Maj-lis’s Lemon Pudding
“She would have been honoured to share her recipe. So, cheers to you Poison nan. I love you, love you, love you” xo - calyce
When I asked my good friend, Calyce, if I could feature one of her grandparents’ recipes, I was beyond excited when she came back with a Lemon Pudding. Most of you may know it as ‘Lemon Delicious’ but here we call it Lemon Pudding. Because that’s what Maj-lis called it. I was even more excited when Calyce sent through the recipe in her grandmother’s handwriting. To me, the handwriting of someone is a sneak peek into their heart. Something as simple as someone’s handwriting may not seem important or special when they are alive, but when they pass away, nothing becomes more precious than that piece of paper. I actually get teary thinking about it.
When my grandmothers were alive, I asked both of them for recipes and I was very specific that it had to be in their handwriting. Because then I would have something more than a photo and more than a memory. I would have a piece of them.
This recipe is so very special, because here we can celebrate a piece of Maj-lis, and if she’s anything like her granddaughter, Calyce, then we know she was a beautiful person.
Words from Calyce
Maj-lis’s Lemon Delicious Pudding or, ‘‘Poison Nan”.
My beautiful nan Maj-lis, got stuck with this nickname after singing me the Alice Cooper song ‘Poison.’ ‘No nanny, not the poison, not the poison.’ The name stuck well into my teenage years. Contrary to the name though, Poison nan was as sweet as her pudding.
When I think of my nan, happy childhood memories flood in of long family road trips to and from the Sunshine Coast to Canberra. After many hours’ drive (always in one go), we finally arrive to see nan. The first step outside of the car is met with an icy chill. My brother and I race to nans unit, where the heater is already cranked up for us. As we approach, we can hear a chorus of her many dogs echoing down the path as they eagerly await our arrival. Once the dogs have been moved out of the way, the door swings open to my beaming nan, ‘Hello my darlings,’ which is quickly followed by big warm hugs.
Writing a piece on my nan, for my nan, has left me with happy tears. I have sat and reminisced on precious memories that I had almost forgotten. It has made me remember the warmth she radiated; not just to her family and friends, but to animals alike. Of walking hand in hand through fields of trees with blossoms just starting to bloom after an icy winter, of singing songs and dancing with her cockatoos. Of nan slipping me my first sip of alcohol (Benedictine)and having my breath taken away. Of games of Rickety Kate and Canasta into the early hours of the morning and the passionate banter that would ensue after being schooled by her competitive children. Of never missing a birthday, even once her grandchildren had all grown and I remember very very fondly, her aptly named lemon delicious pudding.
She would have been honoured to share her recipe. So, cheers to you Poison nan
‘I love you, love you, love you’ xo
Maj-Lis’s Lemon pudding
Lemon Pudding. Possibly the best pudding flavour of them all. Fresh. Not rich like its chocolatey cousin and feels healthy because it’s fruit, right? I can honestly report that this pudding was next-level delicious. Tart, yet sweet. Warming and comforting. Soft like a butterfly and zings you like a bee. The perfect end to any meal- and the perfect comfort food to have any day of the week. I have to thank Maj-lis for giving us this recipe because if you’re anything like me, I’m already planning the next time I make it.
