Gone but not forgotten
I still have a grandmother - she is 99 years old, sweet, kind, funny and pretty much on the ball. She is a pleasure and we make the most of every minute we have with her.
I had another grandmother but she died when I was quite young, from meningitis. I remember feelings more than I remember specifics - there is a warmth and a smile, but I cannot absolutely recall her face. If I try too hard she becomes blurred and fuzzy.
For Christmas this year, I have been given her recipes. All typed and formatted in a large folder with sections.
When I opened the present I cried, tears that came from nowhere and took me by surprise. I have only just been able to look at the folder. There are also some handwritten recipes - oh how I remember her handwriting!
Here is her recipe for Glühwein:
1 level tsp ground cloves
1 level tsp ground cinnamon
1 level tsp ground nutmeg
Half an orange
5oz granulated sugar
Half a lemon, chopped
1 pint water
1 bottle red wine
Mix all ingredients except wine in a large saucepan and heat gently, until sugar dissolves. Stir occasionally. Bring to the boil and simmer for one hour. Strain through at least double muslin. Rinse saucepan and put wine in, add syrup [which I assume has been strained into a jug, before the saucepan was washed]. Reheat but do not boil.
My grandparents are buried in Gloucestershire, a long way from home, but we were close by this week so I took a detour. It was nice to spend a few minutes thinking of them.
I had another grandmother but she died when I was quite young, from meningitis. I remember feelings more than I remember specifics - there is a warmth and a smile, but I cannot absolutely recall her face. If I try too hard she becomes blurred and fuzzy.
For Christmas this year, I have been given her recipes. All typed and formatted in a large folder with sections.
When I opened the present I cried, tears that came from nowhere and took me by surprise. I have only just been able to look at the folder. There are also some handwritten recipes - oh how I remember her handwriting!
Here is her recipe for Glühwein:
1 level tsp ground cloves
1 level tsp ground cinnamon
1 level tsp ground nutmeg
Half an orange
5oz granulated sugar
Half a lemon, chopped
1 pint water
1 bottle red wine
Mix all ingredients except wine in a large saucepan and heat gently, until sugar dissolves. Stir occasionally. Bring to the boil and simmer for one hour. Strain through at least double muslin. Rinse saucepan and put wine in, add syrup [which I assume has been strained into a jug, before the saucepan was washed]. Reheat but do not boil.
My grandparents are buried in Gloucestershire, a long way from home, but we were close by this week so I took a detour. It was nice to spend a few minutes thinking of them.
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