Wednesday, May 05, 2021

YOUR MOTHER SHOULD KNOW...MAMA SAID

 



 




 





In Australia, Sunday, 9th May is Mother's Day.

 

No matter how many times my brother and I tried to pull the wool over our mother’s eyes...and those of our grandmother...we failed miserably every time! 

As I’ve written previously, my brother and I were raised by two persuasive women, with no father on the scene.  Both women were always a step or two, sometimes many more, ahead of us, proving they were smarter than we were. 

It took my brother and me a long while to come to the realisation both ladies were cleverer, more street, and home-smart than we were. However, until the light bulb moment hit each of us, Graham and I kept pushing their buttons, just in case we had the fun, good fortune of striking it lucky.  One should never give up hope must have been our mantra.  Our endless, fruitless efforts caused both Mum and Nana much amusement, I imagine. 

It’s been 47 years since I said farewell to my mother, who passed away too soon at the age of 54.  45 years have passed since I bid a sad “Goodbye” to my grandmother who was 81 years of age. The verbal farewells may have been uttered many years ago, but not a day...barely an hour...goes by I don’t think of my mother and my Nana.  Myriad memories remain – the good, the bad; the happy, the sad. 

German philosopher Friedrich Nietzche succinctly summed up family relationships when he said: “Family love is messy, clinging, and of an annoying repetitive pattern, like bad wallpaper”.

No family is perfect.  Harsh words can be exchanged; misunderstandings occur. Paraphrasing, our Nana very often told us to...”Never let the sun go down on your anger”....

Often Mum was an easy target because, like the many fish she caught, frequently, she took the bait.  In the games, my brother was the angler, the prime, innocuous antagonist.  He learned his fishing skills from Mum, and enjoyed stirring the waters. Upon the realisation she’d been wound up, or in, our mother would give a huff and a puff, toss her auburn hair with a haughty flick, as her blue eyes twinkled, and a smile eventually teasing at the corner of her mouth.  Project successful!

I never tired of going through my mother’s jewellery box.  It was a wooden, approximately 30cm square, with sliding top, Red Cross first aid box...of 1940’s vintage.  To me the box was filled with mystery and glamour.

My mother’s jewellery wasn’t of the expensive kind, matching that of royalty, but it was an intriguing, beautiful assortment of costume jewellery.  The bright, colourful array of earrings, bracelets, necklaces, brooches, etc...captured my childish imagination and interest.  I was forever fascinated by the box’s contents.

Mum and Nana instilled in my brother and me, both from early ages forward, the love of reading, and of books.  They also introduced us to the wonderful world of music...in all its forms, from classical through to modern; to appreciate singers...from opera through to pop, ballads and the like; and all forms of dance; they taught us the appreciation of art, and, of course, films.  

They encouraged our interests in many varied aspects of life.

Nana, in particular, was also a wonderful story-teller.  Her tales never failed to hold the attention of my brother and me. We could never get our fill of her wealth of stories, all of which, no matter often repeated, we listened to in awe. 

Nana and Mum scolded us when we erred in our ways, but they never struck us.  The threat was often threatened, but never carried through.  The verbal warning was enough for us to pull our heads in.

 So many memories...memories I shall treasure more than the treasures in the jewellery box as long as I’m on this mortal coil.

Happy Mother’s Day!  Hold your loved ones close.  Make memories; cherish those memories in your heart forever more.  Have a sleep-in, Mum!  Allow someone else prepare a leisurely Mum’s Day brunch for you.  After an enjoyable brunch, sit back, and allow them to clean up the mess!

 

Bacon-Sausage Casserole: Slice 1x60cm day or so old baguette into 2cm thick slices; place in a baking dish. Whisk 7 eggs and 1.5c milk together. Pour 2/3 of the egg mixture over bread. Turn the bread to make sure both sides of every piece is soaked in egg mixture. Set aside to soak while you cook 300g roughly-chopped bacon and 500g sausages, removed from their cases (either quality beef or pork).   Heat skillet over high heat; add bacon; cook until very lightly cooked; remove and drain on paper towels.  Pour off excess fat from pan; add sausage meat; cook, breaking it up as you go, until lightly browned. Remove from skillet; drain on paper towels.  Cook 300g potatoes, diced into 1.2cm cubes in water for 2 mins).  Preheat oven 180C.   Have 1c grated tasty cheddar on hand.  Heat skillet over high heat; add bacon.  By now, most of the egg mixture should be soaked up by the bread. Stand the bread upright in the baking dish. Distribute half the potato between the bread, then top with half the sausage, half the bacon and half the cheese. Repeat with remaining potato, sausage, bacon and cheese (finish with cheese). Pour remaining egg mixture over everything. Cover loosely with foil; bake for 30 minutes. Remove foil and drizzle 1tbs melted butter over the bread. Bake for a further 10 minutes until the bread is golden.

Asparagus-Brie Puffs with Thyme Honey: Preheat oven 190C. Line baking tray. Toss 1 bunch asparagus, ends trimmed in 1tbs x-virgin olive oil, salt and pepper.  On floured surface roll out 2 thawed sheets of puff pastry; cut into 8 squares. Cut 240g brie into 8 pieces; place a piece on each square; add asparagus spears to each square. Take 2 corners of pastry; wrap up and over filling. Transfer to baking tray. Brush each pastry with beaten egg; bake 20-25mins, or until golden.  In small saucepan, over low heat, melt 1/4c honey, 2tsp butter and 1tbs fresh thyme leaves. Serve pastries warm, drizzled with thyme honey.

Mum’s Crust-less Quiche Lorraine: In 8-inch oven-proof non-stick pan, heat 1tsp x-virgin olive oil on med-heat. Add 3 slices thick-cut bacon, chopped and 1thinly-sliced shallot; cook 6mins.  Whisk 6 large eggs, 1/4c milk, salt and pepper; stir in 1c shredded Gruyère cheese; add to pan; cook 3mins, stirring occasionally to form curds, and allow runny egg to flow to bottom of pan. Bake at 190C for 8mins, or until top is set. Serve with green salad.

Lemon Ricotta Pancakes: Whisk together 1-1/2c plain flour, 2tsp baking powder, 1/2tsp bicarb soda, 1/2tsp salt and 1/4c sugar. In another bowl, whisk 3/4c milk, 1c ricotta, 3 large eggs, 1tsp vanilla, zest from 1 lemon and 1/4c fresh lemon juice. Combine wet and dry ingredients; mix until just combined, leaving it a bit lumpy. Coat pan with butter, or spray. Pour 1/3c of batter for each pancake; cook 2-3mins per side. Serve with maple syrup, berries, lemon slices, or dotted with butter. 

 


 


24 comments:

  1. Lovely remembering your mum and grandmother. So many years have passed but you haven't forgotten some finger details.

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    1. The number of years do not decrease my missing them, Margaret. They gave so much of themselves in support of, and in support to my late brother and me. They didn't have a lot of money,but they had a lot of love and guidance to give us.

      Thanks for coming by. Take care. :)

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  2. Happy Mothers' Day to all those who celebrate it.

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    1. Hi EC....I've been dropping hints to my two furry rascals about me being the centre of attention on Sunday, not them...it's not get gotten through! I'll keep trying! :)

      Take care...I hope Jazz is still feeling better...thanks for coming by. :)

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  3. I like your last paragraph with the great advice to make memories of our loved ones, and cherish them. How very sensible words!

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    1. G'day, DUTA...We should, at all times, make ourselves aware of the present moment, and try not to waste it with negativity and nastiness towards our loved one; try to be "awake" in the present moment...the present moment is fleeting, never able to be paused or regained... It's easier said than done, of course.

      Thanks for coming by. Take good care. :)

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  4. This was a lovely remembrance of your mother and grandmother, Lee. Your statement that no family is perfect was so right and often words spoke in anger will be regretted later. There have been many days since my own mother' passing over 6 years ago that I wish she were here so I could take back any hurts I may have caused her.
    BTW the lemon ricotta pancakes may be on our breakfast menu this weekend.

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    1. Hey, Beatrice...Yes...Mum and I exchanged a few harsh words through the years. I never did with Nana, but Mum and I had our "moments". We got past them...but memories of those instances, along with the good ones, remain, too.

      The pancakes have been teasing and testing me, too! :)

      Thanks for coming by...take good care. :)

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  5. Such happy memories. Thank you for sharing these, and i agree, we should enjoy every minute we have with our loved ones.

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    1. Hi, messymimi...all too often we take the good in our lives for granted...far too often...and then, all too soon, it's too late...

      Thanks for coming by...take good care. :)

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  6. What a wonderful post and what wonderful memories:)

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  7. I rarely think of my mother, I knew her so little and my grandmothers not at all.

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    1. Well, River...our cases are different...our lives are different...as were our younger years.

      My mother and grandmother raised my brother and me with no assistance from anyone else. Until their respective deaths they both played huge roles in our upbringing. It is natural I think of them both...and think of both of them frequently. The memories never go away.

      I very rarely think of our now late father...because we didn't know him...he played no role in our lives other than planting the seed. He deserted the ship before I even hit the deck!

      Thanks for coming by. I hope your own Mother's Day is a happy one. Take good care. :)

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  8. You brought up the memory of how I loved to go through my mother's jewelry. Just common costume jewelry with no value, but still a nice memory.

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    1. I'm glad a happy memory my post gave you, Tabor. Same with my Mum's jewellery....not expensive, but very interesting, colourful and enticing. :)

      Thanks for coming by...take good care. It's always nice to 'see' you. :)

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  9. just watched a Bobby Flay cooking show and it featured lemon ricotta pancakes; roses are perfect for mother's day I think. Once I saw a mirror frame with costume jewelry glued around it all one off pieces, thought about buying it but didn't, went back and it was sold. looking at your food now I am hungry, a spicy sausage comes to mind, lol

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    1. Hi Linda...that mirror frame sounds like it was lovely....I'd be looking at the frame and not myself. I scare myself every time I look in a mirror these days so the frame would be a great distraction! :)

      Now that you mention it...that spicy sausage is very tempting!!! Thanks for coming by...take good care. :)

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  10. Beautiful story. I have my mother's jewelry and it brings me such joy. She rarely wore of any of it, but she kept every piece she ever owned.

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    1. Hi Annie...sadly, I don't know whatever happened to my mother's jewellery after she passed. I think, perhaps, my late brother, Graham gave it away. At the time he lived close by to Mum and Nana...in Mackay. I lived in Brisbane at the time, quite some distance away. The jewellery is gone, but the memories remain.

      Take good care...thanks for coming by. I hope you had a lovely Mother's Day. :)

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  11. Those pancakes sound luscious.
    Hope your weekend was grand.

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    1. Hi Sandra...I spent the weekend very quietly...same old, same old...by choice. :)

      Take good care...I hope your weekend was just how you wanted it to be. :)

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  12. In the UK we celebrated Mother's Day back in March ...
    This is a lovely post, I enjoyed it.

    All the best Jan

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