Tuesday, May 12, 2009

Recipes from the past.....

I'm not sure why I checked ebay, perhaps it was from reading Heirloom Baking with the Brass Sisters or just curiosity but I won a wonderful handwritten recipe book!!! First, I can't believe someone let this book escape their family; I am sure some family member would have appreciated having this book. Second, I would never let one of my mom's or grandmom's handwritten recipes out of my hands. OK, I'm off my soap box, now on to the book, it's amazing!!! So many dessert recipes, Heavenly Pie, Fudge, Harlequin Cake, Pearl's Angel Food, Dream Bars, Orange Date Bread and so many more. I think Devil's Food Cake must have been popular, there are at least four different recipes. The owner of the book made sure she gave credit to whoever gave her the recipe and sometimes the date and where the dessert or dish was served. Most of the recipes are dated from 1932 to the early 1940's, many mention being served at the Sacajawea Club, I think it might have been a Girls and Boys Club. Here are a couple of references at the end of recipes:
Recipe from Mrs. Duncan, served at her home January 20, 1937. Very cold day 23 below, 10 members present.
Recipe from Pearl Howard, served at a stork shower for Olive.
This is just too cool and her penmanship is beautiful. She wrote a saying in the front of the book and I have to share it with you.

We may live without friends,
we may live without books
But civilized man cannot live
without cooks.



9 comments:

vibi said...

Oh! You lucky, lucky woman!!!

Stephanie said...

Wow what a treasure this is! I wish I had something in my family like this... and if I did, I certainly would not let it go! Nice job scoring this ebay goodie!

PheMom said...

What an incredible find! Since the family it came from let it go I am glad it landed with someone who will appreciate it!

Megan said...

That truly is a priceless antique - and if you ever decide to get rid of it (yeah right!) call me first!

Katiecakes said...

That is such a wonderful thing to have! You're so lucky :)

Katie xo

Craving Ellie in My Belly said...

That is too cool. I can't wait to see what you make out of it.

Sara/imafoodblog.com

Mermaid Sews said...

Wow, what a treasure, sooo cool. I just got my husband's grandmother's old handwritten dessert cookbook.

TeaLady said...

I'm with you, this would never leave the family. I have my granny's from when she took home-ec and I would never give it up.

Dawn said...

I too bought a bakery handwritten book off of Ebay!! Oh my gosh do I love it!! Mine was from a bakery/saloon owner in Grass Valley CA in the late 1940's. What I did was make a copy of the entire book so as not to mess up my book. If perhaps you are interested in exchanging a copy of your book recipes for mine I would love it!! I am crazy for old bakery recipes. email me at dixondawn@hotmail.com if you are interested. I love your blog. I owned a tearoom and we used to do a lot of baking. I think I might have to switch my blog from crafts to baking now!!