I’m sitting here staring blankly at the screen, trying to find a good starting point for what I want to tell you. It’s tough, because there is so much I want to share with you…but still one of those topics that is sentimental for me.
Like most people, family is super important to me. I had some amazing grandparents, on both sides. With so many wonderful stories, values, traditions and such love. Sadly, all four have passed, but I will cherish the memories with them until the day I leave this earth. A little lesson in my family layout….My Dads parents we called “Grandma” and “Grandpa”, while my Mom’s parents we called “Nanny” and “Papa”. (Just so you know I am not referring to a caregiver when I was younger.)
(Me as a baby with my Papa looking at me, Nany to the left and Mom to the right)
I obviously loved them all dearly, and they are all so special to me. This post, however, is dedicated to my Nanny. Edna “Davis” Jackson was her name, and man was she something amazing. One of those individuals who cared more about others well being than her own. She loved to volunteer at the hospital and I fondly remember riding around with her when she delivered “Meals on Wheels” to the elderly. She was one of a kind. It’s hard not to tear up just reminiscing and trying to figure out what memories I want to share with you without writing a novel.
(My Great Grandma Davis with my Nany and her two sisters, she is the youngest…I think)
Based on what I’ve told you so far, it probably sounds like I got to spend a lot of time with her. Unfortunately she was the first loss I experienced in my life, I was 7. We were so very close to them, spent many of nights and days at their house. I can still hear the Cuckoo clock chiming at every hour of the day. So many sweet sounds, smells and memories came from that house.
(Me and Nany as a baby…I wish I had more when I was a little older handy, but all I could find were the oldest pictures)
The one thing I really want to convey to you is how amazing of a cook she was. I know most “Grandmothers” are wonderfully skilled in the kitchen. Especially those that were raised in era where most women were expected to be domestic goddesses, like my Nannys generation. There are SO SO SO many meals I can remember loving growing up, and she went all out for them.
Two of the recipes really stand out for me from her. One of which, I will probably never share with you because it was something that is taught in the kitchen, not on a paper recipe. The other, I am sharing with you today, her sugar cookies. These aren’t your conventional sugar cookies you and I are used to. These have a unique flavor that tastes like home to me. Just the smell brings back memories. The two secret ingredients? Lemon Zest and Ground Nutmeg. SO good.
Just promise me you will try and make them. I know that Nanny is looking down and smiling that I am sharing her recipe with the world. She loved to share her delicious food!
What are some of your favorite family recipes?
- 1 Cup Crisco (hard crisco, not the oil)
- 1 tsp salt
- 2 tsp lemon zest
- 2 cups sugar
- 2 eggs
- 4 tbsp milk
- 4 cups flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1 tsp baking soda
- Preheat oven to 350.
- In a stand mixer, combine Crisco, salt, grated lemon zest and sugar until combined.
- Beat in eggs and milk until just combined, scrape down the sides.
- On a low speed, mix in the dry ingredients, flour, baking powder and baking soda.
- Drop rounded tablespoon size balls on a lightly greased cookie sheet.
- Grease the bottom of a drinking glass, dip in sugar and flatten each ball with glass. Sprinkle with nutmeg.
- Bake for 8-10 minutes or until golden around the edges. Remove and allow to cool on cooling rack.
[…] don’t know why, but I had the urge to share my Nannys sugar cookie post again. Just feeling nostalgic […]