Sunday, August 05, 2007

connections

The other day, L (photographer here), who is participating in the creation of her school's first-ever cookbook , needed to test a recipe. And so, for the first time she took over dinner from start to finish. I didn't lift a finger, and she made this shepherd's pie, peeling potatoes and carrots, chopping them, adding onions, browning meat, mashing potatoes, seasoning. Everything. It was a red letter day for me, and an eye-opener for her about exactly what it is I do every night.

We decided to get out the casserole dish that my mother always used for special occasions to bake it in. She always made what was then a slightly exotic concoction of boneless chicken breasts, sauteed rice, mushrooms, and pimentos, baked in this special pottery dish that I think she had received as a wedding present.



I did take over the washing up, and as I submerged casserole, I caught a whiff of that dish my mother made. Proustian moment? or perhaps my mother was around, peering over L's shoulder as she made her first supper.

I hope so.

11 comments:

ruby-crowned kinglette said...

what a lovely post beth...

Anonymous said...

Awwwww.

Anonymous said...

Do you relate this at all to your dreams, and I would think that maybe yes, it was the presence of your mother.

Sandi @the WhistleStop Cafe said...

I love the thought... It happens to me sometimes.
I know so!

Anonymous said...

Beautiful dish!!!!

Anonymous said...

How wonderful to be cooked for and what a nice way to use a family heirloom!

Tongue in Cheek Antiques said...

The sweet memory of comfort food, home and hearth. Beautiful and delicious post!

Anonymous said...

Very nice post. Good photography and good reading.

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Anonymous said...

A beautiful post with wonderful associations.
Best wishes

Anonymous said...

Yes, you certainly wrote a beautiful connecting post here.
Lovely.

blackbird said...

Is that casserole dish deep brown on the outside?!