With its tattered edges, food-splatter pages and fading script, this hand-written cookbook is a piece of art. We discovered this notebook in a box of miscellaneous items my grandpa purchased from an estate auction years ago. I decided to keep it. The compiler of this cookbook would probably be astounded to learn that her recipe book was preserved, not because of the recipes themselves but because of the gracefulness of her cursive handwriting and the evidence of use on the now fragile pages.
It is beautiful! Is that small typed recipe in the corner attached with a straight pin? How quaint! It would be fun to try some of the recipes. Do any of the ingredients seem unique?
ReplyDelete~ Betsy
That's the kind of treasure I love to find! Take good care of it. I know you are.
ReplyDeleteOh, my! What a treasure, Amy!! I love it!
ReplyDeleteHere's one of the gems (attached to the notebook with a straight pin):
ReplyDeleteMolasses Cookies
One cup fat, one cup sugar, two eggs, one cup molasses, one-half cup coffee (cold), one teaspoon soda, one-half teaspoon ginger, one-half teaspoon cinnamon, flour enough to drop, about two and one-fourth cups. Cream the fat and sugar together and add the eggs, well beaten. Add the molasses, coffee and the flour, mixed and sifted with the soda and spices. Drop by spoonfuls on a greased baking sheet. Bake in a moderate over (375 degrees Fahrenheit).
My mother-in-law showed me some aprons yesterday that her mother-in-law made...gingham with lovely cross-stitch patterns in the tiny squares. Ladies obviously took time to be creative, caring homemakers. Can't imagine anyone caring about the beauty of their script today! It takes time and attention to detail. So glad you saved it.
ReplyDeleteBut...fat??! Yikes!
Lisa
I love such books, they tell an own story...
ReplyDeleteSabine