Precious Memories...

Precious Memories how they linger...

Today was the day...finally. In three years, I have donated four separate "Evenings with Jessie" for an auction raising funds for Columbia Christian Schools. Sadly, two of the four never took place because of the busy lives we live. Trying to find time for eight adults to gather is nigh unto impossible. Actually, last November's successful bidders gave their space to others for that very reason.



After months of negotiating, a date and time was decided on, and the chosen meal was a brunch. The co-owner of Jessie's trunk, Joanne Roberts, prepared deviled eggs and a lovely breakfast crab casserole. John exercised his sourdough starter and fixed pancakes with ancient batter. Other things on the menu were rice pudding, fruit salad, moose meatballs with cranberry sauce, shrimp and asparagus salad, and salmon ball with crackers. One would think this was a memory-making occasion, and indeed it was. However, it was amazing how many memories of years, even beyond my lifespan, this day evoked.



First of all, the "Time with Jessie." goes back to the 19th century as we opened the trunk and viewed things a total stranger had felt worth keeping until her death. One of the guests learned that we once lived in Juneau and asked if we knew the Long family. "Of course. The sourdough starter came to us from Nello. The mention of the starter brought to mind Lucille Weir and her Mother Bertha Goetz...the original owners of the starter." Seems our guest had hosted one of Nello's girls for about a year when his family lived in Sacramento. The cranberry sauce was prepared by a lady at a book club I spoke with; she used a recipe directly from Jessie's book.



The salmon was provided for the occasion by the host of our Wednesday p.m. Bible study group; the moose meat by hunters from church. The rice pudding came from my recipe box. the explanation of its origin is in my mother's handwriting -- "This recipe tastes like my mother made when I was a child." The memories brought out with each item removed from our trunk were priceless.



As Joanne removed each item, I shared stories of Jessie's life and loves and family; also names and faces of so many folks I have met because of her trunk -- special Eagle Village and Eagle residents of then and now, folks who have bought the book, people I've never seen who own a piece of Jessie's puzzle, etc.



Our walk through Memory's Trunk was sadly incomplete because Ron (co-owner's hubby) was sick abed. He was sorely missed. For me, the highlight of "Brunch with Jessie" was precious time with my very dear friend Joanne and another reminder of what a terrific man I married. Not only did he, unquestioningly, set and prepare the pancakes, he also hand washed my special dishes.



How they ever flood my soul!

Afternoon Delight

It has been a long time since I have laughed out loud at a movie. I actually even found myself screaming once from hilarity along with the onscreen actress and some of the audience. When Patty called to see if we'd like to hit a matinee, we both jumped at the opportunity. I had already determined to rent "Julie & Julia" (or vice verse) when it came out on DVD. Over and over again, during the viewing, I kept thinking of what few things I could recall reading about Julia Child or seeing her on TV. Even at that, I have a story to share.

When our youngest was in pre-school, we purchased a color TV set, which led to getting cable hookup. One day, he and I were watching Julia Child at work in her kitchen. I don't recall what she was preparing, but I do recall it required a lot of flour. So, I am guessing it may have been bread. Anyway, she looked down at her well-floured work area and, with her bare hand, wiped a substantial amount of flour directly onto the floor. Geoffrey looked up at me and said, "Can you do that?" I told him she probably had people who would clean up after her.

It was about that time in his life that he asked Granny Ruth to make him an apron and a chef's hat. When he donned this wardrobe, he announced "When I have this on, you can call me Cheffrey!"