Mama and Scratch

• I grew up on a farm which was always described
• as out west.........(Alberta)
• mama did all the baking
• and we never saw a ''mix''
• she baked all the bread for the week
• at one time--usually 6 loaves and
• a pan of buns and a pan of cinnamon buns
• on birthdays I had a white cake
• and brother Bill had a chocolate cake
• and we always knew that we would
• have a cake
• mama did not bake cakes often
• just birthdays including one for daddy
• her sister- known as auntie Sis
• baked one for her and we got together close to the day
• birthdays were celebrated often of the sabbath
• as the actual day was committed to the farm and the weather
• she did make cookies - generally oatmeal with raisins but
• never chocolate chips ............
• and of course, all baking was done in a wood stove
• she would stick her hand into the oven
• and knew if the temperature was right
• only certain wood was used when she baked
• as some trees gave off a more steady heat
• than others
• and daddy always brought in the baking wood
• which was kept away from the everyday cooking wood
• even when mama got the electric stove
• with the new house she still baked from scratch
• she tried a few mixes but soon nixed that idea
• claiming that they were not correct in texture ----etc
• and she could bake cheaper with her own recipes
• she often did make a ginger cake recipe
• for a fine sabbath desert --
• I wish I had more of her recipes but
• they stayed in her head rather than on paper
• she did collect recipes but generally stayed
• with what she knew
• I miss her special baking and I have
• never tasted bread like hers......
• hugs from Meme