“When the girl returned, some hours later, she carried a tray, with a cup of fragrant tea steaming on it; and a plate piled up with very hot buttered toast, cut thick, very brown on both sides, with the butter running through the holes in great golden drops, like honey from the honeycomb. The smell of that buttered toast simply talked to Toad, and with no uncertain voice; talked of warm kitchens, of breakfasts on bright frosty mornings, of cosy parlour firesides on winter evenings, when one’s ramble was over and slippered feet were propped on the fender, of the purring of contented cats, and the twitter of sleepy canaries.”
― Kenneth Grahame, The Wind in the Willows
A trip Up North usually, happily, involves a bowl, ingredients, stirring and baking and more than one cook in the kitchen.
Not hot buttered toast, nor contented cats, but, the quote is a favorite of mine, as are these two cherished charmers.
Lifeonthecutoff's Blog 
Charmers, indeed! Kezzie and Ezra are growing up so quickly, Penny! Enjoy every precious moment of your time together in the kitchen. You are making muffins and sweet memories together! Today is the perfect day to whip up a batch of warm, pumpkin muffins here. Happy first day of Autumn, my friend!💗
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While the first day of Autumn has now already passed, I still thank you and wish you the same, Dawn. We’ve been having some delightfully Fall-ish weather. 🙂 Thank you, as well, for your kind comments. They are, indeed, going up quickly – and I try to savor the moments we have together. YUM! I’m sure you pumpkin muffins were delicious.
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Looks like some happy little bakers. Great photos, Penny!
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Thanks, Jill. The bakers and the muffins were a delight.
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looks like they enjoyed every minute
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I think they did, Beth. 🙂
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Nothing beats making good memories over good food!
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Oh, so so true.
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I put this quote on my blog 12 years ago! Doesn’t seem possible. I love the words. And I love seeing the kids. Blessed grandmother time.
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It is amazing, isn’t it, how many quotes and books and memories we’ve posted now over these years, Nan? I love these words as well. It was a most delightful time with the grands. Thank you.
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First of all, The Wind in the Willows is one of my favorite books. Second, oh how delightful and cozy to see young bakers in the kitchen whipping up warm treats. 😄 Yay!
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Mine, too L. Marie. They love to be in the kitchen, baking and cooking – and eating! I have such fun with them.
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Penny, I was in need of a little comfort, and you provided just that. (I gave a presentation today to only 6 people, but I was nervous. I had to wait afterward, and saw your post.) You have beautiful grandchildren, and the treat looks delicious. Got to pull out my Wind in the Willows and re-read it soon!
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Oh, Sue, I’m so glad this little post gave you some comfort after a trying day. Not that I do much public speaking these days, but, it seems harder to speak to 5 people than 50. I hope that you’ve now rested and recovered.
Thank you. They are such a joy.
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Well, Penny, the muffins look delicious, but the “sweets” are the darling children and their beautiful smiles My how they’ve grown! I’m so glad you had some “up north” time, and I know they perfectly fit that special grandchildren-shaped space in your heart! The Wind in the Willows quote is so charming!
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Thank you so much, Debra. They are, indeed, sweet. 🙂 They seem to sprout so fast and I see the growth more prominently when I don’t see them for a few months. I’m sure you are experiencing that a bit with you own “up north” grand. The Wind in the Willows is always a source of inspiration to me.
Hope all is well, dear friend.
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Oh your grands are growing up so quickly — cooking together is the best! A great. tradition — as is reading together, especially classics . … (When we (Bill) acquired the Florida boat, I gave him Ratty’s quote about how there is nothing half so much worth doing as messing about with boats. …. later our youngest son reminded me that that boat gets into an accident immediately after those words are uttered….) .I really do need to re-read the book, don’t I?
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Hi, Sallie. How nice to see your name pop up.
Thank you. They sure are growing up and reading is one of their traditions as well. Warms my heart. I LOVE Ratty’s quote – and yes, yes, yes. Re-read it.
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Goodness, how those cherished charmers have grown! They will have such good memories of cooking with you, in the years to come, just as you do with your Yia Yia.
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They have, indeed, Juliet.
Thank you. I hope that they will have good memories and if it comes even close to mine with my Yia Yia, I will be quite happy.
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Dear Penny, once a year, I fly out to Idaho to visit the family that has adopted me as a grandmother. The four children (ages 9-17 now) call me Grandma Dee. I met the youngest when she was 8 1/2 and her brother was 5. The two older girls were in school. So the two youngsters and I would bake. And now, whenever I go back, the youngest wants always to spend time in the kitchen baking. She makes up her own recipes for cake and cupcakes and does quite a good job! What a joy it is to accompany a child on such an adventure. Peace.
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Oh, Dee, that is so wonderful that you travel out to Idaho each year and have touched your grandchildren’s lives. Grandma Dee. 🙂 How wonderful that they enjoy baking with you, especially the youngest. Joy, indeed! Thank you so much for sharing this, Dee. I love it. Peace, my friend.
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Now I’m hungry, and I just ate! Yum!
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Oh, I do hope you get to have something as tasty as these muffins were, Jacqui. Thanks for commenting.
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I’m not surprised that this quote is a favorite of yours because it is the epitome of hygge! I am sure you had a wonderful time up north with your grandchildren, who are growing so fast!
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I hadn’t thought of it that way, Janet. Love it! I did have a wonderful time (and was pooped by bedtime 🙂 )
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