I keep copies of With Love, from Cynthia to give as wedding gifts. Today, as I began to wrap yet another, I realized I was down to my last 2 copies and realized through tears they both were signed. I called the Peach Tree to order some more, and sadly learned they had no more signed copies. These will always be treasures for me! Inside each cover I always write this note to the newly married couple and thought you might enjoy it as well. Much love to everyone at The Peach Tree, Melinda
This cookbook is always our gift when dear ones marry as we hope to help another young couple bring the love and closeness of family that we learned from Cynthia and our moms into your new union. With Love, from Cynthia, was written in 1999. Cynthia wrote this book shortly after losing her 23 year old son. It has very personal reflections on the importance of family and the role food plays in our lives. When prepared and served lovingly, food is a tool used to bring us together, to pause together, to deepen our relationships, and enjoy one another. When we first moved to Fredericksburg in 1971 we quickly became family friends with the Pedragon’s. Hector was Senior Warden at St Barnabas Episcopal Church where my dad would serve as priest. Hector, Cynthia, their 3 kids, her mom, Enid Collins, and brother, Jeep Collins and his wife, Dana were soon very close to the Pratt family! I babysat for them often and LOVED all the time we spent together! Cynthia exuded the importance of family and shared time together at meals. “It’s around the table that miracles happen” was her mantra and she instilled this in all she met. Later in life she, like mom, developed ovarian cancer and the two of them shared many special times during their battles. Hector provided Dad and me the strength of such strong faith and friendship throughout these years. Now I know they are joyfully painting and cooking together across the Rainbow Bridge! Our prayer is that you both will not only enjoy the wonderful recipes Cynthia teaches in these pages, but also the importance of sharing time with one another at your table for many generations to come! With much love, Mark Jay and Melinda Ann Pratt Crenwelge
What a precious gift the Lord gave you all in "Cynthia." How I wish I had known her. I came to your website today in search of something hopefully palatable to our dear friend who is battling Lung Cancer. It's reached the 4th stage and he really has no appetite, his sweet and caring wife tells me. I live out-of-town and want so much to help. Seeing your video lifted my spirits, and I want to thank you for that. I don't think you deliver food, but it looks aboslutely delicious. I may check with their daughter. Perhaps she could pick it up? I surely must get some for her. It would be cruel not to after seeing how scrumptious it looks. Your Momma shines from heaven through you. It's obvious.
Pinterest
Saturday, February 4, 2012 at 9:11AM
Reader Comments (3)
So sorry to hear about Cynthia's passing-this video is a nice tribute. I met her once and she was so kind-my thoughts are with you all.
I keep copies of With Love, from Cynthia to give as wedding gifts. Today, as I began to wrap yet another, I realized I was down to my last 2 copies and realized through tears they both were signed. I called the Peach Tree to order some more, and sadly learned they had no more signed copies. These will always be treasures for me! Inside each cover I always write this note to the newly married couple and thought you might enjoy it as well. Much love to everyone at The Peach Tree, Melinda
This cookbook is always our gift when dear ones marry as we hope to help another young couple bring the love and closeness of family that we learned from Cynthia and our moms into your new union.
With Love, from Cynthia, was written in 1999. Cynthia wrote this book shortly after losing her 23 year old son. It has very personal reflections on the importance of family and the role food plays in our lives. When prepared and served lovingly, food is a tool used to bring us together, to pause together, to deepen our relationships, and enjoy one another.
When we first moved to Fredericksburg in 1971 we quickly became family friends with the Pedragon’s. Hector was Senior Warden at St Barnabas Episcopal Church where my dad would serve as priest. Hector, Cynthia, their 3 kids, her mom, Enid Collins, and brother, Jeep Collins and his wife, Dana were soon very close to the Pratt family! I babysat for them often and LOVED all the time we spent together!
Cynthia exuded the importance of family and shared time together at meals. “It’s around the table that miracles happen” was her mantra and she instilled this in all she met. Later in life she, like mom, developed ovarian cancer and the two of them shared many special times during their battles. Hector provided Dad and me the strength of such strong faith and friendship throughout these years. Now I know they are joyfully painting and cooking together across the Rainbow Bridge!
Our prayer is that you both will not only enjoy the wonderful recipes Cynthia teaches in these pages, but also the importance of sharing time with one another at your table for many generations to come!
With much love,
Mark Jay and Melinda Ann Pratt Crenwelge
What a precious gift the Lord gave you all in "Cynthia." How I wish I had known her. I came to your website today in search of something hopefully palatable to our dear friend who is battling Lung Cancer. It's reached the 4th stage and he really has no appetite, his sweet and caring wife tells me. I live out-of-town and want so much to help. Seeing your video lifted my spirits, and I want to thank you for that. I don't think you deliver food, but it looks aboslutely delicious. I may check with their daughter. Perhaps she could pick it up? I surely must get some for her. It would be cruel not to after seeing how scrumptious it looks. Your Momma shines from heaven through you. It's obvious.