When I was a kid (just a few years ago 
), my family took a ten hour road trip a few times a year to visit my father’s side of the family. I would like to say that I have fond memories of these road trips, but I would be lying.
“Stop touching me!”
“Dad, he kicked me.”
“What’s that smell. That’s disgusting!”
“Are we there yet?”
“I have to go to the bathroom.”
“I’m hungry.”
It wasn’t long before my father would scream, “NO MORE TALKING! Not one more word out of anyone!”
This meant that the rest of the trip would be spent in silence… the remaining 9 hours and 55 minutes… unless you were willing to risk the wrath of Dad. Inevitably we started giggling which, for some reason, Dad didn’t find amusing.
While I was trapped for these ten hours with my brothers, my grandmother, Nanny, was lovingly preparing our favorite meals. Yes, she was preparing them even for my stinky brothers, my screaming father, and my mother… the non-Italian who doesn’t like cheese!
Nanny cooked for us as a way to show her love and she always made our favorites. Of course, we all liked different things but that didn’t seem to be a concern. She made sure each of us was happy. She made my favorite pasta, my dad and brother’s favorite chicken cutlets, and an individual serving of lasagna without the ricotta cheese just for my mom.
I remember the look on her face when I took the first bite. When my eyes rolled back in my head from sheer delight, she smiled and her eyes twinkled. You could see the love.
What I remember the most about my Nanny is that she was always in the kitchen cooking for the people she loved… and for anyone who tagged along to visit.
Cooking for others is my favorite thing to do and I know that this comes from Nanny. I, too, love to watch as they take that first bite. Their joy is my joy.
So… I can’t tell you how filled with joy I was when I received a picture of a precious little girl named Abby eating my Crock Pot Pork and Apples. She declared it to be her new favorite meal! Seriously?! Nothing could have made this momma of a picky teenager happier!
Today is sweet Abby’s eighth birthday (isn’t she beautiful?) and she has requested her favorite meal… Crock Pot Pork and Apples! 
I want to give Abby a shout out on her birthday. Abby, thank you for bringing me joy just by being you! Happy, Happy Birthday! I pray that you will always remember that you are a daughter of the Most High King!
My sweet friends, celebrate someone today by making them something special. It doesn’t have to be elaborate or complicated. It’s the love you put into it that matters.
Sweetest Blessings,
LeAnn
{ 12 comments… read them below or add one }
Thank you for sharing your stories, recipes and encouragement. Blessings to you, i look forward to reading more of them, and trying out this latest recipe:).
I made the Crockpot Pork Roast & Apples on Sunday ~ it was wonderful! My husband travels quite a bit and gets tired of eating in restaurants. This was a delicious home-cooked meal he really enjoyed! Thanks for sharing this yummy recipe.
She is adorable. Your recipes always sound so yummy. Haven’t tried any yet but I will.
Love that Abby’s on your site today! Met her mom at She Speaks and adore her.
I think this was Abby’s favorite birthday present! (I’m her mom =) I read this with her after she got up today and I wish you could have seen the enormous grin on her face! We had this meal for dinner last night to celebrate early (she has gymnastics tonight) and she was raving about it again. I love the emotional connection and joy that preparing a favorite meal provides. Thank you, LeAnn, for giving her a very special memory that will last forever. Blessings!
p.s. thanks for the sweet comments, all!
What a great post! I can so relate to the car trips. Good thing my mother drove an old sky blue Pinto mini-wagon so my sister Wendy and I could jump over the back seat and hide whenever she reached back to lay down the law. PS: We feel the love, LeAnn!
Happy Birthday to Abby! Eight is great!
I loved that you took the time to take us down memory lane with you today and also to bless young Abby. Too sweet!
When I was growing up, every year for my birthday my beautiful Italian Mama would make spaghetti and home made meat sauce, broccoli, garlic bread, salad and delicious chocolate layer cake. She would decorate the table with her beautiful artistic flair and make me feel so loved and special! Mama’s food was always comforting and delicious but the memory of the feeling of love is what I have always held so dear. Today is my birthday and so I decided to make my own comforting spaghetti birthday dinner with cake and invite Mama and Daddy over to enjoy it with the kids and I. I had a wonderful teacher so now it is my turn to happily make my loved ones feel loved and special. Blessings to you LeAnn for your loving cooking ministry!
Give Abby a big birthday hug from me and all the P31 gals!
Love,
LeAnn
WOW!! You took me (your mom) with you down memory lane. My favorite memory of Nanny’s “food prep with love” is the grapefruit sections she’d fix for my breakfast when we lived in Florida. Best I’ve ever had. (And Abby is adorable)
Reminded me of car trips from the past- as one of 3 girls crammed into the backseat and of current trips- as the mom/driver with my 3 boys in the back! Abby and her mom, Patti, shared that recipies with us- it has become one of our favorites too! Most importantly-Happy bitrhday to the best niece ever! Love, Aunt Jill
Sweet LeAnn,
I’ve been enjoying not only your wonderful recipes but your posts as well. Today was particularly close to my heart. I, too came from an Italian background only it was my mom who was the one who liked cheese. I love how you expressed the love of sharing in meals. It was a needed shot to my soul and a welcomed trip down memory lane. I have only my brothers now but I feel I have made a friend in you and I don’t feel so alone in my “Italianness”, if such a word exists.
Thank you for all you do especially sharing your experience with the
Made to Crave journey.
Blessings!
Colleen
Loved the memory! and happy birthday Abby!