The box itself is old, dating back to 1913. As I peruse the recipes inside, I realize based on the dates of magazine clippings that these recipes were probably mostly compiled in the 60's and 70's. This was my grandmother Kathryn's recipe box, although everyone called her "Kay". She was married to my grandfather Glenn W. Eaton Jr. He was the mayor of Grand Haven, Michigan in the years 1960-1964.
As I began to read through the various entries within the recipe box, I was delighted to find gems like good old Chop Suey, Mrs. Ericksons Chicken Casserole, and Holiday Ham. I found the Sweet Potato Casserole that I now make at every Thanskgiving. I was quite impressed when I came upon a recipe called "Poulet de Normande". This must quite something, I thought. In reality, it's a casserole. How many casserole recipes did a 60's broad need anyway?
The cool thing about Grandma Kay is that she jotted the recipe giver's name at the corner of each card. What a gift to walk down memory lane remembering my grandmother's friends, each a contributor into the family meals. These are great names too; like Avis, Dottie, Pam, and Mrs. Sam Yorty. It says a lot about my grandmother I think, and maybe of her era, that she purposely sought to remember who gave each recipe.
The pie section calls to me. I bake pies often. I'm pretty great at it too. Soon I'll be whipping up a Mile High Strawberry Pie or any of a dozen other strawberry, rhubarb, or blueberry varieties. Creme de Menthe or Pumpkin Chiffon sound fancy. Whatever I decide, I will throw it in "Elaine's Pie Crust" and I'm sure it will be divine!
How about a drink? A Pink Squirrel? A Rusty Nail? There are many party sized recipes that call for a whole fifth of whiskey. This is where the imagination goes wild. It's the early sixties. Grandma Kay would be dolled up in a floor length number, her 6 foot frame looking statuesque as she stood next to my charismatic grandfather. I'm sure they lounged on the davenport and chatted with their friends. Who might they have entertained? Is this where I got the gift of hospitality and how to throw a party? Are large sized drinks and hot appetizers in my genetic code? Pigs in a Blanket and Bloody Mary's?
Then! the piece d' resistance! A Pina Colada recipe; not in Grandma's script, but in Grandpa's. He had an elegant hand I think!
Recipes like these are historical documents. They should be treated as such; tenderly and lovingly cared for. They trace the taste buds of my ancestry through one of the most important and honorable traditions - the family meal. They whisper about the kind of people they were, how they liked to entertain, in what esteem they held their friends. As I mix a drink or cook up a meal, I can share in a moment with the spirit of my loved ones. And if I get really frisky, I'll do what my sweet Grandma suggested to me in her 80th year; "Let's get a little wild, and split a beer!"
I'll leave you with a party drink recipe sure to please! What else? Here's how to make a....
"Sneaky Pete"
1/2 Gallon Jug
3 pkgs. frozen Raspberries (strain the seeds out)
Dissolve 1 C. sugar and 1 C. water and pour over the berries
Add 1/2 a Fifth of "CHEAP BOOZE"
Let stand for three weeks.
Oh. Yeah.
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