What should I bake? Typically this is my first thought when planning for family gatherings, a training at work, or when the stress-o-meter edges into the red zone. When it comes what to bake many factors enter into the decision making process....the time of year, the event, who I am baking for and what I … Continue reading Where Words Fail
During Eric’s college years, I was ever mindful of not wanting to wear out the welcome of No-bake Peanut Butter Bars, as unlikely as that may seem. Knowing that Eric shared a house with four other young men left me fairly confident that they would not go uneaten. In reality, I didn’t want to be … Continue reading Rotation
“What is your fascination with peanut butter!?” was Dave’s response to my reply as to what kind of cookies I had baked. I wouldn’t describe my relationship with peanut butter as a fascination or even an obsession. Allegiance would be more appropriate. Loyalty. Commitment. My relationship with peanut butter is steadfast; it's a shared experience to … Continue reading Allegiance
Unique. Novel. Exciting. Always something new to learn. These were just a few of the reasons I looked forward to spending time with my Grandma Lorenz. We did things that no one else seemed to do, at least not my friends in Aberdeen or Ellensburg or Prairie Village, Kansas. I didn’t know anyone else who … Continue reading Tacit
What’s in a name? For me, my heritage. Erin Christense Lorenz. Erin, Irish; Christense, Norwegian; Lorenz, German. Not represented? Scotch, Danish, English. My paternal grandfather, Paul Lorenz’s parents were first generation German, Gustav Heinrich Lorenz and Emilie Hermina Triesch. Great Grandma Lorenz was a very tiny woman in her old age, with a heavy German … Continue reading Butter and the Family Tree
Hot air balloon rides and learning to cross country ski in her 60's. Groovin' on Furby's antics. Taking a Chinese food cooking class culminating with a singlehandedly prepared family dinner upon graduation. Ferry rides to Victoria with her sisters Anna & Betsy. Trips to the Ballard Locks, picnic lunch in tow. Shopping trips to Uwajimaya, … Continue reading Weeds
The two plus hour drive to Grandma and Grandpa’s house in Kent from Yakima left plenty of time for Jen and Eric to repeatedly and very anxiously wonder if Santa would indeed find us for Christmas, away from home as we would soon be, and for me to map out possible diversions for Grandpa if … Continue reading Over the River and Through the Woods
If desserts were movie stars, my mom’s pies, crumbles, and crisps would be up for an Academy Award. She had a supporting cast of characters as well, Snickerdoodles, oatmeal cookies, steamed pudding, sour dough cinnamon bread to name a few. But the biggest contender for the Oscar would be Mom’s Apple Cake. Growing up my … Continue reading Don’t Judge a Book
Moth to the flame. Bee to the blossom. Lighthouse in a storm. The top of Grandma’s refrigerator. The first stop after welcome hugs. Check the top of the refrigerator. Cookie tin? Yes. A quick look inside. Would it be one of my favorites? This ritual was repeated with every visit to my Grandma and Grandpa’s … Continue reading Swedish Farmer
It’s not that anyone would call it being deprived, maybe just lack of life experience? Growing up I didn’t eat Kraft Macaroni & Cheese, Chef Boyardee, Wonder Bread, or SpaghettiO’s. I don’t regret missing out on Wonder Bread. Watching kids roll slices of Wonder Bread into a dense white glutenous mass only to naw on it … Continue reading Not in a Box
Butter + Benedictions 