Outdoor Report

Gary’s mom

Posted 12/24/24

Though I have never met her, I love Gary’s mom.

Gary Staebler is a Tribune designer and online guru. He’s a kind man with a wicked sense of humor (if you listen closely) and both …

This item is available in full to subscribers.

Please log in to continue

E-mail
Password
Log in
Outdoor Report

Gary’s mom

Posted

Though I have never met her, I love Gary’s mom.

Gary Staebler is a Tribune designer and online guru. He’s a kind man with a wicked sense of humor (if you listen closely) and both professional and personable. And luckily, Gary has a wonderful mother.

Every year about this time Gary brings in large platters of his mom’s homemade goodies — from thick, smooth fudge to a multitude of cookies of varying flavors; each kind is better than the last. You can literally taste the love she pours into her baking.

This year I will enjoy multitudes more of Gary’s mom’s rich, sugary desserts than I’ll ever report to my wife or doctor. I am on the cusp of diabetes, but there simply can’t be anything more wholesome than her cookies, cakes, candies and fudge so rich I can feel my A1C spiking just smelling the holiday treasure.

Well after the Christmas season and into the new year I will get a chance to taste my mother-in-law’s peanut butter cookies. They’re more addictive than any controlled substance I know. Simply grabbing one of the golden brown, fork-decorated, melt-in-the-mouth cookies in the dark of night will guarantee you’ll be curling up with the dog that night. They come running at the slightest crinkle of wax paper and search for crumbs like an anteater on a termite nest.

My wife makes wonderful thumbprint cookies filled with jelly, macaroons and buttery chocolate chip cookies. Both are hugged and thanked appropriately with every full tin.

But Gary’s mom has never received much more than the pleasure of having an empty tray returned. I have never told her how much I look forward to her treats, let alone given her the hug she deserves.

So, I’d like to take this moment to lift a double (portion of fudge) and toast her dedication over the many years she has brought the entire newsroom, press and sales team pleasure with her magic.

I may be more voluptuous than I should be, but if it comes down to gaining a couple years of life vs. eating (way too much) from Gary’s mom’s holiday dessert samplers; I’ll gladly make my reservations for heaven earlier rather than later from consuming kale and Grape Nuts.

Thank you, Sue. You make my Christmas (and other holidays) special and I wish you a very merry Christmas and a happy new year!

Comments

No comments on this story    Please log in to comment by clicking here
Please log in or register to add your comment