A Book Look

Well, the visit with Cousin Judy is going extremely well. Every time I call over to my Mother's house the two of them are giggling like a couple of little girls. Yesterday we took Judy to a gourmet food market here in town, then we came home and had a pot of Aztec Chicken for dinner. After our meal, we pulled out our family cookbook and got down to some serious family business. Invariably, this book makes an appearance at every. single. family. reunion!! We spent hours with Judy hashing through recipes and debating the hot topics...do you use butter or shortening in the chocolate chip cookies? How do you frost your Lazy Daisy cake? Which recipes are always on your Thanksgiving table? And, of course, the pressing matter that I can't seem to get a handle on....why, for the love of all things potato, when I make Cousin Suzie's famous potato salad, is it not as good as when Suzi makes it??

Food is a huge part of my extended family's identity. We celebrate and fellowship with food, and certain recipes help define our history and heritage. Many years ago, my Mother spearheaded a family cookbook project. Everyone submitted their tried and true, most loved and cherished dishes. There were even attempts to capture in writing some family favorites for which there were no exact measurements or precise instructions. The concept for the cookbook was born before home p.c.'s and word processing were commonplace, and I still remember my Mom sitting at her light blue electric typewriter at night with her little envelopes of recipe cards which had been carefully submitted from family members across the country. And thus was created a cornerstone of our family's existence; a treasure dear and meaningful that has come to be known simply as "THE BOOK".

My copy of The Book is tattered and worn. The original binding failed me years ago, and for a decade my precious recipes were bound together with paperclips and rubberbands. Recently, I put all my pages into plastic sleeves and inserted them in a large binder, which is a permanent fixture on my kitchen counter. I use it many times each month, and of course, pull it out to use for an entire evening's worth of entertainment when family comes to town!

It was fun going through it with Judy because she showed me some of her favorites which I had never even tried. Apparently, I've been missing out all these years by not having the celery dip out at the holidays! And I wasted no time in directing Judy toward my favorite cookie and insisting that she make it for Christmas this year. The Book is good for reminiscing over old memories. Very, very good.

I wanted to share about The Book today as a tribute to my Mom, with whom I share a love of cooking. :) You're the best, Mom. Happy Birthday!! I love you very much. It's been a great week, and I'm thankful for this fun time of celebration.