Saturday, February 04, 2012

to everything there is a season

With a heavy heart I said a final farewell to my grandmother last week. She had been failing for a while, and we knew that her time was limited, so I booked a flight for last weekend to say good-bye. Sadly, this did not come to pass, and we ended up driving across the Wisconsin woods and Minnesota prairies for a funeral instead. I should have taken pictures of the fantastic icicles dripping down the bluffs along the Mississippi River, or the surreal image of hundreds of windmills dotting the prairie, or even the thick fog rolling across the snowy fields.

Seeing family and friends was a comfort, as was sharing favorite memories. Good-bye, Grandma Max -- we'll miss you, your ever-present smile, and the twinkle in your eye, but we know that you lived a good, long life.
She loved to make quilts, and she made a handmade quilt for each of her children, as well as her grandchildren. She also embroidered many towels. She enjoyed canning pickles. While a resident of Tuff Nursing Home, she enjoyed playing cards, especially “Kings in a Corner” with her daughter. She will be remembered by her family and friends for her delicious sugar cookies, as well as for her homemade lefse. 
Grandma Max was a hard worker, as all farmers are -- driving tractor, cleaning the cream separator, butchering chickens, feeding the barn cats, crocheting slippers, and baking up a storm. Her sugar cookie recipe truly is legendary. These cookies are short and crisp -- quite unlike garden-variety sugar cookie cut-outs.

Grandma Maxine's Sugar Cookies

1/2 cup white (granulated) sugar
1/2 cup powdered sugar
1 egg
1/2 cup butter
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
1/2 teaspoon soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon cream of tartar
2 cups + 1 tablespoon flour

- Cream sugars and butter; add eggs, then oil and vanilla.
- Sift dry ingredients and add to creamed mixture. Chill overnight.
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
- Roll spoonfuls into small balls, then drop on cookie sheet, and press with a glass that has been dipped in white sugar.
- Baking time depends on thickness of cookies. Don't let them get brown, just a hint at the edges!
- Makes about 3 dozen.

28 comments:

weriem said...

I'm so sorry Jodi :'(

Kim said...

I'm so sorry to hear of your grandmother's passing. Thank you for sharing her special recipe.

Gigi said...

Oh Jodi, I'm so sad & sorry for your loss. Your Grandma Max has such a sweet face - reminds me a little of my sweet mom. It is so kind of you to share your special family cookie recipe. I will surely make some asap. I haven't heard anyone describe a cookie as being "short" in quite a while -- takes me right back to my mom's kitchen.
Blessings,
G

Samantha said...

I'm sorry about your Grandma Max's passing, Jodi. I trust you will have happy memories of her each time you make a batch of her cookies.

Unknown said...

I'm so sorry.

Sharon said...

That puts tears in my eyes, and also a smile in my heart as to this day I carry my grandmother with me. What a wonderful woman who left such a legacy and you are part of it. How rich your family is to have all of her memories around you. I'm so sorry for your loss Jodi.

Shan said...

Oh, I'm sorry you have lost your Grandma. Thanks for posting a picture of her...she sounds grand.

Thank you for her recipe, too. I'm looking forward to trying it.

XO

barefootrooster said...

She sounds like a wonderful lady. Losing loved ones is never easy, but I'm glad you were able to spend time celebrating Grandma Max together with the rest of your family. And these cookies! Just a small part of her legacy, I'm sure. Thinking of you guys.

Amy said...

I am so sorry for your loss. It seems grandmas and cookies just go together. Thanks for sharing her recipe.

Jennifer said...

I'm sorry to hear about your loss. She sounds like a wonderful woman.

Chris said...

I'm sorry. *hugs*

Katie M. said...

I'm so sorry, Jodi. She sounds like a lovely lady. I hope there is a batch of sugar cookies and a kitty for snuggling nearby. Thinking of you.

Nutmeg said...

I'm so sorry to hear about your grandmother. Thanks for sharing her recipe -- what a great way to honor her memory. You're in my thoughts.

elizabeth said...

I'm so sorry Jodi, your grandmother sounds like a very special woman! Thank you for sharing her recipe (and love).

Kara said...

Grandmas are very special. I am so sorry for your loss. It seems though you shared a lot of interests with your Grandma and that is so special.

Rachael said...

Jodi, I'm so sorry for your loss, she sounds like a wonderful woman. May her memories stay with you and comfort you.

Mia said...

Hugs!

Carrie#K said...

I'm so sorry, Jodi. I'll have to make those cookies in honor of your grandmother.

Laura said...

Enjoy your sweet memories. It looks like your Grandma Max had a long life of making good things.

Caffeine Girl said...

So sorry for your loss. At least you didn't have to contend with snowfall for your trip.

I can see the twinkle in her eyes, and she's lucky she lives on through her family.

Maryse said...

I'm sorry for your loss... Grandparents are quite special! Lovely memories...

nicole said...

Sorry to hear about your grandma's passing. I love that photo of her, such a sweet face. I think I'll make a batch of her cookies this weekend in her honour.

Big hug,
Nicole

Barbara C. said...

Thank you for sharing, Jodi! God bless you and her.

Leslie Basil Payne said...

Your grandma sounds wonderful, she obviously was a blessing to you and to many. Thanks for sharing her cookie recipe.

Laura said...

So sorry to hear about your grandma, Jodi. She sounds like an amazing person! I will absolutely make her sugar cookies; they are the sort of cookie that my boys love. Thanks for sharing part of your family with us.

Hilary said...

I'm so sorry for your loss, Jodi. :( Your grandmother looks and sounds like a beautiful person who made a big impact on her family. Thank you so much for sharing her recipe.

abbsQuake said...

Jodi,

I'm so sorry for your loss. I hope you will find comfort in the happy memories with her.

Hadley Makes said...

So sorry for your loss. So glad you have the recipe, though. The cookies look amazing. No doubt your grandma would have approved.