A gift

Last year we had the pleasure of hosting one of my favorite people on the planet, my 95-year-old father-in-law, for two weeks in December. Before flying out to be with us he asked what I wanted for Christmas. Aside from his presence I had trouble thinking of a single thing. Who needs more stuff?

Finally I asked for any recipes that might remain from my mother-in-law, who died in 1999. He wasn't sure what was left in that kitchen drawer where they resided all those years, but he dutifully brought me what scribbling he could find.

It turned out to be a treasure trove, not only of recipes but also of glimpses into Eliza's life. I can just see her enjoying a salad at a bridge club meeting, quickly jotting down the dressing ingredients on a score sheet.

Much of the fun in this old collection is her choice of paper. If you were born after 1985 you may not recognize where this little card is from, but on the other side you will find the scrawled directions for making orange sherbet.

This recipe has no title and so few directions that I haven't figured out what it's for, but it must've made sense to Eliza. Check out the ingredients...how much would 15 cents buy these days? However I'm pretty sure what she means by  "1 good teas."

This little brochure from the 40's still contains a coupon, and a strange recipe for "English Rocks."

As the decades ticked past, new ideas began to show up...granola? Looks like the grandkids were paying a visit at the time.

The paper is so fragile that most of Eliza's recipes can bear little handling. Still, I took this one out yesterday afternoon and baked orange macaroons.

Made with no shortening, just eggs, flour, sugar, orange zest, and almonds, these light little delights are like something you might pick up in a Parisian bakery. I don't remember her making these sophisticated treats but I'm glad she left me the recipe all these years later.

Five close family members celebrate birthdays in the next month so this sour cream cake is on my short list to make real soon.  My father-in-law's gift just keeps on giving.

My photographer friend Rebecca in Pennsylvania points out that I finally have a post for Friday Shoot-outs because the topic this week is "handwriting." If you'd like to see more, check it out at Friday My Town Shoot-Out.