handwritten with love...

Recently I had someone stop by when I had a bunch of recipes spread out on my counter. He suggested that there was a better way for me to keep my recipes, like on a computer. My response was that I love to have my handwritten recipes. I have recipes in the handwriting of my mom, dad, grandparents all the way back to my great grandparents and not to mention friends. Cooking their recipes brings them close to me. It makes it personal and loving. They helped build my love for cooking and creating and help me to continue with it... and plan for an eventual business, maybe.

A few years ago I began the culinary arts program at Ivy Tech. I loved it. I took 3 classes that semester, 2 were online and 1 was a hands-on cooking class once a week. We got to bring home samples of what we made each week. My daughter would meet me at the door each week with a fork in her hand... My class was on Tuesday and on Wednesday my mom and I would make one of the recipes that I hadn't made in the class. It was amazing and some of my great memories. I haven't gone back, not sure that it would have the same magic... though maybe someday when I grow up.

I'm not giving any recipes today. I am going to give you some advice. Take it if you want! Most people have a recipe that is a family tradition, or something that everyone just loves... When you ask for the recipe they say "Oh, it's just a little of this, a little of that..." and it never gets written down. Make them write it down!!!! When they are gone, if it's not written down, that recipe is gone... and you will miss it! My family had a New Year's day tradition of snack foods. Most of them are the grossest things. My favorite, pickled pigs feet. Yep, you heard me... Pickled pigs feet. When I lost my mom, I lost that tradition... Make your loved ones write them down. Recipes are a part of who our families are, traditions that we need to carry on!
Enjoy!