Meet Grandma Carol
I grew up in a family of good cooks. My maternal grandfather was a baker even though he had sold his shop just before I was born.
Both grandmothers and my grandfather lived with us until I was about 10. It was a constant joy for me to watch them cook. I can remember my grandmother having a large crock full of flour. She would make a well in the middle and put in the wet ingredients and pull in the flour with her fingers to make biscuits. She never measured anything.
From the time my grandparents moved, I was the “go-for” helper in the kitchen. I made excellent cornbread, could peel potatoes and mash them with the best of them. But I never cooked on my own. I did the things my mother didn’t want to do.
During my junior year in high school it was necessary for my mother to be gone for about 6 weeks. That meant I became the “instant mother” of the household.
Many times I would have to cook something and set it on the back of the stove to keep warm while I finished something else. Making it all come out together was a lesson learned by “fire”.
I never looked back. I have cooked for over 50 years for all sizes of groups and continue to volunteer for large events. Of course, I still spoil my son with his favorites when he comes to visit.
Date: February 10, 2009