Every Saturday in 2013 I’ll be sharing a post for the Mom Before Mom project. The goal is to tell the stories of life before motherhood, the stories which root the woman in every mother. So much of memory keeping is focused on capturing our children’s experience but what of our own? Who will capture the mother’s journey as a woman? Who will honor our journey if we don’t honor it first? Every week I’ll be answering a question, journaling my life stories. Read along or write along with the wonderful bloggers linking up every week.
Original image by aussiegal via Flikr.
Prompt #3: What was your favorite home cooked meal as a kid? Did you help make it? How did it make you feel? Share the scents and sights and flavors.
Does dessert count? It’ll have to because my mother’s rice pudding is the thing of legends. I would it eat all day long whenever she made it. I cannot in any real way convey to you how spectacular it is.
I never helped make it or any other dishes my mom prepared. She wasn’t very good at sharing her kitchen. And really, I didn’t quite have the attention span back then to stand by the stove for hours. Once she agreed to show me and let me help her make the rice pudding. I stood there asking her how much to put in, looking for measuring utensils. She looked at me bewildered and just started pouring in things without measuring.
She opened a can of condensed milk and poured it in. She opened another and eyeballed a bit more to put in. I spooned out the rest. She told me I could stand there and stir. After what seemed like forever, I asked her how long and she said until it’s done. Yeah, I left then.
She doesn’t really cook much anymore because her body doesn’t allow her to stand for long periods of time. Once in a blue moon, though, she still musters up the energy to make her famous rice pudding. It’s so dear and near to me that I’ve thought I need to learn how to make it before she dies. She’s not dying anytime soon (she’s not ill just older in age) but it’s a thought I’ve had for a long time. I feel some relief knowing my daughters have tasted the magic and are as enchanted by it as I am. So if I never perfect her recipe, then at least I’ll have loved ones to reminisce with about the flavors. Is it weird to think like that?
Sweet, smooth, cinnamon-y. Unlike most rice pudding, you barely notice the rice granules. They’re so plump and moist, they almost disappear. It tastes amazing steaming hot out of the pot, cold out of the fridge, tepid at room temperature, with cinnamon sprinkled on top, licked off a plate, in a mug, with a small spoon for lengthy enjoyment, with a large spoon for maximum flavor in short amounts of time. Any way you consume it, her rice pudding is the best thing in the world.
Today I’m sharing next month’s prompts. A nice variety of topics, I think. I’d love to know how you’re enjoying this little project. Does the writing come easy? Does remembering? Let me know in the comments!
February’s prompts:
2/2 How did you celebrate your birthday? Do you have a favorite celebration? Worst? From the cake to the presents to the guests, invite us in to the party.
2/9 Do you remember your first romantic thoughts? How old were you? Who was your first crush? It’s the month of love so fill us on how you created a concept, an idea of love and relationships.
2/16 What kind of car did your family drive? What played on the radio? Where did you sit? Take us on a road trip.
2/23 Walk us through your bedtime routine as a kid, a teen, a college kid. Anything you still do now? Did anything keep you up at night?
I never helped in the kitchen either! I was more interested in the final project!!
Lauren (Don’t Lick the Trash Can)´s last blog post ..Birthday Dinner
Oh Carla, that rice pudding sounds divine! Yummy 🙂 Such a great post, you have a way with words, I can practically taste that dessert as I read. xo
THIS SOUNDS DELISH!!!! I love this. My Nana used to make rice pudding when I was a child. I’m going to probably say my dad’s american chop suey! It was my ALL TIME FAVE!! I still love when he makes it!!!
I’ve got to step up my game in the kitchen. If for nothing else than to make one stellar dish my kids can remember me for =)
I love this post! I can taste it from here- I am a rice pudding junkie! Your daughters should learn how to make it so they can make it for you and your mom! 🙂
P.S. I AM loving these prompts. Sometimes the writing doesn’t come easy, but the visuals come flooding to my mind. A younger, different, no better or worse me. Thank you for starting this.
Chelley / AisForAdelaide´s last blog post ..Marvelous Monday!
So glad you’re enjoying them! This one was the hardest for me but like you said, the writing didn’t come easy but the remembering did. You’re an incredible writer and I love reading your posts!
Dessert ALWAYS counts 🙂 I want to make this – like Chelley, I am also a bit of a rice pudding junkie 🙂 Looking forward to diving back into the Mom Before Mom prompts next week.
Jessica @ Keeping Mommy Sane´s last blog post ..GaiamTV: Fitness Videos for Busy Moms (and Stir Crazy Kids)
Perfect timing! The February prompts are a nice little mix =)
YUM! No problem talking about food here since I want to eat everything. I am going to have a hard time writing my post, but can’t wait to link up!
candice´s last blog post ..Mama’s Maternity Must Haves
Can’t wait to read it!
and now I want rice pudding. ha!!! Beautiful post – and yes, you need to learn that recipe. Even if you never make it the same way, you will make her recipe in your way, and that is just as special. I need to get my post done now too!
Michele C.´s last blog post ..Well-Being Wednesday/Thursday – 1/23/13 #wbw
Aw, you’re so right. I never thought of it that way. And really, with two cans of condensed milk, I don’t think I can go too terribly astray!
I love rice pudding, but it is something I rarely find as an option to order., and I certainly don’t know how to make it! This one sounds delicious!
Elizabeth Atalay´s last blog post ..No More Excuses! Stream Fitness Videos With Gaiam TV.
Never thought about it before but I don’t think I’ve ever seen it on a menu!
I haven’t thought about rice pudding in SO LONG! I loved my grandmother’s!
I hope to get my favorite meal post linked up in time this week! 🙂
I LOVE this project!
Leah DeCesare´s last blog post ..Writing Life
I wonder if it’s a popular dish from a specific time period? It certainly isn’t as popular now.
My mom ate steak, corn and tomatoes when she was pregnant with me and it is my all time favorite meal. But, my dad has to make it and it has to be Jersey tomatoes and Jersey corn. I still request it every year on my birthday – there are some things you never outgrow!
Kirsten´s last blog post ..No One to Blame
LOL Love that everything has to be from Jersey!
Spaghetti and cheese is and always will be my fav!
Jennifer (Savor)´s last blog post ..Black Bean Nacho Pizza Recipe: A Superbowl Touchdown!
Such a cute post. Mine was always a chicken dish my mom made- so yummy!
mel´s last blog post ..I am finally going to have my own La-Z-Boy #MomCave #Cbias
I love how you speak from the heart. I like rice pudding too. I have so many memories of making homemade chocolate chip cookies with my mom. Licking the egg beaters…that was the BEST! And as far as meals – taco night was my favorite.
jackiehennesse1´s last blog post ..What’s your guilty mommy pleasure?
Chicken and Dumplings!!! Still is!!!
Kristin Wheeler (Mama Luvs Books)´s last blog post ..Book to Check Out: The Perdition of Zephyr Hopkins by, Jesse S. Greever
Oh my gosh, you’ve described this so well that I NEED to try it. Please make it for a blogger gathering sometime!! LOL. Love this post. I’ll be linking up later this week.
That sounds heavenly!!! Every year my grandmother (and now my mother) would make rice pies for easter – the rice when done right is just as you describe it, fat and rich. My mouth is watering for it now!!!
I have never been a fan of rice pudding, but your description makes me want to try your mom’s recipe!!