I generally keep this blog for my recipes and random food related thoughts, but today is a very personal one.
Last Thursday, January 17th, was the saddest day I’ve experienced in my 33 years. That was the day my grandma Evelyn passed away. I want to share with all of you how amazing and beautiful my grandma was. She loved to laugh and at 82 years old… still got most of my attempts at humor.
My grandma was a voracious reader, and since I am one too, we started to mail each other books after reading them. I would send her murder mysteries, and she would send me books that were, well, geez…. downright naughty. I found myself blushing while reading some of them thinking “OH.MY.GAH… GRANDMA READ THIS.” :) I finally had to tell her she could just hang on to the romance (aka dirty) ones, as they were not my cup of tea! How embarrassing, right? Of course she just laughed it off!
Grandma was also a wonderful cook of all things Southern. Her cornbread, biscuits, butter beans and turnip greens were specialties that I would always look forward to. My absolute favorite was her cornbread. She had this knack for making amazing cornbread, and her secret was… old buttermilk. She liked it when it was just shy of funky. According to her, the buttermilk needed to be a little (several weeks) past the expiration date to make great cornbread. I also brought home two of her cast iron pans that are the backbone of real southern cornbread. These pans are so beautifully seasoned, I must assume they are older than I am. Unfortunately, I never had her write down the recipe… not that she probably had one anyway. So my next challenge for myself is recreating her cornbread. I already have a container of buttermilk festering away in the back of the fridge, waiting for my challenge!
I ask all of you who still have your grandparents, to give them a call and tell them you love them. They may not be here tomorrow. Also, I must thank my amazing husband, Stephan, for being there for me. You’re my rock, and I have no idea how I would have gotten through the past few days without you.
Grandma, I hope you’re up there eating a big bowl of ice cream and gossiping with Aunt Lizzie. You will always be in my heart and memories.
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[...] wonderful stories about her, I feel like I know her. This comes not long after I lost my own grandmother, just a few months ago. I guess as I get older this is bound to happen, but that just [...]
I was immediately drawn to the vibrant picture of your grandmother when I saw it on your husband’s page. You wrote a great tribute and I’m sure your cornbread efforts will be a wonderful way to honor her memory.
Reply to trina
You brought tears to my eyes. My grandmother, or Safta as we call her (meaning grandmother in hebrew) was 100 on January 8th. She is now in the hospital with pneumonia and I pray for her health. She is the most wonderful best friend in the world!
I am sorry that your passed away – but i am sure that you have gained a special angel to watch over you.
Reply to Doirit
I am sorry to read of your Gran’s passing. She sounds so much like my own sweet Gran -right down to the naughty romance novels and great cooking.
I lost mine when I was 21 and I still miss her every day. May all the aching spaces in your heart be filled in with wonderful memories of a beautiful woman!
xoxo
Reply to Gabi
I’m so sorry for your loss. But your grandma sounds like a great lady…and I know a lot about great grandmas! For the past five (almost six) years my grandma and I have lived together, just me and her…and she’s amazing. :-)
I hope to see an upcoming blog on that cornbread!
Reply to Kristel
I had a Grandma that sounds (and looks) a lot like yours. She passed away 4 years ago at the age of 93. I’m sorry for your loss – Grandmas are oh so special and we are all blessed to have them.
Reply to Missy
This is really sad, Candace. I’m so sorry for your loss :-(
Reply to Pam Arendall
Once again Candace, my thoughts and prayers are with you
Reply to Sarah
I’m so sorry for you loss Candace. Hang in there :)
What a nice way to pay tribute to your Grandmother. Everytime you use her pans or make/see cornbread muffins, she’ll live on in your heart this way.
Reply to Maki
Candace,I think your grandma lives now in your memory.I think she is looking at you…
Reply to Rolanda (mom)
This funeral was the first one for me and it was beautiful and sad at the same time. Grandma Evelyn is now in the arms of angels where she came to a final resting place. RIP Grandma
Reply to Stephan (MP)
Candance this is such a beautiful post. I’m sorry for your loss, but I’m sure your Grandma is looking down upon you smiling at this. :)
Reply to Katie
I am so sorry for your loss. Your grandmother was a beautiful person and it sounds like she had a wonderful, full life. It sounds like you channel her spirit and life!
Reply to Sarah
It’s obvious the two of you had a special bond. And, Grandma sounds like she was a riot! Thinking of you.
Reply to Danielle
Candace – I’m sorry to hear about your grandmother. It shoulds like you had a great relationship. I think this post is a wonderful tribute to your memories of her.
Reply to Jade
that was a lovely remembrance. my condolences on the loss of such a wonderful lady in your life.
Reply to melissa
Candace, what a BEAUTIFUL tribute to your Grandmother! Lots of ((Hugs))for you! I’m positive you inherited her cooking genes, looking forward to your cornbread post :)
Reply to Angie
just reading this made me cry. i’m blessed to still have my grandmother around. i love her to pieces and talk to her every week. losing my grandfather in ’00 was really hard… i’m thinking of you! your grandma sounds like a wonderful woman!
Reply to Ashley
sad. thanks for sharing your heart.
Reply to Gretchen Noelle