Today at work we had a ‘Bake off’ competition and this was my offering for it. The theme was ‘Childhood Memories’ and so I modelled my entry on my eldest son Adam’s first birthday. I was only 21 and should have known better…
So, for his first birthday I made the following, as in the picture:
- Chocolate Marshmallow Cake
- Marshmallow Cones
- Marshmallow Squares rolled in coconut
- Chocolate crackles
- Honey bubble cake
As you can imagine, I had a 1 year old’s party and of course the guests were also the same age. Looking at the list above, it is not hard to imagine what chaos ensued with half a dozen babies squishing marshmallow cones and marshmallow squares in between their chubby fingers. Not to mention chocolate crackles and the chocolate marshmallow cake adding another layer of sticky to the proceedings.
The kids, of course, had a ball. They were in a sticky, messy, sugared up frenzy which of course transferred to my walls, my furniture, you name it, they left barely a surface undisturbed. I don’t think I ever made marshmallow for a party after that! But the main thing is that the little ones had a great time! The sugar rush probably took days to subside!
So, when I heard that the theme was childhood memories, it just had to be a memory of that party. The nice thing was that as people saw what I had laid out on the table, most people were laughing and exclaiming, ‘I remember chocolate crackles! We had them at all our parties’ and lots of other comments about the treats I had laid out for them. Workmates and patients and their families began swapping stories about how their Mother, or their Nanna used to make some of these things. Or, that they remembered going to parties as children and having them. It was lovely to see that the baking I made was not only well received as a treat, but for many sparking precious memories of their own childhood. One nurse on our team who came to New Zealand from China, remarked that one of the things she remembers when she first came to New Zealand was going to a kiwi birthday party and eating honey bubble cake. She said it bought back a happy memory of that time and going to her first party with her kiwi friends.
There are many things that spark memories in all of us. One of them is smell and another is of course taste. For me, there are many foods – especially baking – that bring back memories for me. I have collected family baking recipes over the years and when I make them and eat them, I am taken back to those times growing up when my Nanna, my Aunty or my Mum would make those treats. Now, so far away from my childhood years, they still spark happy memories for me. More so now than ever as I share these family recipes with my children and grandchildren.
Perhaps, at times we don’t fully realise how much the things we experience as children stay with us. Now, as I move towards the age of retirement, I see more and more the importance of making those memories and many other memories with my grandchildren. I want them to tap into those happy memories we make together as we bake together and spend precious time with each other.
Sometime, in the distant future – I hope – they too will be the ones to bake for their children, friends and family and when they do, I hope that they are transported back to the happy days in Nanna’s kitchen when we shared time together baking.
As I always say to the children when we are baking. ‘What is the secret ingredient that makes our baking so special?’ Their answer? ‘Love!’
My journey with Parkinsons 