REGARDING RECIPES....

My mother painstakingly wrote out a recipe for Venetian Cookies, (commonly called Italian Flag cookies back home on LI), a couple of years back. Although it's very worn and I should just re-type it, I keep it along with the other hundreds of recipes I have in my little wooden recipe box. The box is clearly way too small to accommodate all that I have literally stuffed into it...but, I can't seem to get rid of any one of them..I would NEVER think of it! When I had my Bridal Shower back in 1987, my mother sent out a blank recipe card to all of the women who were invited. She requested them to please write their favorite recipe to share with me. On the day of my Shower, all of the recipe cards were put into a box and presented to me. Although, I really didn't realize it then, I came to cherish all of those handwritten cards throughout these years. I especially cherish the ones from special people in my life that have since passed away. I have my Aunt Annie's recipe for Zucchini Bread, my Aunt Phyllis' Chocolate cake with Black Walnut Frosting, (that I so loved when I was growing up), and many others. I love the card from my Aunt Amy. She, always marching to the beat of her own drum, gave advice rather than a recipe. In big handwritten letters, the card reads: EAT OUT!...too funny, but so is Aunt Amy. I cherish it as I do all of them. My favorite card was written by my Aunt Millie who wrote a recipe for "Love and Happiness For A Lifetime" . One of the main ingredients in her recipe was: "Love one another and feed him good" Under Prep Time, it reads: "Lifetime" Under Servings, it reads: "Always". Almost 22 years later, I think I'm getting the hang of her recipe. God knows, my husband is fed well! I didn't disappoint you, Aunt Millie! I realize that there are easier ways to access a recipe. I could ask someone to send me a recipe over their e-mail or print one out, but it wouldn't be the same. I was told by a Psychic once, that I was a "keeper of history"...that I hold on to memories and keep them alive. I couldn't argue with her there. When I reach for one of those handwritten cards, I do more than reference information, I truly think about who wrote the card and how that particular person impacted my life. I can remember watching them cook and how good their food was. I am so lucky to have little pieces of them tucked away in my wooden recipe box and also in my heart.