Aug 21, 2012

Seeing

There was a time when it would upset me.  Hearing his voice.  Seeing his glasses on a table top.  It took me a while to adjust.

We were tight.  The two of us.  I was the first granchild.  The only girl grandbaby for 18 years.  Seeing that in writing strikes me only now.

He died suddenly in 2001.  For years afterwards, my grandma kept the outgoing message on her answering machine.  His message.  His voice.  The first time I called and heard it after he died, I hung up without leaving a message.  I couldn't speak.

Grandma still keeps his eyeglasses sitting on a table or counter top.  I first noticed a pair in the bedroom where everyone puts their coats.  Then another set on the kitchen counter.  And on the bathroom counter sitting by the sink.  Pretty soon I realized there were pairs in every room in the house.  Folded like crabs waiting to pinch some memory out of me.

My grandpa was involved in the Lion's Club, which is committed to providing glasses to people in need.  He collected old eyeglasses like nobody's business.

He had a passion for his Lion's Club.  Another way he supported the club was by buying copies of their annual fundraiser cookbook and passing them out at Christmas.


This Buttermilk Banana Bread comes from Home Cookin': The Lions Clubs Cookbook, Volume 3, 1999.  I'm not a big banana bread kinda gal, but I do like the use of buttermilk here.  When I bake this, I think of my grandpa.
Notes:
* Call me weird, but I like to bake quick breads in an 8 x 8 pan.  It becomes more of a cake than a bread and seems to bake up evenly moist.  When I bake quick breads in loaf pans, the outside usually ends up overdone.
* I would love to stir in some pecans, but The Boy likes "smooth food."

This week's See Ya In the Gumbo potluck is HERE

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Buttermilk Banana Bread
from Home Cookin': The Lions Clubs Cookbook, Volume 3
1 3/4 c flour
1 1/2 c sugar (I use 1 c)
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
2 eggs
3 ripe bananas, mashed (about 1 c)
1/2 c vegetable oil
1/4 c plus 1 tbsp buttermilk
1 tsp vanilla
1 c chopped nuts (I omit)

Add ingredients to bowl in order given.  Pour into a 9x5x3" greased loaf pan.  Bake at 325 for about 1 hour and 20 minutes.  I use an 8 x 8 cake pan and watch.

 Check out these parties I'm linking with this week:
Photobucket MyMeatlessMondays Photobucket
 Hearth and Soul blog hop at Premeditated Leftovers
Love Bakes  Good Cakes
Nap-Time Creations
White Lights on Wednesdays
Recipe Box Miz Helen’s Country Cottage
Gallery of Favorites
BWS tips button Freedom Fridays

Simply Delish Saturday  slice of southern button Seasonal Sunday Teapot copy

14 comments:

  1. What a lovely way to remember your Grandpa.

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  2. Nice story about your grandpa. My grandpa (Papaw) was always my hero.

    Nominated you for the Liebster Award. Stop by and check it out.

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  3. Lovely post! Made me think of my grandpa too.

    I like the buttermilk in there, I'll have to try that sometime.

    I like it with nuts too but for the same reason as you I don't add them. But I started baking the batter in muffin tins and adding whatever I want to the last few and those are for me :) also they bake faster as muffins.

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  4. Hugs to you. I was never close to my grandfather so it's heartwarming to read your story and live vicariously through it.

    I do like my quick breads in a loaf pan, but that's because Hubby makes a mess when it's done any other way.

    If the outside getting overdone is what does it for you, try using cinnamon sugar instead of flour to coat over the cooking spray. It makes a really yummy crust.

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  5. I'm so glad that I'm following you! That banana bread looks AMAZING. Thanks for the inspiration and for sharing on the naptime creations link party!

    Katie
    www.funhomethings.com

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  6. beautifully written, memories of our past fade so quickly, it is good to hang on to them as long as we can...
    nice tip using the square pan, will certainly try that, with this recipe of course... buttermilk makes everything taste better, stirs up the past too

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  7. What an amazing memory and a delicious recipe to accompany it.

    Thanks for sharing at Mealtime Monday! Can't wait to see what you link up next week!

    Kaylee
    www.couponingncooking.com

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  8. A sweet and lovely memory of your opa. Love your banana bread.

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  9. Your granpa sounds so sweet! As sweet as this banana bread is delicious!

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  10. What lovely memories, and what a delicious recipe. There is nothing like a piece of banana bread with a cup of tea or coffee - perfect comfort food.

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  11. Lovely post. Thanks for sharing with Simply Delish.

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  12. What a beautiful memory :) Thanks for sharing at All My Bloggy Friends last week! I can't wait to see what you share tomorrow! :)

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  13. My grandpa passed away in 1976 and I still think of him when I cook certain recipes, eat citrus, or see his favorite flowers. It is lovely to have those regular reminders of him!

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  14. Touching story and and ode to you grandpa. Thanks for sharing on Southern Sundays. Hope to see you again tomorrow!

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