Cynthia L. Herzog 
Grandma’s cooking was the best! These delicious recipes that we all loved delighted the taste buds and lightened the conversation at the table.
Many of us are lucky enough to have a treasured family cookbook or hand-written recipe cards that have been passed down from generation to generation by a loved relative or friend. I was given my grandmother Hawes’ recipes written in her own cursive script. These little bits of paper are priceless. It is my desire to be able to preserve them and share these fading papers for future generations.
In the effort to share my treasures, I create digital copies of each recipe. Scanning each card or recipe paper will allow me to save it on my computer, then I will transcribe the writing on a document.
Each original recipe is placed in an acid-free page protector to prevent further damage. The pencil marks on the cards have faded on the years but are still readable. The page protector is then inserted into an acid-free binder for safe keeping.
Many gift ideas are available this offer a personalization service for items with your family recipe. Preserving and sharing these Grandma-written recipes will be a memory for many years to come. Simple enough, but so rewarding that we remember the smells and flavors that came from Grandma’s kitchen.
During our daily life, the smell or taste of something unexpected will evoke a Memory.. A few years ago, my husband and I stopped at our local convenience store to buy a pop and a snack before starting our Saturday morning yard sale ritual. I chose a glazed chocolate donut for this special morning, and once outside the store, I took a bite. The chocolate taste of the donut and frosting triggered a memory of my grandmother Hawes’ wartime devil’s food cake. This surprise prompted me to take another bite, but this time I savored the flavors of deep chocolate and creamy frosting while thinking of Grandma in the kitchen baking her cake. The taste of these chocolate donuts allowed me to reminisce about precious moments with my Grandmother.
In today’s world, recipes are searched on Google, printed out, and then placed in a kitchen drawer or recipe binder. We don’t often take the time to write down the ingredients and directions for our favorite recipes. Instead, we tap them to share with our friends and family.
My challenge for you is this: find decorative paper or recipe cards. Take the time to write your recipe in your writing. Include an image of the food you created. You might even share a story or two about where the recipe came from.
You may be carrying on the family tradition through food, and this recipe will allow others to do the same. And years later, when someone takes a bite of their favorite dish, they’ll probably remember you.
