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Thursday, September 10, 2009

What the Heck is a Cloche?

OK...I have asked that question and was told it was "something that covered and set apart something that was special"... Huh?

Using that definition, I asked my mother if she had anything that fit this description. Well...here it is and the story behind it....

In 1964, my younger brother P. , my parents, and I headed for New York City to see the World's Fair. It was a marvelous experience! After touring NYC, we continued up the eastern borders of the U.S. into New England, following the history of our great nation. (Daddy was a history nut!) Being thrifty travelers, we often stopped at grocery stores for breakfast foods, simple lunches, and dinners...saving our money for "special meals" like seafood cooked on the beach in Massachusetts, chicken pot pie at Durgin-Park in Boston , a burger at the Brass Rail in NYC (It's amazing how these memories return)...but I digress. Back to the grocery store food.... While driving through New Hampshire, we stopped at a market for a steak to cook for our supper and for cereal to eat the following morning. Along with our cereal, P. and I begged for Dolly Madison Cinnamon Crunch doughnuts...the kind that had a struesel crunch topping and Daddy obliged. (He was an easy touch, with his BIG sweet tooth!) The next morning, the four of us ate until we were stuffed. But alas, there was one doughnut left. No one could even fathom the thought of eating it. So the box got put into the trunk of the car...and forgotten. All through the next weeks of travel, whenever anyone mentioned being hungry, Mom would pop up with "We have one doughnut left!" This became the running joke of throughout the rest of our journey.

Once home, we unpacked the car and found the forgotten box containing the "one doughnut", now petrified (but no mold!), which Mom promptly put into a Candlewick covered candy dish (the cloche). For the next 15 years, that old "doughnut under glass" was handed to you whenever you asked "what's there to eat?" No one would ever go hungry at our house... We always had ONE DOUGHNUT!
But that's not the end of this story...
In the "80s, the parents retired and moved from the big house on the lake to a smaller condo, and the doughnut was accidentally thrown away by someone who did not know the significance of our special doughnut. Mom was devastated...and cried about that petrified doughnut for weeks. When Christmas came around, P. hid a specially wrapped gift for Mom under the tree... It was a child's replica of a Dunkin' Donut...the kind used in a play kitchen. With the biggest smile and the heartiest laugh, Mom immediately pulled out the Candlewick covered candy dish and placed the new doughnut in its new home.... where it remains today. And if you ever ask Mom if there's anything to eat, she will reply with "there's one doughnut left"!


Mom had one other "cloche"... a handpainted cake cover with plate... painted by me several years ago. Her "something special" that is usually under the cloche is a rum-soaked white fruitcake. Alas, it's been eaten this year...
Hope these two items count as a "cloche"...

Se sure to stop by to visit Marty at A Stroll Thru Life for the 2nd Annual Cloche Party. Already, there are some gorgeous cloches to see!

Jane

PS - The story of the doughnut is true... Makes one wonder what preservatives are doing in our bodies!

40 comments:

Marty@A Stroll Thru Life said...

Oh, that is the sweetest story I've ever heard. I love the donut and the "cloche" is just perfect. You just tickled me so telling your story, I love the sweet sentiment of it. I so remember some wonderful vacations that bring back such memories, and to think you have a constant memory in that precious little donut. I hope you keep it forever. I also really love the cake cloche that you painted. It is stunning. Thank you so much for joining the party, I really appreciate it and loved your story. Hugs, Marty

Maria Killam said...

No way, this is a true story? That is scary if a donut can last that long and look unchanged!! I loved your story!! Is it really true. . . I still can't believe that?

Denise Marie said...

That is better than what my mom would say when we kids were hungry. She'd always say fingernails...sounds kinda Halloween.

Those definitely count and they are treasures.

Happy To Be/ Gl♥ria said...

What a fun story...just loved reading it girl...May you have a great weekend...hugs and smiles Gl♥ria

Michelle said...

Love the donut story and so glad that you shared it with us.

The hand painted cloche is wonderful. Can't say as I've seen anything like it before. It's so unique and wonderful!

Rettabug said...

This is my first visit to your blog, Jane & I must say, what a treat! Your artwork is beautiful & brings back fond memories of the 10 yrs. we lived in FL. I've been to Crescent Beach near St. Augustine & I understand completely why you're drawn to it. ♥

Thanks for sharing your family's story about the doughnut...too funny!

susan said...

I LOVE this story!! Your mom sounds like my kind of woman!

Confessions of a Plate Addict said...

Hi Jane! I love the donut story...kinda scary, though, huh? What must we put in our food? Your hand painted cake topper is just gorgeous!! You are a very talented lady!! Happy weekend!...Debbie

Tootsie said...

what a fantastic story to share! we had an apple turnover situation similar to that in the holiday trailer!

Country Wings in Phoenix said...

Oh Jane that is the sweetest story I have ever heard. How precious. There is always one doughnut left in the house. Each of you children should do the same for each of your families, and keep that tradition running in each of your lives. How beautiful. It meant so much to your Moma. Make a little cloche oranment for each of the others in your family for the holiday with that memory. Anyway I loved it. I love the clake plate too. You did an awesome job honey, just awesome. Missed the cake though. Please stop by and let me share my cloches with you. I have signed up to follow your blog. I can't wait to see what you share next. Please sign up to follow mine as well. Country hugs, Sherry

Glenda/MidSouth said...

Funny story! Hard to believe the donut did not get mold on it - scarey when you think about it.:)

Lylah Ledner said...

I simply love love love stories like that one. The art of story telling has almost been lost and it's a delight to see a woman using that form to communicate. Love it.

Have a wonderful weekend! Lylah

Moore Minutes said...

Wow, crazy story!

Sue said...

What a simple little story with so much meaning and memories... I'm glad I paid my first visit to you. And what a pretty dome (cloche, tee hee)you sat upon that colorful plate. simply & elegantly painted...
:-) Sue

Karen said...

What a "sweet" story. (GASP! Did I really just say that?)
I want to come visit so I can get handed the donut! I think that is awesome.
Love your painting on the cake cloche. You are good!
Thanks so much for sharing. That was too fun!
Karen @ Some Days Are Diamonds

Bill said...

So, Jane, is there anything to eat?
Loved your story!

Your handpainted cake "cloche" is absolutely stunning! So glad you shared it with your readers!

Hope your weekend goes well.

Bill

Cindy (Applestone Cottage) said...

That is too funny! Love the story, so charming! Cindy

Brenda Pruitt said...

What a wonderful family story! Makes your cloche that much more special. Thanks so much for sharing this!
Brenda

Oliva Ohlson said...

Too funny!!! Your cloche reminds me of my mother-in-law's that I been eyeing for the longest!

Ann said...

That has got to be one of the most interesting donut story I have ever heard... Thanks for the laugh:)

One Shabby Old House said...

That was such a cute story. I can almost hear your momma sing it.
Great memory!

nannykim at spindle cottage said...

A wonderful story!! It made me amazed!! It also reminded me of a similar thing. We grew up in CT but had a place in VT. We spent every weekend and holidays, vacations up in our Vt place. So at Christmas time we would make gingerbread cookies and put them in these little tins up there. While time passes and I got married and one Christmas, shortly after our marriage, we traveled up for the holiday. We happened to find some old gingerbread cookies and since they smelled fine and had no mold , we ate them!! AND guess what---?? they were great!! Weird--I thought , did the spices keep them good or what/??

Anonymous said...

Oh my goodness, How I loved that story!! And how sweet of your brother to think of his Mom to get her another doughnut. You must publish your Mom's white fruitcake recipe. yum.... Come for a visit.

Decor To Adore said...

Your cloche display is just fantastic! I adore your story even more.

Anonymous said...

what a great story! I even got a tear when I read about how brokenhearted your mom was. how thoughtful to give her another one :)
Missy

Kim @ Starshine Chic said...

Loved the story!!!

SmilingSally said...

I love that doughnut story! I'm glad your mom got another one to preserve your family tradition.

I believe that "cloche" is a French word for "bell."

Thanks for stopping at my blog, neighbor!

Shellbelle said...

I miss the family road trips, they were such fun and have provided us with such great memories. My family used to travel each summer from California to Georgia to visit kin. First by train, then by car for years and years, and then finally by plane. BUT, by far the car trips were the best.

My daddy was like yours, thrifty. We always left the house with coolers packed with fried chicken, potato salad and bologna. We always stopped at truck stops for hot meals, daddy said they had the best food.

Your doughnut story is just priceless! I never knew what a cloche was until just recently when I would see them on Tablescape Thursdays. I think it must have been a regional thing, because I don't remember them from California or Georgia.

Farmgirl Paints said...

Never heard of a cloche before. It's cute! Just showing the doughnut was bad news for me. I'm trying not to eat sugar for 21 days and just seeing one was enough to almost do me in!!

Bargain Decorating with Laurie said...

That is such a great story! What a fun family joke! I bet just the sight of that donut under the glass dome would start laughter in the family! That painted cake plate topper is so pretty. laurie

Alicia said...

What a beautiful story. I have three small loaves of bread that were blessed at church this year for Easter. My mom brought them to my house and I put them in a bowl. She intended for me to give one to my sister and one to my sister in law, but I never did. Months later she has moved in with me and those loaves of bread are still in that bowl. They seem as fresh as the day she brought them, but of course they are rock hard and not one bit moldy. Amazing! And these were fresh baked by a bakery here in town without a ton of preservatives, so maybe the fact that they were blessed? Thanks for sharing.

Barbara Jean said...

Jane,
Thank you so much for coming by to visit.

What a cleaver idea to paint on a glass cake cover!
I would never have thought of that.
Great 'cloche'! =0)

blessings

barbara jean

Roseny Crisp said...

Seu cloche é muito apetitoso!
Que delícia!!!!!!!!!
Muito obrigada pela visita e estou acompanhando voce.
Abraços .
·´´♥`“:.ﻶჱﻶﻉ.:“´♥``·..·
Your cloche is very appetizing!
delicious !!!!!!!!!
Thank you for visiting and I'm with you.
Hugs.
·´´♥`“:.ﻶჱﻶﻉ.:“´♥``·..·

(Sorry the English)

Infarrantly Creative said...

Thanks for stopping by. That donut in a cloche is right up my huband's alley. His favorite sweet is donuts. Although he definitely doesn't need it under pretty glass to appreciate one...haha

Lynne (lynnesgiftsfromtheheart) said...

Good morning Jane, what a lovely story.. what a wonderful memory to carry thru the years.. I love your cloches, the one you painted on is gorgeous.. thanks for swinging by to see mine..
hugs ~lynne~

Lady Katherine said...

Your story was so beautiful! What a wonderful childhood memory. I so happy Your Mom got another to replace it. I love her candy dish! Wow, you did a great job paint the cake plate!
High Springs, Florida is a wonderful little town and has shops all in walking distance. There is a little cafe where you order, and eat outside. The food was great. I love the antique shops and a few gift shops. I have a friend that took me there, we stayed the whole day! Now, there is another part of town that like any other, fast foods ect. I might need to ask my friend from Cross City What road it is on. Just in case.

beachvintage.com said...

I always wondered why I love donuts so much. Jane, your ceramic swallows left today via airmail. Regards, Simone

Personalized Sketches and Sentiments said...

This is the best family memory story ever!!! Love that your brother found a doughnut to replace the other.

Blessings & aloha!
(catching up on my blog reading...so happy I got here :o)

Poppy Cottage said...

What a sweet, sweet story! I just love childhood memories! Your pictures are beautiful! Thank you so much for stopping by and the sweet anniversary wishes! I hope you will come back for a visit.

Sharon

Martha said...

How great to switch the living room and dining room. A pretty table as well.