Monday, September 15, 2008

In Memory...


On Sunday morning, my Grandpa passed away. Normally I wouldn't blog about personal matters on my cooking blog, but my Grandpa was a huge influence on me.
He was a professional baker in New York for over 40 years. Because of that, he was my #1 fan and critic! He always told me how proud he was of me when I baked wedding cakes or even a small tray of brownies. And he ALWAYS 'tested' my buttercream to see if it met his expectations. A few years ago, he gave me his recipe cards from the bakery that were over 25 years old, and were in quantities of hundreds of cakes and cookies! I'll always treasure our special baking bond :)
He lived a wonderful, long, and mostly healthy life, gave and recieved more love than I can explain.
So cheers, Gramps! I'll miss you and I love you!
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26 comments:

  1. Kristine KascakSeptember 15, 2008 at 4:14 PM

    We'll see again one day Grandpa. You better have a cold one waiting for us. We'll all be ready for the best club meeting of all!

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  2. JodiSeptember 15, 2008 at 5:04 PM

    My condolences to you and your family. Sounds like you have wonderful memories of him...what a blessing! :)

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  3. annieSeptember 15, 2008 at 6:10 PM

    I'm so sorry for your loss. I'm thinking about you and your family right now.

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  4. The Food LibrarianSeptember 15, 2008 at 6:41 PM

    My sympathies for your loss. What a wonderful gift of baking and those recipe cards he gave you. A precious heirloom.

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  5. CrissySeptember 15, 2008 at 7:14 PM

    so sorry to hear about your loss. but it sounds like he will live on in your recipes :)

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  6. AnonymousSeptember 15, 2008 at 8:03 PM

    Oh Ash, I'm so sorry for your loss. I wish I could be there to give you a giant hug! He sounds like he was an amazing person and role model! I know you made him proud everyday! Those recipe cards are treasure! <3

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  7. MagsSeptember 15, 2008 at 8:12 PM

    I'm so sorry for your loss. Treasure your memories of him and the special gift he gave you.

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  8. AnonymousSeptember 15, 2008 at 8:42 PM

    So sorry about your Grandpa. I'm sure he cherished your baking bond as much as you did!

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  9. SarahSeptember 15, 2008 at 10:15 PM

    I am so sorry to hear about you grandpa's passing-but I am happy to hear about the gift he left you with

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  10. That GirlSeptember 16, 2008 at 12:23 AM

    I am so sorry for your loss, however, I personally believe he'll always be with you in a way.

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  11. CarlySeptember 16, 2008 at 1:11 AM

    I'm so sorry for your loss. I too had a very close relationship with my late grandfather. How wonderful that you shared so many moments and memories together!

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  12. AnonymousSeptember 16, 2008 at 7:51 AM

    I'm so sorry to hear of your grandpa's passing, but it is wonderful that you had such a great relationship while he was alive. I was extremely close with my late grandfather as well and I know how much they can mean to us. He sounds like a wonderful person.

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  13. melly~September 16, 2008 at 8:24 AM

    what a wonderful legacy he left in you, Ashley. and what a gift - those recipe cards! your grandpa lives on in you and all your tasty baked treats. so smile and remember only the good times.

    melly~
    TWD

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  14. LaurenSeptember 16, 2008 at 8:53 AM

    My thoughts are with you.

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  15. Marie RaynerSeptember 16, 2008 at 8:58 AM

    So sorry to hear about your grandfather. What a wonderful legacy he has given you, especially your love of baking.

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  16. ~Amber~September 16, 2008 at 9:09 AM

    I am sorry to hear about your loss. Treasure the special moments you shared and recall them often.

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  17. CristySeptember 16, 2008 at 9:16 AM

    So sorry to hear about you loss.

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  18. PeggySeptember 16, 2008 at 10:51 AM

    I'm so sorry about your Grandpa. I lost my mom this year so I know how it feels to lose someone you are close to. I'm glad you have good memories to hold on to!

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  19. Macaroni and CheesecakeSeptember 16, 2008 at 12:46 PM

    I am so sorry for your loss. I understand how you feel. I had a special bond with my grandfather-he passed away my senior year of high school. Your family is in my prayers.

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  20. LSeptember 16, 2008 at 1:21 PM

    My sympathies to you and your family

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  21. PamelaSeptember 16, 2008 at 1:47 PM

    I am so sorry for your loss. You are blessed to have the bond between you still.

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  22. AnonymousSeptember 16, 2008 at 8:43 PM

    My sympathies to you and your family. Tresure the bond you had with your Grandpa!

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  23. Ellen and TomSeptember 16, 2008 at 9:23 PM

    I'm so sorry for your loss. Your grandpa sounds like he was a real gem.

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  24. KellySeptember 17, 2008 at 2:41 PM

    I'm sorry to hear about your loss but those memories will be cherished forever... and what a special gift those recipe cards are. Those are something you can pass down again one day.

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  25. ColleenSeptember 18, 2008 at 2:23 PM

    Ashlee, I am so sorry for your loss. It is always hard to lose someone so close to you.

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  26. rosasdolcevitaOctober 13, 2008 at 1:18 AM

    Hi Ashlee, I just read this entry of your grandfather. Just wanted to say I'm sorry for your loss. I'm thinking about you and your family. As some viewers said, it's great that you got his recipe cards! Just think that you are your grandfather's hands and everytime you use one of his old recipes, he's standing over you (like a gaurdian angel) and still critiqing you just as he did before! :-)

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