Credits:
Mommyish -
Secret Ingredient: Love
Kristin Aagard -
Fresh Baked
NBK Design -
Art Crush 31 {Artsy Bits and Pieces}
Journaling:
I remember my Grandma Buchanan with much fondness. While I didn't get to see her very often, the times that I did bring back many happy memories. Growing up, we would visit her and Grandpa in the big house at the top of the Buchanan Way in Weirton, West Virginia. Sometimes it was in the summer and often for family reunions. Surrounded by family and with a house overrun by children and grandkids, my Grandma would reign supreme in the kitchen. I have a very clear memory of her standing by the counter, in her apron, with flour flying, rolling out pie dough and sugar cookies - or sand tarts as she called them. I've been trying to replicate her way with dough for most of my life.
When Grandma passed, I was away at college. I was returning to my dorm room after a meal, and heard the phone ringing. My senses were alert - as the call was at an odd time, and the phone didn't ring much because of long-distance charges. I just had a premonition that this call wouldn't be good news. It was my dad, letting me know about Grandma and that he didn't have expectations that I'd leave school to attend the funeral. I quickly corrected him ... of course, I wanted to be there - would it be possible? And he made it so. All my siblings, and all my cousins, made it to that celebration of her life.
When my folks passed, and my sisters and brother divided up the things we wanted to keep, one of the things I made sure came home with me was Grandma's pastry cloths. I pull them out with my rolling pin and smile as I feel Grandma's presence guiding my hands to roll the dough. I haven't come close to perfecting her touch with crust, but I continue to try and say thanks for having known her!
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