Thursday, October 1, 2009

Thankful for good neighbors....and an ode to my oven....


(artwork is by Lindy Burnett on the Bookmakers Limited website....isn't it adorable? She has been an illustrator for Highlights magazine, and is very talented!)

You are smart friends and you probably know where I am going with this title......yesterday as I was cooking dinner, the oven let out a huge sigh of relief and gave it up. After all, it has lived a good and fruitful life, having produced many a selection of delectables, be it entrees or baked goods. It's an old (yes, my estimation of old changes daily!!) JennAire that was original to the house, built in 1991....so it's near its time, I guess, to want to retire. It didn't help that I was right about to bake my tilapia and hushpuppies........so I sauteed the tilapia and hubby had to forego the hushpuppies.

Which brings us to today......number 2 son is coming home this weekend to celebrate his 20th birthday!! And daughter celebrates her 18th next week, too......it's celebration city around here! He specifically asked for my carrot cake for his celebration, which can be found here, for his special day. I, like a good mamma, am glad to oblige.....oops-- that promise was made before the death of the oven!!! The repairman can't come until Tuesday......so I called my best neighbor and said "hey can I bake a yummy, delicious cake in your oven and taunt you with yummy, delicious smells???" The Mr. is home looking for a replacement job, after being laid off last week....so, so sorry....but I really need to bake this cake....perhaps my cake will inspire you.........
So I mix up my cake and carry my three layers across the street to bake in my gracious neighbor's oven...Of course I will compensate them for the inconvenience of me heating up the kitchen and leaving delicious, delectable smells in their home!

And THIS picture below leads me to tell you a blog story...I found this picture on the web back when I started blogging....and I used it when I posted a recipe. It haunted me, it harkened me....you all know that I am a SLaHOME consultant, but we did not have a cookbook holder that captured me the way this one did.....I referred someone back then to the source of it, and she bought one....I kind of pouted at that point, wanting one of my own! So recently I found a blog of a consultant for the company selling this lovely cookbook holder that posted about needing to meet her minimums for the quarter....my tender heart gave in and I ordered it--after all, it was indeed to help out a fellow home-based business owner, right????? So now, it does indeed reside in my kitchen and I don't have to feel like a liar when others tell me they love my cookbook holder....because it really IS mine. Now shall I go post a picture of a diamond necklace on my blog next???? :)

And finally, an ode to my oven......


*Jenny*, you've been so good to us
Your fruits we have enjoyed
You've convected and baked many a day
and broiled our toast on a few cold morns.....

Now it looks like you have given it up
To retire to a better life
Of ease and rest and no more heat
I can't say I blame you.
thanks for your years of service to our family.......RIP.

*JennAire, her proper name

18 comments:

karen said...

R.I.P. jennaire.

Stacey said...

You are so clever. I wish my Jenn Aire stove would die. No not really, I don't want to buy a new one right now but I fuss about it all the time. :)

Glad you found a way to bake that cake. A mom's gotta do what a mom's gotta do!

Anonymous said...

What a great post! I'm sorry about your oven but how great to have such wonderful neighbors. Like your cookbook holder too!

Manuela@A Cultivated Nest said...

That was very nice of your neighbors and I'm sure they'll love whatever goody you make for them. Your cookbook holder is pretty!

Manuela

Elle Bee said...

THat's a really nice cookbook holder! And you helped someone while getting something you've wanted for a long time--it's a win-win!
Elle

Happy@Home said...

As seems to often be the case, your oven picked a bad time to act up. How wonderful to have a nice neighbor to let you use her oven for the carrot cake. I just baked one last week for my husband's birthday and I know what a popular cake it is. You definitely wouldn't want to let your son down on that one.
I'm glad you were able to get your cookbook holder as it is lovely.
Thank you so much for your prayers yesterday on my sister's behalf. It means a lot to me.

Amanda @ Serenity Now said...

I hope Jenny has gone to a better place.

Just a little something from Judy said...

Only you could add creativity and humor to the death of an oven. Your son should feel so important that you would carry three layers across the street, just for him. Hope you have a fun celebration weekend, even without an oven.

April said...

May Jenny rest in peace! What tragic news, Suzanne! :( Hope you have a wonderful time amidst your grief celebrating your kiddos birthdays!

Tara said...

Been missin my bloggy friends so much! Sounds like you have a lot of celebrating to do. Happy Birthday wishes to all. Hugs!

Blue Creek Home said...

This is a hoot! Sometimes I want to kill my oven so I won't have to cook!!!
Happy birthday to your kiddos!
Rhonda

Lisa said...

Haven't had trouble with the Jenn-aire stove but the Jenn-aire fridge is another story.:)

Jamie said...

Yay for nice neighbors! Hope your oven fix is a cheap one and you are back to baking real soon.

Darlene said...

R.I.P. Jenn!!!! Now, what kind of new fabulous oven will you be getting?????? YAY for great neighbors!

Anonymous said...

What a great post. I did enjoy that. I also like the recipe holder. Do not need one, since I don't cook anymore.
QMM

High-Heeled Foot in the door said...

Oh no sorry about your oven, but how sweet are your neighbors! I'm sure the yummy cake came out great. Carrot cake is one of my favorites!

Keelie said...

Ha! That is funnny. A little sad, but funny. Sorry for your loss..

Thank you for coming by Red Writing! And you want to join in 12Weeks of Christmas? Yipee! Each week I will "assign" a different post topic (Christmas related) that you will create on your blog and link up RW. The first one begins this Sunday and its "Christmas List".

This is the link explaining every confusing detail:

http://redswriting.blogspot.com/2009/09/12-weeks-of-christmas-with-red-writing.html

Oh yes, and there are special homemade giveaways for each week...
So glad you are joining!

Scooterblu's Whimsy~Rhonda said...

Love your cookbook holder! Very pretty!

So sorry about your stove. Our house was built in '92, and our stove left behind by the previous owners died about 2 years ago...but I was not so secretly glad! LOL!

Hope you have a wonderful weekend with your celebrations and visit from your son! Happy Birthday to your son and daughter! ~hugs, Rhonda :)