Dear Mother,
I pulled out the crock filled with the jello molds this weekend.
I have not touched them for many years, in fact, I don't know if I ever used them since you bequeathed them to me.  As I lifted each one out of the crock, memories come flooding back, of how you used to make so many family dinners extra special with the bright colored jello molds you made and served on a big platter to your family, on holidays.  Since I had five little ones staying with us this weekend, I thought it would be a brilliant idea to attempt to copy what you did so often.  Afterall, what could be so difficult about making jello molds:)?

Bravely, I tackled the task.

Each child was given a bowl, and allowed to chose a flavor/color of jello. I carefully supervised each child as they followed the instructions. So far so good. I don't think a trip to Disney World would have excited them more:)

 

 

 Notice his older sister's hand gently guiding his.

I love seeing that!

 

 

The little blond tackled her job, taking it quite seriously. 

 

 

Then we poured the colored jello into each one of the molds.  Never mind that we added Christmas and Valentine molds to our mix.   Oh, and never mind that some spilled over into the tray.  We didn't care about that either.  Believe me, you have no idea the amount of patience and perseverance this took on my part.

Then, since there was more liquid jello than we had molds, I pulled out my fancy ice cube trays, and carefully these cavities were filled, with me stressing the importance of keeping each color separate.

 

 

Since outside temperatures were cold enough, we set the filled trays on the screened-in porch table.  Several times I would walk into my kitchen and this is the scene I would find...a chair pulled up to the window, watching through the mini-blings, waiting for the jello to get firm.  So cute!  Reminded me of watching and waiting for water to boil.

Interestingly, since this was her first jello making experience, she had no idea what she was watching for, she just knew it would happen and she did not want to miss it:) 

 

 

 

 

Here we placed all the ice cube trays filled with jello into one pretty glass bowl.

They were thrilled with the deigns they had created. 

 

 

Finally, we emptied each and every tin.  They were delighted with each "unmolding", even though I kept thinking, why didn't they look as pretty and firm as I remember mom's looking?

Somehow, she just made everything that came from her kitchen, look easy. 

 

It has been one day since our jello making episode, and with five little appetites, the jello is now only a memory.  To each of my sisters and sister-in-laws, you may borrow mom's tin molds whenever you wish.  Maybe you too, will be able to give your grands some bright colored memories.  As for me, I am tired.  I have a renewed appreciation for all the work that young parents put into the parenting role.  It is a huge, selfless job, and yet I would not trade the memories for anything.

Thank you for stopping by.