Grandparents:Lifestyles theme day
September 7, 2008 by Marye Audet
Filed under From the Vault
Preserving family recipes is an important part of preserving history. When the recipes are passed down so are family stories and memories.
It is important to give your kids continuity between the generations. Foods have always been one way to do that. Family traditions are passed down at holidays and special occasions and generally there is alot of memory sharing around the holiday table. Kids listen and learn about thier family history and I think it gives them a sense of security and solidity, and helps them to know who they are and where they are going. I know that when I make gramma’s catsup or fruitcake, scrawled recipes in a faded and spidery handwriting, I feel connected with her even though I did not know her at all.
As I was going through the files here at Baking Delights I found the recipe for my grandmother’s catsup.
Grandma Vincent’s Catsup Recipe
Do you have any recipes that your family has handed down?
Oh..and that is not my family…I borrowed it. 
Image:Morguefile
It’s funny, Marye, I have a grandparent recipe in the oven as we speak. It will be my What’s Cooking Wednesday entry this week.
Cool! I will check you blog wednesday, Jen!
I only have a few that my family has handed down. They haven’t been close the past two decades, things slide further apart, and my grandmother and mother rarely bake anymore as well. If they do it is packaged.
I would like to go through their cookbooks though. Especially my great-grandmother’s.
Despite not having many actual recipes, there are certain foods I associate with my family and make for sentimental reasons. Some that I would not like very much otherwise(not dislike exactly, just not love). In fact the handed down chocolate cake recipe I have is kind of lacking. I suppose I just like dark chocolate too much, but it’s kind of a blandish cake. Yet I love it so.
LOL! Jo I know exactly what you mean.
I wish I had some hand me down recipes. My grandmothers were both gone quite young…but I love to read about other family recipes passed down from generation to generation:D It makes for such homey meals.
It does Valli!
My family is all about food. I have cookbooks that my great-grandmother gave me and recipes she passed on from /her/ grandmother, though those are all in my head, never written.
I feel a strong sense of pride when I cook anything that has been passed down. Knowing I am doing it, doing it well, and giving my children a part of my past that they can pass down.
Oh and Marye, I’m not dead.
JULIE
My gosh girl you are on and off the internet like a julie in the box
How are you feeling? last couple of months, right?
Feeling great! I’m just starting month 6, if I am right. I forget the weeks. Due in Dec, little boy, 2 sonos confirm it. 3 girls, 2 boys, I’m DONE. Just don’t have your stamina!
HA! I said I was done once….God didn’t agree..LOL!