Mema & Papa

Mema - October 2010

All of the best foods have mostly originated from my Mema, my Mom's Mom. From the time I have been alive, Mema and Papa, my Mom's Dad, have been retired. Mema retired from being a school teacher, but continued to teach kid's cooking classes and Sunday school. We lived beside my grandparents in Arkansas for awhile, which was a treat for all of us to be able to see them so much. I was young enough to be read to and hang out with Mema during the day and then we would walk to the school and pick up my older sisters. Then when we moved away to Alabama (and later Louisiana), we were able to spend most of the summer with Mema and Papa. We would go to the library and be on the reading programs and help Mema with her cooking classes and Sunday school classes and any other thing she or Papa was participating in. My grandparents have always been very active in church and just in general participation in activities outside of the home. Even as they get older, they remain to have more things to keep up with. Papa worked at a golf course for a long time after he was retired, then became a Limo driver. Now my grandparents are involved in a lot of groups and outings with older adults, and they even volunteer for a program called Angel Food.

Mema & Papa - October 2010

Being the busy adult I am for the past few years I had not been able to see them, so it was a delight for all of us to see each other recently in October for my oldest sister's wedding. Of course I have changed throughout the years to them, but they have changed too. Its funny how that happens. But for Mema being 85 and Papa being 86 years young, life has treated them well. You are only as old as you feel ;). They still live in their own home together and they get around pretty well together. Even Mike commented about how limber and agile Papa seemed to be getting around. Papa would pick things up off the ground and not even have a hard time getting back up. He even danced with his grandchildren & great-grandchildren at the reception. That was truly a magical moment for all of us.

Paige, Mom, Papa, Amy, and 3 of Amy's daughters dancing

Mema is more frail than normal but she still has the smile that lights up a room and makes you feel more loved than ever. Her hugs are many and strong. She has always been that loving, as long as I can remember. My mom, even though she probably doesn't want to hear this, definately has Mema's best traits (and her stubborness ;). But Mema has passed her recipes on and Mom can make them very well. One of the recipes I have been thinking about is Mema's "Instant Cocoa Mix". Since its getting colder, hot chocolate comes into most people's minds. I talked to Mike about his favorite hot chocolate mixes and found he can use just about any at the store. I have been spoiled and find those inept compared to Mema's mix. The mix is expensive at startup but makes alot and is very worth it. You can cut the recipe in half as well. But here it is:

"Instant Cocoa Mix"

1 lb can Hershey's Instant Cocoa Mix

1 lb box powdered sugar

1 11 oz jar non-dairy coffee creamer

1 box (8 qt) non-fat dry milk (powdered)

2 cups sugar

Mix all together. Use 1/3 cup mix to 1 cup hot water. Makes a very delicious drink. This is a very large recipe. (It is also good in coffee.)

Excerpt from Children's Favorite Recipes, by Mrs. Ann Goodman, pg 105