Thursday, March 3, 2011

What's Cookin'?

* Please excuse the bad quality of these photos. I didn't have my camera with me (What? A blogger without a camera on her?!), so I used my ancient cell phone.



Hello, Sweet Friends!



Yes, I'm still here... and kind of sorry that I haven't been contributing to Bloglandia much these days. Let's just say(brace yourselves), between a heavy and demanding caseload at work, a week or so of stomach flu, stressing about the squirrels making a luxury condo of my attic, about passing out when I found out my traffic citation for making an illegal u-turn and not having my proof of insurance on me that day was going to total to more than my house payment (no joke), and just being plain tired, blah blah blah-- I just haven't felt inspired. Wow. Was that the run-on sentence of all run-ons, or what??



Honestly, I just haven't felt that I've had anything blog-worthy to write about. I'm trying to ease back into creativity now, and I think I may just get my groove back sometime soon. Thank goodness for you bloggy friends. Although I haven't felt like writing, I have been reading here and there. You've all kept my spirits up, and my heart and mind distracted. Thank you, sweet friends.



(Oh, and sorry for blurting out all this personal stuff. I usually keep my personal stuff under wraps. This is suppose to be my happy place, after all.)



So.... switching gears! I've been wanting to share these photos! Isn't this stove just the cutest?? I get really, really sentimental about these old stoves with a griddle. When I saw this I almost hugged it. Seriously, I did.

You see, this stove reminds me of one of the sweetest men to ever walk this earth. His name was Earl. His wife's name was Pearl. (Really!) Earl and Pearl were the grandparents of my dear friend Debra. (You might remember Deb from The Wild West Tour 2010)


Grandpa Earl quietly cooked his famous pancakes on a stove so similar to this. For years(maybe even decades), he lovingly flipped those pancakes on his stove for his kids, his grand kids, great grand kids, and any friends that happened to be sitting in his kitchen on a weekend morning. He was about 90 years old when I last had the honor of sitting at his kitchen table to devour a plate of his famous fluffy pancakes. It seems like only yesterday.


That stove was Grandpa Earl's pride and joy. He kept it all shined up like a Rolls Royce. He once told me that he even had it re-chromed (or was it re-enameled?) one year. So, when I came across this stove recently, I immediately thought of Grandpa Earl and his shiny stove. I thought about how wonderful it would be to have a beauty like this...


...and then I looked at the price tag.

Grandpa Earl would not believe it!! He'd probably shake his head, and maybe say it's not in as good of shape as his stove. Or not, because he was so dang sweet. All I know is that my heart dropped when I saw that price tag. I knew that the stove was valuable, and yes, it was in fairly good condition. Then I thought about Grandpa Earl's stove and how wonderful it still is, still cookin' in his own daughter's kitchen now. I wondered how much that stove, so full of love and sweet memories, was worth. I guess a person could put a nice hefty fair price on it, but to me...


it's priceless.



Hugs,

14 comments:

rosanna said...

Welcome back Jill and thank you for this story. I stove is beautiful of course but the image of Grandpa is touching. Have a nice week end, Rosanna

suzitee said...

Beautifully written Jill. I, too, have memories of stoves like this, but not in nearly as pristine condition. My MIL still cooks daily on a wood stove, but it doesn't have a griddle...the heat in the kitchen in the middle of an Australian summer can be overwhelming! Thanks for sharing your story...and keep your chin up! Things will certainly get better!

Kim said...

awww Jill- this post brought tears to my eyes. I think Earl's stove is priceless too- how could you put a price tag on all those memories and pancakes full of love? I hope you start a huge run of good luck now to balance out the start of the year- and I'm glad you shared "the bad" with us. Gives us the chance to give you a big huge virtual hug :) Hope you have a lovely weekend ♥

laurie -magpie ethel said...

Hey Sweetie...loving the Grandpa Earl story and his pancakes and the magic of that stove. Sorry to hear about the black cloud that has been hovering about...especially the cloud of the traffic citation! Hoping blue skies and sunny days are headed your way...big hug!
xo

Lisa said...

Hu!! (that was the sound of my breath leaving me from shock!) That stove is indeed beautiful, and we've talked before about my memories, much like yours about my best friends grammas stove growing up, but whooooooa nelly! That beauty cost more than my first two cars... combined!

My mind is still reeling from the cost of that ticket, too. That's just so wrong!

Visiting is in order again soon, we're slowly settling into our place, can't wait to have you back! And you won't have to help move lamps this time, I promise!

Love ya!

MiniKat said...

Such a sweet story. I hope you love the stove. :-)

Claudia said...

Sorry about the ticket, the squirrels and the stomach flu! You really have had a tough time, my friend!

That kind of stove is my dream stove. I would love, love one. But not at that price!

xo
Claudia

Elyse said...

hi jill,

so happy to see a new post and such a dear post, too. except now i am craving fluffy pancakes. mmmmm!

be well

happy weekend ~

xo
elyse

kimsminiatures said...

Hi Jill.I too loved your story and that stove. Yikes on the price tag though. Happy weekend my friend. Hugs~ Kim

sophia said...

Such a sweet post, Jill!! I would have loved to meet Grandpa Earl, and eat his fluffy pancakes, and make him coffee while he cooks those pancakes. :-)

I'm sorry you've had a rough time lately...gah! Traffic citations are the worst. But hey...let's just pretend it's a donation to the government...?

Diane Mars said...

I love the old Stoves they are so wonderful with the griddle in the center, I had one years back, and it worked like a charm!

debbie @ happy little cottage said...

Hi Jill,
I feel your pain regarding the dang squirrels in the attic. UGH. You have my sympathy (HUG).
On to cheerier things...I love that stove. I had one like that in an apartment that I lived in during the early 80's. Loved it!
Here's to happier days and no more stinkin' traffic tickets...

Into Vintage said...

Jill - hope things are looking up after some of your recent challenges. We'll be waiting right here while you get your groove back! :-) It's Sunday morning and all this pancake talk can only mean one thing at my house ... thanks for the inspiration, Grandpa Earl!

Marsha @ Tattered Chick said...

Ohhhh, fab stove! I remember those and would love to have one but not at that price!#?@!

Ah, yes, sometimes life can be very challenging . . . glad you're feeling better!

xxoo