Well, September 25, 1959 is WHEN it began and this photo is December of 1959. From the expression on Dad’s face I suppose one might surmise I was a much loved Christmas present. I loved him back for the next almost 40 years.

Where my story began and the foundation for TimMagic was laid was in the first grade. Believe it or not my understanding of home cooking versus culinary artistry was established at Booneville Grammar School in Mrs. Pippin’s first grade parties. I didn’t go to Kindergarten. We went to a small church with a mostly adult congregation. Our neighbors were older, as well. Quite frankly, Mom was over protective. I’d only experienced birthday and holiday meals at home and of course, covered dish suppers at church.  I’d never experienced what would be considered a party.  I’m not sure I even knew the word.  

Of course, my main memory of first grade parties is the food. The absolute best part of the party was Dale Norton’s mother and her baked goods.  These were the kinds of cookies and candies which could be sold in any Patisserie along the Rue de Rivoli. Her Date Nut Roll and Thumbprint Cookies were far and away more interesting to me than party games. I remember Mom ”taking on” about how beautiful ”her work” was…”Honey, you do such purty work”.

I don’t think Mom had ever been to a party, either. Looking back…it was a life changing for both of us.

Date Nut Roll

Baby Tim was coddled, cuddled, fed and totally spoiled. Thus, he thought Mrs. Pippin was very strict. I’m not sure he’d ever heard the word no or don’t. Her ruler horrified him.  Children nowadays are using an iPad before they walk. They sing the alphabet and count to a hundred at three years old.  I think it took us all of first semester to learn our ABC’s and 123’s. Then, second semester we read, ”See Spot. See Spot run. Run, Spot, run”.  Surprisingly…or not…what I really remember about first grade was Mrs. Norton’s baked goods. I literally think of her every time I see and/or enjoy the work of a baker or pastry artist like the work we enjoyed on a magical Christmas and 20th Anniversary visit to Twin Farms…Barnard, Vermont.

It seems Mrs. Pippin liked parties or maybe she liked Mrs. Norton’s goodies, as well. We must have celebrated everyone’s birthday. Nevertheless, I especially remember Mrs. Norton going all out for Christmas. I had seen beautiful cakes and pies but I’d never seen the kind of confections Mrs. Norton made.  I recall some were presented on beautiful Christmas platters, some were in baskets and of course those with powdered sugar were on cut glass.  I don’t know why my most vivid recollection is the Date Nut Roll. Well…yes I do.  It had marshmallows in it. The Date Nut Roll amplified my love affair with marshmallows.  I’m  certain miniature marshmallows play a significant role in this vivid memory. 

Mrs. Norton’s skills were not limited to confections. Our friend, Thomas Williams organized a trip to Marion, AL for renowned Chef Scott Peacock’s Biscuit Experience.  As we watched him make biscuit another treasured Mrs. Norton memory came to mind.  Not Mom, Auntie or Grandmaw’s biscuit…but Mrs. Norton’s.  Mrs. Pippin took us on a field trip to a sorghum mill.  We got to chew on sorghum and taste the syrup.  I remember that fondly but what made the trip amazing was Mrs. Norton.  She made ”thimble biscuits”.  I’ve scoured the internet and it seems she is the only person in the world to ever think of such a thing. I find Thimble Cookies but no Thimble Biscuits. They were literally the size of the larger end of a thimble.

These mini biscuits are close enough that I can taste the biscuit/sorghum combo, now.

Of course, she brought them in a beautiful handled basket with a hemstitched linen cloth.  No, I didn’t know what hemstitched linen was at the time but I have a vivid recollection of every moment of the reveal when Mrs. Pippin told us Mrs. Norton had a surprise for us.  The basket was heaping full.  They were all the same exact one bite size and magazine quality golden brown.  I’m sure it would be frowned upon today but we each got to dip our biscuit into the sorghum AND we got to eat as many as we wanted.

I wonder if any of my classmates remember those biscuits as vividly as I…

As first grade progressed Dale Norton and I became buddies. My Mom and Mrs. Norton became friends, as well.  Unfortunately, the last first grade party I remember was a going away party for Dale because the family was transferred back ”up north”.  It was a sad day.  Well, not too sad…Mrs. Norton brought confections for her own child’s going away party…Bless her Heart. 

Adults should remember everything we do is a lesson for young minds.  I’m beyond grateful to Mrs. Pippin for her vision to include fun in our education and Mrs. Norton for expanding my culinary and creative horizon.

They had no idea it would last a lifetime. Nor, did they know they would establish the foundation for…

the house to be lovely a good time to be had by all!!!