From Grandma's Kitchen

I inherited a treasure trove last winter. 
My grandma gave me one of her recipe boxes.

Now, I've written about my grandma's recipes before.
She is, afterall, where it all began.
I like to think I inherited by love for cooking and cookbooks from her.
Her cookbooks fill every nook and cranny of her home.
I'm on my way.
She reads cookbooks like you'd read a novel...
just like me.
Before giving away a cookbook as a gift,
she reads through it and places a check or other notation beside each recipe that intrigues her. 
She is a brave and adventurous cook,
continually trying new recipes and rarely offering repeats.

So it was with the utmost joy I brought home an old box of yellowed recipes last December. 
I sifted through each one with wonder, as if stumbling upon the world's greatest treasure.
Many recipes were for things we so quickly and easily buy these days---
like a wide array of frostings, spreads, and fillings.
Many were for what I recognized as longtime family favorites.
I shuddered, however, upon discovering an apparent "Ode to Tuna" section.
Tuna Pot Pie, Sweet & Sour Tuna, Tuna Crisp, Tuna Dumplings, Tuna Chow Mein---
the tuna craze ran deep!
Thankfully, it ran its course.

Most precious to me, though, was each handwritten card.
In a day of online recipe sites (and trust me, I'm a fan),
my grandma's distincitve handwriting upon each card
drew out an audible gasp from within me.
It was a snapshot of family history.
Many of Grandma's copied favorites indicated the kitchen of origin.
I smiled as I read "Mom" or "Millie" (Grandma's longtime neighbor) written across the top line of the card.
I envisioned these women gathered at a coffee klatsch around the kitchen table,my grandma insisting,
"Millie, I must have this recipe!"

She collected recipes with thoughts of blessing her family.
She found joy in using her gifts;
encouraging and filling the lives of those she loves.

While I recognize that not all people will have the same nostalgic reaction to a bunch of old recipe cards that I do, discovering these old handwritten recipes reminded me of the value and importance of this little part of history.  For years, I've been writing our own family favorite recipes in a kitchen journal.  My plan is to give each one of our sons and their brides a copy of handwritten favorites when they get married.  My hope is that it fills their hearts and their stomachs, gives them a sense of history, and personally echoes the love we share as a family.

Thank you, Grandma.