My grandmother, Gertrude Singer, lived her life in West Hartford, Connecticut. I didn’t see her as much as I would have liked since we lived a coast away. But the memories I have of her are all good ones. She always cared to know what was going on in my life and asked what I was writing.
Although she lived alone in an apartment building, Grandma kept herself busy with her book and current events discussion groups, and her walks. During the winter when she couldn’t exercise outside, she strolled the hallways of her floor to stay active. I always admired her commitment to stay active and involved in her community.
Grandma was also an avid baker. When she visited, she’d come with bags of homemade rugelach, Oh Henry bars and other cookies. One of her signature desserts was an apple cake that was incredibly simple and delicious. My mom learned to make that cake and continued baking it throughout my life. And every fall, I like to dig out the recipe and continue the family tradition.
I felt the urge to bake this weekend. And with the overcast November afternoon and the apples in my fridge, I knew exactly what I’d be making. Cheers to Sunday nights and family recipes! 🍏🍎