There was a brief time in my life when I was able to call Grandma's place home. Fall afternoons my sister and I would run home from school in great anticipation as to what would welcome us as we entered the house. Upon opening the door, the aroma that oozed out of the house still comes back to me - the smell of fresh baked bread. My grandmother welcomed us with a giant smile and a giggle in her tone. She would walk us over to the cutting board (the one that pulled out from the counter - with all the germs and bacteria from decades of use...that is a story for another time) place the loaf pan down and brush melted butter over the top of the slightly browned crust. Then she would pull off a piece for each of us and carefully spread soft butter on the bread and sprinkle a generous portion of brown sugar over the top. We would giggle with delight as she lovingly looked at us and gave us the bread. We would enjoy eating together talking about our day and then my sister and I would skip away to our next activity. This was my grandma's way of showing her love to us. As my grandma's health began to decline, I desired to capture as many recipes from her collection as possible. I wanted to hear in her voice the right way to chop this or fold in that. So, I asked Grandma for her homemade bread recipe. Sitting at the edge of her bed I was ready to write down every loving detail as she replied. "In the freezer section of the grocery store, I can't recall the name, but they are in an orange bag."
WAIT WHAT?!?!
My grandma's famous bread is found in the freezer section...and now you know where I get my cooking from! This story is a reminder to me that it is not what we make, how many hours we put into the preparation, rather it is the loving end product. For me it was the time with my grandma standing in her kitchen. It was that she thought of me when I was at school and greeted us with a gesture that said, "you are loved". So, to this day I often make Grandmas home baked bread - at times we will spread butter and brown sugar for a sweet memory. Grandma, thank you for teaching this girl that it is joy we bring to others when our actions simply say, "You are loved." Now run to the store and make fresh baked bread for your loved ones - if you want to throw flour on your face for a dramatic effect, your secret is safe with me.
Grandma Ardys' Finger Rolls
Rohdes Rolls - Thawed
Roll out like a short snake
line in rows on bottom of bread pan
bake as directed on "The Orange Bag"
Brush with butter right out of oven
pull piece off and top with butter and brown sugar
Enjoy!!
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