by Evelyn J. Mocbeichel
It’s a quiet time now right before the busy holiday season starts, soon followed by several months of winter. For me this is a perfect time to make overdue phone calls for “mini visits” to friends that live long distances away so we can leisurely catch up. This is especially true of friends or family that may live too far away to see them during the holidays. One friend, Beth, had a daughter in a play group and Sunday school many years ago that was the same age as one of our daughters. Often we’d get together for playgroup time when the girls were too young for school yet. Both of us had three young children at the time and enjoyed each other’s company and sharing common interests. Back in those days the moms would share time together taking turns hosting evenings at each others’ home for coffee time, or doing holiday crafts providing an easy and relaxing way to be together. As with many families, often work relocation necessitates a move and so Beth and family moved to New Jersey. Despite decades passing, we keep up by mail, calls and later email made it even easier to write notes and keep up on what the children were doing as they grew.
During a recent catch up call that included what our now adult children and grandchildren were up to, the conversation reverted back to the early days of our friendship. Beth said, “I have a question for you. Do you know anybody our age now that still bakes Christmas cookies like we used to?” After hearing that question I was reminded of the cookie swaps we used to have, making the task of baking different kinds of Christmas cookies a bit easier. The concept was a simple one. Each lady brought four dozen cookies of her favorite recipe to share with the others. A few days before the swap, the host had asked for a copy of the recipe if the baker would like to share it. The recipes were mostly handwritten and these were photocopied just as they were submitted and made into a booklet for each guest to take home. The front cover had an illustration of a plate of cookies drawn by the host with the date of the party. I still have my copy in my binder of cookie and pastry recipes.
The question Beth asked had me stop to think and I could only come up with one name, my friend Sheila that lives in rural New Hampshire. She continues to bake her holiday repertoire that her four sons and their families love to eat. But that was the only name I could think of as all other friends, formerly expert bakers, have stopped. Why is this? Is it lack of time, disinterest by family members or because of so many allergies and food restrictions that a baker has given up on recreating these once family favorites? Beth and I agreed that we certainly have the time now that we are all retired and no daily schedule that has to be followed. My own thoughts on this subject is that once treasured recipes will be lost and not passed down through the generations if not baked or cooked during the holidays or other family gathering times. Who among us does not remember and recall at least one favorite recipe we wished grandma or mom was still here to make for us now?
Speaking of recipes, another thought for those readers that love certain recipes a senior family makes that is a favorite. The next time grandma, your mother or favorite aunt has you over for dinner and has made one of the popular recipes she is known for, write down the recipe word for word. Even better yet, arrive early to watch how it is made and make notes on exactly the correct ingredients and measurements should be. This is one way to pass down a family tradition to the younger generation and to ensure it won’t be lost.
