7.04.2012

watermelon, rollkuchen, and gopher holes.


If I were to sum up my childhood summers in three words, I might say watermelon, rollkuchen, and gopher holes. Three words you've probably never heard anyone say all in the same sentence, but if you lived in the prairies, you'd understand. You might even laugh. And with a gleam in your eye, you'd think back to your own childhood summers. 

Watermelon has a romance with rollkuchen. Or maybe rollkuchen has a romance with watermelon. Either way, you can't have one without the other - ask any mennonite. Or anyone who lives here, really. I have vivid memories of my cousin and I sitting on our grandma's lawn, slobbery pink juice trickling down our chins and into the crooks of our tiny arms. I have memories of small crystal bowls filled with icing sugar. And at the end of the day, after dipping one too many pieces of rollkuchen, we'd have icing sugar stains to go along with our grass stains. 

I had this combination for supper last night. My grandma doesn't live in that house anymore. My arms aren't as tiny. I understand the purpose of a napkin now. Things are different, but grandma still makes rollkuchen, and it tastes just like it always has. 

And the gopher holes? That's another story all on its own. I'll tell it sometime. 

15 comments:

  1. I love this. I've been sad lately because I wish some things had stayed the same as I grew up. I wish I could go back to those carefree days, like the ones your wrote about here :)

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  2. Yes.Just yes.Every wee southern Manitoba child's summer summed up beautifully.
    And rollkuchen is to die for.

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    1. Ps.Tell that Chloe, she's a stunner!

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  3. That sounds lovely! And I totally didn't have to look up what a rolkuchen was ;)
    Kimmy x

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  4. Isn't summer wonderful? Definitely my favorite season! I'm not sure what rolkuchen is but I'm assuming it's like the dutch oliebollen I grew up with! I can't wait to hear about the gopher holes.

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    1. oliebollen! man, it's been years since I've had any.

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  5. well this is most definitely a learning experience for me! i need to look up rolkuchen now.
    and abbey: that photo... beautiful.

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  6. Sounds like some right nice memories! I've never had rollkuchen before, but it sounds kind of tasty. :)

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  7. oh wow, never heard those words. EVER.
    I like that I can learn tidbits from your daily lives

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  8. I've never had rollkuchen before, but it sound really good! I need to try it sometime.

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  9. You're right, I've never heard of those things mentioned in the same sentence. :) and I've never heard of a rollkuchen before. Such sweet memories. Love your captivating artistry in your writing.

    Blessings!

    -Madi

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  10. Lovely photo! And your words are just as enthralling. :)

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  11. what is 'rollkuchen' exactly? it's german, maybe some sort of pastry cake?
    i love the ways you tell a story...beautiful.

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  12. I love the colorful, vivid feelings coming from the photo. Summer in the prairies sounds unique, that's for sure!

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