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Attleboro, Massachusetss, United States
Hi. Welcome. I created CookieMOMster because when I was a first time mom 6 years ago cookies saved me. I was in a whirlwind of sleepless nights, crying and baby drool. I ate lots of cookies and began writing. Writing had been my passion since I was young and I had forgotten how much it meant to me. It's funny how these little lives come into your life and cause chaos but at the same time allow you to re-discover yourself. Thank you to Konrad and Koby for that. So sit down have a cookie and read. I hope you enjoy my blog as much as I enjoy writing. Thanks for visiting. I'm glad you stopped by.

Wednesday, June 8, 2011

Memere's Kitchen

I didn't name myself cookieMOMster for nothing.  I have been in a funk lately.  Writers call it writers block, I call it unable to think.  I have not been able to create a piece for my blog.  But today this hit me as I chewed my third, actually, most likely my fifth Chips Ahoy cookie.

The pure delight of reaching into that bright blue package.  Hearing the crinkle of the bag.  Grabbing the cookie, then biting off a piece.  The hard crunchy bite mixed in with the sweet taste of chocolate from those cute little chips brought me back to Memere's kitchen.

Every time I went over to visit her and Pep I knew I could reach in to the cookie jar and there would be a bunch of the round yummy cookies.  I always was taught to ask first, say please and thank you and not to be a pig.  The first three were easy.  But I'd always try to get more, sometime reaching in when Mem was in the living room while Pepere was outside.

It wasn't until my early adult age that I realized Mem tricked me.  I'd always grab two cookies and chew and smile.  Explaining to Mem with every bite how good these cookies are.  She'd say, "well it's because I made them."  Never did I question.  Memere was an excellent cook.  So why would I doubt the cookie?  Time moved on and one day this cookie got smart.  "Hey, those aren't home made." 

But to this day that cookie brings me a warm, happy, cozy feeling.  With each bite I am back in Memere's kitchen.  I can still see the paneling.  The Noah's Ark picture.  The dryer.  The window over the sink.  The round kitchen table in the center of the small room.  I can hear Pep outside doing some sort of work and I can see Mem in the kitchen cooking or folding laundry in the loving room.

It has been years since I have been inside fifty Mulberry Street- but today I went back. 
It was delicious.

5 comments:

  1. Kim, Thanks for sharing this. You have just put a smile on my face remembering the good times with my own Memere and Pepere as a child. Although Memere didn't always have cookies, she did have Ritz cracker and that orange spray cheese in a can. (you couldn't pay me to eat that stuff now) Looking forward to more. Love, Debbie

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  2. Wow, Kim! Proust was on to something 100-ish years ago when he transported his narrator back to childhood while eating Petite Madeleines. You did it for real in the 21st Century with a bag of Chips Ahoy. Yay you!
    PS: LOL to your other commenter about the CheeseWhiz. Scary stuff, although back then, if no adult was looking, many of us would shoot it directly into our mouths.

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  3. Kim, my mom also a Memere was a great baker, you made me think of her home made fudge and how we all wanted to lick the spoon and scrape the pan. Thanks for making me remember something so simple yet beautiful. Love MiMi

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  4. Ohhhh, this is so sweet and homey and WONDERFUL! It's those comforting memories that fill us up the best. :-) Num, num, num.

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