Mom-mom and Pop-pop

Now, more than ever, I'm reminded how important it is to keep close the people I love. My maternal grandparents Dottie and Eddie—or Mom-mom and Pop-pop, as I call them—are still with us today and for that, I'm so blessed. If you could meet them yourself, stay for dinner and hear their stories of a Life lived together, you'd know immediately the gifts they've passed onto me. From Pop-pop, a horticulturist for an estate in Greenwich, I learned to appreciate the beauty of flowers. And from Mom-mom, a homemaker in the purest, more inspiring sense of the word, I learned to cook, to bake and to take pride in creating a beautiful home. 

In her prime, Dottie loved to entertain, gathering friends and family every chance she got. She was a collector, too, of beautiful things for the table and used them often. Growing up, there was always one particular collection I loved, a set of pink swirl dishes from Anchorglass, a gift at her engagement party 60 years ago—and a gift she has since passed onto me.    

Now these were Dottie's everyday dishes, so with time—and countless peanut butter and jelly sandwiches—they've since faded, their pink hue growing paler and more beautiful every year. But that's why I love them so much and continue to use them myself. 60 years they've been together, growing closer every year, so what better way to celebrate than by setting a joyful, summery table with the dishes she received so long ago? To start, there would have to be a big, beautiful cake with buttercream frosting made from farm stand eggs and local, homemade butter.

After baking and refrigerating overnight each of the four layers, I cut the crusts off from every side, leaving nice, even layers of yellow cake, ready to be frosted. Be sure to save the crusts for a toasted crumble over ice cream! 

Mom-mom and Pop-pop share a favorite layered cake—buttercream on the outside with a lemon custard filling. 

Here's the first coat of icing I did to hold in the crumbs, then let refrigerate until hard. 

The final coat is much smoother, tinted pink like Dottie's dishes.

Next, using a pastry tip, I gave the cake a simple pearl edge of buttercream.

Then I went into the garden, gathering pink strawberry blossoms and pretty white roses inspired by vintage kitchen curtains from a thrift shop in New Orleans. 

I layered them like runners, topped with miniature strawberry arrangements in slag glass flower pots.

The finished cake I'd serve on Dottie's pink swirl plates, a perfect pairing to celebrate their 60 years. 

 

But first, I thought I'd do a casual buffet on the porch of some of their favorite summer foods, served on vintage jadeite servingware at varying heights on the table.

Of course, everything I'd planned ahead of time, including another gift from Dottie—vintage red Bakelite flatware in a slag glass pot from a flea market in Lambertville.

The macaroni salad was Dottie's own recipe—her secret is chicken bullion—while the BLTs I made with peppered bacon, together with lettuce and tomatoes from the garden.

To make them feel more special, I cut the bread out with a biscuit cutter, brushed the pieces with olive oil, salt and pepper, toasted them in the oven, then rubbed them with garlic. It's an unexpected touch to an everyday meal just about anyone can do!

And finally, the best part of the day—Mom-mom and Pop-pop's favorite lemon buttercream cake, celebrating 60 years of marriage on the very same plates that started it all.  

Life can change in an instant, but it's the memories we create that live on forever...

Comments

[Low Tide High Style]

What a lovely post commemorating the love shared by your grandparents. The cake, the plates, it's all wonderful! I hope they have many more years together!

Kat :)

[Therese Long]

Ahhhhmazing!!!!!!
Those BLT's have my stomach growling big time!
Nobody does it like you do :)
Love you!

[Mrs. Blandings]

Wish you and Shack were in the kitchen right now - the cake is gorgeous. I learn something new every time I come here - a layer of frosting to hold in the crumbs? Equalling two layers of frosting? Terrific.

[Angie]

It looks so fabulous! What a wonderful grandson you are!

[Milk and Honey Home]

This is such an inspiring display for such an inspiring couple. You are lucky to have them both around. I am copying some of this for a baby shower in a few weeks. So sorry I missed the shopping even and so sorry for the loss. Thanks for sharing, Julie

[LindsB]

What a wonderful celebration for two people who clearly had such a positive affect on you! Happy 60th to Mommom and Poppop!!!

[lucinda]

What a beautiful and loving post. Sounds like they taught you some valuable life lessons. I know they enjoyed their special celebration with you both.

[Lisa]

Eddie,
There isn't anything about you I don't adore...what a beautiful post!

[Susan B.]

What a moving tribute! How nice that they are still around. Congratulations to them on 60 years! That cake, and the entire buffet, is amazing!

[MarshaWC]

Oh my goodness I'm having a hot flash-back...
I slept on sheets in that very same strawberry pattern growing up!

[Sara Jane]

This is so sweet and beautiful!! I'm sure Mommom and Poppop couldn't be prouder of you!

[suzanne@cestsuzanne]

That cake looks too beautiful to eat! Wow!

[HollyGoesLightly]

Loved this post. My grandparents were also mom-mom & pop-pop and this really resonated. I lost pop-pop 25 years ago, but mom-mom just celebrated her 90th in San Antonio. She's not big on dessert, but managed to tuck into a huge blue cheese burger + hefty bit of potato salad! It really is all about the memories -- and the food!

[Diane]

What a casual-fun-fabulous party!! Your Mommom and Poppop must have completely enjoyed themselves, and the food, and the love and laughter!

Um, if I can somehow give you some pastel dishes, could I get one of those luscious cakes too?

Just wondering...

[donna]

You are very lucky and the best part of that is that you know it! Beautiful <3

[Sharon in Chicago]

What a sweet commentary on love and longevity. May you and Jaithan be as blessed.

[jess]

This is soo beyond beautiful! The cake is drop-dead and reminds me of a wedding cake for sure. So gorgeous is everything. PLEASE SHARE THE RECIPES!! :)

[Ludmila {creamylife.com}]

Oh my, Eddie, the cake looks deliciously stylish! aw I'm drooling over it! Congratulations to your grandparents, they are adorable! The gift from your grandmother is so darling, that pale pink is so beautiful! xoxo

[Leslie Watkins]

Love this post!You are so lucky to still have your grandparents to hang out with, I miss mine terribly.

[Emily @ Peach & Pearl]

This is an adorable post. Thanks so much for sharing! I love the little strawberry arrangements!

[Anne Statland]

Eddie -- what a great story! How lucky you are to still have them in your life -- and how lucky are they to have you in their lives. You and they are very special people and those of us who "follow you around" have recognized this. Thank you for all your shared thoughts and adventures.

[sheista]

Eddie, I love you. You're a good soul!

[Jacks]

Really sweet and lovely post. Miss you guys and cannot wait to hug you both in person. Love xx, Jacks, Chris, Teds and Mrs. B

[Michael - Innkeeper]

that cake is stunning. just beautiful.

and displayed with the green jadeite and pops of red. i just love it! so summer-y. so happy. so cheery!

you always come up with the best combinations!!

[Patti Davis]

So beautiful and especially heartfelt. It was like being there. Thank you for sharing, Eddie! xoxo, P