How To Make a Family Cook Book

A family recipe book is actually a collection of memories of our lives. Old family recipes will disappear with time if we do not make an effort to preserve them.

Our most powerful memories are often those involving food - the comforting smell of cookies in the oven, memories of the family around the table at mealtime or trips to grandma's - and these happy memories should be preserved for future generations! What is your favorite memory from your childhood? Does it involve food?

My sister, Betty Tate DeLorme, presented our family with a family cookbook in 1983. She had patiently typed every word on a Royal Manual Typewriter. I know it took hours and hours to create. Thankfully, In this day we have computers, and creating your own family cookbook is much faster - and easier!

You can make your own recipe book on your computer. Take it to the local print shop for printing and binding. There are also companies on line that specialize in producing your family cookbook - see the link list below.

Become your family's Betty Crocker! Ask your relatives to e-mail special family recipes to you. Your mailbox will quickly fill with everyone's favorite recipes and memories. You may want to include family friends, too!

The most important thing is to do it! Make it fancy and professional. Or let it be a family project and let your children help create your cookbook and simply place the pages in 3 ring binders or folders. The children can even draw pictures -- be sure they sign and date them, though! Let your family recipe cookbook reflect your own style.

Our family cookbook is well-loved by all of us. It is my hope that you will start creating your own today!

PS: Make some extra copies. Over 20 years later, we still ask Betty for reprints for wedding gifts and hostess gifts and special gifts for our friends.

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