Today is Father’s Day causing me to reflect on my two dads. As far as I know, they had two things in common: me and they each went by a nickname. Buddy and Jack. When referring to them I always say “dad” but for here I’ll use their nicknames. Do you want to find the best ductless range hood for your kitchen? range hood without ducts are an important part of any modern kitchen, as they help keep air quality at a safe level. They do that by sucking in most of the emissions released during cooking and leading them through an airway duct that vents to the outside.
Mother Kalamity met Buddy in my hometown and married him in September of 1961. I was born in October of 1962. Buddy was standing at the corner of 7th and Broadway on his way to have lunch with his best friend, Leo Beller, who owned the local sporting goods and uniform store, when he had a massive heart attack and died. Right on the sidewalk in April of 1963. They called my granddad, the sheriff, who met the ambulance at the hospital and had the awful task of going to the laboratory where my mom worked to tell her.
Details about Buddy are sketchy at best because mom seldom ever speaks about it. So it’s mostly recollections from family members who have lost or mis-remembered some of the details. I am told that while the funeral was going on, my granddad was having us moved back home. That’s what happened in those days, you went from your father’s house to your husband’s and if anything ever happened to the husband you went back to your father’s house. Mom could not have credit on her own and the next week my granddad had to go to the bank and co-sign on her car or they would take it back. It did not matter that she had a college degree, a career and a very good paycheck. She could not get a credit card or buy a house. How times have changed!
We lived with Nana and Jim-Pa for over a year and then she met a lady who had duplexes for rent. Mom asked her if she would rent to a widow and child (that part always makes me laugh!) and the lady said yes. Mom and the lady became the best of friends and they became my Aunt Irene and Uncle Ray. I have her old fashioned Lemon Meringue Pie and Old Fashioned Potato Salad on this site, both crowd favorites!
One Sunday morning, they picked us up for church and said they had one more stop to make where they picked up Jack. He had the swagger of John Wayne and the eyes/dimples of Robert Mitchum. The next month was my birthday so Jack took me horseback riding – well, he borrowed a friend’s Shetland pony, put me in the saddle and led it around. That is until he threw me off and I went flying through the air. Can you imagine dating someone less than a month and injuring their child? Still makes me laugh. I was fine and he put me right back on that horse. I eventually became a great rider having my own horse for years.
In my childhood and part of my young adult life, I have had two very stressful questions asked of me.
“ Hmmmmmmmmmm……….(after looking at my parents blue eyes) who gave you those big, pretty brown eyes?” I had no idea what they were actually asking and just repeated what my dad told me to say to them.
“Why the Milkman gave me these”!
The other question was asked over and over again – the last time was only about 8 years ago at one of my uncle’s funeral. A woman was introduced to me and she said,
“Oh Kelli I have heard so much about you. Now, was Jack your REAL father”? Honestly, that was the first thing she ever said to me.
Years ago I developed my own response to that and I have never varied. If someone felt the need to ask me today I would say the same thing:
“Define REAL”. How do you choose between the one who made you and the one who raised you? Both are pretty darn important. Besides, I’ve always liked to think that Buddy got to heaven then directed mom and Jack together.
I guess I will never know what Buddy’s favorite food was, breakfast lunch or dinner – and that makes me sad – but I do know what Jack’s were and for breakfast Jack loved donuts, especially after he developed Parkinson’s and needed something he could hold in one hand instead of using a fork. He especially loved doughnut holes. Early Saturday mornings when mom would have to work at the lab, we would go over to the local Daylight Donuts and order six doughnut holes and one maple bar, coffee and hot chocolate with whipped cream on top. We cut the bar in half each eating one and three of the holes. It was something we did most of my young life. The doughnut shop is still in the same location and thrives!
I was a bit surprised when, for Rocket’s first birthday, Mr. Picky Eater went to the local Daylight Donut shop and purchased doughnut holes of which Rocket ate eight! It has become a routine between granddad and grandson that each time he spends the night, they have doughnut holes, coffee, and water. It is a good tradition to carry on. Sometimes though, it can be inconvenient to go out to the doughnut shop or they are sold out by the time we get up and he gets over there. I have looked and looked for a recipe that did not involve buying a doughnut pan or making dough that had to rise.
Finally, last Thursday night I saw a picture and post link shared on Facebook from my friend Joan at Chocolate, Chocolate and More. It was a post from The Pint Sized Baker describing a recipe that meets my needs. Yay!! It is so easy and simple, there was really nothing to adapt. However, I did adapt it just a bit by adding chocolate ganache. The following is my experience with the recipe and I think dad would have LOVED them!
Quick and Easy Doughnuts
Ingredients:
1 can of biscuits (NOT layered biscuits)
Oil
1 Cup heavy cream
2 Cups chocolate chips
2 Tablespoons butter
Sprinkles (optional) – yes, some I used were Easter sprinkles! 🙂
Directions:
Pop open the can taking one biscuit out and place on a cutting board.
Using a very small doughnut hole cutter (or an acorn pie crust cutter like mine for when you don’t have a doughnut hole cutter) cut a hole in the middle of each biscuit.
Heat 3 inches of oil in a pot to 350 F.
Drop a few biscuits in not crowding.
Turn as soon as the bottom turns golden brown.
Lay on paper towels to soak up any access oil.
While they are cooling, heat cream up to hot but not boiling.
Take off heat adding chocolate chips and 2 tablespoons butter and stir until smooth and creamy.
Dip doughnuts into ganache then lay on a wire rack and allow to dry just a bit.
Wasn’t that easy? Just look how much Rocket loved all five of the doughnut holes!
Doesn’t he look adorable? It even looks like a halo is above his head – such a messy boy!
If you are lucky enough to have 2 dads who are both alive, please be sure to enjoy them both – some of us don’t get the chance.
I love that you added chocolate on top! Such a sweet story about jack and Buddy. One more thing we have in common my dad also died when I was 11 months old and my mom went through all the same things!
Get out!!! You are kidding me! Well – we COULD be related – ya never know. These were great Joan, especially with the chocolate!
This is too funny, Kelli! You stated that yes, you used some Easter sprinkles. The next thing I saw was a tiny Christmas bell cookie cutter being used to press out the centers! Oh, wait, no that’s an acorn!! FYI, we made biscuit donut holes only. Same instructions except instead of cutting a hole out of the center of the biscuit, cut each biscuit into 4 pieces and roll them into balls. Deep fry as above and we always shook ours in powdered sugar or cinnamon sugar. The girls both still talk about them!
You and Mr. Picky Eater have a wonderful Father’s Day!
I’ll have to try that was too Debbie! Sounds wonderful. We loved the chocolate ones for sure!
Mmm, this is so sweet and delicious, I love these donuts 😀
So cute and so fried and so sticky… 🙂
Cheers
CCU
They were messy but they were delicious too!
I just can’t imagine not being able to live on your own as an adult woman. It amazes me because this really was recent (emphasis on recent) history. What a lovely tribute to your dads (and mom). We used to make these type of donuts growing up. Thanks for the memory spark.
Really? You made them when you were a kid? I love my mom but she cooks about as well as I did when I first started the blog! Seriously. She was a career woman before is was “cool” to do that and so we never had anything like this during my child hood. 🙂 Yes, it was that different just 40 – 50 years ago. I remember 1973 to be the year when things started changing.
Those look YUM! Thanks for sharing on OkWB and thanks for the bitter sweet story of how your family came to be.
We’d love to feature you in a guest post on OkWB.
Thank you! I am working on a post right now that is about my farmer’s market – do you want me to finish it in the next few days and send it to you to see what you think?
What a wonderful story of your dads. I’m certain they’re both very proud of you… you’re one lucky gal!!! Thanks so much for sharing!! I LOVE what you do to get your donuts… mine just may end up having a jack-o-lantern cut out. lol Hey–a girl’s gotta do what a girl’s gotta do, right?!? I also love how Rocket seems to have his little halo all bright and shiny, albeit a little crooked, in the bottom photo!! Priceless!!
Thank you so much for dropping by – and I think it’s just more interesting when you don’t use a perfectly round cutter in the middle. I would love to see your jack-o-lantern ones! 🙂 I didn’t notice that little “halo” above Rockets head but it sure looks cute – and crooked, just like him!! Please come again.
love stories like this–you honor both men with your post. These donuts look yummy and lol, you are in good company! http://theperkypoppy.com/2012/06/08/dont-you-want-a-donut/
Thanks for stopping by Liz – yep, there are lots of the recipe floating around and those sugared ones look great too!
Fried dough is the best! No wonder Rocket ate them all up. It’s wonderful that the doughnut family tradition continues.
As always, I loved your story about your dads and mom and growing up. I know my mother had a hard time getting credit even in the early seventies, when my parents divorced. We’ve truly come a long way, baby. 🙂
We sure have Stacy! glad to see you are safely on the ground in Houston – hope you get to stay a while in the U.S. before heading back to Dubai!
I love that you say “define real”. I love how you tell your stories Kelli, it’s like I’m reading a book!
🙂 your doughnuts look very good, we love doughnuts here too and with Ganache; yummy! 🙂
Thanks Ingrid!
I don’t know which I liked more…the story, the donuts or a chocolate covered Rocket. 🙂
I grew up in Manhattan which is definitely NOT located in the United States. And you, apparently, grew up in a Norman Rockwell painting. All kidding aside, I think you got pretty lucky, as fathers go. I make baked doughnuts but I never fry up any fattening, heart stopping, artery clogging dough. Can you come over and fry some for me? 🙂
You always make me laugh! Honey we fry everything out here and I swear if it weren’t for Ranch Dressing and Dr. Pepper (Diet or regular) we would all go insane! I call them both (RD and DP) Redneck ambrosia – and of course I partake in both! The reason we all act like we are in a Rockwell painting is because we are all high on sugar and animal fats! 🙂
Lovely story! I’d have to agree with you: Buddy definitely directed Jack to your mom!
Also, these doughnuts looks amazing…. and I’d even have the patience to make them. I might have to do it soon!
A wonderful post. You were lucky and your mother was lucky to find two wonderful Dads for you. Little Rocket is adorable.
Lillian
Thank you Lillian on all counts – I’m really enjoying being a grandma!
What a great idea! I’ll have to try this one 🙂
Thank you so much for dropping by and I know you will like them! Please come back again!
Yummy! These look very good!
Thank you for dropping by – they really ARE quick and easy!
My mom would made doughnuts the same way. With some of them, she wouldn’t cut out the center, but fill the center with grape jelly using a pastry bag after she’d deep fried them.
Great…now I’m hungry!
BTW, I love your stories.
I can’t believe the audacity of some people. Asking a child those questions. Asking ANYONE those types of questions! As if it’s any of their darn business.
Ohhhhh……..my husband loves grape jelly – that’s great and I really think he would like that!!
The 60’s were a different time and people asked all kind of crazy questions. My grandson has hazel eyes but both his parents have dark brown eyes. His will probably turn brown at some point but older folks DO look at them oddly sometimes. They never say anything anymore but they look back and forth. Especially if his dad is there – His dad is 1/2 Korean and Rocket’s skin is Irish Lilly-white like his mom who is 1/4 Choctaw. There’s just no accounting for DNA!