Strawberry Crumble

This was actually a perfect Mother’s Day post ,originally intended to be shared late yesterday evening. The time set aside got filled with something far more important (for me ) , things which add so much to my day and moments which make me smile just before hitting that pillow at night.

These two (I have different terms of endearment depending on what part of the mom they choose to bring out 😉 ) off springs have endured so much with me that despite it being called ‘Mother’s Day’ ,for me it also allows me to realise how they have helped me be the person I am by holding my hand through this often arduous journey ! It’s not only been strawberry kisses and dimpled smiles. I know now that it can’t possible be and that’s okay . I wish I knew that then.

There were so many things when looking back today I could have done different , done better. Lord knows I could have exercised more patience. When I hear friends with younger children voice the helplessness which I sometimes felt back then , it makes me wish that they could draw from my experience and ease back a bit on all that raw emotion. But….it is an experience which we must all face, endure and allow it to shape the people we become.

Yesterday there were so many beautiful posts which I instantly connected with. I also agree wholeheartedly that it does take a village to bring up a child. Blessed are those of us who understand that we can’t and must not do this alone. A child thrives through different levels of affection and discipline. My (I should say ‘our children’ but this is Mother’s day so I can be excused) children are who they are because of the extended lot of our parents, siblings, in laws, aunts, grandaunts, grandmothers, cousins both younger and older than me and friends who love mine as if their own. Mother’s Day is to be shared with the entire lot of them.

So in between the cupcakes, the chocolate fudge and the fruit crumbles, we wiped tears, read bedtime stories, played cricket , hide and seek, corrected falsehoods and attempted to climb the odd tree whenever possible. As years flew by conversations got more interesting ,personalities became prominent…books , music ,sport and other interests began to emerge. Academics too were understood as a necessity to gain knowledge and not just to write exams. Mother’s Day is also to be shared with every single one of the teachers who were a positive influence on my young .

Above it all, the parenting similarities of inculcating core values connects me further to my parents with each passing day. I still have a bone to pick with my grandmother though ; she taught my younger brat to cheat at the much loved card game,’pulling donkey’. He still would if given the chance !!!

To sit down and share this warm strawberry crumble with one of the two who firmly holds large chunks of my heart did seem a fitting way to spend the day . We ate it still warm from the oven heat.  When I asked how it was, the reply I got was ,”just as it should be” ,with a smile ! The berries are slightly tart , we like it that way , to be able to taste the fruitiness.

The strawberries are from The Blue Mountains, where ideally we would be now inhaling the crisp mountain air. It is grown by the hydroponic method of cultivation with no chemicals or pesticides.  The brand retails under the name ‘Clean n green Cbe’ (Whatsapp 8870835202)

The recipe is simple and it can be tweaked to add whatever else you may like to add to the crumble topping , for crunch . There are recipes which use oats, all purpose flour, almond meal and a variety of nuts or seeds. Use whatever is your favourite. The best part of eating it is the memories of great times spent sharing delicious treats and the hope of a better tomorrow.