Date Nut Loaf — What Are Your Constants?

Day 20 — Photo Inspiration:  Mom’s (aka Granny) Date Nut Loaf.
I stopped in to see Mom (my Mother-in-Law) yesterday.  She had just finished pouring her famous Date Nut Loaf batter into the pan and the tin can.  Yes, tin cans make for the perfect individual size loaf pan.  And, for ease of removal of the “cooked” loaf — she always lines her pans with wax paper. (Tips of the day for you!)

Mom’s always been known for her baking — best pie crusts ever (apple pie is her specialty), best chocolate cake ever, best kuchen (German cake — Mom is German), best chocolate chip cookies, matrimonial cake, shortbread cookies, and, of course, the best Date Nut Loaf EVER.  Here’s the thing about yesterday’s baking…..it was, typically, done before Christmas, but this year….it’s happening the middle of January — perhaps, her NEW normal.

She’s 92 and her new “normal” is very different than years past.  This is a lady that has been the epitome of the energizer bunny.  Now, she walks slower, doesn’t stand for long periods of time, On cold days, she stays in because the cold causes her knees to hurt too much.  She doesn’t cook much anymore.  She doesn’t entertain much anymore.  She asked me to bring her mail in for her today.  She told me the slight incline on her sidewalk is too much for her now. She doesn’t walk outside too much at all anymore.  She doesn’t go shopping anymore.

But here are her constants — her weekly hair appointments, her great granddaughter visiting her every Monday, sleeping well at night, her daily devotions, her prayer time, her attendance at church and giving to her church  Those are her priorities and those are her constants.  I know it’s hard for us to relate to her because our lives are so busy and full — but one day…..we’ll be there, and we’ll understand how important “constants” are.  As I continue to mature….I’m appreciating each of these seasons that we come to in our lives and I pray that my constants will include those that are so important to her.

And I think, she would be most pleased with me if I GAVE you her best EVER Date Nut Loaf Recipe — direct from our family’s recipe book.  BTW — the recipe says run (rum) or orange juice.  Mom always used orange juice — never rum — she was a straight-laced pastor’s wife for over 50 years, and she toed the line in more ways than one!