These days it seems we can't get through the day without hearing words like 'gender neutral', 'birthing person', and 'trans this or that'. And let me just say unapologetically how sad and frustrated it makes me. Little boys are little boys--made of snips and snails and puppy dog tails, and little girls are little girls--made of sugar and spice and everything nice. And BOTH were fearfully, wonderfully, and on purposefully made by God. The end.
No matter how hard we try, though, we cannot ignore what's being said and done. Especially when it comes to our kids and making sure we answer their questions and give them a firm foundation of morals and physiological truth to stand on. But even that may not be enough to give them the security and confidence of knowing who they are and who they come from. So, because I strongly believe that sense of belonging is something we all need, and because I am passionate about preserving and passing family memories, keepsakes, and traditions across generations of family members, I'm going to devote the next few weeks to giving you some fun and unique ways to do that.
To start things off we're going to head for the kitchen. And why not, since I feel safe in saying that a lot (maybe even most) of your memories of family have something to do with food. There's nothing wrong with that. In fact, gathering around the table to share a meal is often the perfect catalyst to conversations and storytelling.
We'll save storytelling for another day, but for now let's get back to the kitchen. More specifically: FAMILY RECIPES.
Most everyone has a special recipe or two--a cookie, soup, cake, casserole, or some other edible--that was (and maybe still is) always on the table at family gatherings. It wouldn't have been an 'official' family gathering without it. But maybe grandma has passed away or isn't able to cook anymore. Or maybe your kids can no longer make the trip home to be with your extended family for the holidays, but by golly, you want them to be able to continue to enjoy the foods they grew up with and loved. And you want your grandkids to get a taste (pun intended) of what it means to share life with extended family and to get to know the people they come from.
Sound about right? Well, here's how you help make that happen--especially when you have multiple family members that want the family's recipes:
1) Scan or take a picture of the original recipes (the one in Grandma or Great Aunt Helen's handwriting).
2) Download the pictures to your laptop and then onto a free account you set up on photo editing sites such as Walgreens.com or Shutterfly.com. Both do a great job, offer several color/design options, and are inexpensive.
3) Use the recipe photos to make potholders, dish towels, or go all out and put them altogether in a mini family cookbook.
4) Place your order, wait a few days (usually 1 to 10 days) and that's it!
You've just purchased the perfect gift(s) for your family--gifts that are unique and special. Gifts from the past that can be used and enjoyed now and in the future. And that, my friends, is how you pass the memories.
Love,
Momma D
Copyright 2021 Darla Noble. No part of this can be used or copied without permission. Content adapted from "Please Pass the Memories"
FYI: I'm not promoting one over the other and I'm not getting any compensation for mentioning these businesses.
