I remember, vividly, being thirteen. Gord, the boy, Haddock had given me an ID bracelet for my thirteenth birthday. It had my name on it but opened to a photo of him. It was awesome.
I was in the habit of meeting him before school in the morning. Preparing to look great at school was more important than eating breakfast. One morning, as I was rushing toward the door, after gulping down four ounces of fruit juice, my mother invited me to sit down with her for just a moment. I noticed she had set the old, painted kitchen table with two of her mother’s delicate china teacups. Mom had placed tiny parcels of food onto a two-tiered serving plate. She poured tea into both cups and gestured to the chair where she hoped I would sit.
I anxiously looked at the clock and then at the enthused, and expectant, expression on my mother’s face. She had taken the time to prepare this breakfast. She was genuinely concerned about my eating habits. I took my place at the table. I sipped the tea and ate a tiny muffin, followed by a banana slice on a toast circle. I topped it off with a doughnut hole. My father had made doughnuts on the morning of my thirteenth birthday. That was the best gift ever!
Sipping tea and nibbling on small bites of food felt like an activity for adults. It became a routine. Sometimes, she placed a copy of a poem or a meaningful quotation near my teacup. Sometimes, I saved difficult questions for the morning, because I knew she would have time to listen. Always, I walked to school with a sense of things being as they should be, usually managing to arrive at school, early, looking my best, with ample time to visit with The Boy.
I still love to break the rules for breakfast. Recipes for some of my favourite breakfast bites are available From the Cookie Jar. Click on the ones you are interested in trying. Enjoy a morning visit with a loved one, in spite of being busy.
10 Responses
As I have said before “the pecan bites” are the crack cocaine of cookies……very, and I say again, very addictive. Plan to have 6 minimum.
It’s great to remember the breakfast you had when you were young.
It’s lovely story like always.
Hi Maureen,
Greetings from England. What a lovely story, and hearing about the early days of a wonderful, loving and lasting partnership. As you know I’m a great fan of tea, especially at breakfast time, and I really like the way you’ve told the story of how breakfast moments became special to you when you were a teenager.
In my teens I had an ‘easy to prepare’ morning treat – bread, butter and golden syrup. Your bakery looks fantastic. I’m not a star in the kitchen so I’ll have to encourage someone very close to me to create some of your yummy treats for breaking the rules at breakfast time.
Keep taking the tea! Mike x
Lovely story Maureen! Wonderful memories of you and your Mom.
And more romantic memories of you two lovebirds ?
I love this story Maureen, so wonderful! The donuts also make me think of my mom. 🙂 Some days after school, we’d come home to fresh, warm, delicious donuts that she’d deep fried on the stove for all of us girls & Joe!
Maureen. As usual this was an inspiring story. You remind us of the past that we all had and loved. Hugs
Absolutely love this Maureen
Oh Maureen.
So much fun to read your blog today. What memories we have!!!! I was always hurrying to school as well because of Orest.
I went home for lunch everyday. My mom always had a wonderful hot lunch ready. She would be waiting to hear how our day was going. Such good memories!!!
Your stories and accompanying photos always make me glad I follow your blog. The tea cups and lovely dainities…like tea time should be. People don’t seem to take the time to truly enjoy that..or good conversation while taking tea…too much drive through and cell phone beverage time. Thanks, Maureen.
As I have said before “the pecan bites” are the crack cocaine of cookies……very, and I say again, very addictive. Plan to have 6 minimum.