CINNAMON STARS
“You make hay when the sun shines”
Meet Pauline… Beautiful farmer, nurturing mother, and amazing cook! The beloved wife of Forrest, she loved and lived this inspiring quote, “You make hay when the sun shines.” Pauline made the most of every opportunity to create magical meals and experiences to nourish the bodies and spirits of family, friends and of course Forrest and the other farmers in the field. Her bright smile and heartfelt labors of love would inspire a shining legacy for generations.
Every holiday like clockwork, Pauline would set out to make her famous Cinnamon Stars. Famous, because each child was sent to school with a parcel to give to their teachers, and they were often requested and sought after by family and friends leading up to Christmas.
Pauline made this holiday tradition appear “effortless”. The seemingly simple German recipe is anything but that. Similar to a French macaron, Cinnamon Stars begin with egg whites and confectioner’s sugar, but that is where the similarities end. Instead of piping the meringue, almond meal and cinnamon are added, creating a recognizable appearance of Christmas cookie dough. Rolled, cut into stars, and topped with remaining meringue, these unique Christmas cookies have a warm spice flavor and a gentle chew.
Where Cinnamon Stars get their complexity is in the consistency of the meringue and the working of the dough, something that Pauline had down to a science through her years of practice. The soul of baking comes from having the intuition to know to set the oven a few degrees higher because of the chill in the house, or to whip the egg whites a few moments longer because there’s humidity in the air from the pasta water boiling on the stove. Pauline had the blueprint of her kitchen etched in her brain, that was her space, and she was the keeper of all of the secrets it held.
As the years passed. Pauline’s daughter, Cheryl, embraced the tradition. Side by side Pauline and Cheryl made Cinnamon Stars feel like ornaments on the tree to be anticipated, enjoyed and cherished. Each year Christmas would shine even brighter for their growing family.
Early December, 1984, had Cheryl’s home buzzing with the energy of the holiday season – three active daughters with growing excitement for Christmas. Bustling and ready to burst, Cheryl, 8 months pregnant, was due with Brittany Suzanne on Valentine’s Day and had a mounting list of things to accomplish. All of this made the casual call from Pauline to set the date to make Cinnamon Stars overwhelming to say the least.
Unexpectedly on December 12th, 1984, Pauline passed. The conversation to plan to make Cinnamon Stars was the last conversation Cheryl had with her mother. The weight was heavy.
“You make hay when the sun shines”
December 31st, just moments before Dick Clark dropped another ball in Times Square, Brittany Suzanne Pauline popped out into the big, bright world! Just 19 days after Pauline passed, Cheryl and her father, Forrest, felt surrounded by Pauline’s love as they beheld the sweet little 4 pound bundle of joy blessed to have Pauline’s namesake. A star was surely born that New Year’s Eve with a personality to match. Brittany Pauline… Grandma’s Cinnamon Star.
Over the next three years, Brittany and Grandpa Forrest formed a lasting bond full of fun outings in his truck, story times on his lap and cinnamon star cuddles to warm his heart. Forest passed away in September just three years after Pauline. Comfort came from believing Forrest and Pauline were resting together at peace.
“You make hay when the sun shines”
Not much time passed before Brittany’s fondness for the kitchen began to take hold. Brittany grew up helping Cheryl in the kitchen. With a passion for cooking clearly contagious, Cheryl was inspired to create a special cookbook for her 4 daughters, complete with original recipe cards and candid photos of Pauline, Forrest and family illuminating each page.
Her childhood home was where Brittany learned to cook, started her catering company, and shared countless hours perfecting recipes. In the same sense, as it was for Pauline and Cheryl, the kitchen became the heartbeat of the home for Brittany as well.
Around the time Brittany was 28, the house that was filled with so many memories was set to be sold for new construction. As a way to commemorate all that had happened there, Brittany was moved to host a special day of baking with Cheryl to honor their nostalgic memories made there. When contemplating what to make, it became clear that it would only be right to pull out the heirloom cookbook and make Grandma Pauline’s famous Cinnamon Stars.
As they baked, the heaven scent of cinnamon hugged the kitchen and Cheryl recalled the story of her mother’s passing and the role that the Cinnamon Stars played. Brittany deepened her understanding of her namesake and her relationship with Pauline, a grandmother she never met, grew.
“You make hay when the sun shines”
In the following years baking Cinnamon Stars for the holiday became a tradition once more for their family. Christmas 2022 was even brighter when 5 year old Duke, Brittany’s oldest son joined his mom, Grandma Cheryl and Great Grandma Pauline’s spirit in the kitchen to make the famous recipe. Cherished traditions make new memories that shine the light of our loved ones from one generation to another.
Pauline and Forrest are still making hay while the sun shines from heaven through their Cinnamon Stars on earth.
Written in collaboration with Love and Inspiration!
Together at Peace
Together at Peace is honored to share the story of Cinnamon Stars and so blessed to have Brittany at the Helm of bringing our mission of comfort, hope and inspiration to the world. The gift of her bright spirit, generous time, boundless talent and compassionate support has truly brought the vision to life. We are a company that is created for the world and inspired by the stories of the world and their experiences of connection and creativity to keep spreading the light and spirits of our loved ones who have passed away.
