Comments on: Perfect Potatoes a.k.a. Sentimental Spuds (recipe: Buttermilk and Chives Scalloped Potatoes)

By: Jackie Garvin

Jackie Garvin — Sun, 03 Jul 2011 03:19:46 +0000

In reply to Mary ann.

Mary Ann,
I hope my writing helped bring a smile to your face even if a little tear come along, too. That’s goodness and that’s what Syrup and Biscuits is all about. Thank you for being part of the Syrup and Biscuits community.

By: Mary ann

Mary ann — Sun, 03 Jul 2011 03:10:20 +0000

On of my favorite memories of Grandma is her sharpening the butcher knife on the back door stoop. I tell my CA kids that today and they think I’m crazy. My brother still has that knife and I see her every time I open that drawer in their kitchen. Me…I have the old brown tea pot and tea cups and dessert plates she used for her ladies card club, the plates sit on my plate rail in the dining room and the tea pot I use nearly everyday and the big old soup pot which is a planter now since it finally got a hole in its bottom. Thanks for bringing all those memories to mind today Jackie.

By: Jackie Garvin

Jackie Garvin — Fri, 01 Jul 2011 17:11:37 +0000

In reply to Beverly A Harper. Beverly, You might want to right click on your browser, then click print. A dialog box should pop up and allow you to select the pages that you want to print. Please let me know if this works.

By: Beverly A Harper

Beverly A Harper — Fri, 01 Jul 2011 14:56:07 +0000

How do u print the individual recipes on your site, when I clicked on the print link, it wanted to print 30 pages. Please advise

By: Jackie Garvin

Jackie Garvin — Fri, 01 Jul 2011 13:51:10 +0000

In reply to Maureen. Maureen, Thank you for your comment. Enjoy your life in Australia! Gosh, that's a long way from home. I hope you visit Syrup and Biscuits often. We love having you.

By: Maureen

Maureen — Fri, 01 Jul 2011 07:45:13 +0000

I know exactly what you mean. I visit a lot of blogs to get inspiration and when I see recipes or photos of food that my mother or grandmother made that has a strong memory of it I get tremendously homesick for the US. Most of the time I’m quite happy at home in Australia but those memories have a life of their own. 🙂

Gorgeous potatoes!

By: Jackie Garvin

Jackie Garvin — Fri, 01 Jul 2011 06:12:40 +0000

In reply to Suzanne Mills. Thanks Suzanne!

By: Jackie Garvin

Jackie Garvin — Fri, 01 Jul 2011 04:00:09 +0000

In reply to Karen Pearce. LOL!

By: Karen Pearce

Karen Pearce — Fri, 01 Jul 2011 03:55:34 +0000

In reply to Jackie Garvin. I meant Betty, LOL sometimes my brain goes on vacation without me.

By: Suzanne Mills

Suzanne Mills — Fri, 01 Jul 2011 02:37:28 +0000

Love the addition of buttermilk! Very nice 🙂 Cant wait to try on Monday with our BBQ Pork Ribs! Just gorgeous!

By: Jackie Garvin

Jackie Garvin — Fri, 01 Jul 2011 02:10:16 +0000

In reply to Karen Pearce. Karen, I sure do love using that little dish but then I love vintage dishes of any kind. Thank you for your comments. Just to let you know, you got your Aunts mixed up a little. Betty was my mother. Helen is Ann and Lisa's mother. Helen is a precious jewel, too!

By: Jackie Garvin

Jackie Garvin — Fri, 01 Jul 2011 02:08:15 +0000

In reply to Mary. Mary, I read your heart warming story three times. I can't thank you enough for sharing. When I read comments like this, I feel that I am using my gift of writing in the manner that is was intended. Syrup and Biscuits is all about goodness and wonderful memories play a big part. Your Big Mama lives on in your heart and in your soul. You are a wonderful, caring, nurturing woman who had the blessing of an influence such as your Big Mama. In return, you are bestowing the same blessings on your family. Thank you so much for your contributions to the Syrup and Biscuits community. I so very happy you found us.

By: Mary

Mary — Fri, 01 Jul 2011 01:53:52 +0000

Jackie: You’ve done it again! My mind runs instantly runs back to hundreds of things about our Big Mama. (the name wasn’t about size, by the way). Everything she did seemed effortless; her hands were beautiful working in the kitchen; she was modest, quiet, so lovely but unkempt many times from being so busy with three girls to raise and a husband who wore two white shirts a day – that’s washing, hanging out, “sprinkling”, and ironing – whew – today I can’t imagine. But her food was unforgettable! You’re so right – I can taste something I haven’t eaten for years, and suddenly, I’m back as a little girl in that house we were all raised in, delighting in the company of my sisters and Big Mama – eating warm fudge, chicken and dumplings, cornbread and fresh veggies from our garden, even quail my Dad would bring home from hunting. Years later when she became ill, she couldn’t do all those things, and it must have been so hard for her. She lived with us after her heart attack and couldn’t do in the kitchen hardly at all. Our youngest son brought home from school one day two mallard eggs. Big Mama was distraught that they would be so much trouble to hatch and raise, but we prevailed. They hatched and of course were adorable. When they became “teenagers” my son seemed to lose interest in taking care of them. Mama felt they might be hungry one day, and I found her struggling in the kitchen to bake a pone of cornbread to feed to those ducks. It was wonderful. That instinct never leaves, I guess. My “boys” are way past grown now, but I still want to know they’re being cared for. Food ties us together in our family, too, as well as all the love that goes with it. I often say that I wish I could rest my head in Mama’s lap just one more time. When she passed and I was so broken, my husband told me that now I had to be Big Mama. It’ll never happen, I’m afraid. But I keep trying. Yes, I too still miss Big Mama.

By: Karen Pearce

Karen Pearce — Fri, 01 Jul 2011 01:42:53 +0000

I have one of those baking dishes and it is my favorite for many things I cook. I think it was made for scalloped potatoes, they come out perfect in it. Jackie, Aunt Helen was a precious jewel, I have very fond memories of her.

By: Jackie Garvin

Jackie Garvin — Fri, 01 Jul 2011 01:36:35 +0000

In reply to JAN HALLQUIST THOMPSON. Jan, Thank you so much for sharing your sweet story and your thoughtful comment. One thing I love about writing is that it encourages (read: requires) me to relive memories. Those memories can evoke strong emotions which, in the beginning, can sting quite a bit. However, closely following the sadness is happiness associated with the fond memories. Actually, I make myself cry A WHOLE BUNCH. I truly believe that I have been given the gift (yes, it is a gift) of writing because I can write up a storm while I'm crying but I can't talk and cry. My stories would never be told if I had to rely on oral communication. So.....I write about them. Thanks for adding so much to the Syrup and Biscuits community. I'm glad you found us.

By: JAN HALLQUIST THOMPSON

JAN HALLQUIST THOMPSON — Fri, 01 Jul 2011 01:25:04 +0000

Jackie, I so loved your story about your Momma, I’m crying while I type. Potatoes. Who would’ve thought? I am one of seven daughters. When I was a child, my Dad was in the Seminary when he was diagnosed with cancer. My Momma went to work to support our family and God knows they didn’t have a dime. Momma sewed all our clothes and taught me how to cook at an early age. She moved to heaven when I was 12. Years later, my sister gave every daughter a bottle of Tabu cologne for Christmas with a note that read “Momma’s favorite.” My son looked at her and said “hhhmmm, maybe it was you Daddy’s favorite on your Momma.” To this minute, I keep a small bottle of TABU in my collection ~ just in case I wanta go home for a minute!

By: Jackie Garvin

Jackie Garvin — Thu, 30 Jun 2011 18:55:51 +0000

In reply to Mary Raymundo. Thanks, Mary! I appreciate YOU!

By: Mary Raymundo

Mary Raymundo — Thu, 30 Jun 2011 18:44:57 +0000

Jackie – such fond memories always brings smiles and tears. I appreciate your stories. I remember peeling our potatoes with a butcher knife. That’s all we had. Boy was that sucker dull.

By: Jackie Garvin

Jackie Garvin — Thu, 30 Jun 2011 18:09:59 +0000

In reply to Mrs. Jen B. Thanks, Jen!

By: Mrs. Jen B

Mrs. Jen B — Thu, 30 Jun 2011 17:50:13 +0000

Oh, that’s just beautiful! And, I’m sure, absolutely delicious!