Tuesday, January 12, 2010

A Doh! While Rolling Dough


A snap, a gasp, a moment of disbelief.  Then the full gravity of the situation floods over you.  I broke the rolling pin that has been in my family for more than 46 years.  I don't know exactly how old it is, it was always there for us.  Ready to make a pie dough for a festive occasion, or one to cheer up a sad situation.  But always there at the ready.  Tonight, rolling out some cookie dough, it gave its all.

In the kitchen, we rely on many inanimate objects to create our dishes.  Some become trusted partners, nearly extensions of our own limbs.  Others are only begrudgingly dragged out when needed, our thoughts turned to how to beat it into submission.  Some become nearly totem like, passed down as a sacred object from generation to generation to continue a beloved family recipe.

My rolling pin's time had come.  The wood inside the handle was dry rotted so if it did not go gently into that good night tonight, it would have gone soon.  I will miss that ancient rolling pin and the connections and memories it held for me.  I only hope these damn cookies taste good!

9 comments:

Unknown said...

John,
Thanks so much to letting me know about this blog. The layout in handsome and makes the photos of food very appealing. Looking forward to future posts. Nice photos!
Julie Head

Fresh Local and Best said...

Oh poor rolling pin! It's impressive to know that this instrument has been in your family's kitchen for at least 46 years! This post was a very nice tribute to it!

Tasty Trix said...

Oh no! I totally understand - I think I must be an animist or something ...

Zach said...

Very sad to hear but enjoyed the post. The hard part will be finding a replacement.

Anonymous said...

Aw, how sad :( But it's pretty impressive that it lasted for over 46 years!

Frank said...

I know the feeling. Like losing an old friend--a family member, even. Sorry for your loss!

Liz Marr, MS, RD said...

So sad. My condolences.

Katja said...

I'm sorry for your loss :( You will have to usher in a new era for your family. 46 years is alot of memories!

denise @ quickies on the dinner table said...

Awwwwww....I know exactly how you feel :( I actually cried the day my grandmother's (rest her soul) granite mortar bowl silently and inexplicably split into two in 2005. Not much you can do with a pestle but I still keep it for bashing garlic cloves. Each time I use it, I have to suppress a sniffle *sigh* My grandma had been using it since the late 50s!