cocoa already in the coffee mugs. We carried our fully-loaded tray up to our rooms feeling incredibly spoiled.

At the end of every single visit, Grandmother prepared treat bags for each of us to open in the car on the way home. Those bags made the goodbyes a little less painful as we clutched them in our laps and gleefully opened them the moment our tires touched the paved road.

Trail mix, Miniature Reese’s cups, Werther’s originals, Reese’s Pieces, Peeps for Easter, candy canes for Christmas, Ding Dongs, all of these things made an appearance one time or another. There might be homemade Rice Krispy treats on occasion, because Grandmother considered them a healthy treat.

My mom’s one-time request for healthier treats resulted in the addition of chocolate or yogurt covered raisins and nuts. Grandmother loved to spoil us with sweets that were rarely seen in our childhood home. If we were leaving close to lunchtime, there would be a sandwich and chips included as well. Grandmother’s love language was food and this was evident in every large or small event of our lives.

Losing my grandpa, who was her biggest admirer and champion, changed her. When he first became ill and was planning a high-risk surgery, she used that event as a reason to celebrate their life together. They re-read all their love letters from World War II and spent time remembering their years together.

A group of people posing for a photo

Grandmother was bossy at times and Grandpa was known to simply turn off his hearing aids at regular intervals, but I never doubted that they loved each other. Grandpa called her his chickadee and I knew that he adored her. They took care of each other and they acted like lovebirds through over 60 years of marriage.

I couldn’t possibly number the times I saw them kiss or hold hands. My grandpa never failed to whisper in my ear that he loved me every single time I hugged him and I know that he did the same for her when he held her hand and smiled at her.

As a child, I took so much of what they created for granted. I enjoyed the fruits of their well-tended relationship without giving thought to the fact they dedicated their lives to each other and their families. As an adult, their love inspires me to make my own marriage as fulfilling as possible.

My grandmother wasn’t perfect. She struggled a great deal over the past twenty years as her life changed significantly. I remember visiting with her in the years after Grandpa died. It was heartbreaking to see the way Grandmother, always so strong and capable, had become feeble and confused. She would smile and pat our hands when my mom reminded her of who we were.

Towards the end, she was a shell of the person I once knew. My family gathered this past weekend to remember her life. Death has a way of smoothing over the rougher years and bringing the happy times back into focus.

We’ve laughed and cried and remembered more happy, joyous times in the past week than we have in years. I smile to think that my grandmother is no longer in pain and that she is reunited with the love of her life.

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Mary Younkin

Mary Younkin

Hi, I’m Mary. I’m the author, cook, photographer, and travel lover behind the scenes here at Barefeet In The Kitchen. I'm also the author of three cookbooks dedicated to making cooking from scratch as simple as possible.

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  1. Teena McElroy says

    Lost my Grandma, Husband and Mother, all in the same year.I have precious memories of all. My Grandma was able to live in her home until the last 4 months of her life. She was 98.We have much to be thankful for and I cherish the little things.Sweet blog. Best to you and your family. My Grandma was always happiest cooking for her family too.

  2. Kim Honeycutt says

    I'm so sorry for your loss. This is such a beautiful tribute to both your Grandmother and Grandfather who are happily together again. Cherish them and all the wonderful memories.

  3. mjskit says

    What a lovely post! I'm sure your grandmother would have loved it! Such fond memories that you will always cherish! Thanks for sharing your love of this wonderful woman with us.

  4. Cheyenne Antrim says

    Mary dearest What a wonderful tribute you paid to your grands.I cried reading it!!! I never had grand parents and a tiny family in USA.Im Auzzie but American. Thank you for sharing.I love the same things as you do esp ICE CREAM there i said it.My Name is Cheyenne and we live in the LasVegas area.Im gonna make the baked Chicken n potatoes w bacon .I look forward to seeing what u come up with again i love to hear about your grands they are wonderful.I know we dont Die so they are together in heaven.thank you Mary.Love to you xxx

  5. Lorraine says

    Really appreciate your recipes and your sharing of family memories. Food and stories unite us as human beings. Thank you. Be blessed.Lorraine

  6. Lori says

    Mary, I’m new to your blog. I’m sitting here crying after reading your beautiful tribute to your grandmother. I appreciate it so much. I had both of my grandmas until I was in my 40’s. You touched my heart with your description and memories. I’m off to get my 9 year old granddaughter to work on a project with her….making memories.❤️

  7. Barbara Caldwell says

    What a beautiful tribute! You’re very blessed to have such fond memories of your grandparents.

    I paternal grandmother died young of a brain aneurysm. And my maternal grandmother had a paralyzing stroke when I was nine but she always loved to cook and bake prior to that. I wish I could have helped her in the kitchen when I was a teen to learn her recipes. My mother often spoke of how many goodies she made for everyone. Her kitchen skills were well-known around our small PA town.

    Your love for cooking obviously came from your grandmother. I love finding new recipes and am going to try your lemon angel pie for Easter. It sounds delicious!

    • Mary Younkin says

      Thanks, Barbara. I’m grateful that I had as many years as I did with both of my grandmothers. I’m glad that you’re enjoying the recipes!