41 Comments

I’m already looking forward to your book, Amie! You, your mother, and grand, having conversations with each other across the generations—perhaps conversations you didn’t, or couldn’t, have in life. And your mother’s piece here is beautiful, as is your writing.

Expand full comment

Holy smokes, that’s so true! I have so much to discover and chat about with my ancestral ghosts. You totally nailed it, Caro.

Expand full comment

Nothing beats skating outdoors on a pond, unless it is following in the footsteps of a mother and a grandmother!

Expand full comment

Nicely put, Vicki. Now I’m wondering if my grandmother ever skated—one of the many unanswered questions…

Expand full comment

Snow on the ground, wind blowing fiercely, the sun is shining, but the wind chill is 14 degrees F. I’m still in my thermal pjs…it’s almost noon and I’m hungry, but still recuperating from the new year and turning 80 on that very day. How did I get here so fast? That made me even more tired…too tired to make muffins today…maybe tomorrow. Guess I’ll just warm up the leftover Scottish oatmeal from the frig. Stay warm and cozy.

Expand full comment

I’m gonna need the recipe for that oatmeal, Carol. Best wishes on your birthday! 🎂

Expand full comment

It’s a wonderful project and it’s going to be a fantastic book!

Expand full comment

Your new cookbook project has inspired me so much. Thanks for the motivation, Domenica.

Expand full comment

Wow, what a treasure trove you found in that scrapbook!! And what beautiful writing about family and things.

Expand full comment

From one Amie to another, thanks for reading!

Expand full comment

My skating memories are more about cold fingers and frozen knotted skate laces than waltzing…but it was fun to remember!

Expand full comment

Ha! Those frozen laces!

Expand full comment

Love your mom's drawings and recountings, and skating on a pond - yes! We had a pond behind our house in the heart of a woods, with the Big Maple between the edge of our yard and the frozen pond. My sisters and I would pretend we were Peggy Fleming. It was like flying. Great post.

Expand full comment

Fun fact: I had a Dorothy Hamill haircut in grammar school…

Expand full comment

So cute! It was such a the rage!

Expand full comment

Love this!

Expand full comment

Beautiful reading on this cold snowy day in the Midwest. I am baking the Three Grain bread again today.

Expand full comment

Yay! I love that you’ve baked this bread twice now! I swear I am going to conquer my fear of bread-making this year. Thanks for the nudge!

Expand full comment

This time it turned out even better and produced a real 🍞. It is, in the world of bread making, a truly easy recipe. I added 1/4 cup extra of buttermilk.

Expand full comment

Oh Amie, this is wonderful - and so perfectly timed - I've been reminiscing recently about skating as a child, just not on the ice! Both your and Karyl's words are just brilliant.

Expand full comment

It’s always nice to know the words resonate. Thanks for reading mine!

Expand full comment

'Newest' I accidently hit send to soon!

Expand full comment

I cannot wait to read your news writing project! The cookbook was a hit with my friends.

Expand full comment

Thank you so much, Mel! Your support keeps my fingers dancing across the keyboard.

Expand full comment

Going to make the gingerbread muffins! This story reminded me of growing up and skating on a lake in Michigan. :)

Expand full comment

I’m glad it resonated…I want to skate again!

Expand full comment

Wonderful, Amie, aka “the kid”!!! The bran muffins are calling my name—and oh boy, that memoir is aching to be written! You’ve already started in this space with Cook & Tell, your Microstories and your cookbook. I know you’ll do it! Bravo!

Expand full comment

So grateful for your constant encouragement, Ruth. Watch out, you’re on the beta reader list!

Expand full comment

Perfect thing to read during this cold Maine morning by the fire. : )

Expand full comment

Lovely piece—skates, muffins, Nancy Drew—and a book to come, too!

Expand full comment