A Recipe for Protectiveness

In the latest issue of Somerset Life (Spring 2011), there is a wonderful article which I am so happy to be a part of. Cynthia Levens penned the piece and through her words she created a lovely tale woven of truth and beauty. While the article touches briefly on the back story of my contribution I would like to share the rest with you.

Last Fall, shortly after moving the three of us set out on a little drive a day mean to be nothing more than relaxing and fun full of lovely visions of turning leaves and wisps of breeze. While on our drive we came upon an antique store that we decided we must journey into.

After a bit of walking around, absorbing the bounty of literally this and that I looked down and found a box full of very old recipe cards staring back at me. I could not help but feel dumbfounded, excited (as recipe cards were a task on my SL list of assignments) and sad. Needless to say I swooped up the box and rushed to the counter to pay for my treasure. My heart was literally thumping in my chest, not only was I excited by my find but I could not wait to start absorbing the words held within this box.

Arriving home, I made my way to the studio while the Little Man and My Love played a bit of catch. Sitting in my favorite chair I begin perusing the contents. My heart dropped a little as I thought of the countless hours spent collecting these recipes, many of which had been written in the hand of the owner of these delights and some that were given to her by friends. Within this box there was even a letter from the owner's son with a return address from a residence in Pasadena. I could not help but feel a longing to ask why these had been discarded; was there no one to pass them on to I wondered? 

I contemplated taking the recipes out of the box and altering them prior to sending them on however, I felt a simple adoration would be better as each of the recipes had been written on simple index cards; some typed and some cut from ladies magazines and taped onto a card.

I do plan on cooking a few of the delights from the box and upon their arrival home from Stampington I do believe I will share a few with you as well. Cooking is perhaps one of the most soul filled loving these we can do for another, with each word and ingredient written on the card there is intent; intent to nourish, provide, fulfill and share a little love. I do feel it is my duty to protect these recipes, pass them on and insure that the story they hold is carried with them.

 

Comments

[Tina]

I just saw this article at Ginger's house last night! Very nicely presented.

If this is the box I'm thinking of, some of those recipes will be fun to try, others...will be, well, interesting... :-)

[Ellen]

It is a lovely article and I love hearing the backstory! Cynthia's writing wove the essence of being authentic. I am so glad the cards found their way to you. My family recipes are my heirloom treasures. The gift of connecting to others, sharing techniques, the love of giving and creating all within our hands n' hearts. Food nourishes our soul; cooking allows our senses to indulge and share our joy with others~

Thanks for sharing!

[Cristina-Sweet Pea Ink]

i loved the whole article. so beautiful to cherish something from the past. what stories those cards could tell...
xoxo