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My mother passed away this past April. I've found two of her recipes for Christmas favorites that my sisters make every year. Because the recipe cards are in my mom's handwriting, I've had them framed as gifts to my sisters. Can't wait for them to open on Christmas Day!

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Oh! That is the most wonderful gift!! It makes me teary! What are the recipes for?

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My grandmother’s Spiced Pecans and some chocolate/oatmeal/coconut drop cookies. I can share the latter but not the spiced pecans😊

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Oh wow. So sweet, and spot-on—-yes, “Mrs Ryan” would so want us to enjoy the cookies. And she would be proud to be included here! You capture well the profound connection available to us through the recipes passed on, and through the sharing of these recipes and of course the eating of the food! I too, have that recipe written in her handwriting, and will following her recipe through occasionally teary eyes.

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The teary eyes is why I typically call for unsalted butter... Don't want to oversalt the product. And thank you for writing. I'm thinking of you and all your family. But you know that. xo

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I make my gramma's Golden Honey Brownies, with a shortbread-y bottom and a gooey nutty top. Delicious and they bring me back to the hot days of summer (that's when we got to visit her, really a better cookie choice for winter, I think).

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These sound wonderful! I have my great-grandmother's cookbooks, among other ancient (vintage!) baking books. I used to love the twisted candy cane cookies with their red and cream spiral. I used to love shaping them, but preferred an almondy flavour to peppermint. My mother made large Christmas tree cut out cookies one year, some with red sugar sprinkles and some with green. She set out a platter, but I was in trouble for something and forbidden to touch them. Of course, while she was busy, I crammed one hastily into my mouth. I confessed years later and she said she was glad I had one! Anyway, thanks for triggering the memories. ;-)

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So many memories, right? Love that you confessed to your mom. Also agree on the almond flavor over the peppermint. What sorts of cookbooks of your great-grandmother's do you have? I collect old cookbooks too.

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I have a couple that were giveaways from local banks I think. From 30’s or 40’s maybe? One of those was a series where you collected different smaller books, ie; MEATS, VEGETABLES, DESSERTS, etc. Those were my great grandmother’s who ran a boarding house. I also have a great cookbook of recipes that won blue ribbons at county fairs from the 60’s. And several sentimental books through the years. What about you?

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December 12, 2021
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Yes! Good idea!

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