Tuesday, January 9, 2018

The Amazing Chef


Proverbs 22:6
Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it.

About two years ago, while visiting with us, our granddaughter, Virginia Rose, watches an episode of Master Chef Junior with my husband, Danny.  She is enthralled seeing children as young as nine creating dishes most adults can only dream of making.  When the show ends, Virginia asks wistfully, "Papa, can you make me a Master Chef?"

Danny chuckles.  "Wait until you are a little bit older, Virginia, and yes, then I'll be happy to teach you how to cook."

Now that Virginia is seven, we both feel she's ready to embark on her journey to becoming a future chef.  This is one of the gifts she receives for Christmas.


This kit may look childish on the outside, but it's definitely not.  All the tools, utensils and measuring cups/spoons are just what you'd expect to find in an adult kitchen.  Virginia is so excited to begin her first real cooking lesson with her Papa.  The recipe they choose?  Lemon cookies!

Danny shows Virginia how to grease the cookie sheet.



Checking her new apron pockets for her tools of the trade.


Holding her bright red cup measure while Papa pours the sugar.


The mixer, which she turned on, is whirring away,


While Virginia looks on thoughtfully.


Cracking an egg like an expert!


Adding the egg to the sugar mixture


Here comes the vanilla!


Watching closely what Papa is doing


Squeeze that lemon!


Now for the flour mixture


More measuring, and trying out her brand new whisk




Virginia defers to Danny to actually get the cookies onto the sheet, but she's all in the game when it comes to making icing.  Yum!


And the final product?  See for yourself!


Virginia is so proud of herself, and so she should be.  Each time she visits, Danny plans to engage her in some baking/cooking activity.  Who knows?  With this kind of start in the right direction, perhaps Virginia will one day be an amazing chef.

Just like her Papa!


Amen!


28 comments:

  1. You're making me hungry Martha! The only thing I would add is more icing! LOL Well done Danny! I love his involvement with the kids...and keeping his promise to Virginia Rose.

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    Replies
    1. Nothing wrong with more icing, Bill! Yes, I love how Danny interacts with Virginia - such love!
      Love and blessings!

      Delete
  2. Making memories! Wonderful--life long lessons to be used over and over! Such a sweet time with your darling grand!
    Blessings!

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    Replies
    1. Yes, precious memories, Lulu, that's for sure! I'm thinking about ordering a kid's cookbook to compliment the few recipes this kit came with.
      Love and blessings!

      Delete
  3. Well done Virginia. Bravo.

    I am a great cook too. Our dog can testify to that! No one else seems to appreciate my food.

    God bless you all, Martha.

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    Replies
    1. Lol, Victor! I'll bet you are a good cook, in spite of what you said here. I will tell Virginia you are cheering her on!
      Love and blessings!

      Delete
  4. Oh what precious memories you are making along with the delicious cookies!! Those lemon cookies look wonderful..they remind me of our family favorite Orange Cookies, which my son learned to make at a young age (along with other things). Such fun to do this together...and someday she'll come and cook for you when you both don't feel like cooking anymore!! what a blessing!! So proud of you, Virginia Rose!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Orange cookies sound delightful, too, Pamela - I'll have to look up a recipe for those!
      Yes, here's hoping one day Virginia Rose will concoct a whole meal for us. That would be a dream come true. But for now, I'll just enjoy the cookies and the memories.
      Love and blessings!

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  5. Martha, please tell Virginia Rose that I love all those cooking shows too. I feel like I know her from reading your blog. I know she loves kitty cats just like me too.
    Hugs and blessings to you all!

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    Replies
    1. Danny and I watch quite a few cooking shows, and we both enjoy them. I'll be sure to tell Virginia about all the things you two have in common. Yes, she still loves kitties. :)
      Love and blessings!

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  6. I just love this post and I hope that Virginia will one day realize what a blessing these cooking lessons were!!

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    Replies
    1. Terri, I hope she will, too. As I said in the post, many more cooking lessons are on the horizon!
      Love and blessings!

      Delete
  7. I remember my girls having their "light bulb" ovens and kitchens. Cookies and eggs were about all that "hot stove" could yield.

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    1. I remember those, too, Roy. No, they couldn't handle the tough stuff, but they were a great introduction to baking.
      Love and blessings!

      Delete
  8. So sweet, Martha! Two happy chefs in the kitchen! :) It sounds like Danny has plenty of patience to teach her. :) Love and hugs to you!

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    1. He had boundless patience, Trudy, and I'm so grateful for that. Virginia just adores her Papa as I'm sure you can tell in the photos. Yes, two happy chefs!
      Love and blessings!

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  9. Oh don't you love a beautiful grandpa / granddaughter relationship? What a wonderful role model for girls in this world where fine men seem to be in short supply.

    I love watching my husband with the grandgirls. I think these men are leaving a beautiful legacy that our young ones will remember as they grow ...

    Martha, thanks for sharing this relationship!

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    Replies
    1. I can't agree with you more, Linda. All our little girls need positive male role models in their lives, and Virginia's Dad and her Papa are doing an amazing job. I am so very thankful!
      Love and blessings!

      Delete
  10. Martha, this is such a sweet post. I love how excited Virginia is about cooking (and learning in general)--hope she keeps that excitement. It's heart-warming to see how Danny and Virginia interact.

    Love and blessings!

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    Replies
    1. Yes, Kim, it's so heartening to see how much she is loving cooking, and learning so many other things, too. I don't think I told you, but she has finally fully grasped reading and is so proud of herself, as she should be. She does love her Papa and, as you can see, her Papa loves her.
      Love and blessings!

      Delete
  11. I loved this post of course, but I REALLY loved the last one, which I just read. Breathing...it's everything.

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    1. Breathing IS everything, Galen, I fully agree as I practice this more and more. What peace and consciousness it brings when I do so mindfully.
      Love and blessings!

      Delete
  12. Awesome!!! That is the best investment we can make!

    She's so blasted cute! What a blessing. Glad you got the shots!

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    Replies
    1. Thanks, Floyd! Yes, the best investment we can make is in our children and grandchildren, hands down.
      Love and blessings!

      Delete
  13. I love it. I started when I was about 8 and it lead to a very interesting life in the kitchen as a chef. I believe that the love of cooking starts at around that age and grows inside us a we learn to create new recipes as we grow. Thanks for all the great pictures.

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    1. What a great story, William! Yes, I agree that our passions show up early in life and we do need to pursue those. Glad you did!
      And glad you enjoyed the pictures, too.
      Love and blessings!

      Delete
  14. What a precious time this will be for Virginia, such a blessing for them both! Those cookies sure looked amazing, and what a wonderful thing for Virginia to learn these skills at such a young age! Loved the happy smiles on her face as she spent this time with her Grandpa. Just precious, made my heart smile this morning to see it :)

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    1. I'm so glad to know this made you smile, Marilyn! Yes, this time with her Papa was such a blessing for us all. This past weekend when Virginia was visiting, I actually helped her make frozen banana pops from one of the recipes in her kit. She did a great job, and the treats were quite amazing.
      Love and blessings!

      Delete

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