Anniversary

Today marks the fifth anniversary of my Mother's passing.  In so many ways, it seems like forever ago.

I sit here and think about all of the things she could help with, or be here for, and end up making myself more upset than normal.  Stephen registered for his high school classes last night.  Carmen has her Senior Cotillion in March, then graduating high school in May. Reconnecting with family in Texas.  Big stuff.  And then there are the things that she cooked or how she would do something.

Having lost her so early (she was 69 - me 39)--hurts, today especially.  I would really love to hug her one more time, or have her play with my hair again.  Yell at me or the kids for silly things.  Even with it being difficult when I was young, she was a remarkable woman.  I can say that now.  I didn't appreciate all that she did when she was here.  Regret.  Especially with things that she did and never spoke about.  Things that I had no idea about.

Death is hardest on those it leaves behind.

She believed in a Savior that gives us eternal life.  I believe in a Savior that gives me eternal life.  I know where she is, and that she is no longer suffering.  There are days that I just miss her.  Today I miss her.

Hutch

Origins of this hutch are unknown.  My mother had it shipped (bought approximately in 1955 - Germany) when she moved to my father's family home in Texas.  It was part of a set with a credenza (which she had, and I have now).

Mom left it with my grandparents when she moved.  It is 7 feet by 5 feet and inches, and approximately 25 inches deep.  So considering its size, I can understand why it wasn't moved.  After time, she couldn't move it (my grandmother used it). When Mamaw passed, Mom wanted it shipped, but it was too costly.  Time passed, and Katrina and Ike hit Houston.  A tree fell on the home and due to many reasons the hutch was exposed for the past 5 years.

My Uncle and Aunt sold the land that the house is on, and my Uncle Jake graciously offered to take it apart and store it until I could travel with a vehicle large enough to accommodate it.

We decided to rent a large enough SUV or mini-van so that the hutch would not be exposed to the elements any further.  We rented a Ford Flex.

I have to say, that this is one of the most comfortable vehicles I have ridden/driven in a long time!  It is very boxy looking from the outside, but oh, the inside...7 passengers...and all could have the same amount of leg room---it isn't tiny!  Oh, and the heated seats and Sirius radio are wonderful extras. 

Hutch....sections of it laying in our garage.  After hearing about this for the majority of my life, and not remembering what it looked it, I could not stand it any longer ----we started cleaning it and trying to find a wall to place it against.  

It has two drawers that were lined with felt and blocks positioned so that your silver could be stored.  It was too far gone, and we decided to remove the felt lining.  It was a tedious task, but well worth it.  We took care to remove as much of the glue as possible.  

This is the base.  We cleaned the pieces with Murphy Oil Soap mixed with hot water.  The interior pieces were gorgeous, and showed what the piece should look like without the exposure.  We moved around the dinette table in the kitchen (it has drop sides) and moved it against a short wall.  We placed the base piece along the largest part of the wall.

 Hutch empty with side doors opened.

Doors opened and loaded with the majority of my Mom's table linens, and china.  

It needs to be cleaned again, and I will more than likely clean it with the oil soap several times before applying anything else to it.  I am in awe of its size, and every time I walk into the kitchen I touch it.  I can't help myself.  I am thrilled that David and I took the time to clean it and reassemble it.  It has meant so much to reconnect with my Father's family, and for me to connect in a different way with my Mom.  I  don't know what she went through, and only she and the Lord Almighty will ever know.  But I love that I can pass this down to Carmen and Stephen, and share a story of family. 

Blessings.

Oma's Rouladen

I have said that I would post pictures later.  And, I have posted my mother's recipe without making it.  Rouladen is an acquired taste.  I love it.  It takes way too long to prepare for just a little bit, so when you make it, make a lot of it so you have left overs to enjoy the next day as well.

Oma's Rouladen

Round Steak (pounded very thin and cut into 3 x 5 strips)
Bacon (cut into 1x2 strips)
Pickles (kosher dills - cut in half)
Onion - slices
Dijon mustard - about 3 tablespoons
1/2 cup diced onion
1/2 mushrooms
Oil
Flour
Salt/Pepper
tooth picks

Begin by pounding out round steak until thin.

 

This is my Oma Anna's meat tenderizer (pounder thingy).

Then smear some mustard on the inside of the meat pieces.  

Lay the bacon piece, pickle and then onion on top.

Roll up tightly, and secure with toothpicks.

Cover in flour, and add to hot oil (vegetable).  

Brown, and remove until all the meat is coated and browned.

Once the meat is browned, add the remaining onion and mushroom.

Add a little water and if you like a beef bouillon or even red wine.

Add the cooked meat back into the pot.

Roast in the oven at 350 degrees for 3 to 4 hours or until meat is tender.

I serve this with noodles, but you can do potatoes as well.

Enjoy!

Happy Birthday Mom!

My mother's birthday is today.  

June 30, 1936.  

Lore Mayer David Thurman.  

Mom, Mommie, Oma.

 

Lore sitting on her hill in Germany around 1956.

 Moms passport visa picture for her trip abroad (Chicago, Illinois).

Oma with her kint.  Chocolate cake being shared with Carmen and Stephen, 2002.

In honor of my beautiful German Mom:

 Rouladen.  

My mothers wonderful recipe.  

She submitted this for a cooking contest.

I don't remember her winning anything, but she was published. 

Enjoy!  

And, Happy Birthday Mom!  I love you so.

My Mom's Goulash

Goulash...most people think of think of it as a German stew...I consider it a wonderful memory of not very rich times in my youth...but hindsight...how wonderful they were.

I have been wanting to make this for several years, and never really had the gumption.  I really didn't think I would be able to repeat what my Mom had done.  I didn't pay close attention to what she did, and she never wrote anything down.  But, I did the other day, and I must say, it was my Mothers, and I was delighted to have those memories brought current.

I started with a roast on sale (buy one get one at Winn-Dixie).  I cut it into chunks.

Season the meat with a season salt, and bring a heavy pan to medium high with vegetable oil. Brown one level of meat at a time, don't crowd the beef. This process will be a lengthy one, but well worth it.  Remove the cooked beef, and let stand while...

you chop celery, carrots, onion and garlic and add to the pan.

It is still not a a pretty sight, but continue to cook until the onions are translucent.

 Then add the beef, a large spoonful of paprika (I used a smoked one that is divine), a small amount of kosher salt, and a small can of tomato paste.  Mix together until well combined.

Add water to barely cover, and place into a hot (350 degrees) oven.  

Cook until beef is so tender it melts in your mouth (for me it was about 3 1/2 hours).  And, yes, it will. 

 I am blessed by my wonderful relatives in Germany.  They send me these blissful macaroni noodles.  This, to me, is the secret to the goulash! But, you may use any type of noodle.  Mom used to use egg noodles as well.  This type of macaroni noodle is about as long as a spaghetti noodle, but with a hole.  Slurping is desired.  ha.

I loved it.  The kids loved it, and so did David. 
Carmen's slurping was priceless! 
Mom would have been proud.

Enjoy!

Mom

Four years ago today my mother passed away.  I miss her so.  Even though we knew it was going to happen, didn't make it easier. 

You never forget your Mother, good or bad.  I miss lots of things about her.  How she would yell in German, or her love of Disney World, snuggling with the kids, or her love of chocolate.  I think most of all,  I miss her stroking my hair when I would sit by her.  Her hands were soft, and she liked to wear pink nail polish. 

Kiss your Mom.  Time goes too quickly.

I love you - Mom.