Treasured Cookbooks

It was eight days ago that we got the call. My family had already gathered to see one another, to say goodbye to her and to grieve in our own ways.

Although I was able to see her a last time at the hospital, it had been a few days since she had been conscious. Even in her conscious state over the last several months, she didn’t always comprehend events or people. I was glad to have memories of my visit in November of ‘02 just before I moved to Peru when we drove up to spend Thanksgiving with my grandparents.

I remember that my grandmother always squeezed me hard when she hugged me. I remember playing word games like scrabble and boggle every time I visited, she loved those. I remember the (sort-of) funny things she used to say would made her laugh. She almost always had a smile on her face.

During this last trip to my grandfather’s house, my family gathered to say goodbye and many of us returned home with a bit of memorabilia from their home. Sure, my grandfather still lives there. There were framed pieces of cross stitch hanging on the walls, crafts she had made adorning every shelf, and games we played tucked in corners and cabinets. But, for most of the weekend, I was planted by the shelf of cookbooks.

At this point, I cannot choose just one. They are all special. Not because I have cooked and baked a million things from them. But because they were a part of my grandmother’s life. There are handwritten notes, handwritten recipes, and books passed from her mom to her. I selected some that I knew I would use and enjoy reading. Here is what is in Grandmother’s Cookbooks:

Better Homes & Gardens Pies and Cakes (c) 1969

Better Homes & Gardens Dessert Cook Book (c) 1970

Farm Journal’s Complete Pie Cookbook (c) 1965

Mrs. Beeton’s Favorite Cakes & Breads (c) 1977

Cookie Cookbook (c) 1965

The French Chef Cookbook, Julia Child (c) 1968

The Art of Making Good Cookies Plain and Fancy (c) 1963

Betty Crocker’s Cooky Carnival (c) 1957

Elmhurst Cook Book (1948) - a typed church cookbook compilation  given from my great grandmother to my grandmother the first Christmas after my dad was born

Favorite Recipes from the Onawa Christian Church, Circle 3(1955)  - a typed church cookbook compilation

Twentieth Century Cook Book (c) 1912 – a cookbook bought by my grandmother’s relative on September 2nd, 1914 from the 10 cent store. From this last cookbook comes a recipe appropriate to share today.

This post is being submitted to Ilva at Lucullian Delights for the Show Us Your Most Treasured Cookbook event.

Bread Baking Day #27: Latin Breads hosted here! Bake bread from Latin America & post before March 1st.

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