Memories for Inspiration

Yes, memories are an obvious source for creative inspiration. So what I’d like to do is make this post a little more personal than most…

As I write this, I’m sitting at my mother’s hospital bedside. She’s very ill. And when I talked to her a few minutes ago, before she nodded off, I reminded her of our annual tradition of baking Christmas cookies. It’s one she began almost fifty years ago with her best friend that later morphed into one she continued with her daughters.

Since she used to be a gourmet chef – and caterer – Mom never made “normal” cookies. Oh no. Her cookies had to be slightly exotic – think English Tea and you’ll have a good idea of the tone/type of cookie Mom allowed to grace her cookie trays.

The thing that used to bother me the most as a child was the size of these cookies. As we rolled, cut or dropped, if any of the dough-balls on the cookie sheet were bigger than a quarter, we were asked to remake them. Every one of them needed to be as uniformed as possible, the frosting delicately swirled. My dad – with his artistic eye - would create a display of the tray that was worthy of an art gallery!

However much we needled Mom about the size, or teased Dad about the display, the thing that always always always set Mom’s cookies apart was the taste. They’re delectable.

So in honor of Mom this morning, as she battles her health demons (yet found a smile at the shared memory of baking cookies together), I give you one of her very favorite cookie recipes: Cashew.

Please enjoy them – think of my Mom – and make sure to make ‘em small!!

Cashew Cookies