Tuesday, September 22, 2009

A Time for Pancakes...


Picture by the lovely Mari Eriksson

Is this not the most beautiful picture of pancakes you have ever seen? It was taken by the lovely Mari Eriksson of the gorgeous blog An Angel At My Table, this picture literally bought me to (happy) tears and inspired this post, It's with a happy heart that I thank Mari for sharing her beautiful picture with me and allowing me to use it in this post :) If you have never seen her blog, you really should visit her...Her blog is so beautiful and her pictures are truly gorgeous!


Have you ever noticed that there is ALWAYS a time for pancakes? Day or night...breakfast..lunch..or dinner...shoot or like me...a 2 in the morning snack :) Everyone likes them different...in our house, my kids slather them with syrup..my youngest Anaissa...always steals MY apple cinnamon syrup...my husband loves them however I make them, I love them with warm strawberry compote...but my dad...my dad...well he made the most delicious...scrumptious pancakes that I have EVER eaten. No one else can match his...my mom has tried poor dear...but I am always the first to tell her...good... but nope!! ( I know even in my 40's I give my mama a hard time :) I have eaten them at some fru fru restaurants and some not so fru fru mom & pop joints and still no one made them like my dad....

When I was a young girl I remember waking up on Sunday mornings when he would make pancakes...mounds and mounds of delicious tiny... fluffy... yet crispy melt in your mouth...yes so good you wanna smack yo mama pancakes!! I would eat soo many that you could probably roll my lil butter ball butt back to bed! On weekends I hated...did I mention HATED waking up early...In fact...I hated it so much that most Sundays they... notice I said they all got up early and went out to breakfast, my sister getting those stupid mickey head shaped pancakes with tons of whipped cream...but not I...even at a young age I had a more upscale palatte (but looking back now...maybe I was just lazy lol) I preferred to stay in my warm bed...but when the smell of his pancakes wafted into my room...no matter what ungodly hour it was...I sat straight up in bed and smiled! I also knew I better get my lil butter ball butt in there before they were gone :) My sister is 7 years younger than me but let me tell you for someone as tiny as she was...that child could pack them pancakes away!!!

To say his pancakes were good...was an understatement...everyone loved them, when he took us camping as kids...we begged for them...when later in years my parents took all the grandkids camping without the adults...they begged for them and I would actually grumble when my kids came back and said "Pampa made pancakes!" Did I sound and act like a 2 yr old..yes and I don't care lol

He would make what seemed like hundreds of tiny lucious pancakes and we would literally devour them...but he would as a "surprise" make a bunch more and leave them on a pretty lil plate for later...just incase someone had a hankerin for a mid day snack...miday...heck I made excuses to walk into their kitchen and snatch one or two.. many times through out the day...plain..with nothing on them...they were even more delicious...they had such a light taste and just enough sweetness that to this day I haven't found anyone elses to compare...NOT EVEN CLOSE !

Everyone asked for his secret recipe...he response..."No secret...just follow the directions on the box, not too damn hard"...then he would smile....

It had been awhile since I had his pancakes...my tummy and my heart were craving them...He was in the hospital still processing the diagnosis they had given him, just like we all were. That morning for breakfast they bought everyone pancakes...but they came back to his room because they had made a mistake he was to have oatmeal...he didn't mind...he said he actually preferred it...he said "you can't mess up oatmeal but the pancakes looked and smelled like shit" (sorry but he didn't believe in mincing words :)

The morning after he shared his last wishes with us all...he was preparing to come home and trying to make him smile I said..."just think Sonny...you can eat all the pancakes you want when you get home....course you have to make them" ( I know selfish of me to say but...Hey he smiled!!) He was walking around on his own...although a lil tired..he still insisted on doing things on his own, joking...just happy he was finally coming home...Well we never got that chance...to have his special pancakes...He came home the next day on Sunday, early evening...and by Monday morning he couldn't really talk or walk much less stand...By that night you couldn't understand what he was saying...it was heartbreaking because when he spoke it sounded like he was drowning...By that next Sunday he was with us only in spirit and we were all hanging on to each other to survive and we were planning his funeral...

How sad that with everything going on that all too short week we had left with him...no one thought to make him pancakes...no one thought to get his recipe...no one will ever get to eat his melt in your mouth..soo good you wanna smack yo mama pancakes again.......

The holidays are quickly approaching...I think we are all quietly dreading it here, Thanksgiving was his favorite holiday because my mama made it all about him and all his favorite dishes...because you see, he made Christmas, all the other holidays and all our birthdays all about us...but sharing this memory and others like this with my mom, husband...my girls...my sister and her lil ones....I think helps us ease into the upcoming holiday season...

So you see...sometimes a picture isn't just worth a thousand words... sometimes it is worth much, much more...like one special, precious..albiet...delicious memory....Again, Mari thank you sooo much for reminding me of my beautiful memory...And helping me to smile once again when I think of him...


Until next time dear friends...




Rose~





30 comments:

Lisa@End of the Lane said...

What a beautiful post. Once again, you have touched my heart, and your memories have reminded me of my memories, and on we go...Sharing!
Lisa

Joyce said...

Peaking in at your post today about the Pancakes and your Dad and it made me cry. Celebrate your Dad with loving memories to warm your heart and his pancakes to warm your tummy. He would be proud of you to keep up his Pancake tradition.

an angel at my table said...

Your words touches me alot! Thank for your lovely words about my picture. It is an honour too illustrate your beautiful text about your loving father.
With love Mari

Rebecca said...

Hi Rose
I have tears running down my face and I am at work with no makeup here!
But what a beautiful post...pancakes are my favorite and my husband makes Swediah pancakes for us and they are wonderful.
Lost my father last Thanksgiving...he is missed.
Blessings
Rebecca

Rebecca said...

PS Forgot to tell you to come to my post, I have an award for you.
Thanks
Rebecca

Myrna said...

Sweet Rose,
When I first started reading your post all I could think about was having pancakes for lunch, you made it sound so yummy...then I read on and the familiar sadness of missing my mom during the holidays crept over me. My heart goes out to you and my prayers are with you as you navigate all the 'firsts' without your father.
Blessings to you sweet friend,
Myrna

Anonymous said...

What a beautiful post!!! Memories are the greatest thing we have to always hold dear.

If you get a chance, stop by my Blog for a visit and say hi. I just put up a new post...
Have a great day,
Aimee

Carole said...

Dear Rose,
What a sad but beautiful story about your beloved father. It's so true how we regret the little things....the if only's. Your father knew how much you loved him and that's what matters.
xo,
carole

H A N N A S - F O R M said...

Oh Rose, thank you VERY much!!! I think you have a very nice blog...Maries pictures are very, very good...and she is very sweet too!

Love from
Hanna

The Feathered Nest said...

Oh sweet girl, what a precious memory of your dear father....your post brought tears to my eyes Rose!!! To remember the good things is to honor our loved ones...love and hugs sweet friend, Dawn

Lori said...

Rose, i had to go and wipe my tears before i could respond...what a beautiful post about your father...he sounds like a great man...and a really good maker of pancakes...you described them so well, i could almost taste them dancing on my tongue...hugs to you and thanks for sharing this lovely memory:)

Draffin Bears said...

Dear Rose,

You have brought tears to my eyes, that is such a wonderful story of your Papa and his pancakes.
How lovely to think of the special memories you and he shared. Just precious.

Many thanks for the kind and comforting words you left for me. I am so happy to have a beautiful friend like you.

Have a good week
Hugs
Carolyn

Unknown said...

Hi Rose! Lovely post...Mari does take the most beautiful pictures! I know what you mean about dreading the holidays a bit after the loss of a loved one, we will be going thru the same thing over here. But how wonderful that something as simple (and delicious) as pancakes can bring back joyful memories of your dad for you! After all, that's what it's all about...

:) T

Ana said...

Hi Rose,
Aww! What a sweet memory to carry with you always. The greatest part is that it's a memory shared by all his family. I am so sorry for your loss. May precious memories like this one help you and your family draw strength to carry on. Thank you so much for sharing such a touching and sweet story with us.

Thank you also for stopping by for a visit. I'm so happy you enjoyed your stay. I'm thrilled that you became a follower and I love and appreciate such a sweet comment. Hope you have a wonderful evening.

Blessings,
♥Ana~A Petite Cottage

kayellen said...

I love holding on to fond memories of loved ones and never forgetting the special times we shared:)
Touching entry Rose thank you:)

KayEllen

Laura @ 52 FLEA said...

Dear Rose,
You have wonderful memories....hold them and cherish them....the humble pancake is a favorite in our household too...Thanks for sharing this sweet post..
Take care, Laura

Stephenie said...

Rose, What a touching post about your father.. My heart aches for you.. Please know that you and your family are in my thoughts and prayers..
All those dads must be really good pancake makers.. My dad would make me pancakes to. They were called rope a dope pancakes..Not only were they good, they were huge!!!
STephenie

Faded Plains said...

Beautiful post...at least the parts I could read through my tears were...sending you big hugs Rose!

ROSE VINE COTTAGE said...

What a pretty pic and blog! The dishes remind me of the Shabby Chic ones at Target, by the way you asked about my SC comforter, yes it is from her Target line and it is a comf cover (; Thanks for visiting my blog.

ABOUT ME said...

Hi Rose,
Thank you so much for the nice comments. Hopefully you will revisit my blog, as I have uploaded a few more Spanish songs to listen. You have some great links to visit.

I am in So Cal also, San Gabriel Valley to be exact. Have a great weekend until then.

Unknown said...

What an endearing story....thank you for sharing something so difficult....xojana

One of my Hobby Blogs said...

What a nice post, you sound like a lovely lady, and great blog too!

Moore Minutes said...

What a delightful post! I truly enjoyed every part of this. Thank you!

I also wanted to thank you for all your kind warm words you left on my blog last week. It meant so much to me. <3

I'm doing my first giveaway on my blog right now if you're interested:

http://www.mooreminutes.com/2009/09/pleated-poppy-giveaway.html

OKAY, off to make some pancakes! ;)

Moore Minutes said...

Sorry, I know I already commented but I wanted to add that it sounds like you had an incredible dad and that is a treasure. I got so much delight reading about pancakes here...maybe you can tell him that he is still bringing people smiles, next time you whisper to him.

Wanda Lee said...

I am simply entranced by the loveliness of what you've shared~ what lovely sentiments and warm memories!

Wanda Lee said...

I want to also add that I'm finding this post so timely and poignant because I have lost four dear loves ones in the last four years; my dad's death, two years ago was sudden and accidental.~ We were very close, and yes he made the best panckes ever also!..,

We have gone bravely onward~

Although I wrote the last posted comment, yet I decided to come back and tell you how much I enjoyed your warmest and lovliest blog posting about pancakes that I have ever read!

The aspects of what you shared about the lasting legacy of warmth and loving traditions that your dear dad imparted to you with the warmest memories of those delicious panckes shared with love, around the family table; what a gift your dearly departed dad left you!~ Priceless!..,

I also, through a veil of tears, am writing this.~ It's so lovely to have found both you and your lovely blog!

Please do fell welcome to pop by and visit my blogs soon!.., I've created a blog for my mother, (partly as therapy for her after loosing my dearest dad), at: "The Plumed Pen Of Lady Velvet", blogspog, blog..,

Cheers from Silken Purse

Deb said...

Beautiful memory post & image!

paperbird said...

Dear Rose, what a beautiful post. Made me cry and miss my Dad. Your Dad sounds like he was a good man. You have lovely memories- thank you for sharing them.

bikim said...

Dear Rose,
what a beautiful and SWEET post.I just felt hungry the all the way through!!! I think i'll do some of my own in the afternoon!!
you're a story teller! great to read it! thanks for visiting my blog and your lovely comment.
have a sweet wdnesday,
Rosa (we do have the same name! hi!hi!

Fete et Fleur said...

My heart goes out to you. We lost my beloved FIL last year and it still feels like a huge whole in our lives. It probably always will be. I pray that your holiday season will be filled with joy, even though your heart may ache.

Hugs!
Nancy